Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi Federal Police announced, on Monday, opening safe havens to completely evacuate civilians from the old city of Mosul, before launching extensive military operations. 

Federal Police Chief, Raed Shaker Jawdat, said in a press statement that security forces continue their ground military operations, backed by the artillery, to attack the Islamic State headquarters and fixed/ mobile defenses, as well as approaching the great mosque of al-Nuri from three main axes. 

Furthermore, Federal Police forces are opening safe havens to evacuate all civilians from the old city of Mosul, before starting extensive military operations, Jawdat added. 

Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces are going through fierce battles to recapture the city of Mosul from the Islamic State terrorist group, after the announcement of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to start an offensive, in 19 February 2017, to retake the western side of the city.