The Iraqi army and militia groups affiliated with it continue their operations on the last ISIS-occupied neighborhoods in Mosul. Violent clashes are reportedly taking place in Shifa, Zenceli, Sihe, Bab Sinjar and Old Mosul neighborhoods to the west of the city.
ISIS gangs are conducting attacks with bomb-laden vehicles as the Iraqi army continues its operations on the these neighborhoods from three sides. Gang groups carried out several car bomb attacks on Saturday night as well. The Iraqi army stated that 14 ISIS members, 7 of whom were suicide bombers, have been killed.
On the other hand, many civilians are being used as human shields by ISIS. The Iraqi army dropped leaflets on the city from aircrafts on Saturday in order to direct civilians to safe zones.
Meanwhile, Mosul Chief of Police announced a ban on hijabs and niqabs in liberated areas as a "precaution against ISIS sleeper cells."
The Iraqi army had stated that the city would have been liberated from ISIS by the beginning of the Ramadan month. Latest statements suggest that the city will be captured fully in mid-Ramadan. However, some sources suggest that Iraqi forces are trying to liberate the city by June 10, which is the date when ISIS occupied the city in 2014.
The operation to liberate Mosul, which ISIS had occupied on June 10, 2014 and declared a caliphate, was launched on October 17, 2016. Eastern Mosul was liberated on January 24, and the operations to liberate the western part have been taking place since February 19.
