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ISIS boats blown up by Iraqi coalition forces
Video footage showed up to 100 boats containing groups of cowardly militants were trying to quickly cross the Tigris River, moving from the eastern part of Mosul to the western side, in an attempt to evade the Iraqi-coalition forces.
Although the Iraqi forces still have a large part of the city to reclaim, sources suggest the jihadis are becoming increasingly fearful in clashes with the coalition soldiers.
Before the blast on water last week, Sgt. Maj. Hussam Abdul-Latif said militants have been fleeing when they notice his soldiers.
The fight against ISIS
Fri, November 18, 2016
The battle against ISIS militants (also abbreviated as Daesh, ISIL, IS and Islamic State) continues in the Middle East.
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Forces battle against ISIS
Safwan Thanoon, a local resident, said dozens of fighters sped off on their motorcycles overnight, during a clash on January 19.
He added: “This morning, not a single man was left, just those two [ISIS] corpses.”
The progress of Iraqi forces reclaiming the war-ridden city has sped up this month as they closed in on the river that roughly divides Mosul, but they still have a way to go.
Lieutenant General. Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi, an Iraqi general said: “When we enter the other bank, it will be like the operation beginning all over again.”
Retaking Mosul is a priority for Baghdad and was an important part of US foreign policy under the Obama administration.
But remaining hopeful after his celebratory tour of eastern Mosul, the Lieutenant General al-Asadi added: “Our message to the rest of Mosul's residents is that victory is near.”
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Barges, skiffs and motorised watercraft had been observed operating along the Tigris and Euphrates
Iraq's defensive strategy has inflicted high casualties among civilians and has created long pauses between pushes against the jihadis.
General al-Asadi said he expects to face another wave of well-planned defences and more heavily armed IS fighters, during his army's next attack.
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