Status Of Main Battle Fronts In Iraq And Syria
Fakhir Rizvi Published November 22, 2016 | 10:15 PM
BAGHDAD, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Nov, 2016 ) - Here is a look at the latest developments on the ground on the main fronts of the conflicts in Iraq and Syria, as of 1700 GMT on Tuesday: IRAQ ==== - Battle for Mosul - ==================== US-led coalition warplanes bombed a key bridge in the northern city of Mosul to isolate fighters of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group in their major stronghold in Iraq, as a relative lull takes hold in fighting on the ground.
Since the October 17 start of a broad offensive to retake Mosul, Iraqi forces have already retaken several eastern neighbourhoods despite fierce jihadist resistance. On Tuesday, elite forces from the Counter-Terrorism Service secured most of the Aden neighbourhood.
West of Mosul, Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) forces -- a paramilitary umbrella group dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias -- pushed closer to Tal Afar and were less than four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the IS-held city.
Iraqi forces are also closing in on Mosul airport south of the city. Northeast of Mosul, Kurdish peshmerga fighters have dug in 10 kilometres (six miles) away after seizing the town of Bashiqa.
SYRIA ===== - Raqa - ======== The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance, is advancing in the desert as it tries to push closer to IS's de facto Syrian capital of Raqa.
The SDF has been battling the jihadists to drive them from positions some 30 kilometres (18 miles) north of the city.
- Battle for Aleppo - ===================== Syrian pro-government forces push deeper into rebel-held east Aleppo, forcing civilians to flee as the regime presses an assault to recapture the entire city.
A week into the latest round of fighting for the divided city, the regime now controls around a third of a key eastern district, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. At least 143 civilians, including 19 children, have been killed in east Aleppo since the latest assault began on November 15, the Syrian Observatory said.
Another 16 civilians, including 10 children, have been killed in rebel fire on western Aleppo, the Britain-based monitoring group said. Iran's veterans' affairs office says more than 1,000 combatants sent from Iran to fight in support of President Bashar al-Assad have been killed in Syria's five-year conflict.
Russia, another regime ally, announced the launch on November 15 of an air war against jihadists in the northern province of Idlib, which is mainly rebel-held, and in Homs in central Syria. - Other fronts - ================ Syrian rebels backed by Turkish forces inch closer to the IS stronghold of Al-Bab in Aleppo province, as they press Ankara's Operation "Euphrates Shield" to expel IS from the border area.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
More Stories From World
-
Ukraine agriculture minister held for alleged corruption
4 minutes ago -
China calls Germany spy claims 'pure fabrication'
15 minutes ago -
Singapore expects 1-3 pct growth this year
24 minutes ago -
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Tech Index rises over 5 pct
24 minutes ago -
New Zealand business sector R&D expenditure hits 2.21 bln USD
24 minutes ago -
3 dead after mini car falls into west Japan paddy field
24 minutes ago
-
Chinese shares higher at midday Friday
24 minutes ago -
Myanmar plans to export 2,000 tons of coffee in 2024-25 fiscal year
34 minutes ago -
Chinese shares close higher Friday
35 minutes ago -
Pro-Palestinian US campus protests grow as police crack down
55 minutes ago -
Miner Anglo American rejects BHP's $38.8 bn takeover bid
1 hour ago -
Guatemala prosecutors raid international NGO over alleged child abuse
1 hour ago