Iraqi forces link up south of Mosul, tightening noose around Islamic State

[related-post]

Watch Video: What’s making news

“Forces from the 9th Armoured Division and the counter-terrorism service liberated Ajhala village north of Qayara base,” Obeidi said on Twitter.

Proceeding from Salahudin, units from 9th Armoured Division & CTS liberated Ajhala Village north of Qayarah Base
1/2 pic.twitter.com/18HXq5NqLC

— Dr. Khalid Al-Obeidi خالد العبيدي (@khalid_alobeidi) July 12, 2016

“Our heroes arrived at the riverbank and made contact with Nineveh Liberation Operation units,” he added, referring to troops who had set out from Makhmour, 25 km west of the Tigris, in March.

as our heroes arrived at the river bank and made contact with Nineveh Liberation Operations units
2/2

— Dr. Khalid Al-Obeidi خالد العبيدي (@khalid_alobeidi) July 12, 2016

The newly retaken territory still needs to be secured since IS insurgents remain holed up in several towns behind the government’s front line, a military spokesman said.

Backed by air support from a U.S.-led military coalition, government forces on Saturday regained Qayara air base, which is to be turned into a logistics hub for the main assault on Mosul.

On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced the dispatch of 560 additional soldiers to Iraq, most of whom will work from Qayara to assist the Iraqi thrust towards Mosul. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has pledged to retake the city, the largest still held by IS, by year-end.