article_snippet: The operation began on March 2 and had looked bogged down before Iraqi forces made rapid advances over the past 48 hours.
article_snippet: Scroll down for video .
article_snippet: Iraqiya state television showed footage of houses previously used by the terror group in liberated areas, but it was not clear whether any pockets of resistance remained.
article_snippet: There no immediate information on how many fighters were killed, wounded or captured in the fighting.
article_snippet: The government has not provided any casualty figures since the operation started a month ago.
article_snippet: There was a lull in fighting when government and allied forces apparently balked at the number of snipers, booby traps and trenches which ISIS was using to defend the city centre.
highlights_snippet: Iraqi forces made advances over past 24 hours in operation to retake city .
  