En Route to Mosul, Iraqi, Kurdish Forces Find Villages Destroyed - VOA

[TomSea]

En Route to Mosul, Iraqi, Kurdish Forces Find Villages Destroyed

NORTHERN IRAQ/WASHINGTON —

Kurdish and Iraqi forces advancing on Mosul are finding a trail of destruction left by the Islamic State (IS) as the two forces retake villages that have been under IS control for more than two years.

“There is complete destruction of infrastructure in those areas; 80 percent of buildings are razed to the ground in some villages,” Kurdish commander Khalil Mustafa said Tuesday, speaking from the front line in Khazir, 48 kilometers (30 miles) northeast of Mosul.

At least 13 villages have been retaken since the offensive began Sunday, according to commanders.

They describe finding miles of trenches and tunnels used by IS members to hide during airstrikes.

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