Iraqi forces retake 12 villages south of Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi security forces on Tuesday liberated 12 villages from the Islamic State (IS) in the district of al-Hadher, south of Mosul.

The War Media Cell of the Iraqi Defense Ministry announced the Hashd al-Shaabi, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), launched an intensive military operation with the support of Iraqi warplanes against the jihadist group in southern Mosul.

According to the statement, the villages of al-Kunyafis, Albu Alwan, al-Musaltan, Dabsa, Tal Rajim, Tal Halala, al-Huwaider, al-Thouri, Salal, Oliba, Oliba al-Gharbiyah, and Olib al-Sharkiyah were liberated on Tuesday.

The War Media Cell also mentioned security forces raised the Iraqi flag on buildings in the liberated villages.

Moreover, Iraqi Special Forces liberated one of the sprawling neighborhoods in western Mosul called al-Tanek.

“Now, al-Tanek neighborhood is fully liberated and entirely under the control of the Iraqi troops,” Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi told AP on Tuesday.

Government forces face tough resistance by the extremist group in western Mosul, especially in Old Mosul City, where the streets are narrow and densely populated.

On February 19, 2017, Iraqi security forces launched the military operation to retake the western part of Mosul, which has been under IS control since June 2014. The operation is ongoing but has slowed down in the past few weeks.

Edited by G. H. Renaud