This crackdown prompted Sunni tribal figures in the town and across northern Iraq to harden their rhetoric against Maliki's government.

From Jordan, influential religious figure Sheikh Abdul Malik al-Saadi said, "self defense has become a legitimate and legal duty."

[9] During ISIL occupation, Hawija's residents have suffered severe shortages of critical supplies, including food, water, and medicine.

[11][12] ISIL-occupied Hawija became isolated from the rest of ISIL's territory in July 2016 during the Battle of Mosul, when Al-Shirqat was captured by Iraqi troops.

[13] On September 21, 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced an offensive to reclaim the city after over three years of ISIS rule.