Iraqi forces take over western Mosul’s 30 Tamuz district

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi government forces took over the western Mosul’s 30 Tamuz (July 30th), making another step forward on its new axis of operations against Islamic State militants.

Nineveh Operaions commander, Lt. Gen Abdul-Amir Yarallah, said the forces recaptured the 30 Tamuz neighborhood and became on the outskirts of 10 Tamuz and al-Haramat al-Thaletha.

He said earlier on Tuesday his forces had recaptured a major industrial area.

The developments come as Iraqi forces opened last week a new front targeting the strategic, IS-held Old City from the northwestern direction, having struggled for weeks to invade the densely populated and narrowly structured area from its southern entrances.

Iraqi commanders have reported dozens of deaths among Islamic State militants and the recapture of large parts of districts falling next to the Old City from the northwest.

Earlier on Monday, a spokesperson of the Interior Ministry said ministry forces had killed 3320 IS members since the offensive to retake western Mosul was launched in February. Iraqi forces recaptured eastern Mosul in January after three months of fighting.

Iraqi commanders say they currently control at least 70 percent of territory in the western side of Mosul. Some were quoted saying they expect the city to be entirely under their control before the end of May.

Source:iraqinews.com