Iraqi forces retake key bridge in western Mosul

Military officials say Iraqi forces have recaptured a neighborhood and a strategic bridge along the Tigris river from Daesh terrorists. The operation was part of an offensive to liberate the western part of the city of Mosul from the terror group.

The army troops and allied forces pushed into Mosul's western Gawsaq neighborhood, taking control of Mosul’s southernmost bridge. The bridge links the city’s western side to the east and can help bring army reinforcements and supplies from the eastern side. Daesh terrorists fought back with snipers, anti-tank missiles and car bombs. Nearly 650,000 civilians live in western Mosul. Iraqi forces launched the Mosul liberation operation in October 2016. The first phase of the operation led to the liberation of the eastern side of the city last month.