News / Iraq

Iraqi forces achieve fresh territorial gains in, near Mosul

Friday, 10 March 2017 6:55 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 10 March 2017 8:53 PM ]

Iraqi forces advance toward al-Amil neighborhood in western Mosul on March 10, 2017 as they advance in the city in the ongoing battle to seize it from Takfiri Daesh militants. (Photo by AFP)

Iraqi government forces have registered more territorial gains in Mosul as they continue their joint operations with fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units to push Takfiri Daesh terrorists out of their last urban stronghold in the Arab country.

Commander of the Federal Police Forces Lieutenant General Raed Shaker Jawdat announced on Friday that Iraqi police commandos and rapid response teams had launched a multi-pronged offensive on the western Bab al-Toub neighborhood of Mosul, killing 25 Daesh militants. There were three bombers among the slain extremists, Arabic-language al-Sumaria television network reported.

Iraqi forces also destroyed four explosive-laden cars, five motorcycle bombs in addition to a dozen rocket launchers, and seized 14 vehicles rigged with explosives.

Jawdat added that his forces continue to evacuate displaced families from battle zones to refugee camps in Khazir and Hamam al-Alil towns, which lie on the southern outskirts of Mosul.

Earlier, Commander of Nineveh Liberation Operation Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah said soldiers from the 9th Armored Division and Popular Mobilization Units – commonly known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha’abi, had freed the villages of al-Jammasah and Humaydat northwest of Mosul.

Iraqi troops patrol as people walk in western Mosul after a food distribution from the Iraqi troops on March 10, 2017 as Iraqi forces advance in the city during the ongoing battle to seize it from Takfiri Daesh militants. (Photo by AFP)

Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) members also wrested full control of al-Amel al-Oula and al-Amel al-Thaniyah neighborhoods in western Mosul, and hoisted the national flag over several buildings there.

On Friday morning, Iraqi federal police forces liberated Akidat and Nabi Sheet neighborhoods in the western part of Mosul.

Additionally, Iraqi army forces restored security and stability in five villages, including Alamlouk and Khojah Khalil, east of Badush.

Iraqi army soldiers and allied Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters launched the offensive to retake Mosul last October and since then they have made sweeping gains against Takfiri elements.

Iraqi forces took control of eastern Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting and launched the battle in the west on February 19.

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