Iraqi army launches new push on town near Mosul
KIRKUK -- The Iraqi army's 9th Division has launched a new push to retake a town near Mosul from ISIS.
The Joint Military Operation Command said Saturday that troops were advancing on Hamdaniyah, also known as Bakhdida and Qaraqosh, to the southeast of Mosul.
Hamdaniyah is believed to be largely uninhabited. IS has heavily mined the approaches to Mosul, and Iraqi forces have had to contend with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs as they have moved closer to the city.
