The Iraqi Army has said it has recaptured a bridge across the Tigris River, after effectively pushing IS militants in from south west of the city.

On Monday, the Iraqi Federal Police had advanced into the al-Jawsaq district, where Lt. Gen. Abdel Amir Rasheed Yarallah said had been completely liberated, with the capture of the fourth bridge on the Tigris, and further stating that “heavy casualties were inflicted on ISIS”.

The five bridges connecting the government-held eastern half of Mosul to the ISIS Militant occupied western side of the city have been severely damaged in the conflict originating earlier this October.

Though now that the bridge could be repaired or have a pontoon bridge be put alongside the structure, Iraqi Forces would be able to move reinforcements and/or supplies from the government-controlled eastern side of the city.

Meanwhile humanitarian aid groups, such as the United Nations food agency and The World Food Programme, have indicated from interviews with fleeing locals of western Mosul, that food is unaffordable or not available at all for most, as the Iraqi government has begun to cut off ISIS’ supply lines. Currently, there is an estimated 750,000 residents in western Mosul, and the means for Iraqi forces to capture this densely populated area will be difficult to navigate.

Additionally, in reference to government evaluation, about 4,000 residents have fled western Mosul in seek of refuge after the beginning offensive on February 19th. These individuals are facing uncertain fates given identification documents. This is a result of not being able to bring their documents or losing them in escape, and that of being under ISIS occupation for nearly two and a half years, having IS provided documents of verification that is not recognized by the government.

The western half of Mosul includes the older districts of the city, as well as the al-Nouri Mosque. The mosque is the location where ISIS leader, or “the Caliph”, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi professed the formation of the Islamic State in July of 2014. This heavily populated area shall make it difficult to maintain the safety of residents of the city with the effects of large weaponry.