Army says 60% of western Mosul under govt troops control

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Sixty percent of western Mosul has become under Iraqi government troops’ control, a spokesperson said Wednesday as troops push deeper in the region against Islamic State militants.

Sabah al-Nuaman, a spokesperson of the Counter-Terrorism Forces, said 60 percent of western Mosul has become under security forces’ control. “Operations are continuing in the eastern axis (of operations) and are not affected by inclement weather,” Nuaman said. “The Counter-Terrorism Service is preparing to advance in the western axis,” he added.

The police service said three days ago that security troops were controlling a third of western Mosul.

Iraqi government forces recaptured eastern Mosul from Islamic State on January 24th after three months of battles, and launched a new offensive in mid February to retake the west.

Iraqi troops have made remarkable victories in the west by recapturing major government facilities, a military base and the city’s airport. Commanders said Tuesday they became in control over 90 percent of the Old City, a much-wanted target believed decisive in putting government troops closer to final victory.

Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition generals had predicted the battle to end within six months, but Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi said Tuesday the operations were entering their final stages.