Federal police members carry their weapons as they attempt to break into the Old City during a battle against ISIS militants, in Mosul, Iraq March 19, 2017.

The outskirts of the Old City on the western side of Mosul are witnessing violent clashes between Iraqi forces and armed militants, Al Arabiya News Channel reported.

The commander of operations, Abdul Amir Yarallah, said Iraqi forces are operating in a difficult area within the right side of the Old City.

Meanwhile, Iraqi forces continued to clear villages and areas liberated from IEDs – an explosive device.

To the south, the anti-terrorist forces took control of the Nablus and Yarmouk neighborhoods.

As life gradually returns to normal in the liberated neighborhoods, the Iraqi forces’ effort is focused on breaking the last lines of defense of ISIS.