20 October 2016, 12:01 GMT
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The CNN broadcaster reported citing Iraqi Maj. Gen. Maan Saadi that the government forces killed some 200 terrorists in the operation to retake Bartella.
The city, which was captured by the militants in August 2014, was freed as part of the large-scale offensive to liberate Daesh stronghold of Mosul, located some 8 miles from Bartella.
On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the start of the military operation to retake Mosul from the IS, which is outlawed in many countries, including Russia and the United States. According to local media, about 30,000 Iraqi soldiers and 4,000 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are taking part in the operation, backed by air strikes carried out by the US-led international coalition.
