"They (Iraqi troops) have entered Mosul," General Wissam Araji told Reuters.
"They are fighting now in Hay (disrict) al-Karama,” he added.
Also, Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the Badr Organization, "The battle of Mosul will not be a picnic."
"We are prepared for the battle of Mosul even if it lasts for months," he added.
Tens of thousands of Iraqi troops, Hashid al-Shaabi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters have been advancing on Mosul from the north, east and south after the launch on October 17 of the offensive to retake Daesh’s last stronghold in the country.
In the meantime, the Hashid al-Shaabi forces have begun a push toward the west of Mosul to recapture Tal Afar, a town west of the city, and cut off terrorist supply lines between Mosul and Syria.
Iraq has been engaged in the fight against the Daesh Takfiri militants since the summer of 2014.