Iraqi troops storm western area of Mosul

Ready to strike: Iraqi forces prepare for an offensive to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul

Iraqi troops have stormed the western area of Mosul as part of an operation to liberate the city from Daesh.

Troops advanced toward western Mosul early Monday, said the media spokesman for the joint operation command. 

On October 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al Abadi announced the launch of an operation to liberate Ninawa province in northern Iraq.

The joint operation command has not disclosed the number of troops taking part in the operation, but sources in the West have put them at about 60,000.

Daesh has 6,000 militants inside Mosul.

Source: MENA