Iraq News

Iraqi flag raised over government complex in Mosul

Iraqi forces on Tuesday (March 7th) took full control of the government complex at the centre of west Mosul after two days of violent battles, a military official said.

“The Iraqi flag is now flying on the government complex,” Joint Iraqi Operations Command spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahiya al-Zubaidi told Diyaruna.

“The complex consists of the provincial building, the main courthouse, the police command, the security and information centre, the electricity and post services, the Central Bank of Iraq and the archeological museum building,” he said.

“ISIL has suffered heavy losses in the battle to control the government complex, located in Bab al-Toob area at the centre of west Mosul,” he added.

“Large-scale clearing operations are under way in the vicinity of the complex before we advance deep into the adjacent neighbourhoods with the support of the international coalition,” he said.

Lt. Col. Abdulamir al-Mohammedawi of the Rapid Response Division confirmed the museum's recapture, saying it was retaken on Monday, AFP reported.

ISIL "stole the artefacts and completely destroyed the museum", Mohammedawi said.

In February 2015, ISIL released a video of its fighters destroying ancient artefacts at the museum, knocking statues off their plinths and smashing them to pieces.

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