Iraqi forces liberate three areas in Mosul’s Old City
64 out of 69 neighborhoods of west Mosul have been retaken so far.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi security forces continue to advance in Mosul’s Old City after retaking three more neighborhoods from the Islamic State (IS) extremists.
The Iraqi security forces on Wednesday announced the liberation of two areas from IS in the Old City, western Mosul.
Abdulameer Yaralla, the commander of the Mosul Operations Command in a statement announced that Iraqi army has pushed IS out of Hadhra al-Sada and al-Ahmadiya areas in the Old City of Mosul and has raised Iraqi flag over the buildings.
He added that al-Hushahada neighborhood was liberated from IS extremists on Tuesday, emphasizing that the military operation is ongoing to retake the remaining areas in west Mosul.
The Iraqi Joint Operations Command also stated on Tuesday that 50 percent of the areas in the Mosul’s Old City has been liberated and that they are fighting IS extremists within a space of 850 meters x 1700 meters.
The Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi in a statement on Monday night said that “The victory announcement will come in a very short time.”
Iraqi troops began their offensive to recapture western Mosul on 19 February 2017. Since then, 64 out of 69 neighborhoods of west Mosul have come under the control of Iraqi forces.
Their advance in the western part of the city had been slowed down due to narrow streets.
Editing by Ava Homa