Iraqi special forces pushed deeper into Islamic State-held districts in eastern Mosul and army units fought the insurgents inside a military base in the city's north, officials said during the day on Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the military had begun "movement" against IS in the west of Mosul without specifying what action was being taken there. Renewed military progress has been made in the last two weeks, thanks to improved tactics and coordination between different military units, U.S. and Iraqi military officials say. CALIPHATE UNDER THREATCTS spokesman Sabah al-Numan said told state television on Tuesday that more than 60 neighborhoods in eastern Mosul, out of a total of about 80, had been recaptured since the offensive began. Also on Tuesday, CTS forces pushed into the Eastern Nineveh and Souq al-Ghanam districts, both flanked by areas held by Iraqi troops, CTS spokesman Numan said.

Source: Egypt Independent January 18, 2017 08:45 UTC