Iraq begins offensive to free western Mosul from Daesh

By Ahmed Ghanem

ISTANBUL (AA) – Iraqi forces on Sunday launched an offensive to drive the Daesh terrorist group from western Mosul, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced.

“We announce the start of a new phase in the operation,” al-Abadi said in a televised statement.

Shortly after forces began to move on the city’s western side, Iraq’s Defense Ministry said its forces have captured three villages and a power plant in western Mosul.

In October, the Iraqi army -- backed by a U.S.-led air coalition and local allies on the ground -- began a wide-ranging campaign to retake Mosul, once Iraq’s second largest city in terms of population.

In January, the Iraqi army announced the "total liberation" of eastern Mosul -- after three months of fighting -- from the grip of the terrorist group.

Daesh has overrun Mosul -- along vast swathes of territory in northern and western Iraq -- in 2014.