Iraqi forces control over a third of western Mosul: senior officer

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi government forces have become in control over at least a third of western Mosul since operations targeting Islamic State militants in that region launched in February, according to a senior Iraqi officer.

Maan al-Saadi, commander of the second division of the elite Counter-Terrorism Force, was quoted by AFP saying Iraqi forces had become in control over more than a third of the region, with troops proceeding to liberate the rest of districts in that section.

Earlier on Sunday, Iraqi troops continued advances in western Mosul, storming two more neighborhoods near the Old City.

The defense ministry’s War Media Cell said the army’s elite Counter-Terrorism Forces stormed the districts of al-Oghwat and Mosul al-Jadidah.

Iraqi government forces took over eastern Mosul in January after three months of fighting with IS, and have entered a third week of operations to clear the western region from militants. The troops have become closer to the central Mosul’s Old City, having recaptured major government facilities, a military base and the city’s airport.

Military leaders from the Iraqi side and the allied U.S.-led coalition had foreseen a tougher battle in western Mosul due to the region’s dense residential areas and the high number of population estimated by 750.000.

The conflict in Mosul has displaced above 250.000 people since operations launched in October 2016. Refugees from western Mosul alone reached 89.000 on Saturday.