Mossul (dpa) - More than three months after the start of the large-scale offensive on the IS-Hochburg Mossul, the Iraqi army has completely recaptured the east of the big city from the terrific Islamic state.
This was announced by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Tuesday in the capital Baghdad. In recent days, the government forces in Eastern Mosul had advanced against the terrorist militia and had taken several quarters of the last IS bastion in Iraq. Jihadists were only present in a few areas in the north-east of the city.
Should the extremists lose Mossul completely, they would be largely defeated militarily in the crisis state. However, the IS still dominates large areas in neighboring Syria.
In the next phase of the battle for Mosul, the districts west of the river Tigris are to be taken. Many observers estimate the liberation of this part of the city from the IS rule as more elaborate. The battles in the former city of milestones are therefore likely to continue for a few weeks.
Al-Abadi said at a press conference in Baghdad: "This is a great success for the Iraqi forces. Now they will cross the river (Tigris) to free the West (from Mosul). "The new US government under Donald Trump had offered to expand its support for Iraq, added Al-Abadi.
The Iraqi army and allied militia and Kurdish fighters had begun the offensive on Mossul in several directions in mid-October and quickly encircled the city. The fighters were supported by the air raids of the US-led international coalition and behind the front by hundreds of military advisors.
In the fight against the attackers, the terrarium militia used suicide bombers and sniper rifles and thus made a strong resistance. After heavy losses, the offensive of the government and allied forces came to a standstill for the first time in December. After regrouping the troops, however, the advance was beginning again.
The Iraqi armed forces had caused confusion last week, when a commander of the anti-terrorist units erroneously announced the complete liberation of East Mossuls. On Monday, the Ministry of Defense reported the conquest on its website, but had to withdraw the news later. They had been published "rashly."
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