Iraqi forces stage ‘tactical’ halt in eastern Mosul

By Ahmed Qassem and Mohamed Waleed

NINEVEH, Iraq (AA) – Iraqi forces on Monday announced a "tactical halt" of its ongoing push into eastern districts of Daesh-held Mosul, according to a military source.

"Security forces have halted their operations in the city’s eastern side to clear liberated areas of remaining Daesh elements and car-bombs," Ali al-Khafaji, an officer in Iraq’s anti-terrorism agency, told Anadolu Agency.

Al-Khafaji went on to note that Iraqi forces had recently captured several new areas of eastern and south-eastern Mosul.

"Coming hours will see our forces make fresh advances into the eastern side of the city," he said.

Last week, Iraqi forces -- facing stiff resistance from Daesh militants -- were forced to withdraw from a hospital in south-eastern Mosul.

In a related development, Colonel Ahmed al-Jabouri of the Iraqi army’s Nineveh Operations Command said Iraqi forces had foiled a Daesh counter-attack in eastern Mosul’s Gogjali area.

Speaking on Monday, al-Jabouri said "scores" of Daesh militants had been killed and injured during the failed attack in Gogjali.

He did not, however, provide the exact number of casualties among the terrorist group’s ranks.

In mid-October, the Iraqi army -- backed by U.S.-led coalition warplanes and local allies on the ground -- launched a major offensive to retake Mosul, Daesh’s last stronghold in northern Iraq.

Iraqi officials have vowed to recapture the city, which fell to the terrorist group in mid-2014, by year’s end.