LOC15:37
12:37 GMT
WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- The coalition struck 90 watercraft and three barges on the Tigris River in Mosul from Wednesday to Friday, the Combined Joint Task Force announced on Saturday.
Many of these watercraft were being used to ferry the so-called Islamic State (IS) fighters and equipment across the Tigris River from East to West Mosul in an attempt to escape Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) as they continued to clear the remaining portions of East Mosul, the announcement said.
The ISF secured the eastern bank of all five bridges across the Tigris River in Mosul during the past week of clearing operations, making it difficult for IS fighters to flee the ISF.
"We believe this was a desperate attempt to retrograde IS fighters now that the Iraqi Security Forces own the eastern bank of every bridge in Mosul," said Colonel John Dorrian, coalition spokesman. "This is one more example of how the coalition is supporting the military defeat of IS by launching air strikes while Iraqi military complete the clearance of Eastern Mosul."
Since the operation to liberate Mosul began on October 17, the coalition has destroyed at least 112 watercraft on the Tigris River in Mosul, with several more damaged or destroyed outside the city, Dorrian said.
In Iraq, strikes also were launched near Kirkuk and Kisik, the coalition announced.
In Syria, strikes hit near Abu Kamal, Ar Raqqah, At Tanf and Dayr Az Zawr, it was announced. (end)
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