Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates April 30, 2017

Iraqi paramilitary troops fire towards Isis militants during a battle with militants on the outskirts of the ancient city of Hatra, south of Mosul, Iraq. Reuters

Reuters: Iraqi commander says to complete capture of Mosul in May

An Iraqi commander expects to dislodge Islamic State from Mosul in May despite resistance from militants in the densely populated Old City district.

The battle should be completed "in a maximum of three weeks", the army's chief of staff, Lieutenant General Othman al-Ghanmi, was quoted as saying by state-run newspaper al-Sabah on Sunday.

A U.S.-led international coalition is providing air and ground support for the offensive in Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq, which fell to hardline Sunni Muslim fighters in June 2014.

Islamic State has lost most of the city since the offensive began in October and is now surrounded in the northwestern districts, including the historic Old City center.

The United Nations believes up to half a million people remain in the area, 400,000 of whom are in the Old City with little food, water and medicine.

Read more ....

Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates April 30, 2017

Iraqi forces to drive ISIS out of Mosul within three-week period, commander says -- NRT
Mosul: UN says 36 Yazidis freed, Iraqi commander predicts complete capture of city in May -- ABC News Online
Defense Ministry: 35% of western Mosul still controlled by Islamic State -- Iraqi News
Iraqi army nearing Nour Mosque in Mosul, where ISIS declared 'caliphate' -- RUDAW
US soldier killed in blast near embattled Mosul as Isis resistance continues in Iraq -- IBTimes
U.S. Service Member Killed in Mosul, Iraq: Pentagon -- NBC/AP
US service member killed in blast near Mosul, coalition says -- The Guardian
Airstrike kills 15 Iraqi civilians in Mosul: Activist -- Anadolu Agency
‘Unidentified militias’ kidnap around 100 Iraqis fleeing Mosul town -- Al Arabiya
Foreign fighters also bear responsibility for ISIS atrocities, Coalition details -- RUDAW
Lawmakers warn of further destruction of Mosul as battle for western districts continue -- RUDAW
Six months into battle for Mosul, water, trauma care are key UN and partner priorities -- UN News Centre