Iraqi forces capture strategic bridge, get closer to old Mosul

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi government forces took over a main bridge leading to central Mosul’s Old City on Monday as operations press on to recapture the area occupied by Islamic State militants.

Reuters quoted military sources saying that U.S.-backed Iraqi forces had taken over al-Hurriya Bridge, one of five bridges linking both sides of Mosul across the Tigris River.

Iraqi forces had recaptured another bridge to the south as part of the offensive which launched in February to clear western Mosul from militants.

Fighter jets from the international coalition had pounded the five bridges during operations in eastern Mosul to prevent IS militants from escaping to the west or receiving supplies from there. Iraqi generals said last week they were installing a floating bridge to allow backup from the east for the forces fighting in western Mosul.

Mosul fell to IS militants in 2014, and had been proclaimed as the capital of the group’s “Islamic Caliphate” before Iraqi forces retook the eastern part late January.

Iraqi and coalition generals had predicted the city to be retaken within six months from the start of the operations in the west.

Battles have so far displaced at least 57000 people, according to the Iraqi government, and at least 47.000 according to the United Nations.