After an offensive that lasted 9 months and displaced 900 civilians, Mosul, the stronghold of Isis in Iraq, was freed from the occupation of the self-styled Islamic State. This was announced by the Iraqi prime minister, Haidar al Abadi, who arrived in the city to congratulate the armed forces for the victory.
However, in the same hours there were clashes in two blocks in the city center, where apparently some jihadists continue to resist.
Abadi was shown in photographs stepping off a helicopter in Mosul dressed in a military uniform and cap and later expected to deliver the 'victory speech'. On Twitter, the prime minister said he had arrived in the city "to announce his release and to congratulate the armed forces and the Iraqi people on their victory".
Meanwhile, Iraqi television shows images of civilians who continue to leave the center, the scene of fighting in recent days, which appears almost entirely destroyed. Soldiers can be seen giving children, even very small ones, a drink, while men and boys are forced to undress before passing government lines to check that they are not wearing explosive belts hidden under their clothes.
“Premier Heider Al Abadi announces the liberation of Mosul. A decisive defeat for Daesh. Italian commitment to stabilize Iraq continues”. So in a tweet the premier Paolo Gentiloni.
Prime minister @HaiderAlAbadi announces the liberation of Mosul. A decisive defeat for #Daesh. Italian commitment to stabilize #Iraq teacher
- Paolo Gentiloni (@PaoloGentiloni) July 9th, 2017