Iraqi forces are now less than 200 metres away from al-Nuri Mosque, where "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his "caliphate" three years ago, Iraq's Joint Operations Command said on Wednesday (June 21st).
"Iraqi forces stormed Ras al-Jada and Bab Hadid after consolidating their positions in al-Shefaa and al-Wehda," command spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasul told Diyaruna.
"Fighting is now taking place in alleys and narrow streets, but our forces are doing very well amid major retreat by ISIS terrorists," he added.
"Our forces are now less than 200 metres away from the 'caliphate' mosque, and we hope to liberate it, together with al-Hadba lighthouse, within hours after removing the obstacles, including snipers and improvised explosive devices (IEDs)," he said.
