ISIL now contained in Hawija, Tel Afar and Mosul
Gains in Shirqat came over 3 days
Mosul push could come next month - officials
Iraqi forces, backed by air strikes from the US-led coalition, have gained complete control of the northern district of Shirqat.
Iraqi forces advanced swiftly through the area after Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the operation on Tuesday morning.
Analysts say it brings the military a step closer to a main push on Mosul later this year.
#Iraq forces declared victory in #Shirqat under 72 hrs after launching ops. Draw what conclusions you may for #Mosul https://t.co/4mabd83Pzg- Stephen Kalin (@stephenkalin) September 22, 2016
What about civilians?
Tens of thousands of civilians are thought to be trapped in the town, as well as nearby villages.
They have been under ISIL control since the group seized a third of Iraqi territory in 2014.
However, the operation has so far not generated the large-scale out-flux of people seen in other recent campaigns.
The UNHCR says there was no displacement on Tuesday and only 32 people left their homes for a nearby reception centre on Wednesday.
The Iraqi authorities hope the course of battle will allow residents to shelter in place to avoid creating a humanitarian crisis as forces move towards the more heavily-populated Mosul.
Islamic State driven from strategic town of Shirqat, Iraqi military says https://t.co/CUUWioiYpU
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