WATCH: Iraqi army enters first neighborhood inside Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi security forces on Monday advanced towards the Mosul city center, entering the city’s first neighborhood.

The Iraqi army and Special Operations Forces launched a renewed offensive from three front lines on the Islamic State (IS) controlled areas in Mosul.

The fresh offensive aims to liberate the left coast of Mosul.

Fadhil Barwari, the Kurdish Commander of Special Operations Forces, told Kurdistan24 the special forces had taken control of the Gogjaly area, one kilometer east of Mosul, and are now advancing to the city center.

“Our forces have made good advances, and in the near future they will enter the Mosul city center,” Barwari added.

As the Mosul operation enters its third week, this is the first time the Iraqi security forces have broken IS’ defense lines and take the battle inside the city limits.

The Iraqi Special Forces moved forward on Gogjaly, an industrial zone on the eastern side of the city center, an Iraqi army officer revealed to Reuters.

The officer added that the Counter-Terrorism Forces had entered Mosul and are now fighting in the al-Karama neighborhood.

On Oct. 17, the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army launched the first phase of the offensive against IS-held areas in Mosul.

A Kurdistan24 reporter in the Gogjaly area saw plumes of smoke rising from a building inside the region, three kilometers east of Mosul.

The reporter added there was intermittent fighting between IS extremists and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Forces.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

(Hoshmand Sadiq, contributed to this report near Mosul)