Iraqi forces recapture 3 eastern Mosul districts
Members of the Iraqi Army fire towards Islamic State militant positions at the south of Mosul, Iraq December 10, 2016. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani
The defense ministry’s War Media Cell said in a statement that Federal Police and Rapid Intervention Forces recaptured Domiz district in the eastern section and raised Iraqi flags at the area’s buildings.
Meanwhile, Abdul-Amir Yarallah, commander of the joint operations in Nineveh, said the forces had also managed to recapture al-Baladiyat district
Federal Police services also said in a statement they had retaken Palestine district and killed 35 Islamic State militants.
Iraqi government forces, backed by US-led international forces and popular militias, have been carrying out a major campaign since October to retake Mosul from IS militants who captured the city in 2014.
Security officials say they currently control nearly 70 percent of the eastern section, and said Sunday they reached the eastern bank of the Tigris River, which divides the city into two sections. IS still maintain strongholds in the west near the borders with Syria.
In December, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said he predicts the battle for Mosul to realize victory over IS within two months.