Iraqi forces retake town east of Mosul from IS: Commander | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Iraqi forces retake town east of Mosul from IS: Commander

ByAFP, Arbil (iraq)
Oct 21, 2016 09:13 AM IST

Iraq’s elite counter-terrorism service (CTS) on Thursday retook full control of Bartalla, a small Christian town to the east of Mosul which the Islamic State group seized two years ago.

Iraq’s elite counter-terrorism service (CTS) on Thursday retook full control of Bartalla, a small Christian town to the east of Mosul which the Islamic State group seized two years ago.

Iraqi army soldiers raise their weapons in celebration on the outskirts of Mosul, Iraq.(AP)
Iraqi army soldiers raise their weapons in celebration on the outskirts of Mosul, Iraq.(AP)

CTS commander Taleb Sheghati al-Kenani announced the jihadists’ defeat in Bartalla on television from the town, which lies less than 15 kilometres from the eastern edge of Mosul.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“I announce to the people of Bartalla and Mosul we have complete control over Bartalla. Its residents, its churches and all of its infrastructure are now under the control of CTS,” he said.

He stressed that control of Bartalla, which is now one of the spots where Iraqi forces are closest to Mosul, was key to the major offensive launched four days earlier.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who visited the front line on Wednesday, announced the launch of a broad offensive on Mosul early Monday.

The operation is Iraq’s biggest in years and aims to wrest back Mosul, the country’s second city and the last major IS stronghold in Iraq.

“We tell the people of Mosul that we are coming to retake Mosul,” Kenani said.

Bartalla is a predominantly Christian town that had a population of just under 10,000 people before IS swept across the Nineveh plain in August 2014, forcing everyone to flee.

Iraqi forces moving along several fronts have already retaken many villages -- mostly east and south of Mosul -- and hundreds of square kilometres of territory.

A million people or more are thought to be trapped in IS-held Mosul and surrounding areas.

Most are unable to leave, prompting fears the jihadists seek to use civilians as human shields, as they have done during previous assaults on their bastions.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On