The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) have encircled the town of Hawija in Iraq’s Nineveh Governorate. Amid spordaic clashes with the ISDF, ISIS militants are reportedly fleeing from Hawija to the ISIS stronghold of Mosul.
We remember, the US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has announced deployment of 560 new US troops to the Qayara airbase, southwest of Hawa. The control of Qayyarah Airbase allows to the Iraqi Security Forces to set a foothold for further advances in the province. If the contructions of the base are restored, it will also allow Iraqi forces to successfully deploy and use helicopter gunsihps in the area.