Iraqi army effectively cut last main exit road out of Mosul

(Reuters/IraqiNews.com) U.S.-backed Iraqi army units shut the last main exit out of the Islamic State group’s stronghold in western Mosul, controlling access to the city from the northwest, a general and residents there said on Wednesday.

The army’s 9th armored division is within a kilometer of Mosul’s “Syria Gate”, the northwestern entrance of the city, a general from the unit told Reuters by telephone.

“We effectively control the road, it is within our sight,” he said. Mosul residents said they had not been able to travel on the highway that begins at the “Syria Gate” since Tuesday.

The road links Mosul to Tal Afar, another Islamic State stronghold 60 km (40 miles) to the west, and then to the Syrian border.

Government troops have recently pushed closer to central Mosul, where many strategic government facilities are located. They had made remarkable gains retaking the city’s airport and a major military camp. The eastern side of Mosul was recaptured late January after three months of fighting.

Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition generals say IS powers were waning in western Mosul, with the extremist group’s defenses quickly collapsing to Iraqi and coalition strikes. They had predicted the western region to be rectaken within six months.