Iraq’s military said Friday it had killed close to 800 Daesh terrorists since Oct. 17 in the ongoing offensive to recapture the northern city of Mosul.

The Iraqi army, backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, recently launched a much-anticipated operation to liberate Mosul, the last Daesh stronghold in northern Iraq.

In a statement, Iraq’s operations command announced that at least 772 Daesh terrorists were killed and 87 villages and areas were taken from the terrorist organization so far.

According to the statement, at least 23 terrorists were taken alive. Almost 130 explosive-laden vehicles, 27 mortar shells and 397 explosive devices were also seized.

Daesh took Mosul — Iraq’s second-largest city — in mid-2014 before overrunning additional territory in the country’s northern and western regions.

Although the Iraqi army and its local allies have since recovered much territory, the terror group remains in control of Mosul plus several parts of western Anbar province.

Source: Anadolu