BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi commander says troops fighting Islamic State militants in the northern city of Mosul are now in full control of a densely populated neighborhood and have retaken another.

Lt. Col. Muhanad al-Tamimi of the special forces tells The Associated Press Friday his men are now in full control of the Zohour neighborhood, more than a week after they first entered the district.

He says the men also captured the neighborhood of Qadissiyah-2 on Friday.

Most of the fighting in Mosul has been taking place in the city's eastern sector, where Iraq's special forces are making slow progress because of fears over the safety of civilians still inside the city and spirited IS resistance.

Iraq's second largest city, Mosul is the largest urban center in Iraq still held by IS.