Iraqi forces score more territorial gains in Old City of Mosul

Iraqi government forces have scored more territorial gains in the Old City of Mosul as they push to purge ISIS Takfiri terrorists from their urban stronghold in the conflict-stricken Arab country in an eight-month military campaign. 

Iraqi government forces have scored more territorial gains in the Old City of Mosul as they push to purge ISIS Takfiri terrorists from their urban stronghold in the conflict-stricken Arab country in an eight-month military campaign. 

Commander of Federal Police Forces Lieutenant General Shaker Jawdat said on Tuesday that his forces had liberated the ancient al-Ziwani Mosque in the Old City’s southwestern area of Bab al-Baid, and forced militants out of the historic site, Arabic-language al-Sumaria television network reported. 

Jawdat added that security forces have about 600 meters (2,000 feet) left to cover before they reach Cornishe Street alongside the western bank of the Tigris. 

“In a few days our forces will reach Cornishe Street and bring the battle to its conclusion,” the senior Iraqi police commander pointed out. 

Lieutenant General Abdulwahab al-Saadi of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) also stated, “The operation is continuing to free the remaining parts of the Old City.” 

The remarks came a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi predicted very quick capture of Mosul as federal police forces said they are only a few days away from ousting militants completely from the Old City.