Iraqi forces storm last Islamic State location in eastern Mosul
Tanks of Iraqi army take part in an operation against Islamic State militants southeast of Mosul, Iraq November 26, 2016. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Sputnik news agency quoted an Iraqi army captain as saying that forces from the 9th and the 16th divisions stormed al-Rashidiya district in the north of the city under an aerial cover by fighter jets from the U.S.-led international coalition against IS.
The source expected the government to declare the full recapture of eastern Mosul within hours, which would be the most remarkable victory over the extremist group since a campaign was launched to retake the city in mid October.
After retaking eastern Mosul, Iraqi generals hope to move immediately beyond the Tigris River towards Islamic State strongholds in the west, where military observers predict a tougher battle due to the higher density of the population.
IS militants have reportedly withdrew from the east to the west, with many reportedly killed upon crossing Tigris River to the other side. Many group leaders have been killed, according to news reports and military statements by Iraqi and international coalition commanders. Counter-Terrorism Forces said last week they had killed 3300 militants since the start of operations.
Sofian Abdulelah al-Hamadani, a commander at the 16th division, was quoted Monday as saying that IS deployed snipers above houses overlooking the western ban of Tigris River, also erecting concrete roadblocks and closed most of the streets at that region.
The conflict in Mosul has displaced at least 181.000 civilians, according to the Iraqi government, and the United Nations had said the conflict would threaten to displacement at least one million.