article_snippet: There has been no independent confirmation of such a significant advance by the Iraqi forces.
article_snippet: But the Iraqi forces have been making progress in recent days.
article_snippet: ISIS spokesman, Abu Mohammed al Adnani, called reports of coalition-member victories "delusional and fake.
article_snippet: ISIS' spokesman, Abu Mohammed al Adnani spoke of the coalition's use of fighter jets, heavy artillery and tanks, saying it is a "nightmare and will go eventually.
article_snippet: ISIS wasn't making ISIS easy, however.
article_snippet: Nevertheless, forces have made progress, forcing ISIS fighters to retreat toward the city center from front-line positions, Hashd Al-Shaabi's media office said.
article_snippet: Anything anyone does to counter ISIS is in the main a good outcome," Anything anyone does to counter ISIS said.
article_snippet: Dozens have been killed from both sides.