IS used 632 car bombs during 45 days of Mosul operation: Commander

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Islamic State (IS) utilized 632 vehicles laden with explosives during the 45 days of fighting in Mosul operation, said an Iraqi commander on Thursday.

Commander of Mosul operation Lt. General Abdul Amir Yarallah told Iraqi news outlet that the offensive is in progress that in the coming week, Iraqi forces will complete the liberation of the east coast of Mosul until reaching Tigris river. The river divides the city into two parts.

He mentioned that in total, IS had used 632 car bombs against the Iraqi security forces from all front lines in addition to the use of mortars the target of which were Iraqi troops.

Yarallah noted that during the past 45 days of Mosul operation, Kurdish Peshmerga forces have liberated 25 villages and gained control of a 500 square kilometers area around Mosul. Additionally, 55 car bombs targeted Peshmerga troops in the area.

Speaking of Iraqi federal police forces, the commander stated that they have fought mostly in the south of Mosul and has liberated 96 villages, foiled 239 car bomb attacks as well as 1,855 square kilometers of territory from IS.

Regarding the Iranian-backed Shia militia Hashd al-Shaabi who fights mostly in the western of Mosul, Yarallah explained that they had freed 130 villages and an area of 1,850 square kilometers. Also, 75 car bombs of the extremist group targeted the militia.

He highlighted the role of the US-led coalition warplanes that conducted over 1,500 airstrikes targeting the IS bases inside and around Mosul.

Iraqi and Peshmerga forces launched Mosul operation on October 17. As the offensive is ongoing, large numbers of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) flee from the city to the Kurdistan Region and other parts of Iraq.

Editing by Ava Homa