Vehicles used by Islamic State militants are seen in Mosul, Iraq, February 4, 2017. Picture taken February 4, 2017. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
NINEVEH, Iraq: Two soldiers and ten militants were killed on Tuesday when security forces foiled a Islamic State attack in eastern Mosul, according to a local security officer.
Earlier Tuesday, a group of Islamic State militants forced their way into eastern Mosul’s Sumer district, where they seized control of several streets in the area, Army Major Nabhan al-Mamouri told Anadolu Agency.
"Army forces swiftly engaged the attackers, killing all of them," he said.
According to the army officer, militants continue to launch sporadic attacks from western Mosul into the city’s army-held eastern and northern districts.
Mosul is currently the target of a wide-ranging army offensive aimed at recapturing the city -- once considered Iraq’s second largest in terms of population -- from the terrorist group.
Late last month, the army announced the "total liberation" of eastern Mosul following three months of fighting.
An Iraqi army commander said Monday, however, that Islamic State continues to hold several parts of eastern Mosul.
Islamic State overran Mosul, along with vast swathes of territory in northern and western Iraq, in mid-2014.
