Iraq claims 85% of east Mosul under its control

A senior Iraqi military commander claimed last night to have regained control of 85 per cent of the eastern half of Mosul, as the military continues its offensive against Daesh militants, now almost near the end of its third month.

Al Jazeera cited an AP report that quoted the Counter Terrorism Service’s (CTS) Brigadier Haider Fadel as saying that almost 85 per cent of Mosul’s eastern districts had been taken out of Daesh fighters’ control, as a separate army official put the number at 80 per cent.

However, while Daesh may have to contest many of the city’s eastern districts against the advancing Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), the government only holds about a third of eastern half of Mosul, or about a sixth of the total city.

Daesh units have entrenched themselves and strengthened their defences in the western half of the city across the Tigris River, where they maintain complete control.

In recent days, the ISF has launched a three-pronged assault on east Mosul from the north, east and south of the city and claimed to have reached the eastern banks of the Tigris that bisects Iraq’s second city.

However, no footage has yet emerged of Iraqi forces anywhere near the banks of the river itself, leading to doubts as to the veracity of their claims.

On 17 October 2016, the Iraqi government launched a US and Iran-backed offensive to recapture Mosul from Daesh who have held the city since they expelled the Iraqi army by force in June 2014. Thousands of Iraqi soldiers have been lost in the fighting thus far.

The Mosul operation, now almost entering its fourth month, was claimed by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi to last only until the end of last year. However, estimates for when the campaign will end are now vaguer than ever, with some suggesting it may last until spring 2017.