Mosul: Iraqi forces retake city’s east from ISIL

The Iraqi army says it has recaptured all of eastern Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS).

Counter-terror chief Talib Shaghati told reporters the army had taken control of the eastern bank of the Tigris river, which divides the city.

Government forces have made swift advances through eastern Mosul since launching their latest offensive there last month.

Some IS fighters are reportedly still holed up in north-eastern districts.

The offensive to recapture Mosul was launched in October, more than two years after the jihadists overran the city before seizing control of much of northern and western Iraq

The operation got off to a slow start in the face of tough IS resistance and counter-attacks.

Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, have been involved in the fight.

Last Friday the army launched an operation to capture the Mosul University complex, used by IS militants as a base and, Iraqi officials said, a chemical weapons production site.

More than 100,000 people have fled their homes in and around Mosul and UN officials have warned that the figure is likely to rise as pro-government forces press further into the city.

Source: bbc.com

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