Forces in Iraq have retaken the town of Qayara from Islamic State, more than a month after retaking a nearby air base. Qayara is near a major air base south of Mosul.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the victory marks an “important step” on the road to Mosul. Iraq’s second-largest city has been in the hands of ISIL for over two years. Iraqi officials have repeatedly pledged that Mosul will be retaken this year. The commander said no civilian casualties were reported.

“The civilians are in a good condition. We haven’t recorded any civilian casualties in this operation. Guidance and instruction were given to civilians not to leave their homes during the operation, and therefore there was no mass movement of internally displaced persons during the battle, which prevented casualties,” said Walid Majid, Brigadier General Commander of the 9th Armored Division.