Iraqi forces push into last Daesh pocket in W. Mosul

By Ali Jawad and Amer al-Hassani

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraqi forces on Saturday pushed into the last Daesh pocket in western Mosul, according to a top Iraqi commander.

"The joint forces have moved early morning to recapture the rest of non-liberated areas," Lieutenant-General Abdul-Amir Yarallah, commander of the Mosul military campaign, said in a statement.

He said the offensive targets the districts of Al-Shifa, Al-Mostashfa Al-Jomhuri, Zinjili and Al-Sehha Al-Oula in the city's western half.

"Our forces shelled Daesh positions with artillery and missiles ahead of the offensive," army captain Uday Mohamed told Anadolu Agency.

Military officer Jabbar Hassan, for his part, said Iraqi forces stormed Al-Shifa district amid heavy exchanges of fire with Daesh militants.

"Fierce fighting is currently taking place in the eastern part of the neighborhood,” Hassan added.

According to the Iraqi officer, anti-terror forces have been able to make swift gains in Al-Sehha Al-Oula district.

Since October 2016, Iraqi forces launched a large-scale military operation to clear Daesh from Mosul, the last main stronghold of the terrorist group in Iraq.