Iraqi troops expand foothold in mosul as islamic state pledges more suicide attacks

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Iraqi Troops Expand Foothold in Mosul as Islamic State Pledges More Suicide Attacks

Iraqi government forces have made significant gains in their battle to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS) militants, with troops expanding their foothold in the city's eastern districts. The advances come as IS has pledged to carry out more suicide attacks in the city, warning civilians to stay away from government forces.

According to reports, Iraqi troops have captured several key neighborhoods in eastern Mosul, including the Al-Muhandiseen and Al-Shurta districts. The gains have been made despite fierce resistance from IS fighters, who have been using suicide bombers and snipers to try and repel the government advance.

In a statement, IS claimed responsibility for a series of suicide attacks in Mosul, which it said were carried out in response to the government's "crusader" campaign against the city. The group warned civilians to stay away from government forces, saying that they would be targeted in any future attacks.

The Iraqi government has been pushing to retake Mosul, which has been under IS control since 2014, since October. The battle has been marked by intense fighting and significant civilian casualties, with thousands of people displaced by the conflict.

The advances in Mosul come as the Iraqi government has been seeking to rebuild its military capabilities and push back against IS in other parts of the country. The group has been losing ground in recent months, but it is still believed to have thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Overall, the situation in Mosul remains precarious, with both sides suffering significant losses and civilians caught in the crossfire. The international community has been providing support to the Iraqi government in its efforts to retake the city, with the US and other countries providing military aid and training to Iraqi forces.