Iraqi’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that the eastern half of Mosul has been liberated. Now, Iraqi Security Forces can focus on crossing the Tigris River, which separates the city. U.S. Central Command added that the Iraqis and Kurdish security forces have fought through an elaborate defense around Mosul for the last two years. Militants used mortars, sniper fire, drone attacks, and human shields in their defensive struggle to preserve their remaining stronghold in Iraq. The Islamic State seized control of the northern Iraqi city in 2014.
