Iraqi troops move into more areas in Mosul
Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi government forces on Monday took over more areas in western Mosul’s Old City as operations become a few days away from eliminating Islamic State militants from the region.
Federal Police chief Shaker Jawdat said in a statement that the forces recaptured Bab al-Sarai area, and raised Iraqi flags above its buildings. He said also troops took over Zul-Tawabeq garage, Khozam Mosque and a “transportation area” in the Old City. Troops were proceeding towards Khaled ibn al-Waleed and Nujaifi areas in the same district, he added.
Also in the Old City, two female suicide bombers from the Islamic State, who were hiding among a group of fleeing civilians, blew themselves up in Iraqi troops, killing one soldier and wounding several others, according to the Associated Press. Anadolu Agency, on its part, said a Tunisian woman blew herself up while hiding among civilians, killing four and wounding nine, including two Counter-Terrorism Service members.
Some generals were quoted saying there were less than 200 fighters in the city, adding that the forces reached the western bank of the Tigris River.
Iraqi soldiers continue operations in Mosul
Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi government forces brought down more Islamic State defense lines and killed scores of militants while advancing through the last few meters held by the group in western Mosul, military media said.
The Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell said government troops broke down “the strongest” Islamic State defenses in Khatouniya and Ras al-Khour areas in the Old City. It said those defense lines were run by foreign militants.
Forces killed 67 multinational militants and destroyed large stacks of ammunition in Shahwani. More than 72 explosive devices planted in the way of advancing forces were also removed, said the statement.
Commanders say that, currently, there are are no more than 300 militants cornered at areas overseeing the western bank of the Tigris River, which bisects Mosul. Senior commanders were quoted saying that government troops were nearly 200 meters away from the river’s bank.