Iraqi forces have been celebrating the re-taking of Mosul, claiming victory over self-styled Islamic State.<br /><br />It’s taken nearly nine months of urban warfare to bring an end to jihadist rule in the city.<br /><br />There are said to be just “one or two pockets” still under ISIL control.<br /><br />Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi has already visited the city to congratulate the troops.<br /><br />The Iraqi leader met commanders in west Mosul who led the battle. <br /><br />A formal declaration will be made after Iraqi forces have removed any jihadists still holding out in a tiny area of the Old City.<br /><br />PM Al-Abadi arrives in Mosul to announce its liberation and congratulate the armed forces and Iraqi people on this victory pic.twitter.com/bUtkj7z88A— Haider Al-Abadi (@HaiderAlAbadi) July 9, 2017<br /><br /><br />The months long battle has left a Mosul in ruins and countless civilians dead.<br />It’s also exacted a heavy toll on Iraq’s security forces. There are no official casualty figures but its estimated that the elite Counter Terrorist Service which spearheaded the fight has suffered 40 percent losses.<br /><br />Celebrations tonight in Baghdad on the liberation of Mosul ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gIF6sAYNHZ— Moosa (@Moosa__IRQ) July 9, 2017<br />
