Iraqi forces control 65pct of western Mosul: Spokesman

By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraqi forces have captured more than half of territories in western Mosul from the Daesh terrorist group, according to a military spokesman.

"Our forces have seized control of 65 percent of western Mosul,” Brigadier-General Yahya Rasoul, spokesman for Iraq's joint operations command, told Anadolu Agency on Sunday.

He said Daesh militants were retreating against Iraqi forces in the area.

"Our security forces are currently battling in four districts deep inside the city’s western side,” the spokesman said.

Earlier Sunday, police officer Abdul-Ghani al-Maadedi said Iraqi forces seized control of the Corniche Street and Al-Souq al-Tugari district in the center of western Mosul after deadly clashes with Daesh militants.

In mid-February, Iraqi forces -- backed by a U.S.-led air coalition -- began fresh operations aimed at dislodging Daesh terrorists from western Mosul.

The offensive comes as part of a wider campaign launched last October to retake the city, which Daesh overran -- along with much of northern and western Iraq -- in mid-2014.