VOA常速英语:冬季来临，摩苏尔战役攻势放缓，战事转而深入泰勒阿菲尔

More than two and a half years ago, IS militants captured this village Bashmana, saying they were “liberating” the population from the government, before destroying lives and livelihoods.

About two months ago, Iraqi forces, including Shia militias, known here as Hashd Shaabi, recaptured the village and it is now slowly coming back to life.

When Hashd Shaabi arrived, locals say, the tiny Sunni Muslim community was terrified sectarian violence would ensue. “IS militants made us afraid of Hashd Shaabi.Even the media made us afraid.But after the liberation, we saw the opposite of what we have heard. We saw the truth.”

And soldiers say Hashd Shaabi has captured at least 80 villages from IS, but the most difficult battle lies ahead.As the winter weather sets in, both sides have slowed down, but Islamic State militants continue to launch attacks.Despite the setbacks, Hashd Shaabi leaders say they are preparing to go into the city of Tal Afar,a strategic IS stronghold lying between Mosul and the Syrian border.

“We must liberate Mosul and Tal Afar soon, but the goal for Iraqi forces is not to just liberate the place from IS militants.The goal is to free the people from IS militants and bring the area back to life again. Right now, there are many civilians in Tal Afar.”And civilians, he says, are the greatest challenge for Iraqi forces as more ordinary people are forced to retreat to protect militants who, soldiers say, would often rather die than surrender.

Heather Murdock, VOA News, Nineveh Province, Iraq.