PHOTO: Iraqi special forces in the outskirts of eastern Mosul (Rudaw)
Iraqi special forces have taken control of two districts in the eastern outskirts of Iraq’s second city Mosul, according to commanders.
The commanders said Islamic State fighters have withdrawn from Gogjali and Samaha after days of fighting. They said a house-to-house search for any remaining ISIS troops will continue and asked residents to stay indoors.
The frontline between the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service units and ISIS is still less than 300 meters, and sporadic gunfire could be heard on Thursday. Commanders also expressed concern with booby=trapped houses and landmines that have killed dozens of troops since the Iraqi-Kurdish offensive on Mosul began on October 17.
At least 5,000 residents have fled Gogjali over the past two days and taken shelter in a Kurdish-controlled camp, according to a correspondent of the pro-Kurdish Rudaw.
“It’s difficult to know exactly how many will seek refuge here but we estimate that around 100,000 people will likely leave Mosul for camps in Dohuk Province,” Iraqi Migration Minister Darbaz Muhammad said during a visit to the Khazir camp.
