Fighting continued in the morning, with both sides firing mortars and automatic weapons on each other’s positions, while the Iraqi troops also responded with artillery. At least seven special forces troops have been killed in the fighting. The defenses “will pose a substantial tactical challenge” to advancing Iraqi troops as they make their way toward central Mosul, the firm said. Also in the south, Iraqi troops approached the outskirts of Hamam al-Alil, but were facing resistance from IS fighters, said Lt. Col. Hussein Ali of the Iraqi Army’s 15th division. He predicted that Iraqi forces could take the town in a day or two.

Source: Washington Post November 05, 2016 07:24 UTC