Iraqi forces recapture refinery town from Islamic State militants

BAGHDAD — Teamed up with paramilitary forces, Iraqi government troops on Tuesday drove Islamic State militants out of a key oil refinery town north of Baghdad, a government spokesman said.

The troops were gathered around a famous bearded militia fighter who refers to himself as Abu Azrael, or the Father of the Angel of Death, saying his catchphrase “illa tahin” — meaning he will crush the Islamic State militants like flour.

Speaking to reporters traveling to Iraq with Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Maj. Mike Filanowski, said the Iraqi forces, secured the refinery’s perimeter and the power plant to the north, and are slowly moving toward the center of the refinery, clearing out enemy fighters and encountering booby traps and sniper fire.