Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) The Islamic State (IS) has detained a number of civilians in the Old City of Mosul, while stressed that security forces are close to liberate the whole city, Mawazin News reported, citing statement by Khalaf al-Hadidi, a provincial council member in Nineveh.
“The security forces are continuing to move towards the liberation of the whole Mosul, especially the Old City in western Mosul,” al-Hadidi said.
“Russian and Afghan members belong to the IS are detaining a number of hostages to tackle the advance of the security forces towards its targets,” he added.
On another note, Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, arrived to the Nineveh Operations Headquarters to meet security leaders.
Abadi congratulated Iraqi forces and citizens for victory over Islamic State militants who had occupied Iraq’s second largest city for three years.
The Prime Minister’s media office said he congratulated “the heroic fighters and the Iraqi people for the great victory”. State TV aired scenes of the Prime Minister’s arrival at Nineveh Operations Command’s office in the city in preparation for a press conference.
