Threat of new civil war in Iraq overshadows recent successes against ISIL
OTTAWA — Coalition forces in Iraq are reporting faster-than-expected progress against the so-called Islamic State, though that success has been marred by fears that a new civil war is brewing in the country.
The Iraqi military declared Tuesday that it had regained control of the town Hawija and the surrounding area after three weeks of fighting, eliminating ISIL’s last major stronghold in Iraq.
That leaves a small pocket near the Syrian border as the last area still under the group’s control.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, a senior coalition officer said the battle for Hawija, which included assistance from Canadian special forces, was much easier than commanders expected.