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Mosul offensive: Iraqi forces recapture airport in bid to retake city | Mosul offensive: Iraqi forces recapture airport in bid to retake city |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Iraqi security forces have recaptured Mosul airport, a key part of the government's offensive to drive the so-called Islamic State (IS) from the western half of the city. | Iraqi security forces have recaptured Mosul airport, a key part of the government's offensive to drive the so-called Islamic State (IS) from the western half of the city. |
The operation took four hours. IS continued to fire mortars at the airport from further inside the city after losing the ground to the army. | The operation took four hours. IS continued to fire mortars at the airport from further inside the city after losing the ground to the army. |
The jihadists have also entered a nearby military base amid further clashes, a military spokesman said. | The jihadists have also entered a nearby military base amid further clashes, a military spokesman said. |
Eastern Mosul was retaken last month. | Eastern Mosul was retaken last month. |
The airport's runway has been destroyed by IS, but BBC Middle East Correspondent Quentin Sommerville, who is embedded with Iraqi federal police units, says it still has value. | The airport's runway has been destroyed by IS, but BBC Middle East Correspondent Quentin Sommerville, who is embedded with Iraqi federal police units, says it still has value. |
It's a large piece of land, and controlling it will help secure southern routes to west Mosul, our correspondent says. | It's a large piece of land, and controlling it will help secure southern routes to west Mosul, our correspondent says. |
The assault began with overnight air strikes by the US-led coalition before armoured columns advanced to the airport's perimeter. | The assault began with overnight air strikes by the US-led coalition before armoured columns advanced to the airport's perimeter. |
An Iraqi lieutenant was killed by one of the roadside bombs planted in the area by IS, the BBC has learned. | An Iraqi lieutenant was killed by one of the roadside bombs planted in the area by IS, the BBC has learned. |
Iraqi forces also came under fire from IS militants who had holed up inside airport buildings, reports said. | Iraqi forces also came under fire from IS militants who had holed up inside airport buildings, reports said. |
Foreign troops from the US-led coalition were with the attacking troops, officials told AP, without specifying their nationality. | Foreign troops from the US-led coalition were with the attacking troops, officials told AP, without specifying their nationality. |
The airport and the al-Ghazlani base are on Mosul's southern outskirts on the western side of the Tigris river. | The airport and the al-Ghazlani base are on Mosul's southern outskirts on the western side of the Tigris river. |
Thousands of Iraqi troops, backed by artillery and air power, are involved in the assault to retake Mosul. | Thousands of Iraqi troops, backed by artillery and air power, are involved in the assault to retake Mosul. |
Leaflets warning residents of an imminent offensive were earlier dropped over western Mosul, where military officials say narrow winding streets could make retaking the area particularly difficult. | Leaflets warning residents of an imminent offensive were earlier dropped over western Mosul, where military officials say narrow winding streets could make retaking the area particularly difficult. |
Although slightly smaller than the east, western Mosul is more densely populated and includes districts seen as pro-IS. | Although slightly smaller than the east, western Mosul is more densely populated and includes districts seen as pro-IS. |
The UN has voiced concern about the welfare of civilians trapped in the city, amid reports that they could number up to 650,000. | The UN has voiced concern about the welfare of civilians trapped in the city, amid reports that they could number up to 650,000. |
More than 160,000 people have already fled their homes in and around the city. | More than 160,000 people have already fled their homes in and around the city. |
The UN said in late January that almost half of all the casualties in Mosul were civilians.Iraq forces seize Mosul airport from IS | |
All bridges linking the east and west of the city, across the Tigris river, have been destroyed by air strikes. | All bridges linking the east and west of the city, across the Tigris river, have been destroyed by air strikes. |
IS jihadists overran Mosul as they spread across much of northern and western Iraq in 2014. | IS jihadists overran Mosul as they spread across much of northern and western Iraq in 2014. |