BAGHDAD

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced late Monday the launch of what he called the second stage of Iraq's military campaign against Daesh to recapture the northern province of Saladin.

The military operation will be a step forward to "liberate" Mosul, a statement released by Abadi’s office said.

Mosul is Daesh's stronghold in Iraq, which it captured more than a year ago. 

On March 31, Iraqi security forces, backed by the al-Hashd al-Shaabi Shia militia, seized control of Tikrit, Salahdin's provincial capital.

Abadi then ordered the Shia militia to immediately withdraw from the area, following accusations of looting and burning of private property in the Sunni-majority city. 

The new operation will also target Baiji, a strategic district north of Tikrit, which has seen clashes between Iraqi security forces and Daesh over the country’s significant oil refinery complex.