MOSUL: Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited Mosul on Sunday, hailing his forces for securing “victory” over the Islamic State group, their biggest yet against the jihadists. Iraqi forces launched their campaign to recapture Mosul in October, seizing its eastern side in January and launching the battle for its western part the next month. But the fight grew tougher when security forces entered the densely populated Old City on the western bank of the Tigris River, which divides the city. Earlier Sunday, Iraq’s Joint Operations Command said security forces had killed “30 terrorists” trying to escape across the river. “If security forces do not take steps to ensure that gains against IS are sustained for the long-term, then IS could theoretically resurge and recapture urban terrain,” he said.

Source: Manila Times July 10, 2017 02:03 UTC