6:13pm
Iraqi army better organized in second phase of Mosul offensive, coalition spokesperson
Iraqi army have made rapid progress since the launch of the second phase of Mosul offensive because they have coordinated their attacks from different axis, Colonel John Dorrian, Spokesman for the Global Coalition against ISIS told Rudaw TV on Friday.
“I do expect them [Iraqi forces] to be successful. They continue to make progress. They've made rapid progress for the last couple of weeks because they've coordinated their attack from multiple axis of advance. The enemy has no answer for this and they continue to make progress on the eastern side. We expect them also to be able to liberate the western side in the days ahead.”
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5:40pm
Two districts liberated on Tigris river
Counter Terrorism Forces (ICTS) have liberated two more eastern Mosul districts, Faisaliyah and Nasr, on the eastern edge of Tigris river, Iraqi Joint Command claimed while adding that the 15th and 16th divisions of the Iraqi army have liberated the northern parts of the Hadbaa and Mudaraa districts in northern Mosul.
Follow the updates on Rudaw’s Live Map
Map legend:
Dark green - under Peshmerga control
Light green - encircled/battling by Peshmerga
Red - under Iraqi control
Pink - encircled/battling by Iraqi forces
Yellow - under Hashd al-Shaabi control
Orange - encircled/battling by Hashd al-Shaabi
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5:21pm
Iraqi army denies the liberation of eastern Mosul
The Joint Command of the Iraqi army denied media reports suggesting that all of eastern Mosul has been liberated. It said that it will provide updates later on Friday with the exact number of places liberated, and those still held by ISIS militants.
Meanwhile, it said that the elite Counter Terrorism Forces (ICTS) have liberated the al-Kafaat Ula district of northern Mosul.
VIDEO: Mosul on Friday as captured by Rudaw's cameras from Karama district
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1:56pm
First photos from Mosul University. Source: ICTS
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12:19pm
Forces gain ground on university campus
Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS) forces have taken control of several buildings in Mosul University: the technical institute and student dormitories, according to an official statement.
In early 2016, the university was bombed by coalition warplanes after ISIS established a headquarters there.
Mosul University was established in 1967 and rose to become one of the largest education and research centres in the Middle East.
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11:59am
Iraqi forces have entered Mosul University; ISIS destroyed all bridges
Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Services (ICTS) are assaulting ISIS on two fronts deep in eastern Mosul on Friday, Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the ICTS, told Rudaw English.
From the east, CTS forces progressed on the provincial and governmental buildings in Fasiliya neighbourhood. And they “took a second bridge,” known as al-Hurriya Bridge, as they continue to take control of more territory near the river.
On a second front from the north, CTS forces started an assault and have now entered Mosul University, he said.
Al-Numan also confirmed that ISIS has destroyed all the bridges in Mosul. “All the bridges, they destroyed it because they are afraid the CTS will use these bridges to cross the river.”
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11:19am
After university, the challenge is parkland located on bank of the Tigris, says military expert
“The Iraqi army is now in Mosul University campus. The university has a strong and important position in eastern Mosul as it contains lots of buildings. If liberated, in seven or eight days, the eastern side of Mosul will be entirely liberated. More reinforcements have to be brought in to the area to control the remaining neighborhoods numbering eight to 10,” Alla Nashour, an Iraqi military expert, explained to Rudaw TV.
Between the university and the Tigris River, lies Ghabat neighbourhood, meaning forest.
“Ghabat neighborhood comes after which is very dense and from where ISIS could put up stiff resistance as its geographic location helps them,” Nashour said.
Speaking of the importance of the Mosul bridges, he said “controlling these bridges is militarily important as ISIS will not be able to bring in reinforcement from west to the east of Mosul.”
As all the bridges have been disabled by warplanes from the coalition, he explained, “In the beginning the coalition jets sabotaged the bridges to prevent ISIS from bringing in reinforcements to the eastern side, but it will not help civilians flee the western side as the most populated neighborhoods are located there.”
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10:35am
Iraqi forces at the entrance of University of Mosul
Iraqi Counter-Terrorism forces are at the entrance to the University of Mosul. They have raised the Iraqi flag over apartment buildings across the street from the entrance, the ICTS said in a statement.
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10:10am
Iraqi army control Mosul's second bridge, government buildings
The Iraqi army has gained significant ground in Mosul, announcing on Friday morning that it liberated Mosul’s second bridge, the governorate building, Mosul provincial council building, and Sadriya neighborhood.
“The Iraqi Counter Terror Forces (ICT) took control of the second Mosul bridge,” said Abdulamir Rashid, commander of the ‘We are Coming Nineveh’ operation.
Rashid added that “the neighborhood of Sadriya, Mosul governmental directorates’ complex and both governorate and provincial council buildings were controlled.”
Iraqi forces are in control of 75 to 80 percent of the eastern half of Mosul and have been progressing on high momentum after relaunching the military campaign for the city two weeks ago.
