IS admits losing territory in Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Islamic State (IS) on Thursday admitted it had lost some territories inside the city of Mosul to Iraqi security forces, according to its official propaganda website.

The insurgent group revealed through its Amaq News Agency that the self-declared caliphate had lost territory inside the city of Mosul due to the advance of Iraqi security forces, including the neighborhoods of Tisaee, Zarqawi, and Samah.

IS’ Amaq also reported the Iraqi security forces had been able to enter the neighborhoods of Arbachiya, Intisar, Shama, and Qadsiya, while heavy fighting continued in some of the areas.

Since the launch of the Mosul liberation operation by the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces on Oct. 17, this was the first instance IS extremists admitted defeat inside the city.

Moreover, since the start of the offensive, Iraqi security forces liberated several neighborhoods inside Mosul and had entered a few other neighborhoods in the north and east side of the city.

On Nov. 15, Brigadier General Saad Maad, the spokesperson of the Iraqi Interior Ministry, said the Iraqi army had been able to liberate a third of the left coast (eastern side) of Mosul city from the control of IS extremists.

The Iraqi army and Special Forces encountered heavy IS resistance inside Mosul, the insurgents’ last important stronghold in Iraq.

Ali Badri, Head of the Iraqi Army’s Coordination Center, told Xendan on Thursday that in the past three days there had not been any advancement by the Iraqi army inside Mosul.

The pause was due to the presence of several civilians which hinders the ability of Iraqi and coalition warplanes to target the insurgents.

Badri added the Special Forces had suspended their advancement in Mosul to save the lives of civilians, and now await orders from the Commander in Chief and military leaders for a new plan to retake the center of the city.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany