Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi announced that the launch of the first phase for the liberation of Kirkuk's Hawija district from ISIS.

The Iraqi Coalition Forces Lieutenant General Abdulamir Rashid Yaralla announced that the Iraqi army, Federal police forces and Hashd al-Shaabi forces are partaking in the operation, which will begin from the east of Sherqat and Hawija districts in the first stage.

Peshmerga forces will not be joining the operation, according to reports.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi visited Makhmur town which is linked to Mosul, and observed the preparations for the Hawija operation yesterday.

Hawija district lies south-west of Kirkuk and houses mainly Sunni Arab and a small Kurdish population.

Occupied by ISIS gangs in July of 2014, Hawija is 170 kilometers far from Tal Afar district where the Iraqi army gained control last month.