Three Iraqi soldiers were killed on Monday as government forces pushed to dislodge IS militants from the Old City in western Mosul, according to a local police officer.

Iraqi forces were facing difficulty in storming the Bab al-Tob area of the Old City, where the fight is expected to be tough due to its narrow alleyways through which armored vehicles cannot pass.

Federal police officer Huzayfa al-Haj said IS attacks have forced Iraqi troops to retreat to the main government complex in western Mosul.

“Iraqi forces are waiting for military reinforcements and air support for continuing the fight against IS,” he told.

According to al-Haj, three soldiers were killed and four others injured in IS attacks in the area.

No information was available about IS losses in the fight.

On Monday, Joint Operations Command spokesman Brigadier-General Yahya Rasoul said Iraqi forces controlled nearly two-thirds of western Mosul.

"Our forces have seized control of 65 percent of western Mosul,” he told.