Iraq Announces Zero Hour for Security Campaign against ’ISIL’

Iraq’s army and popular groups, known as Hashid Shaabi, have launched a long-awaited offensive against the “ISIL”in Salahuddin province, a stronghold of the extremist group north of Baghdad, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Sunday.

Iraq Announces Zero Hour for Security Campaign against “ISIL”

This comes as the Takfiris control several strongholds in the province of Salahuddin, including Tikrit, hometown of executed former president Saddam Hussein.
They also hold other towns on the Tigris river, north of the government-held city of Samarra which Abadi visited on Sunday.

“The prime minister and armed forces chief … announce the start of the security campaign to liberate Salahuddin,” a statement issued by Abadi’s office said as he met military leaders in the province, where thousands of troops and militia have gathered for battle.

In comments broadcast on Iraqi television, Abadi said the militants would be pushed out of all of Salahuddin and offered their supporters a final opportunity to hand themselves in. “I call upon all those who have been deluded and made mistakes in past to lay down arms today,” he said.

“This is their last chance. If they insist on staying on their wrong path they will receive the fair punishment they deserve because they … stood with terrorism.”

On Saturday residents reported heavy clashes around Samarra after suicide bombers blew themselves up near to security forces in attacks which may have aimed at disrupting the army and militia preparations for the campaign.

Abadi’s announcement follows several attempts to drive the militants out of Tikrit since they swept towards Baghdad last June, adding large parts of north and west Iraq to the swathes of neighbouring Syria already under their control.

A senior US officer said last week 800 Iraqi forces were participating in the battle and appeared set to drive the militants back. His optimistic comments echoed those of Iraq’s defense minister.

Abadi also visited Samarra’s restored Holy Askaryne shrine, which was blown up in a 2006 terrorist attack.