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AFP
Hatra
Iraqi pro-government forces said Wednesday they had seized the Unesco-listed ancient site of Hatra from the Islamic State group, the latest archaeological jewel to be wrested from the jihadists'grip.
Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitary forces fighting IS around Iraq's second city Mosul said they had"liberated the ancient city of Hatra... after fierce clashes with the enemy".
The Hashed forces launched their offensive at dawn on Tuesday and swiftly retook villages in nearby desert areas and the Hatra archaeological site. They had advanced to the edge of the adjacent town of Hatra itself.
An AFP reporter with the forces said the advance was quick, supported by army helicopters and met by limited resistance from the militants.
Lying 120 kilometres (80 miles) southwest of Mosul, the militants'last urban Iraqi stronghold, Hatra is one of a string of archaeological sites recaptured from IS in recent months.
