Iran-backed Shi'ite militias to join assault near Mosul on new front

Iraqi Shi'ite militias backed by Iran said on Friday they would soon join the fight against Islamic State on a new front west of Mosul, a move which could block any retreat by the jihadists into Syria but might alarm Turkey and the United States.

The Shi'ite militias, with thousands of battle-hardened fighters trained by Iran, would bring important extra firepower to what is expected to be the biggest battle in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003....
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-talafar-idUSKCN12S0PM