Iraqi forces take over western Mosul village, refugee aid teams survive shelling
Iraqi forces in western Mosul.
The ministry’s War Media Cell said government forces recaptured Alamlok village, east of the town of Badush. Government troops and allied al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) have been liberating areas around the town and recently took over its infamous prison.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Migration and Displacement said a team of its aid workers became under mortar bombardment from IS militants while delivering aid items to refugees at recaptured areas in western Mosul. The Ministry’s statement said nobody was harmed.
The Iraqi government launched a major offensive in February to retake western Mosul from Islamic State militants. The forces recaptured the eastern side of the city late January after three months of fighting.
In the western region, Iraqi forces have made remarkable gains, taking over a government complex last week that hosts the governor’s office, a main central bank branch, a police department, a courthouse and other public facilities. The forces had earlier retaken the city’s airport and biggest military camp.
The army’s Counter-Terrorism Service said last week government forces had become in control over 60 percent of the western side. Generals from the Iraqi side and the allied U.S.-led coalition had estimated six months needed to fully liberate the city which fell to the extremist group in 2014.