Iraqi Counter-Terrorism announces liberation of 47 neighborhoods in west Mosul

The cooperation between the Iraqi Army and Peshmerga forces would continue.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism (CT) Service on Saturday announced its mission in west Mosul was complete, retaking 47 neighborhoods from the Islamic State (IS).

During a press conference, CT Service Chief General Talib Shaghati al-Kenani stated the operations assigned to the Iraqi forces in west Mosul had been completed.

Kenani revealed the troops liberated 47 neighborhoods in west Mosul so far.

He explained the liberated areas would be handed over to the local forces promptly and upon a decision by the Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi.

He added that following the completion of its mission, the CT awaits new decisions and orders from the commander-in-chief for future missions against IS in Mosul or other places.

Fadhil Barwari, the Kurdish Commander of the Special Operations Forces, told Kurdistan24 only a few areas in west Mosul had not been liberated.

He explained this was the responsibility of the Federal Police forces.

Barwari stated that since the beginning of the Mosul operation in October 2016, nearly 7,000 IS fighters have been killed.

He praised the role of the Peshmerga forces since the start of the offensive, adding the cooperation between the Iraqi Army and Peshmerga forces would continue.

On May 14, 2017, the Mosul operations command released a military warning alerting residents of IS-occupied areas in the Old City the conflict will likely intensify in the upcoming days.

Iraqi forces hope the entire city is liberated before the start of Ramadan on May 27.

 

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany