The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates January 23, 2017

Al Jazeera: Iraq army denies taking east Mosul from ISIL

Army retracts earlier announcement that its troops have retaken all of eastern Mosul from ISIL rebels.

The Iraqi defence ministry has issued a statement retracting an earlier claim in which it announced the "liberation of the eastern part of Mosul" from ISIL, calling it a "mistake".

On its website on Monday, the army said that the armed forces succeeded in liberating the left bank of the city completely, "after inflicting heavy losses in lives and equipment to the enemy".

However, in a later statement on Monday the defence ministry said that the 9th and 16th army brigades were still locked in fierce battles against ISIL in the Rashidiya district, while Iraqi troops were still clearing other neighbourhoods and clashing with pockets of ISIL fighters.

Iraqi military sources told Al Jazeera that ISIL still has a presence in the forest area on the banks of the Tigris River.

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The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates January 23, 2017

Iraqi forces take complete control of east Mosul -- Reuters
IS expel residents to defend river bank in Mosul -- AFP
Coalition warplanes take out Islamic State fleet in Mosul -- USA Today
Watch a US-led airstrike wipe out an ISIS escape route amid the fighting in Mosul -- Business Insider
In Mosul battle, Iraq forces face fewer IS-planted bombs -- AFP
U.S.-backed forces brace for ISIS' last stand in Iraq -- CBS
Iraq: Embedded with French special forces in Mosul -- France 24
Iraq premier orders probe into violations by troops in Mosul -- AP
Some Mosul residents face new fears after Islamic State rule -- Reuters
Eastern Mosul is liberated but a tough fight remains for the western half -- DW
PHOTOS: Iraqi Forces Battle ISIS in Mosul January 22, 2017 -- Heavy.com