MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Iraqi security forces have completely liberated the village of Omarkan located to the north of the ancient city of Nimrud, not far from Mosul, from the grip of Daesh, Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah said on Friday.
"Troops of the ninth brigade managed to completely free the village of Omarkan and the Iraqi flag was raised on top of its buildings," Yarallah said, as cited by the Alsumaria broadcaster.
Nimrud is located some 20 miles from Mosul. According to media reports, Daesh, a terrorist group outlawed in Russia, started mass destruction of the Assyrian city back in 2015, while Mosul and the nearby areas have been under Daesh control since 2014. The city was damaged during the US-led invasion in Iraq in 2003, but Daesh reportedly destroyed the major sites to the core.
Yarallah added that the Iraqi troops had also freed the village of Tal Waei that is located to the north of the Great Zab river.
"Troops of the ninth brigade managed to liberate the village of Tal Waei located to the north of the Great Zab river in the western part of the city of Mosul, and the Iraqi flag was lifted on top of its building," Yarallah said.
Yarallah added that as a result of the military operation to free the village Iraqi troops were able to inflict big losses on Daesh in equipment and fighters.
