This is the biggest loss I had today. SIS

Iraqi officials say government troops, supported by the United States, have taken more control of the neighbourhood in the Old Town of Mosul, while tens of Islamic State militants have been killed during fierce fighting for the town of Mosul, which is the last base of extremists in Iraq.

Joint Iraqi forces spokesman Yahia Rasoul told state television yesterday that the Iraqi “forces are advancing to Old Town” and now the extremist group “maintains control over little residential spaces”, while the government forces offensive for ending Mosul's occupation from Islamic State seems to be drawing to a close.

The festival in the western part of Mosul will soon be declared”, Rasoul said.

According to him, Iraqi forces have created several routes for the evacuation of civilians, still under siege, in much of the space, which is under the control of Islamic State.

Islamic State extremists occupied Mosul from government branches in June 2014 until they received extensive territories in Iraq and Syria.

But forces backed by the United States have made continued progress against the extremist group, the Islamic State, in both countries over the past few months, until Mosul is fully relieved, while anti-optics are continuing the pressure on their strong base in Raca, Syria.