Politics
09:20, 04-Jul-2017
Iraqi army prepares to celebrate victory in Mosul
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In Mosul, ISIL militants are battling to hold onto the last few streets under their control. Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi is expected to visit the city to formally declare victory, and a week of nationwide celebrations is planned.
Iraqi army units have cornered the Islamist fighters in an area no more than 300 meters wide by the Tigris River. The army said militants have dwindled from thousands to a mere couple of hundred, and they are expecting to reach the Tigris and regain full control over the city by the end of this week.
After the Iraqi army occupies Mosul, ISIL’s territory in Iraq will be limited to areas west and south of the city where some tens of thousands of civilians live. ISIL has been retaliating by carrying out suicide attacks in various parts of the country. On Sunday, a suicide bomber dressed as a veiled woman killed 14 people and wounded 13 others in the capital Baghdad.