Dozens of the black-clad soldiers waded across a small river that separated them from Islamic State positions. The surprise nighttime attack in the Muthanna neighborhood last week is among the adjustments Iraqi forces are making to jump-start their fight to take the northern city of Mosul. It was the first night operation in their fight against the Islamic State. Iraqi forces have also quickly advanced in other neighborhoods nearby, stormed the university and reached the Tigris River, which carves the city in two. Such strikes leave craters in roads that slow down or stop would-be car bombers trying to attack Iraqi forces.

Source: Washington Post January 14, 2017 08:03 UTC