SOUTHWEST ASIA — Today, with Coalition air and artillery support, the Iraqi Security Forces announced that several elements of the Iraqi Army, Federal Police and Counter Terrorism Service initiated a simultaneous advance along three axes in Mosul to defeat ISIL.

On the north axis, units of the 16th Division of the Iraqi Army advanced south to clear additional neighborhoods as they take new ground. On the east axis, Counter Terrorism Service units pushed west and south along two fronts. On the south axis, units of the Federal Police began clearing neighborhoods to the North.

The Iraqi multi-axis advance opens two new fronts within the city and increases pressure on ISIL’s dwindling ability to generate forces, move fighters or resupply. Since the start of the Mosul operation on Oct. 17, the Coalition has struck ISIL with more than 7,650 munitions in support of the Iraqi Security Forces. Additionally, at the request of the government of Iraq, the Coalition re-struck Mosul Bridges #4 and #5 Tuesday, and disabled Bridge #1 Monday, the last bridge crossing the Tigris River inside Mosul. The strikes were conducted to reduce enemy freedom of movement, and to further disrupt ISIL’s ability to reinforce, resupply, or use vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices in East Mosul.

Coalition forces provide operational advice and assistance to Iraqi units along with intelligence, logistics, artillery and air support to the Iraqi Security Forces in a partnership to defeat ISIL in Iraq. Support is being provided in response to requests by the government of Iraq and in a deliberate and consultative manner to avoid unnecessary casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.