Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq Hoshyar Zebari said on Wednesday that al-Baghdadi had not left Mosul, disregarding the Iraqi forces advancing on his de-facto capital.

Zebari’s statement corresponds with intelligence reports said that al-Baghdadi was still in Mosul alongside ISIS top commander Fawzi Ali.

“ISIS terrorists are under heavy pressure amid the continuous progress by the Iraqi forces,” Zebari said. He added that allied forces have continued to move “towards Mosul city since the start of the operation earlier this week.”

The presence of al-Baghdadi in Mosul is reportedly meant to raise the morale of his militants in the face of overwhelming force. Though al-Baghdadi has apparently not left Mosul that option remains open to him.

A Peshmerga officer said that it could take weeks to besiege Iraq’s second largest city. Even after a cordon has been established ISIS militants could attempt a breakout, using their tunnel networks.

“Under heavy blows by the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi Army, supported by the coalition’s airstrikes, ISIS won’t be able to hold out for long in Mosul,” media activist Sipan Saleh said. “Whether al-Baghdadi is there or not, it won’t matter much. Once the anti-ISIS forces enter the city, a large surge of dissidents are expected to hit the group’s back ranks,” ARA News reported.

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