Iraq’s Shi’ite militias say will launch offensive west of Mosul imminently

Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi’ite paramilitary groups are about to launch an offensive on Islamic State positions west of Mosul, assisting in the military campaign to take back the city, a spokesman said on Friday.The militias, collectively known as Hashid Shaabi or Popular Mobilization Forces, have completed preparations to move in the direction of Tal Afar, a stronghold of Islamic State west of Mosul, from their positions in Qayyara, south of the city.“A few days or hours separate us from the launch of operations there,” spokesman Ahmed al-Asadi told state TV, commenting on the plan to capture Tal Afar.