Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — Iraq has formed units to recapture a key city from Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.

Officials said the government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki has approved the formation of units meant to contain more than 10,000 soldiers to recapture Mosul.

They said the units consisted of Sunnis and Kurds from the Nineveh province, most of which has been taken over by ISIL.

“We have formed several brigades from local residents to fight ISIL,” Nineveh Gov. Athil Al Najafi said.

In a statement on July 26, Al Najafi said the brigades were comprised of tribes and other constituents in and around Mosul. The governor said authorities were trying to gain local support to sustain recruitment.

“The people are determined to kick ISIL out,” Al Najafi said.

On June 10, ISIL captured Mosul, the second largest city in the country, without a fight. The city contains a large military base with thousands of U.S.-origin combat vehicles, artillery and machine guns.

The Iraq Army has sought to roll back ISIL gains in the north. But in mid-July, the army sustained a major defeat when it was forced to withdraw from Tikrit, a key Sunni stronghold. Officials also expressed concern of an ISIL presence in and around Baghdad.

  battle for Mosul, Iraq forms brigades of Sunnis, ISIL, Kurds in bid to take back Mosul, Nouri Al Maliki