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BAGHDAD, Iraq — International coalition forces will be a part of the “assisting” forces to retake ISIS-held Hawija, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said, adding that the operation is nearing.“We have stepped up military plans to retake Hawija. Coalition forces will be part of the assisting forces to regain control of Hawija,” Abadi told Rudaw after meeting of Iraqi Council of Ministers on Tuesday.There was no immediate response by the Coalition on its role in the anticipated fight, but previous statements by the Coalition indicated they will not exceed their “advise and assist” roles.In the past week, the Coalition has reported one strike near Hawija.On Monday one Coalition strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two ISIS-held buildingsWith just over 400,000 inhabitants, predominantly Sunni Arabs, Hawija and its surrounding localities have been at the center of multiple insurgencies since 2004.The attack to retake the city, captured by ISIS in June 2014, has been repeatedly postponed to avoid triggering sectarian tensions in Sunni lands.Abadi added that the Hawija operation is nearing. The Peshmerga, Iraqi army, federal police, Hashd al-Shaabi will take part in the operation to liberate Hawija.A Shiite paramilitary commander said in late April that five Shiite brigades will join the operation supported by government airstrikes and Peshmerga ground forces.“At the order of the Commander of the Armed Forces we have prepared the assault in coordination with the Peshmerga troops. We have all the preparations needed for this operation,” said Colonel Zaki Muhammad, the local commander of Hashd al-Shaabi.Iraqi forces have pushed back the militants in several areas near Hawija, which is regarded a strategic city at the crossroads between Kirkuk and Nineveh province.Hawija's northern borders and its four city gates have been sieged by Peshmerga forces since August last year.Kurdish security officials have said the liberation of Hawija is crucial for the security of Kirkuk city which suffered from several deadly bombings over the past year claimed by ISIS militants.“Our troops will manage to enter the city from the northern gates and are basically waiting for orders from the Kurdistan Region,” said Peshmerga Major General Hama Regir last month.