The fight for Mosul has broken through ISIL defences to
within 1.5 kilometres of the city limits for the first time, a
force commander said.
Iraqi troops have reportedly reached an eastern suburb of the
city, which has been a stronghold of the jihadist group for two
years.
In the past two weeks, US-backed Iraqi forces have cleared the
areas surrounding Mosul of insurgents. The break through represents
the start of the biggest military offensive in the country since
the toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Following a dawn assault on Monday (October 31), said to be
supported by US-led air strikes, hundreds of Counter-Terrorism
Service (CTS) forces have reportedly breached Bazwaya, the village
on the outermost edge of the city limits.
The battle for Bazwaya was met with some resistance and
commanders say the fight for Mosul could take months.
Soldiers from Iraq’s CTS forces are now said to be moving
forward in the industrial zone of Gogjali.
Meanwhile, the ninth division of the Iraqi Army is reportedly
advancing from the south in the fight for the militants’ last major
stronghold in the country.