Iraqi security forces on Sunday launched an airstrike against Islamic State militants into the western axis of Mosul city, pushing from three directions into eastern districts where the battle has been deadlocked for nearly a month.
Sunday’s operation had opened two new fronts inside Mosul and limited Islamic State's ability to raise fighter numbers, move them or resupply, Army General Fadel Abdullah said.
As many as 62 IS militants were killed in airstrikes launched in western Nineveh, he said.
Upon Iraqi intelligence information, Iraqi warplanes shelled on Saturday posts belonging to IS in Tal Afar city leaving 62 militants dead including Russian nationals, he said, adding that the shelling has also resulted in destroying four military vehicles, six Humvees and three trucks carrying rocket launchers that are used by militants of the terrorist group.
Since the offensive to capture Mosul began 10 weeks ago, U.S.-backed forces have retaken a quarter of the jihadists' last major stronghold in Iraq in the biggest ground operation there since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Iraqi forces have taken around half of the eastern side of Mosul, which is bisected by the Tigris River, but have yet to enter the western side, where 2,000-year-old markets and narrow alleyways are likely to complicate any advance.
The fall of Mosul would probably spell the end for Islamic State's ambition to rule over millions of people in a self-styled caliphate, although the militants would still be capable of waging a traditional insurgency in Iraq, and plotting or inspiring attacks on the West.