KHAZER, Iraq—Iraqi special forces charged into the Mosul battle Thursday with a pre-dawn advance on a nearby town held by the ISIS terrorist group, a key part of a multi-pronged assault on eastern approaches to the besieged city.
The addition of the elite troops, also known as counterterrorism forces, marked a significant intensification of the fight for Iraq’s second-largest city. As they advanced, attack helicopters fired on the militants and heavy gunfire echoed across the plains.
Maj. Gen. Maan al-Saadi said the elite Counterterrorism Forces advanced on the town of Bartella with the aid of U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and heavy artillery on the fourth day of a massive operation to retake Iraq’s second-largest city.
“God willing, we will take this town today,” he said.
