- Title: Iraqi forces clear IS militants from Mosul district - authorities
- Date: 4th January 2017
- Summary: MITHAQ DISTRICT, MOSUL, IRAQ (JANUARY 4, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING IN STREET, CARRYING THEIR BELONGINGS MAN PUSHING ELDERLY WOMAN IN CART PEOPLE WALKING / AUDIO OF GUNFIRE CHILDREN PUSHING OTHER CHILDREN IN A CART PEOPLE STANDING IN STREET FAMILY STANDING OUTSIDE THEIR HOME VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF THE IRAQI RAPID RESPONSE UNITS STANDING ON SIDE OF ROAD LOGO ON HUMVEE READING (Arabic): "RAPID RESPONSE UNIT, WE RELY ON GOD" HEAD OF RAPID RESPONSE UNIT, MAJOR-GENERAL THAMER MOHAMMED ISMAIL, SPEAKING TO SOLDIERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF THE RAPID RESPONSE UNIT, MAJOR-GENERAL THAMER MOHAMMED ISMAIL, SAYING: "Today we launched the Rapid Response operation with the aim of clearing the Mithaq neighbourhood. It was completely cleared, after we had cleared the Intisar neighbourhood. Our enemy suffered many losses yesterday and today, more than 250 of their members were killed, we were also able to take over a large number of weapons and ammunition, technical equipment, drones and other items used by the enemy. We were able to clear large swaths of land, enabling us to free dozens or hundreds of families who were besieged by the terrorist Daesh (Islamic State) group." VARIOUS OF DAMAGED, CAPTURED ISLAMIC STATE REMOTE CONTROL PLANE/DRONE IN BACK OF VEHICLE TRAY VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING ON ROAD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DISPLACED IRAQI MAN, ABU ALI, SAYING: "The state, or whatever they call themselves, forced us to go the Karama (neighbourhood). Now that Mithaq is liberated we are going home." JOURNALIST: "Were many people leaving?" ALI: "Yes so many, thousands." ABU ALI WALKING AWAY WITH A CHILD PEOPLE WALKING, CARRYING THEIR BELONGINGS PLUMES OF SMOKE RISING / AUDIO OF GUNFIRE PEOPLE WALKING DOWN STREET, VEHICLE DRIVING
- Embargoed: 19th January 2017 17:08
- Keywords: Iraqi rapid response clear district IS militants Mosul
- Location: MITHAQ DISTRICT, MOSUL, IRAQ
- City: MITHAQ DISTRICT, MOSUL, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA0015XO1V7R
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Members of the Iraqi Rapid Response unit said on Wednesday (January 4) they had cleared the Mithaq district of eastern Mosul of Islamic State militants.
The soldiers had been battling the militants in Mithaq and the nearby Intisar neighbourhood over the past several days.
Head of the unit, Major General Thamer Ismali, said the forces were able to completely clear both areas.
"Our enemy suffered many losses yesterday and today, more than 250 of their members were killed, we were also able to take over a large number of weapons and ammunition, technical equipment, drones and other items used by the enemy," he said.
Dozens of civilians fled the area amid the fighting. Most were going to be transported to displacement camps or to stay with family members.
A few, like Abu Ali, chose to risk returning to their homes, after being forced further out by Islamic State militants.
Since the U.S.-backed offensive began on October 17, elite troops have retaken a quarter of Mosul.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said the group will be driven out of the country by April.
The second phase of the campaign was launched last week following nearly a month of deadlock. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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