Iraqi army launches new push against Islamic State in Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq — After weeks of unchanging front lines, the Iraqi army rolled Tuesday into a southeastern Mosul neighborhood held by Islamic State militants, taking a hospital before meeting stiff resistance, the military said.

The push began just after 6 a.m. with a barrage of airstrikes that kicked up dark smoke in the al-Salam neighborhood. The bombardment by Iraqi air support and the U.S.-led coalition appeared heavier than previous operations in the area.

Coalition forces providing logistical support could be seen about 21⁄2 miles from the front.

Iraqi troops also reported fewer car bombs than in previous assaults. After one such attack, at least two military vehicles could be seen carrying wounded from the front.

By evening, Iraqi forces had secured only a few hundred yards and clashes continued.

Thick plumes of smoke billowed from the hospital after the commander of a joint operations center that oversees the Mosul campaign, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarellah, pronounced the site retaken.

“The hospital was a Daesh base,” said Lt. Ahmed Abu Fadl, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.

“They were treating their wounded there,” he added, explaining that he hoped retaking the building would hurt their ability to launch counterattacks.

The campaign to retake Mosul began Oct. 17. While Iraqi forces on the eastern side of the city have made some of the largest gains, front lines on the south and southeast have barely moved for weeks as troops have struggled to reinforce their defensive lines.