Iraqi forces liberate 2 more regions in eastern Mosul

Iraqi Special Operations Forces have retaken full control of two more neighborhoods in Mosul as they try to drive Daesh Takfiri militants out of their last urban stronghold in the country in joint operations with army soldiers and pro-government fighters.

Lieutenant Colonel Muhanad al-Timimi said the special forces recaptured the densely populated neighborhood of Zohour on Friday, more than a week after they first marched into the area.

He added that government forces were also in complete control of Qadissiyah-2 neighborhood, bringing to 23 the number of neighborhoods that Iraqi Special Operations Forces have liberated ever since the Mosul liberation operations got underway on October 17.

The remarks come as government forces are heading toward al-Mishraq district in the eastern quarter of Mosul, located some 400 kilometers north of the capital Baghdad.

Additionally, fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, better known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha’abi, thwarted a Daesh car bomb attack against their position west of Mosul.

The pro-government forces intercepted and precisely targeted the explosives-rigged vehicle as it was driving at high speed towards them.

Daesh terms use of instant messaging apps ‘cardinal sin’ 

Meanwhile, the Takfiri Daesh militant group has warned its extremist members against the use of instant messaging applications, describing the practice as “a cardinal sin.”

The terror network announced in its Arabic-language al-Naba newsletter that the use of instant messaging services, namely Telegram and WhatsApp, would enable Western enemies to locate the exact location of its bastions, and carry out precise strikes against them.

Daesh abducts 55 civilians in Hawijah district

Meanwhile, Daesh terrorists have also abducted 55 civilians in al-Hawija district of the oil-rich northern province of Kirkuk on charges of attempting to shift the local residents out of areas under their control to government-held territories.

An informed source, requesting anonymity, said the abductees have been taken to an unknown location, and no information is available about their fate.

Daesh moving heavy military equipment from Iraq to Syria

Furthermore, Daesh terrorists have started the withdrawal of their heavy military equipment, mainly rocket launchers, battle tanks and armored vehicles, from the towns of al-Qa’im, Rawah and Anah in Iraq’s beleaguered western province of Anbar to the city of Raqqah, which serves as their main stronghold in neighboring Syria.

The move comes as Iraqi government soldiers, Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters and Kurdish Peshmerga forces continue to make significant gains in joint operations against Daesh terrorists.