Iraqi Prime Minister says Mosul liberated from Islamic State, arrives in the city to congratulate troops

In a statement, al-Abadi's office said that the city was liberated from IS rule with just one or two pockets left.

"Victory is certain, and what remains of [IS] is surrounded, and it is just a matter of time for us to announce the great victory to our people," al-Abadi said.

However, Iraq is yet to declare the victory formally.

The battle to liberate Mosul from the IS started in October last year.

Mosul fell under the militants after they proclaimed a caliphate in 2014 under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The Iraqi forces received help from US fighters, who often carried out airstrikes in the area.

Following the achievement, EU said in a statement: "The recovery of Mosul from the hands of (IS) marks a decisive step in the campaign to eliminate terrorist control in parts of Iraq and to free its people."

Between October 2016 and December 2016, when the Iraqi military operation to retake Mosul began, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) had tracked the movements of more than 26,873 displaced families – 161,238 individuals – the majority of whom desperately needed life-saving humanitarian assistance.

Image: UN Photo