Iraqi Militia Cut Off Highway Leading From Mosul to Syria, Tighten Encirclement

Iraqi militia have cut off a highway leading from Mosul to Syria, further encircling the city over a month after launcр of the operation to retake Mosul from terrorists, militia command said Wednesday.

QAYYARAH (Sputnik) — The Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) closed off the Tal Afar-Sinjar highway and met with the Kurdish Peshmerga, thus fully encircling Mosul, the PMF command told reporters.

The Iraqi operation to retake Mosul from terrorists has been going on for over a month since October 17. The battle for the city began with 4,000 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and 30,000 Iraqi soldiers backed by the US-led anti-terror coalition advancing on the city from the east, west and south.

Mosul has been occupied by Daesh since 2014.