A wind swept plain near the village Albouhassan in northern Iraq.
This is close to the town of Amerli, which government forces jubilantly liberated from Islamic State militants two weeks ago.
Village by village, they're trying to regain control of the Amerli region and they say they've almost pushed back the Sunni fighters from Albouhassan village.
They're backed by Shiite militias, including the Saraya Salam Brigade, or the 'Brigades of Peace'.
Their militia flag stands guard.
The operation started at dawn.
It included shelling, mortar fire and air strikes.
Colonel Mustafa Hussein is leading this operation.
He says his forces have already liberated some other villages in the surrounding area
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI ARMY COLONEL, MOSTAFA HUSSEIN, SAYING:
''Our furthest position is about 400 meters from ISIS positions and we are adamant that today we will liberate Albouhassan.''
The men drive towards the frontline.
