- Title: Iraqi armed forces make further gains in eastern Mosul
- Date: 18th November 2016
- Summary: TAHRIR, EASTERN MOSUL, IRAQ (NOVEMBER 18, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF COUNTER TERRORISM SERVICE (CTS) ARMOURED CARS IN TAHRIR DISTRICT OF EASTERN MOSUL PARKED TANK IN AREA VARIOUS OF ARMOURED VEHICLES AND CTS SOLDIERS IN DISTRICT CTS SOLDIERS LOOKING AT A DISPLAY SHOWING VIEW FROM A DRONE DRONE FLYING IN SKY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) COUNTER TERRORISM SERVICE COMMANDER, LIEUTENANT GENERAL ABDELWAHAB SAADI, SAYING: "The Counter Terrorism Service forces are advancing towards the edges of Tahrir. The area to the left of Tahrir district is the Muharibeen district. We are moving slowly due to the presence of civilians. The operation will continue until we clear these areas, in the next few hours." CTS SOLDIERS GATHERED IN A STREET / AUDIO OF GUNFIRE VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS FIRING FROM AN ARMOURED VEHICLE / AUDIO OF GUNFIRE VARIOUS OF SMOKE RISING FROM A SUICIDE BOMBING SMOKE IN STREETS FROM INCOMING ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE / AUDIO OF EXPLOSION ARMOURED VEHICLE FIRING AT MILITANTS
- Embargoed: 3rd December 2016 15:55
- Keywords: Tahrir Mosul Iraq army Islamic State conflict clashes Abdelwahab Saadi
- Location: TAHRIR, EASTERN MOSUL, IRAQ
- City: TAHRIR, EASTERN MOSUL, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA00158Z3DXJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: U.S.-backed Iraqi troops expanded their foothold on the eastern side of Islamic State's stronghold of Mosul on Friday (November 18), as the group pledged to mount more suicide attacks on their offensive to take the city.
The elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) stormed the Tahrir district on the northeastern edge of Mosul, the last major city under control of the Sunni hard-line group in Iraq.
A loud explosion was heard several streets away from the CTS lines. An officer said it was a suicide bomber who blew himself up after being surrounded in a house. The CTS unit was using a drone to try to detect insurgents.
Militants have been steadily retreating from areas around Mosul into the city since the battle started on Oct. 17.
As the offensive entered its second month, Iraqi government forces are still fighting in a dozen of about 50 neighbourhoods on the eastern part of Mosul, which is divided by the Tigris River that runs through its centre.
Militants are dug in among the civilians as a defence tactic to hamper air strikes, moving around the city through tunnels, driving suicide car bombs into advancing troops and hitting them with sniper and mortar fire. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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