Iraqi forces register gains against Daesh in W. Mosul

By Ahmed Qasim and Hussein al-Amir

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraqi forces have registered gains at the expense of Daesh terrorists in western Mosul, from which more than 500 families have been evacuated, Iraqi military sources said Tuesday.

“Security forces are now engaged in fierce street fighting in Mosul’s western Al-Rifai district, where they have managed to make considerable progress," Army Captain Samir Ali told Anadolu Agency.

“Within the last four hours, roughly 300 civilians have been evacuated from parts of the city under siege by Daesh militants,” he said.

“Civilians have been taken by military vehicles to the city’s recently-recaptured Al-Islah district,” he added.

Ali went on to say that Iraqi forces had continued to register gains in Mosul’s western Tammuz 17 district.

“They are about to announce the district’s total recapture,” he asserted.

In a related development, Army Lieutenant-Colonel Samir Daoud al-Mohsen told Anadolu Agency that Iraqi Hashd al-Shaabi forces had captured the village of Thari Karah west of Mosul.

"Hashd al-Shaabi fighters also evacuated more than 250 families from several parts of the Qairawan district and sent them to liberated areas,” he said.

Last Friday, the Hashd al-Shaabi -- a pro-government force composed mainly of Shia fighters -- launched a wide-ranging operation aimed at retaking parts of western Mosul that are still held by Daesh.

Iraqi forces, backed by air cover provided by a U.S.-led coalition, are currently engaged in a massive offensive aimed at driving Daesh out of Mosul, the terrorist group’s last stronghold in northern Iraq.