Shiite militias launch operation near Iraq's Mosul

BAGHDAD -- State-sanctioned Shiite militias have launched an attack on ISIS west of the Iraqi city of Mosul but reiterated that they would not enter the Sunni majority city.

Jaafar al-Husseini, a spokesman for the Hezbollah Brigades, said they launched an offensive Saturday along with other militias toward the town of Tel Afar, which had a Shiite majority before it fell to IS in 2014. He says Iranian forces are advising the fighters and Iraqi aircraft are providing airstrikes.

Al-Husseini says the militias will focus on Tel Afar and on securing the western border with Syria.