Iraqi troops reclaim 40 villages from Islamic State near Mosul
Iraqi forces have retaken 40 villages from Islamic State near Mosul since a massive operation to drive the militants from the city began last week, the US military said.
US Air Force Brigadier General Matthew C Isler said Iraqi troops are consolidating gains made east and south of the city earlier this week, but insisted "momentum" is still on their side.
The fight to retake Mosul, which fell to IS in a matter of days in summer 2014, is the largest military operation in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion.
Brig Gen Isler said the US-led coalition has stepped up air strikes against the militants, carrying out three times as many as it did during previous campaigns to drive IS from other Iraqi cities.
