Press TV - Iraqi government forces have recaptured more of the last few remaining areas in western Mosuls Old City as the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group is on its last breath in the Arab country.
Commander ofNinevehLiberation Operation Lieutenant General Abdul AmirYarallah stated on Saturday that Iraqi Federal Police forces had wrested complete control over Bab al-Hadid neighborhood and Wednesday market, Arabic-language al-Sumaria television network reported.
The senior Iraqi military commander noted that security personnel had recaptured the Iron Bridge in western Mosul as well.
Yarallah went on to say that Federal Police forces andmembers of the Interior Ministry'selite rapid responseunits had managed to liberate al-Shifa district, Ibn Sina teachinghospital as well as its blood bank and radiotherapy ward.
Daesh abducts nearly 1000 to use them as human shields
Meanwhile, a local source, requesting anonymity, told the Arabic service of Russias Sputnik news agency that Daesh terrorists have abducted hundreds of civilians in Iraqs oil-rich northern province of Kirkuk to use them as human shields in the wake of government forces advances.
This file photo shows members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in an undisclosed location in Iraq.The source added that the Takfiris have rounded up some 900 people in Hawijah district over the past few days, and transported them to unknown locations.
Iraqi army soldiers and volunteer fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units, commonly known by their Arabic name, Hashd al-Shaabi, havemade sweeping gains against Daeshsince launching the Mosul operation on October 17, 2016.
The Iraqi forces took control of eastern Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting, and launched the battle in the west on February 19. Iraqi authorities expect the battle to end within the next few days as the remaining Daesh elements are bottled up in a few districts of the Old City.
Displaced people, who fled their homes, are pictured in the Old City ofMosul, Iraq, on June 30, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)An estimated 862,000 people have been displaced from Mosul ever since the battle to retake the city began nine months ago. A total of 195,000 civilians have also returned, mainly to the liberated areas of eastern Mosul.
