FNA- Iraqi security forces, backed by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), liberated 18 villages South of the city of Mosul since the launch of the military operation to liberate Western Mosul, the Iraqi Army said.

“The joint forces and the Popular Mobilization Units have liberated the villages of Al-Lazakah, al-Karama, albu-Jawari, al-Jamasah and Kunaitrah as well as al-Zarkotiyah, al-Athba, al-Kafoour and al-Abiadh, in addition to the control over the main electricity station in Al-Lazakah village that feed the entire right coast of Mosul and imposing full control over the road that connects the Hammam al-Alil intersection with Baghdad-Mosul highway,” Iraqi Army's media cell said in a statement, Badr News reported.

The statement has also pointed to the liberation of “Bakhira, al-Ibrahimiah, al-Husseiniya, Cheikh Younes, Debajah, Imam Hamza and Tel Kisom”.

The operation involved the army troops backed by the 9th armored division, the Federal Police, the 3rd elite unit and the Popular Mobilization Forces.