News / Iraq

Iraq forces enter Mosul University, seize Tigris bridge

Friday, 13 January 2017 10:32 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 13 January 2017 11:15 AM ]

Iraqi army members clash with Daesh from the roof of a building in the east of the northern city of Mosul, January 12, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

Iraqi forces have entered the Mosul University compound in a key advance against Daesh in the northern city, the Takfiri terror group’s last stronghold in the Arab country.

On Friday, Iraqi special forces fought their way into the university’s compound and liberated a number of its buildings, Iraq’s al-Sumariah television network reported.

The university has served as a base to the terrorists, who have reportedly been using its laboratory to produce chemical weapons.

In another development, Iraq’s Elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) units liberated Freedom Bridge, the second one running across Tigris River in Mosul, raising the national flag over the structure.

Al-Sumariah, meanwhile, said Daesh had planned to blow up the bridges to slow the troops’ advances.

Iraqi forces also cleansed the Office of the Provincial Governor of Nineveh Province, of which Mosul is the capital, as well as two other government buildings in the province’s Mosul District of terrorist presence.

Abdul-Amir Yar-Allah, the head of the Nineveh operations, further announced the liberation of the buildings housing the province’s Agriculture, Development Planning and Government Properties Authorities.

Iraqi sources, also said the al-Sadriah neighborhood on the western bank of Tigirs had been restored to government control.

Sources said as many as 90 Daesh elements had been killed and two of their vehicles destroyed during counterterrorism operation on the river’s eastern bank.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says the country would need three months to vanquish the outfit, which has suffered unprecedented losses since unleashing its campaign of terror against the nation in 2014.

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