Iraqi forces announce control of eastern side of Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi Counter-Terrorism forces on Wednesday declared victory over a majority of the east side of Mosul city after a three-month military operation against the so-called Islamic State (IS).

In a press conference held in the town of Bartella in northern Mosul, the top commander of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism forces Taleb Shighati al-Kenani stated since the operation began on Oct. 17, over 3,300 IS extremists had been killed.

Additionally, Kenani noted the forces had detonated over 300 of the insurgent group’s Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) in the city.

The Iraqi Joint Command initially reported they had "full control" over eastern Mosul but later released a statement revealing a few areas remained under IS control.

Moreover, another Iraqi commander said there were areas in the north where clashes were ongoing with insurgents. 

According to Kenani, the overall operation was a purely military one with low civilian casualties despite IS using civilians as human shields.

He also highlighted the substantial aerial support of the US-led coalition warplanes who pounded IS positions during the operation.

Regarding the importance of the eastern side of the city, the commander said most of IS’ key bases had been in those liberated areas including bomb factories and prisons for torturing people. 

The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism forces can’t reveal when the military operation to clear the western part of Mosul from IS will begin, the commander explained.

He added the offensive to free the western side of the city would be easier.

IS occupied Mosul in June 2014 and shortly expanded to other parts of the country including Nineveh, Diyala, Anbar, Salahaddin and Kirkuk Province.

The group has been in decline and continues to shrink as security forces already liberated half of Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq, where IS’ self-proclaimed capital is. 

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany