- Title: Iraqi forces push into eastern Mosul in fresh offensive
- Date: 30th December 2016
- Summary: INTISAR, MOSUL, IRAQ (DECEMBER 30, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BUILDINGS IN INTISAR SMOKE RISING FROM LOCATION TARGETED BY COALITION AIR STRIKE BUILDINGS / AUDIO OF GUNFIRE MILITARY HELICOPTER FIRING VARIOUS OF BUILDINGS IN AREA IRAQI ARMY SOLDIER AIMING HIS GUN VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS AND ARMY VEHICLES IN STREETS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) COMMANDER OF THE RAPID RESPONSE FORCES, COLONEL ADNAN AL-JIBURY, SAYING: "Rapid Response Forces, including the 1st 2nd and 3rd brigades, advanced on several fronts in the Intisar neighbourhood. The successful advance went according to a specific plan which was set by the leadership of the joint operation. Fierce battles with terrorist Daesh militants took place, and we were able to eliminate them completely." BULLET-RIDDEN BUILDING VARIOUS OF BURNING STORE SOLDIERS AND ARMY VEHICLES IN STREET VARIOUS OF SMOKE RISING FROM LOCATIONS TARGETED BY COALITION AIR STRIKES VARIOUS OF CIVILIANS WALKING IN STREETS MAN CARRYING WHITE FLAG CIVILIANS WALKING ALONGSIDE ARMOURED VEHICLE VARIOUS OF CIVILIANS LEAVING AREA VARIOUS OF MAN SHAVING ANOTHER MAN'S BEARD VARIOUS OF CIVILIANS LEAVING AREA
- Embargoed: 14th January 2017 16:21
- Keywords: Iraq Mosul offensive Intisar Islamic State refugees
- Location: INTISAR, MOSUL, IRAQ
- City: INTISAR, MOSUL, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA0015F2SVGN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Iraqi forces pushed into the eastern Mosul district of Intisar on Friday (December 30) in a renewed offensive against Islamic State after a deadlock.
Iraqi forces began the second phase of offensive from three directions into eastern districts on Thursday (December 29).
Colonel Adnan Al-Jibury, an officer of the Rapid Response Forces said their "successful advance" is thanks to "a specific plan" set by the leadership of the joint operation.
"Fierce battles with terrorist Daesh militants took place, and we were able to eliminate them completely," he said.
Civilians were seen leaving as troops in armoured vehicles took hold of the area. More than 114,000 people have been displaced from Mosul so far, according to the United Nations.
U.S.-backed forces have retaken a quarter of the city since the Mosul offensive began in mid-October.
Mosul is bisected by the Tigris river, and Iraqi forces have yet to enter the western side, where 2,000-year-old markets and narrow alleyways are likely to complicate any advance.
Coalition forces bombed the last remaining bridge connecting east and west Mosul late on Monday (December 26) in an effort to block Islamic State's access across the Tigris River.
The operation to recapture the city has been slowed by concern to avoid casualties among civilians, who despite food and water shortages have mostly stayed in their homes rather than fleeing as was initially expected. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
