IS counterattacks as Iraqi forces prepare for Mosul push
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HAMDANIYAH—The Iraqi army has been moving troops around Mosul ahead of an expected push to retake its western half from the Islamic State group in the final decisive battle for the city, a commander said Tuesday.
"We are preparing ... to launch a big operation in order to liberate the rest of Mosul," said Brig. Walid Khalifa, deputy commander of the Iraqi Army's 9th Division.
On Tuesday afternoon, dozens of armored vehicle and troops could be seen moving around the city. Khalifa said the maneuvers began on Sunday.
But even as the Iraqi forces began moving into place, IS launched a significant counterattack near the town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, on Sunday night.
The IS detonated some 17 car bombs, targeting a position held by Iraq's government-sanctioned mostly Shiite militia forces known as the Popular Mobilization Forces near Tal Afar, said Jaafar al-Hussaini, a spokesman for one of the militias.
In all, the attack lasted nine hours and killed four militiamen and 48 IS fighters before it was repelled al-Hussaini said.
