Iraqi forces seize ancient site of Hatra from IS
(Artdaily.org)

Iraqi forces seized the UNESCO-listed ancient site of Hatra from the Islamic State group Wednesday, 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. Nearby modern Hatra was not yet fully retaken but the Hashed said its forces had `broken into the town after Daesh (IS) defences collapsed`. It said in a statement that it killed 61 IS fighters in the two-day-old operation, including 19 suicide bombers, and evacuated around 2,500 civilians who fled their homes.