The "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) is now controlling less than 30% of eastern Mosul, Ninawa operations commander Nejim Eddin Karim al-Jubury said Tuesday (January 10th).

Iraqi forces have liberated several areas around Mosul University following violent battles with ISIL in which the group suffered heavy losses, al-Jubury told Diyaruna.

"Operations are underway to retake the historic town, Mosul University and the Presidential Palaces area, and we hope to announce their liberation within hours," he said.

Iraqi airstrikes in Mosul on Monday killed five senior ISIL elements, including an aide to ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Ministry of Defence said.

"Iraqi Air Force fighter jets launched an airstrike in al-Islah al-Zerai area in Mosul, killing five terrorists," the ministry said in a statement.

"The dead include Abdul Wahid Khodhair Sayer al-Jaw'an (Abu Luay), an al-Baghdadi aide, Ahmed Khodhair Sayer al-Jaw'an, the so-called ISIL traffic director, and Abdel Karim Khodhair Sayer al-Jaw'an (Abu Harbi), manager of agriculture in Tal Afar and al-Mahlabiya," the statement added.

"The airstrike, which was based on accurate intelligence, destroyed ISIL military assets and weapons," the statement said.