Iraqi Forces 200m Away from Grand Mosque in Mosul: CTS Commander


MOSUL —
Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Forces managed to further advance towards Nuri Grand Mosque, located in Mosul’s Old City district, where the Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakir al-Baghdadi declared his self-styled caliphate back in June 2014.
The Commander of Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Forces, Abdul Wahab al-Saadi told BasNews that they have taken control of new streets and alleys inside al-Mushahada area within the Old City district where the Grand Mosque of Nuri is located.


Lieutenant General al-Saadi said “Our forces are about 200 meters from the Grand Mosque of Nuri.”
Saadi said that the operation of storming the mosque and the surrounding area, which has been fortified by terrorists, will be decided upon in accordance with the appropriate field estimates on the ground during the upcoming hours.


"The forces of the anti-terrorism apparatus are moving northwards, while the federal police forces are moving southwards and the Iraqi army’s 16th Brigade, are cooperating with the said forces to take control of the rest of the Old City district Mosul," he added.

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