Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces clear the neighbourhood of al-Tahreer in eastern Mosul after defeating the 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant'. [Photo courtesy of Counter-Terrorism Forces]

CTS forces secure al-Tahreer neighbourhood in eastern Mosul after fully retaking it from the 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant'. [Photo courtesy of Counter-Terrorism Forces]

An Iraqi lady in Mosul's al-Muharibeen area waves the victory sign as security forces pass through her neighbourhood after they liberated it from the 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' on November 24th. [Photo courtesy of Iraqi special forces unit]

CTS commander Lt. Gen. Abdel Wahab al-Saidi checks on al-Tahreer residents who stayed put as the operations to liberate Mosul drew close. [Photo courtesy of Counter-Terrorism Forces]

CTS commander Lt. Gen. Abdel Wahab al-Saidi gives instructions to his forces while standing in front of a destroyed ISIL command and control building in al-Adel neighbourhood, in eastern Mosul. [Photo courtesy of Counter-Terrorism Forces]

An Iraqi citizen provides an army officer with tips on the whereabouts of ISIL militants in the village of Geleo Khan south-east of Mosul, after its liberation on November 26th. [Photo courtesy of the Iraqi Ministry of Defence]

An Iraqi army officer patrols the streets of newly liberated al-Amin neighbourhood in eastern Mosul on November 26th, in a vehicle that Iraqi security forces have retaken from the 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant'. [Photo courtesy of Iraqi special forces unit]

The Ahlul Beit Mosque is shown in November in eastern Mosul after the area was cleared from 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' fighters. [Photo courtesy of Counter-Terrorism Forces]

Iraqi government employees gather data from al-Qayyarah residents to include them in a financial aide programme after their district was liberated last August. [Photo courtesy of the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social affairs]