Iraqi forces approaching from the control of the eastern side of the connector

Counter-terrorism device controls the fourth bridge over the Tigris River and prevent the enemy from getting supplies and cut off his remaining escape routes.

First Published: 2017-01-09

Middle East Online

BAGHDAD - An officer in the anti-terrorism forces in Mosul Monday in the wake of control on one of the sites on the Tigris River, Iraqi forces will impose its control "within a few days" on the east side of the city.

Iraqi forces have been battling most prominent anti-terrorism units weeks jihadists in the left side of Mosul since in the context of the restoration of the city which is the last process of the biggest strongholds of the jihadists in the country.

He said Lt. Gen. Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi commander of the anti-terrorism forces, in response to a question about the time required to restore the left side, "a few days, God willing."

In terms of resistance to the jihadists, he said that "Daesh now in a state of collapse and nearly lost his balance on the left side, and Senlahakh wherever it exists."

Asadi team and pointed out that "units of anti-terrorism device dominated the fourth bridge over the Tigris River, which is open and there are just 150 meters from the bridge," he "fell from the bridge, where the supply of the enemy."

"It has become our units, a few blocks to the encirclement of the University of Mosul," which occupies a large area of ​​the left side of the city.

Tens of thousands of elements of Iraqi forces began supporting the international coalition and extensive process in October / October 17 to restore Mosul, which was dominated by the organization of the Islamic state with large areas in northern and western Iraq after a fierce attack in June 2014.

And they managed these forces during the first days of the operation to regain control of the majority of the areas surrounding the city of Mosul, but ran into resistance after that when the storming of the city.

It seemed so obvious, during the month of December / December, while progress has been slow but increasing cooperation and coordination between the anti-terrorism units and other military forces and federal police, as well as increase the number of military advisers from the International Alliance of granting a strong start.

Not an escape hatch

Iraqi forces have achieved with the support of the international coalition forces led by Washington, who holds the bulk of the air strikes and publishes his military advisers on the ground, made rapid progress since the beginning of 2017.

A spokesman for the coalition forces, Colonel John Doreen, "they are making a very excellent progress over the past few weeks, since it launched the second phase of the 29" December / December.

He explained that "progress was in sync from the three axes and this is more than can be faced by the enemy."

Doreen believes that the storming of counter-terrorism forces Tigris River carries more meaning than a symbolic process that began 12 weeks ago to regain control of Mosul.

He said in this regard that "the Tigris River is a milestone and a natural barrier to the enemy that can be exploited either to promote (defenses) or run away."

"It is important as to prevent the enemy from obtaining supplies, as he cut the remaining escape routes are not impossible, but it makes it very difficult."

The Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi promised earlier in the elimination of jihadists end of last year 2016, but said a few days ago that the operation could last several more months.

Regardless of the size of the forces that implemented regain control of Mosul, the second largest city in the country operations, will liberate the city influence on the future of relations between Iraq and neighboring countries.

And synchronization of the recent progress of Iraqi forces in Mosul, with a visit by Jordanian Prime Minister Hani Mulki to Baghdad, two days after a meeting Abadi Turkish counterpart on a visit to heal the rift in relations between the two countries following the spread of Turkish troops in northern Mosul camp.

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