A wind swept plain near the village Albouhassan in northern Iraq.<br/> <br />This is close to the town of Amerli, which government forces jubilantly liberated from Islamic State militants two weeks ago.<br/> <br />Village by village, they're trying to regain control of the Amerli region and they say they've almost pushed back the Sunni fighters from Albouhassan village.<br/> <br />They're backed by Shiite militias, including the Saraya Salam Brigade, or the 'Brigades of Peace'.<br/> <br />Their militia flag stands guard.<br/> <br />The operation started at dawn.<br/> <br />It included shelling, mortar fire and air strikes.<br/> <br />Colonel Mustafa Hussein is leading this operation.<br/> <br />He says his forces have already liberated some other villages in the surrounding area<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI ARMY COLONEL, MOSTAFA HUSSEIN, SAYING:<br/> <br />''Our furthest position is about 400 meters from ISIS positions and we are adamant that today we will liberate Albouhassan.''<br/> <br />The men drive towards the frontline.
