Alalam - Iraq

Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell says number of recaptured districts from Daesh now reached at least to 24 districts. Also Iraqi Military and police commanders says the government forces now control nearly half of Eastern part of Mosul.

The operation of Mosul has been ongoing since October 17. Although the second city of Iraq occupied by Daesh since 2014, now is besieged but Iraqi commanders say reson that slow down operations against terrorists in Mosul is security of civilians that are caught within the battlefield and ISIS used them as human shields.

In Eastern Mosul Iraqi forces trying to reach closer to Tigris River in the city fighting in ongoing fierce clashes in Al Salam neighborhood near 5-storey Hospital recaptured Tuesdayby Iraqi Army but then withdrawed from Hospital.

Fighting continued from Wednesday as Iraqi forces made gains against ISIL terrorists deep inside the Northern city and advanced closer to the Tigris River, which divides the city into Eastern and Western sides.

Reportedly the ISIL elements were said to have been using the hospital’s upper floors and roof as sniper positions for some time.

"We advanced in al-Salam district but the situation is difficult, there is heavy fighting," said Iraqi Brigadier General Shaker Kadhem, adding, "We took control of al-Salam Hospital, which was ISIL command Center."

He further noted that the latest push in Mosul was aimed at meeting up with the elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces on the banks of the Tigris in Mosul’s Southeast, FNA reports.

A senior unidentified CTS officer also said the fighting in al-Salam district was fierce and the Iraqi army had called for backup.

"The 9th Division's situation is difficult and they have called for support. We are sending a regiment there," he said, noting that the soldiers “are surrounded now in al-Salam Hospital... and we are on the way so we can open a passage for them.”

Meanwhile, the ISIL-affiliated Amaq news agency reported that the militants had carried out five car bombings in the al-Salam area.

The Iraqi Federal Police also confirmed that several car bombs were exploded while bombers set off their explosives in the flashpoint district around al-Salam Hospital.

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