Iraqi forces claim to enter IS-held Mosul after two years

The Iraqi Army has claimed that its forces have entered the Islamic State (IS)-held Mosul for the first time since the terror outfit overran the city more than two years ago.

In a statement in Baghdad yesterday, the Joint Operations Command said the Iraqi forces have now entered the Judaidat Al-Mufti area within the left bank of the city of Mosul.

Judaidat al-Mufti is an area on the southeastern side of the city. Iraqi forces launched a massive operation aimed at retaking Mosul from the terrorist group more than two weeks ago, and have been advancing on the city on multiple fronts.

On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told the 3,000 to 5,000 militants believed to be inside Mosul, which they overran in June 2014, that there was "no escape" and to "either surrender or die".