Photo:AFPBaghdad/Erbil (Iraq): Iraqi special forces recaptured six districts of eastern Mosul on Friday, a military statement said, expanding the army’s foothold in the Islamic State stronghold a day after its leader told his jihadist followers there could be no retreat. Winning back the city would crush the Iraqi half of a crossborder caliphate declared by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi from a Mosul mosque two years ago. That figure excludes the thousands of people from outlying villages forced to head back into Mosul by retreating Islamic State fighters who used them as human shields. Mosul residents, speaking to Reuters by telephone, said Islamic State fighters were deploying artillery and rocket launchers in and near residential areas. “We saw Daesh (Islamic State) fighters installing a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun alongside a rocket launchpad, and mortars as well,” one Mosul resident said.

Source: Mint November 04, 2016 10:40 UTC