Iraqi forces, backed by coalition air strikes and tribal fighters, have seized a strategic town near Mosul from the Islamic State terror group. The town Qayyarah is considered strategic in the military’s quest to dislodge IS from Mosul, the country’s second largest city.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a statement hailing what he said was a key step towards reclaiming Mosul.
The operation to retake Qayyarah was launched on Tuesday led by Iraq’s elite counter-terrorism service.
The commander of the agency said, Iraqi security forces killed about 250 fighters including leaders of different nationalities in the conflict over Qayyarah.
Iraqi forces had already recaptured a nearby airfield and Qayyarah is expected to become one of the main launchpads for an assault on Mosul in the coming weeks or months.