Iraq launches operation to clear IS remnants from Kanous

Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq carried out a military operation Wednesday to clear islands in Kanous area from remnants of Islamic State group.

Kanous islands are a group of small islands in Tigris River situated near Kanous village in sourn Mosul.

area is used by IS militants as a distribution center for militants that are coming from Syria.

military operations in area started on Sept. 19 by Iraqi army, police forces, and PMF.

But after three days, Iraqi army and police forces pulled out from area without achieving ir goal of clearing islands of IS pockets.

Iraqi Joint Operations Center has published several photos of murdered IS members, ir guns and hideouts but did not specify reason behind withdrawal or announce end of operations.

Only PMF are continuing operations and attempting to clear IS hideouts on islands, which are densely packed with trees.

PMF are facing challenges and do not have engineering equipment or pontoon bridges needed to cross river, said Abu Sidra al Turkmani, he of operations at Brige 30.

PMF was created in 2014 as a framework to organize and pay thousands who volunteered to fight IS after a fatwa by Iraq's top cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.