The second stage in the operation to liberate the Mosul city from ISIS occupation started yesterday after a break of two weeks with the active support of the international coalition aircraft.

PUK Mosul Official Xeyas Surçi spoke to ANF regarding the operation.

Surçi stated that severe clashes are taking place in Mosul center in the second phase of the military campaign to liberate Mosul that had been interrupted due to ISIS' use of civilians as human shields, adverse weather conditions and lack of the necessary support by the international coalition aircraft.

Surçi noted that the operation is run by the Iraqi army and there is a military force affiliated to the U.S. troops in the city center, adding that they have no concrete information as to whether these forces are just coordinating the battle or engage in clashes.

Remarking that ISIS has some 3-4 thousand armed forces in Mosul center, Surçi said clashes intensify on the western and eastern fronts. He noted that the villages of Sade and Tuwela on the northern front were cleansed of ISIS groups in the wake of clashes today.

During the fighting on the southern front, one pharmaceutical plant was cleansed of gang groups while heavy clashes continue in the area around the courthouse.