Iraqi troops close in on IS-held oil fields near Mosul

摘要

Qayyarah, Iraq-Iraqi ground forces have cut into the remaining oil assets held by the socalled Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq, retaking the Qayyarah air base, 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of Mosul over the weekend. The Iraqi advance was marked by clouds black smoke as IS fighters set fire to oil wells designed hinder to push to retake the area. It is unclear to what extent IS still occupies the oil field, refinery and production facility, 9 kilometers northeast of the base, although it will be the next battle as Iraqi forces encircle Mosul and push toward it.