News / Iraq

Daesh under complete siege in western Mosul: Iraqi Defense Ministry

Friday, 17 March 2017 6:54 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 17 March 2017 7:24 PM ]

Iraqi forces celebrate in the streets of western Mosul on March 17, 2017 as they advance in the offensive against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group. (Photo by AFP)

The Daesh Takfiri terrorists are completely under siege by Iraqi forces in the west of Mosul, the terrorists’ last stronghold in the Arab country.

Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Rasool said on Friday that the terrorists were surrounded from all sides. The terrorists must either surrender and face a fair trial or wait for death, the Iraqi official said.

The military spokesman said Iraqi forces have successfully targeted the terrorists’ positions and headquarters.

He added that Mosul’s full liberation is "a matter of time." The official said the forces will expel Daesh from the right side of the area.

Iraqi soldiers move toward the front line during fighting against Daesh Takfiri terrorists in western Mosul, Iraq, March 17, 2017. (Photo by AP)

Rasool also hailed Mosul's residents for their cooperation in providing information on the positions of Daesh.

He said "more than 90 percent" of those fighting in the ranks of Daesh in Mosul are foreigners.

Iraqi army soldiers and allied fighters launched an offensive to retake Mosul in October 2016. The forces took control of eastern Mosul in January and launched the battle in the west on February 19.

According to Alforat News Agency, Iraqi forces managed to recapture several strategic positions from Daesh in the old city of Mosul on Friday.

Iraq’s Federal Police took control of Basha mosque, Adala street and the market of Bab al-Sarai in the old city of Mosul, inflicting heavy losses and casualties on the terrorists.

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