Iraqi special forces advanced against Islamic State in Mosul, pushed militants out of another eastern district and edged closer to linking up with army units nearby. The advances took more of eastern Mosul under Iraqi forces’ control a day after the elite units reached the Tigris river for the first time.
The obtainment of the river, which runs through the city centre, would permit to Iraqi forces to begin assaults on western district. The jihadists have fought back fiercely with suicide car bombs and snipers. By using a network of tunnels and operating close to Mosul’s civilian population, the militants slowed Iraqi advances.“They will soon liberate other areas and hopefully finish the eastern side … God willing we will soon announce the liberation of the entire eastern side from Daesh (Islamic State),” Major-General Najm al-Jubbouri said.
