Iraqi troops liberate strategic district, invade others in western Mosul
Iraqi rapid response forces cary their weapons during battle with Islamic State militants in the Mithaq district of eastern Mosul, Iraq, January 4, 2017. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Interior Ministry’s Rapid Response troops freed al-Iqtisadiyeen district in west of Mosul, Al Iraqiya satellite TV channel has reported.
Earlier, the War Media Cell said through its media service that the Iraqi army’s elite Counter-Terrorism Service “invaded early on Sunday the districts of al-Oraibi and al-Refaie in western Mosul.”
“The troops were able to destroy the enemy’s defenses and resumed their advance.”
Meanwhile, “Rapid Response forces stormed al-Iqtisadiyeen district as well as the southern and northern corners of 17 Tamuz (July 17th) district,” according to the statement.
On Saturday, Iraqi troops liberated al-Haramat al-Thalitha and Hawi al-Kanisah district and gained control on the southern and western banks of Tigris River in west of Mosul. Five villages in Qairawan region, which links between Tal Afar town and the Syrian borders, were freed by the paramilitary troops. Islah al-Zeraee district was recaptured on Friday.
The eastern side of Mosul was retaken in January after three months of battles. Another offensive has been launched since February to retake the western flank of the city.Iraqi generals recently said they became in control over nearly 90 percent of the western region and expected to be fully liberated this month