Iraqi forces on Wednesday (April 19th) liberated west Mosul's al-Thawra neighbourhood and started evacuating trapped civilians to safe areas on the other side of the Tigris River, a senior military officer told Diyaruna.
"Iraqi forces at noon on Wednesday stormed and retook al-Thawra neighbourhood at the heart of west Mosul," Joint Iraqi Operations Command spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahiya Rasul said.
"We are now conducting combing operations in search of ISIL pockets and cells," he said.
Iraqi troops have also set up a floating bridge on the Tigris to allow for the safe exit of civilians that are trapped in areas still under "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) control in the south-western part of the city, Rasul said.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi arrived in Mosul on Wednesday to inspect the army’s units and sectors and be briefed on the progress of the battle, according to a statement issued by his office.
