Iraqi command says a few meters away from Mosul government complex

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) The Iraqi Joint Operations Command and the Federal Police service said Sunday the forces became tens of meters away from government buildings in western Mosul, a major target as the campaign to expel Islamic State militants continues.

Federal Police chief, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, said in a statement the forces continue advances inside the neighborhoods of Dawasa, Dindan and Nabi Sheeth, killing tens of militants and destroying many of their combat equipment. He said the troops have become a few meters away from the government complex, adding that retaking that area could mean “a 80 percent strategic and moral victory in western Mosul battles”.

Earlier on Sunday, Iraqi government forces pushed deeper Sunday into western Mosul seeking to drive out Islamic State extremists, storming four major districts.

Chief of the Joint Operations Command’s operations in Nineveh, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah, said in a statement that Federal Police and Rapid Response forces invaded the districts of Dindan and Dawasah, in the easternmost area of western Mosul, while the Counter-Terrorism Force invaded al-Sumoud and Tal al-Rumman in the westernmost area.

Iraqi forces recaptured eastern Mosul in January, ending three months of fighting to retake the city which fell to Islamic State militants in 2014. A new offensive began in mid February to retake the western region, with generals from the Iraqi forces and the allied U.S.-led coalition reporting faster collapses and weaker resistance on IS behalf.

Western Mosul is smaller in space from the eastern side, albeit denser in population and residential areas, with officials predicting to retake that area within six months.