Iraqi forces regain control of 31 Mosul districts

Iraq’s joint operations command said on Saturday that counter-terrorism forces regained control of 31 neighborhoods on the left coast of the city of Mosul.

They continue to advance in three other neighborhoods after inflicting heavy losses on ISIS during recent battles.

The joint operations’ command also said that their forces are less than two kilometers away from Mosul’s bridges, adding that the coalition’s air force continues to destroy ISIS gatherings in east Mosul.

Two days ago, Abdul Ghani al-Assadi, commander of the counter-terrorism apparatus, said the first phase of military operations in the battle to restore Mosul ended after 50 days of launching it.

He added that his forces will completely control the left coast of Mosul after seizing the last few neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, security sources said counter-terrorism forces raided al-Taameem neighborhood and are fighting fierce battles to expel ISIS members from it.

The European Union said it had sent a plane Monday carrying aid for people in Mosul.

The aircraft carrying 40 tonnes of supplies landed in Erbil in northern Iraq and will be the first of several aircraft sent by the 28-nation bloc this week, it said.

“These airlifts filled with urgently needed help are a tangible expression of European solidarity with the Iraqi people,” EU Aid Commissioner Christos Stylianides said.

“The fighting continues to cause enormous suffering among the population in Iraq,” he added.

The first plane carried 268 family tents capable of sheltering up to 1,400 people, and 3,000 blankets as well as sleeping mats, maternity kits and hygiene supplies, the EU said.

The UN says some 90,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.

[with AFP]