Coalition jets pound ISIS bases, shelters in Mosul ahead of massive offensive
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Warplanes from the US-led coalition carried out 20 airstrikes Saturday night against Islamic State positions and shelters inside the group's stronghold of Mosul, a source from the Iraqi Defense Ministry told Rudaw.
Five different locations in Mosul were targeted by the warplanes including "Mosul railway line, the presidential palace, Wadi Agibian neighboorhood as well as two bomb manufacturing facilities," said the source.
He continued: "The Iraqi army has warned Mosul residents avoid ISIS shelters and positions as warplanes will continue shelling the areas."
Baghdad has begun preparations to launch a massive battle against ISIS militants in coordination with the Kurdistan Region and the United States-led coalition.
Two separate Iraqi army brigades are based in the town of Makhmour, southeast of Mosul, as part of the preparations underway for the offensive.
On February 9, a military brigade from the Nineveh Operation Command arrived in the Makhmour region and on February 16 another Iraqi army brigade from the 15th division of the Iraqi Army, consisting of 1000 soldiers and 168 military vehicles, arrived.
Five different locations in Mosul were targeted by the warplanes including "Mosul railway line, the presidential palace, Wadi Agibian neighboorhood as well as two bomb manufacturing facilities," said the source.
He continued: "The Iraqi army has warned Mosul residents avoid ISIS shelters and positions as warplanes will continue shelling the areas."
Baghdad has begun preparations to launch a massive battle against ISIS militants in coordination with the Kurdistan Region and the United States-led coalition.
Two separate Iraqi army brigades are based in the town of Makhmour, southeast of Mosul, as part of the preparations underway for the offensive.
On February 9, a military brigade from the Nineveh Operation Command arrived in the Makhmour region and on February 16 another Iraqi army brigade from the 15th division of the Iraqi Army, consisting of 1000 soldiers and 168 military vehicles, arrived.