A senior commander says Iraqi forces have so far managed to liberate over a third of western Mosul from the grip of ISIS terrorists in their operation to purge the city of Takfiri elements.

Axar.az reports that "Around more than a third of the right bank (west Mosul) is under the control of our units," Staff Major General Maan al-Saadi, of Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), said on Sunday.

Saadi also noted that CTS forces were currently fighting in the western Mosul areas of al-Jadida and al-Aghawat, stressing that the battle was expected to be completed shortly.

The commander, however, admitted that advancing against terrorists was difficult.

"We are not able to leave pockets (of militants) behind us; therefore, the advance includes taking control of areas and searching and clearing them and security checks on the citizens," he said.