The territorial gain follows the recapture of a key air base nearby at the weekend.

Government forces on Saturday regained Qayara airbase, which is to be turned into a logistics hub for the main assault on Mosul, Reuters reports.

Qayara Airbase to Be Used for Mosul Liberation Operation in Near Future.

Iraq will rebuild the newly taken Qayara airbase as a launchpad for the impending Nineveh liberation operation, FNA reports.

Obeidi said the Iraq's 9th Armoured Division and the counter-terrorism forces retook Ajhala village north of Qayara base.

"Our heroes arrived at the riverbank and made contact with Nineveh Liberation Operation units," Obeidi said.

The newly retaken territory still needs to be secured since ISIS insurgents remain holed up in several towns behind the government's front line, a military spokesman said.

Iraq Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has pledged to retake Mosul, the largest city still held by ISIS, by year-end.

12