(VOVworld) – Iraqi forces reached the east bank of the Tigris River in Mosul on Sunday for the first time in a three-month operation to retake the last major stronghold of the Islamic State in Iraq.

Iraqi forces patrolled the neighbouring Al-Quds area, which was reconquered from ISIS in an operation to retake the last major stronghold of the Islamic State in Iraq. (Photo:AFP/VNA)

ISIS still firmly controls west Mosul, which is smaller in area but has a larger population. Many areas outside the city were swiftly reconquered, but Iraqi forces that raided into the city faced stiffer than expected resistance from ISIS fighters. The Iraqi forces, backed by a US-led coalition, have made rapid progress in the past few weeks, but ISIS has retaliated with a series of bloody suicide bombings in Baghdad, where the two most recent attacks killed at least 18 civilians.