Iraqi army captures key ISIS air base of Qayyarah

raqi forces have captured a key air base from ISIS terrorists that can serve as a launch pad for retaking the takfiri terrorist-held city of Mosul, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said.

iraqi forces have captured a key air base from ISIS terrorists that can serve as a launch pad for retaking the takfiri terrorist-held city of Mosul, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said.

The Qayyarah air base in the Tigris valley, 60 kilometres south of Mosul, would be “an important base for the liberation of Mosul,” PM added in the statement.

Iraq’s Joint Operations Command said two army divisions and members of the country’s counter-terrorism forces took the base with air support from the US-led international coalition.

Security sources said ISIS militants had fled towards Mosul after the base was taken.

An officer taking part in the operation said bomb disposal teams were removing booby traps and mines left behind by the terrorist fighters.

At the end of last month, Iraqi forces recaptured Fallujah, a city 50 kilometres west of Baghdad, in a major setback for ISIS.