Iraqi soldier fires a projectile in southern Mosul on November 10 November 2016.

Iraqi soldiers have captured Nimrud, the site of an ancient Assyrian city overrun by ISIS militants two years ago, a military statement said on Sunday.

“Troops from the Ninth Armoured Division liberated Nimrud town completely and raised the Iraqi flag above its buildings,” the statement said. The town of Nimrud lies 1 km (less than 1 mile) west of the ruins of the old city.

Fierce battles

Iraqi forces fought fierce battles against ISIS militants on Saturday, east of Mosul, after three weeks of fighting in an operation to liberate the ISIS-held area, Al Arabiya.Net reported.

Forces stormed the al-Salam neighborhood after heavy fighting with ISIS, during which dozens of militants were killed, in addition to the destruction of car bombs and heavy weapons that were found.

Special operations commander Major General Maan al-Saadi also revealed that the anti-terrorism unit advanced east into Mosul, with the aid of air raids by the international coalition.

Saadi also reported that have been able to evacuate civilians for a number of neighborhoods.

South invasion

Meanwhile, in the southern, Federal Police captain Raed Shakir confirmed that his fighters advanced to the outskirts of Albu Saif area, and awaited orders to attack ISIS militants.

Governor of Nineveh province also stated that the government has begun to look at relocating displaced civilians back into regained Mosul areas.

ISIS ‘chemical’ attack

Amid the progress of the Iraqi forces and stationed in the south ready to storm, there have been several warnings of a possible chemical attack by ISIS. The warning comes after reports have emerged of ISIS using chemical weapons on civilians, south of Mosul.

Residents in Qayyara suffered from recent chemical attacks shortly before the current offensive began in on Oct. 17, Human Rights Watch confirmed in a report on Friday.

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