- Title: Heavy gunfire heard in eastern Mosul's Mithaq district
- Date: 5th January 2017
- Summary: MITHAQ, EASTERN MOSUL, IRAQ (JANUARY 5, 2017) (REUTERS) BUILDINGS / EMPTY ROAD BUILDINGS / AUDIO OF GUNFIRE DESERTED ROADS, BUILDING / AUDIO OF GUNFIRE BUILDINGS / AUDIO OF HEAVY GUNFIRE
- Embargoed: 20th January 2017 09:54
- Keywords: Eastern Mosul Mithaq Islamic State
- Location: MITHAQ, EASTERN MOSUL, IRAQ
- City: MITHAQ, EASTERN MOSUL, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA0015XT0FNR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Heavy gunfire was heard over the recently recaptured eastern Mosul district of Mithaq on Thursday (January 5) as Iraqi forces carried on efforts to retake the city from Islamic State.
Iraqi forces have retaken around 70 percent of eastern Mosul from the militants and expect to reach the river dividing the city in the coming days, Iraq's joint operations commander told Reuters.
Lieutenant General Talib Shaghati, who is also head of the elite counter-terrorism service (CTS) spearheading the campaign to retake the city, said the cooperation of residents was helping them advance against Islamic State.
In its 12th week, the offensive has gained momentum since Iraqi forces backed by a U.S.-led coalition renewed their push for the city a week ago, clearing several more eastern districts despite fierce resistance.
The western half of the city remains under the full control of Islamic State, which is fighting with snipers and suicide car bombs. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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