Iraqi forces take center of Qayrawan district in Mosul

By Ali Jawad and Hussein al-Amir

BAGHDAD (AA) – Pro-government fighters on Tuesday wrestled control of the center of al-Qayrawan district in western Mosul from Daesh terrorist group, according to an Iraqi army officer.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Army Captain Jabbar Hassan said the Hashd al-Shaabi fighters captured the area following an overnight offensive.

“Scores of Daesh militants were killed in the operation,” he said without giving an exact number of the casualties.

The pro-government fighters also captured two villages near the Qayrawan district, according to army officer Samir Dawood.

“More than 400 civilians have been evacuated from the area over the past hours,” he told Anadolu Agency.

The new development comes as part of a major offensive launched by the Iraqi army to dislodge Daesh from Mosul, which was overrun by the terrorist group in 2014.