Commander: Iraq forces take new western Mosul neighborhood

Iraqi special forces take cover on a roof overlooking Islamic State group positions, in the Mamun neighborhood of western Mosul, Iraq, Thursday, March 2, 2017. Iraqi forces have retaken a handful of neighborhoods on Mosul's southwestern edge since launching the operation to retake the city's western half last month, but IS fighters continued to launch fierce counterattacks on Iraqi positions inside Mosul. The United Nations says over 28,000 people have fled the city since the operation to retake its remaining militant-held western districts was launched last month. (AP Photo/Susannah George) (The Associated Press)

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Iraqi forces clear a street on the edge of Mosul's Mamun neighborhood on Friday, March 1, 2017. After launching an operation to retake Mosul's remaining Islamic State group held districts nearly two weeks ago, Iraqi forces continue to work to secure a belt of districts along the city's southwestern edge. (AP Photo/Susannah George) (The Associated Press)

Iraqi federal police forces man a position on a roof of a house in on the edge of Mosul's Mamun neighborhood on Friday, March 3, 2017. Iraqi forces are still fighting to secure a belt of districts along the city's southwestern edge after launching an operation to retake western Mosul from the Islamic State group nearly two weeks ago. (AP Photo/Susannah George) (The Associated Press)

BAGHDAD – An Iraqi military commander says forces have taken control of another neighborhood in western Mosul.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, spokesman of the Joint Military Operations Command, tells The Associated Press on Friday that despite bad weather, Iraqi special operations forces have completely retaken the Wadi Hajjar area from Islamic State group militants. However, commanders on the ground say that clearing operations are still continuing.

Wadi Hajjar lies just northwest of the city's international airport.

Iraqi forces, including special operations forces and federal police units, launched an attack on the western part of Mosul nearly two weeks ago to dislodge the extremists. Since the offensive began, over 28,000 people have been displaced by the fighting, according to the UN.