Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Airstrikes by Iraqi fighter jets killed 88 Islamic State fighters in northeastern Mosul, a statement by the air force said on Friday as a few regions remain to declare the full recapture of the eastern part of the city.The airstrike targeted the region of Tel Kaif and al-Sehaji, killing the militants and destroying their combat equipment and hideouts, according to the statement.
On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the basic military plan for Mosul’s liberation had been completed “in most combat axes” with the recapture of central Mosul, adding that operations continue to liberate “a few regions” in the north of the city.
Commanders from the Iraqi army’s elite Counter-Terrorism Forces said in a press conference on the same day they had retaken all districts assigned to them in eastern Mosul, killing 3300 militants since operations launched in October 2016.
After getting finished with eastern Mosul, Iraqi generals plan to advance to the western region of the city beyond the Tigris River, where Islamic State still predominates a majority of territory.
The campaign to retake Mosul has entered its third month, with Iraqi government forces backed by U.S.-led international coalition fighter jets as well as popular militias.
IS militants have reportedly began retreating to their western Mosul strongholds.