BAGHDAD (AP) -- The Iraqi prime minister says his country's forces have retaken the key town of Qayara, near a major air base south of Mosul, from the Islamic State group.
Haider al-Abadi says the victory marks was an "important step" on the road to Mosul, Iraq's second-largest which has been in IS hands for over two years now. The statement was released by al-Abadi's office on Thursday.
Iraqi troops launched the operation to retake Qayara this week, more than a month after retaking the nearby air base from IS.
Iraqi officials have repeatedly pledged that Mosul will be retaken this year. Qayara is located 70 kilometers (45 miles) south of Mosul.
