Iraq says its forces capture neighborhoods in west Mosul

BAGHDAD — Iraqi militarized police captured two neighborhoods on the western side of Mosul on Sunday amid fierce clashes with Islamic State militants, as thousands of people continued to flee the battle to government-controlled areas, security officials said.

Iraqi forces, backed by aerial support by the U.S.led international coalition, launched a push last week to drive Islamic State militants from Mosul’s west. So far, they have captured the city’s international airport and an adjacent military base.

At dawn Sunday, the Federal Police Commandos Division moved into the Ta ya ran neighborhood amid fierce clashes, Maj. Gen. Haider al-Maturi said. Al-Maturi said the neighborhood “is now under their full control.”

Farther west, Iraqi special forces captured the Mamun neighborhood by early Sunday afternoon.