The Iraqi army was gearing up for massive operation to regain Mosul, a week after terrorists of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) seized the city.

The Iraqi army was gearing up for massive operation to regain Mosul, a week after terrorists of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) seized the city.

Army Spokesman General Qassim Atta said on Wednesday that preparations were underway to move in against the Takfiri militants in Mosul after Iraqi Special Forces regained full control over the nation’s largest petroleum refinery complex in Baiji, taking out at least 40 terrorists in the process.

ISIL militants attacked the refinery from several directions earlier by firing rockets and starting a fire at the key facility.

Meanwhile, General Atta  reiterated that Iraqi armed forces were also in full control of the cities of Tal Afar and Samarra, which also came under attack by foreign-backed ISIL militants.

Earlier, Iraqi troops took full control of Saqlawiyah district in Anbar Province after heavy clashes with the Takfiri militants. Nearlyl 250 terrorists were reportedly killed in the clashes.

The Iraqi army has also managed to prevent advances of the ISIL terrorists and former Baathist regime in Fallujah in the last two days.