Iraqi troopslauncha fresh push against areas held by Daesh terroristsaround Mosul as special forcesjoin theoffensive to retake the Takfiri group'slast major stronghold in Iraq.
Government troops advanced on the town of Bartallah, located less than 20 kilometers east of Mosul, on Thursday after capturing a string of villages nearby.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi saidIraqi forces were pushing towards Mosul more quickly "than we thought and more quickly than planned."
Iraq's Joint Operations Command saidtroopshadestablished control over the villages of Bajwaniyah, Bajwaniyah al-Thalatha, Daraj, Bakr al-Oula, Bakr al-Thani, al-Mankoubah and al-Raflah and raised the national flag over buildings.
At dawn Thursday, militias assisting the Iraqi armyattacked villages near Bashiqa where the presence of Turkish troops hassparked a bitter dispute between the two countries.
Field commanders said the "large-scale operation," launched at 6:00 am (0300 GMT) north and northeast of Mosul, was aimed atclearingnearby villages and secure control of strategic areas to further restrict Daeshmovements.
US-made Daesh drone downed
Two drones flown by Daesh above the battlefield were brought down. The French news agency AFP said itsreporter identified one of the downed drones as the Raven RQ-11B developed for the US military.
The US has deployed special forces as part of a 5,000-strong contingent in Iraqto the theater, saying they were assisting in the effort to dislodge Daesh from Mosul.
On Tuesday, the Syrian government accused the United States of allowing Takfiri terrorists to flee Mosul to Syria.
Iraqi forces launched their much-awaited offensive against Mosul on Monday, seeking to recapture the northern metropolis which has been held by Daeshsince June 2014.
A high-ranking Iraqi general called upon Daesh terrorists to admit defeat and renounce violence amid reports that the Takfiri group was arbitrarily executing Mosul residents on suspicion of collaboration with the government.
Lieutenant General Talib Shaghati, commander of Iraqi Joint Operations Command, said the plan to retake "wasgoing beyond expectations."
"Our forces are advancing and have surrounded the city. The liberation of Mosul will be swift," he told reporters on Wednesday.
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Commander of Iraqi Joint Operations Command, Lieutenant General Talib Shaghati (Photo by AP)[/caption]From this place, I appeal to all terrorists of Daesh to lay down weapons in order not to risk their lives so they can return to their families and cities, he added.Shaghati said as many as6,000 Daesh terrorists were inside the city.
Daesh leaders, their wives fleeMosul
Iraqs Arabic-language al-Sumaria television said Daesh has evacuated scores ofthe wives of senior commanders of the group from Mosul to militant-held cities in Syria, including Raqqah.
The report said they had beenevacuated on theorder of Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to avoidcaptureby security forces or rebellious residents inMosul.
Speculation about the whereabouts of Baghdadi is also rife, with former Iraqi foreign ministry Hoshiyar Zebari saying he was still in Mosul.
Commanderof Federal Police Forces, Lieutenant General RaedShakerJawdat,saidIraqi security forces havecleansed352 square kilometers ofDaesh terrorists ever since the Mosul operation beganon October 17.
By Press TV
