Iraqi government forces said they seized back control of a major airbase on Saturday, a staging post on their way to the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul. The army has long said it wants to use the airbase as a launchpad for the recapture of Mosul about 60 km (40 miles) further north. The Shi'ites form a majority in Iraq but Sunnis are predominant in northern and western provinces where Islamic State proclaimed its "caliphate". There was no immediate comment from Islamic State. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi hailed the advance on his website, saying it would "be important for the liberation of Mosul".

Source: Thanhnien News July 09, 2016 15:00 UTC