Iraqi troops take over IS outfit tailoring factory in western Mosul
A sniper of the Iraqi Federal Police takes his position at a destroyed builiding near Islamic State fighters’ positions at Bab al Jadid district in the old city of Mosul, Iraq, March 27, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal
Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat said his forces took over the factory and seized hundreds of military outfits in the Old City.
He said his troops were carrying out an offensive on Islamic State from four directions in 17 Tamuz and Ektesadiyeen with mortars and medium-range weapons.
Jawdat’s statements came as Iraqi troops invaded the districts of Ektesadiyeen, Refaie, al-Uraybi and 17 Tamuz earlier on Sunday, making a push towards the last districts held by IS around the strategic Old City.
Iraqi forces moved through a new front earlier this month, targeting the Old City from the northwestern direction, having encircled the city from the southern entrance for weeks.
Iraqi commanders have predicted to recapture Mosul before the holy month of Ramadan, which starts May 27th. They said they became in control over 90 percent of territories in western Mosul.
The conflict in Mosul has displaced more than one million civilians since operations launched in October, according to local officials in Nineveh.