Iraqi security forces have retaken the eastern portion of the city of Mosul from the Islamic State, the government of Iraq said on Tuesday.
The city, Iraq's second largest, is divided by the Tigris River and ISIS still controls the western part of it. However, the terrorist group has been driven out of eastern Mosul, the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS said in a press release.
"After more than 100 days of hard urban combat, the government of Iraq and Iraqi security forces announced the liberation of Eastern Mosul, Jan 24," according to Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. "While clearance operations are ongoing, the Iraqi security forces control all areas inside the city east of the Tigris River, the East bank of the river around all five bridges crossing the Tigris River, Mosul University, and the Nineveh Ruins."
"Now I call upon these heroes to quickly move to liberate the rest of Mosul," Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said at a press conference in Baghdad.
The United States military and coalition allies have provided air support for Iraqi forces and advised ground forces in their effort to drive ISIS out from its last major stronghold in Iraq.
The operation to retake Mosul began in October 2016 and started with reclaiming villages surrounding the city. Iraqi forces have encountered booby traps left behind by ISIS fighters, as well as suicide car bombs. ISIS has held the city since June 2014.
Many civilians have been caught in the crossfire as Iraqi forces have worked to liberate them from ISIS rule and bring in aid. Some ISIS combatants are believed to have fled the city and gone to Syria and other parts of Iraq to fight.
It is not publicly known when the fight to retake the western portion of the city will begin.
Around 750,000 people are still trapped in western Mosul under ISIS control, according to the United Nations.