Iraqi forces close in on Daesh-held areas

mosul — US-backed Iraqi forces on Tuesday battled their way to within firing range of Mosul’s main government buildings, a major target in the offensive to dislodge Islamic State militants from their remaining stronghold in the western side of the city.

Iraqi forces captured the eastern side of Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting and launched their attack on the districts that lie west of the Tigris river on February 19.

If they defeat Daesh in Mosul, that would crush the Iraq wing of the so-called caliphate the group’s leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi declared in 2014 over parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria. The US commander in Iraq has said he believes US-backed forces will recapture both Mosul and Raqqa —

The provincial council and the governorate building are within the firing range of the rapid response forces A media officer with the Interior Ministry

Daesh’s Syria stronghold — within six months. “The provincial council and the governorate building are within the firing range of the Rapid Response forces,” a media officer with the elite Interior Ministry units told Reuters, referring to within machinegun range or about 400 metres (1,300 feet). Taking those buildings would help Iraqi forces attack the militants in the nearby old city centre. —

AFP Members of the Iraqi army’s 9th Division fire a multiple rocket launcher from a hill in Talul Al Atshana, on the southwestern outskirts of Mosul during an offensive to retake the city from Daesh. —