UPDATED: Two Mosul villages, district recaptured by security forces

Nineveh – (iraqiNews.com) Iraqi security forces recaptured on Monday two villages and a district in Mosul as operations continue to liberate the city from Islamic State militants.

Lt. Gen Abdul Amir Yarallah, commander of “We Are Coming, Nineveh” operation, said in a statement that the 9th armored division, the 16th division and commandos have managed to recapture the villages of al-Sallamiya and orta Kharab, on the eastern section of Mosul, and raised the Iraqi flag there.

Meanwhile, the media service of al-Hashed al-Shaabi militia reported that security forces also succeeded in liberating al-Ulamaa district after killing scores of ISIS militants.

Iraqi security forces, backed by popular Iraqi militias and Kurdish troops, have liberated tens of villages on the outskirts of Mosul since the start of operations in mid October, also killing hundreds of ISIS militants.