Iraq forces retake key town on Mosul southern front: AFP

Iraqi forces retook a key town from the Islamic State group Monday, a crucial objective on the southern front of the offensive to wrest back the city of Mosul. Federal police, army and elite interior ministry forces established full control over Hamam al-Alil, the last town of note on the way to Mosul from the south, AFP reporters said.
It lies on the west bank of the Tigris river, about 15 kilometres (nine miles) south-east of Mosul. Iraqi forces have already entered Mosul from the east and were moving close to the city limits from the north on Monday but have some distance to cover on the southern front. Life quickly resumed in Hamam al-Alil, an AFP cameraman reported, with some residents re-opening shops and other bathing in the town's sulphur springs. Hussein Khalaf al-Juburi, 73, was ecstatic. "If I say I'm happy, it's not enough. It's more than happiness, more than joy. I thank the brave heroes who saved us from these tyrannical and corrupt groups," he said.