Iraqi Forces Claim Western Half of Mosul

Iraqi forces on Wednesday announced they had claimed the eastern half of the ISIS-held city of Mosul after three months of block-by-block fighting. Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Chief Staff Gen. Talib al-Sheghati said Wednesday the left bank of the city had been liberated after elite forces routed ISIS from the last neighborhoods on the eastern half, Agence France-Presse reported. US and coalition airpower has continued to strike ISIS in the region, with aircraft on Tuesday conducting five strikes hitting ISIS tactical units, tunnels, vehicles, barges, supply routes, and other targets, according to US Central Command. Iraqi forces now prepare to fight ISIS on the western half of the city, where they have been entrenched but cut off from resupply and reinforcements.