BAGHDAD — Iraqi government forces retook four villages on Sunday near a mountain ridge overlooking the supply lines of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, security officials said.



Iraqi security forces backed by Shiite militias gained some momentum on Saturday in their bid to loosen the grip of the so-called Islamic State, which controls large swathes of territory in the north and west of the country. After months of fighting they drove IS militants out of Jurf Al-Sakhar, just south of Baghdad, while Kurdish fighters regained control over the town of Zumar in the north.



Iraqi security forces backed by Shiite militias launched an assault on Saturday on areas around the Himreen mountains, a hotbed of militant activity 100 km (60 miles) south of the oil city of Kirkuk.



On Sunday they seized control of four villages in the area, security officials said, adding that it was very difficult to accelerate efforts to capture more territory because of roadside bombs and booby-trapped houses.



“We have decided to make slow advances. We hold the ground, set up watch towers, clear the explosives and build sand barriers to prevent the armed men from returning,” army major Ahmed Nu’aman told Reuters by telephone.



The operation is designed to isolate IS militants controlling the towns of Jalawla and Saadiya and cut off the areas they seized northeast of the city of Baquba, which is held by Iraqi security forces and Shiite militias.



Government forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters have been trying for months to take over Jalawla and Saadiya, located northeast of Baghdad.



The next major security operation is expected to target the town of Amriyat Al-Falluja, located in the Sunni heartland of Anbar province, just 40 km (25 miles) from Baghdad.



Militants in the nearby town of Falluja, an IS bastion and former Al-Qaeda stronghold under the US occupation of Iraq, used loudspeakers attached to police vehicles they captured to address supporters.



They were told to expect good news from Amriyat Al-Falluja. “Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry about what happened in Jurf Al-Sakhar. The mujahideen will be back,” was the message conveyed over loudspeakers, a witness told Reuters from Falluja.



“Be cheerful. We have 100 suicide bombers preparing for the battle of Amriyat Al-Falluja and we have more if the situation warrants.” — Reuters