Iraqi forces liberate six more neighborhoods in eastern Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi security forces liberated six neighborhoods from the Islamic State (IS) in eastern Mosul, the Nineveh Operation Command said on Friday.

In a statement, the Operation Command of Nineveh revealed the Iraqi security forces had retaken six neighborhoods in eastern Mosul, including al-Malayin, al-Samah, al-Khazra, Kirkukli, al-Quds, and al-Karama.

The report also mentioned the forces had raised the Iraqi flag on some buildings in the area.

On Thursday, the Iraqi army entered the neighborhood of al-Intisar, east of the city.

Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces continue to push IS from the north, east, and south while Iranian-backed Shia militia Hashd al-Shaabi attack the extremist group from the southwest of the city.

IS occupied Mosul in June 2014 and began to control large swaths of territory in the country, including Nineveh, Diyala, Salahaddin, and Anbar Provinces.

Since then, IS has lost most of the areas they once held, and the group continues to shrink.

The Mosul offensive was launched on Oct. 17 from the east of the city. 

Moreover, the operation marked the first time since 2003 both Kurdish and Iraqi forces jointly fought together against an enemy.

Security forces liberated many areas from IS and have already entered the city of Mosul from the east.

Forces continue to advance with the support of the US-led coalition warplanes that heavily shell insurgent positions inside and around Mosul.

The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani recently stated the Mosul offensive was likely to continue for three months until the area is cleared from the militant group.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany