Shia militia to join Tal Afar operation: Iraq PM
Participation of Hashd al-Shaabi militia in Tal Afar offensive has raised fears of sectarian conflict
By Ibrahim Saleh
BAGHDAD
The Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia will participate in a planned offensive to recapture the northern city of Tal Afar from the Daesh terrorist group, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said.
Speaking at a youth meeting on Saturday, al-Abadi said his government has set a plan for dislodging Daesh from Tal Afar.
“The campaign will be launched with the participation of all factions of the Iraqi armed forces, including the Hashd al-Shaabi,” he added.
The Daesh terrorist group captured Tal Afar, a predominantly Turkmen city, in mid-2014.
The participation of the Hashd al-Shaabi in the planned Tal Afar operation has sparked fears of a possible sectarian conflict.
The Shia militia has previously faced accusations of committing atrocities in the Sunni-majority areas in Iraq.
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