Airstrike hits Mosul bridge, disrupting IS supply lines

An airstrike by the US-led coalition on Wednesday “disables” a fourth bridge across the Tigris River in Mosul, leaving only one intact crossing in the northern Iraqi city and further disrupting the Islamic State group’s supply lines.

The IS-run Aamaq news agency and an Iraqi military commander in Mosul report the pre-dawn airstrike, the second to target a bridge this week. Two other bridges were destroyed by airstrikes last month.

The airstrike is followed by intense fighting in an eastern Mosul neighborhood where Iraq’s special forces are slowly advancing toward the city center, hampered by suicide car bombings, snipers and concern over the safety of civilians.

The Tigris River runs through the center of Mosul, and until now most of the fighting has been on the eastern bank. Iraqi forces are expected to use pontoon bridges when they reach the river.

— AP