Iraqis have retaken 40 villages from IS near Mosul

The US military says Iraqi forces have retaken 40 villages from the Islamic State (IS) group near Mosul since a massive operation to drive out the militants from the city began last week. US Air Force Brig Gen Matthew C Isler said today that Iraqi troops are consolidating gains made east and south of the city earlier this week, but insisted “momentum” was still on their side.