Iraqi forces backed by U.S-led coalition on Wednesday 1/3/2017 seized control of major roads near Western Mosul city in northwestern Iraq.
The progress left ISIS fighters under siege in the area especially after the allied troops took control of Eastern Mosul and all main roads around the city.
Also, ISIS major supply lines between Mosul and the Syrian border were blocked completely by the US-backed forces.
Road linking Mosul to Tal Afar, another ISIS stronghold 60 km (40 miles) to the west, and then to the Syrian border also taken by the coalition forces.
In January this year, the Iraqi forces captured Eastern Mosul after 100 days of heavy fighting with the militants.
Then, on February 19, the Iraqi Army launched a battle for Western Mosul –the last held ISIS stronghold in Iraq’s second largest city.
Following these raids, dozens of ISIS militants surrendered to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) west of Mosul city, military sources reported on January 24.
This ISIS siege comes amid intensifying military operations by the US-backed Iraqi troops in Western Mosul.
