Losing their grip in the Middle East, ISIS lets the inmates free from their cells – PB/TK
ISIS, Losing Grip on Mosul, Frees Prisoners From Jails – By
The Islamic State militant group (ISIS) has released dozens of prisoners held in jails in the districts of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul that remain under its control, residents said on Saturday.
The release of the prisoners on Friday is another sign that the militants are being overwhelmed by the U.S.-backed Iraqi offensive that started on Oct. 17 to dislodge them from Mosul, their last major city stronghold in Iraq.
ISIS has lost most cities it captured in Iraq in 2014 and 2015. It declared a caliphate that also spanned parts of Syria from Mosul in 2014.
Among those released were people who had been caught selling cigarettes, violating a smoking ban, or in possession of a mobile phone and therefore suspected of communicating with the outside world, the residents said.
Iraqi forces dislodged ISIS from the eastern side of Mosul in January, and on Feb. 19 launched the offensive on the districts located west of the Tigris river.
State-run TV on Friday said about half of western Mosul has been taken back from the militants who are besieged in the old city center and districts to the north.
Continue to newsweek.com article: http://www.newsweek.com/isis-losing-grip-mosul-frees-prisoners-566704
