An IFP commander: Some 260,000 Iraqis freed since west Mosul operation began

 Some 260,000 civilians have been freed from the clutches of ISIS terrorists ever since government soldiers, supported by fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, launched an operation to retake the western part of Mosul, the commander of Iraq’s Federal Police Forces says.

 Some 260,000 civilians have been freed from the clutches of ISIS terrorists ever since government soldiers, supported by fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, launched an operation to retake the western part of Mosul, the commander of Iraq’s Federal Police Forces says.

Lieutenant General Raed Shaker Jawdat made the announcement on Saturday, adding that Iraqi forces had also killed 512 terrorists. A total of 77 snipers were among the slain militants, Arabic-language al-Sumaria satellite television network reported.

The high-ranking security official further noted that Iraqi soldiers had destroyed 256 car bombs in addition to 162 motorbikes rigged with explosives.

He added that government forces had regained control over 61 areas, noting that 12,000 people had already returned to their homes in liberated areas west of Mosul.