Sources: Islamic State dig pathways inside western Mosul homes

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militants in western Mosul are digging pathways inside houses so as to facilitate the movement of militants preparing for battles with advancing Iraqi troops and militias, a source there has said.

The group is now cracking houses open to each other to make it easier for militants to move through residential areas in the western section as Iraqi forces become closer to liberating the eastern section of Iraq’s second largest city and IS’s last bastion in the country, a source told Alghad Press website.

Iraqi government forces, backed by US-led fighter jets and popular militias, launched a campaign in mid October to retake the city which fell to IS militants in 2014. Military officials have said they recaptured 40 out of 56 districts in the east, and operations are understandably expected to proceed towards the western bank of the Tigris River, where IS still maintains several strongholds near its locations in Syria.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in statements on Tuesday that defeating IS needs three extra months. He had previously hoped the battle would wrap up before the end of 2016. His comments are more optimistic than US coalition commanders who envision victory within two years at least.

The battle for Mosul has forced 137.000 people to flee homes to refugee camps, according to the latest count by the Ministry of Migration and Displacement.