RNA - The comprehensive military campaign by Iraqi military forces to liberate the Northern city of Mosul from ISIL militants continued on Monday, as Iraq's Interior Ministry said that security operation to retake Western Mosul has led to the death of 3320 militants since it was launched on February 19.
Iraqi Ministry: Over 3000 ISIL Militants Killed in Western Mosul Offensive
Iraq's Interior Ministry on Monday that security operations to retake Western Mosul from ISIL militants have led to the death of 3320 militants since their launch in February 19th.
Wahab al-Taei, the ministry’s media adviser, said that the ministry’s Federal Police forces took over 525 villages and regions since the start of the security operations, adding that the battle was nearing its end after the forces brought down the group’s last defense lines, Al Ma'alomah reported.
“Nuri al-Kabir mosque, which witnessed the emergence of terrorist Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has become within reach, and only a few hundred meters are left to declare full liberation,” he said, referring to the mosque where ISIL leader declared the establishment of the group’s rule in Iraq and neighboring Syria 2014.
Iraqi Forces Take over More Districts on New Western Mosul Front
Iraqi government forces recaptured Monday more districts on their new axis of operations against ISIL militants in Western Mosul, a senior commander said in statements.
Federal Police chief, Lt. Gen Shaker Jawdat, said in statements that his forces took over Shuqaq al-Haramat district, while moving forward at al-Haramat al-Thaniya, approaching Ektesadiyen and the major ISIL stronghold district of 17 Tamuz (July 17th), Iraqi News reported.
Jawdat said 16 militants were killed and several combat equipment were destroyed during the offensives.
8 Killed, Wounded in ISIL Attack on Iraqi Base Hosting US Advisors
An ISIL suicide bomber carried out an attack on a base hosting US military advisors in Iraq’s Kirkuk province on Sunday, reportedly leaving at least two people dead and six wounded.
The K1 base near the town of Hawija, which has been controlled by ISIL group since 2014, was assaulted by five militants, Kurdistan 24 reported.
Three ISIL suicide bombers were gunned down by Kurdish peshmerga fighters during a two-hour skirmish, while two others managed to detonate their vests inside the camp. All of those killed and injured were reportedly Kurdish troops.
847/940