The Iraqi army’s armored division is closing in on the outskirts of Mosul after sweeping through enemy-controlled land in the past 48 hours, liberating communities village by village, as the operation to liberate Mosul from the grip of ISIS militants intensifies.
But the Iraqi-led coalition that began the long-awaited offensive on Monday has faced fierce resistance by ISIS in some areas.
Lt Gen Qassim al-Maliki, commander of the Iraqi 9th armored division, told CNN that in the past 48 hours:
- The armored division has advanced; it is now three to four miles from the outskirts of Mosul
- Three brigades have liberated 13 villages to north and northeast of Quwayr
- At least 50 ISIS militants and two Iraqi soldiers have been killed, and 25 soldiers are injured
- Dozens of suicide vehicles and a large number of IEDS have been destroyed
But another Iraqi military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told CNN that Iraqi units fighting around the village of Al Absi have been surrounded by ISIS fighters. Al Absi is near Nimrud, 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Mosul. The area has seen heavy fighting in the last 36 hours.