(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Baghdad: Islamic State fighters have taken up sniper positions in buildings on the west bank of the Tigris river ahead of an expected government offensive into that side the city, locals said yesterday. Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi said on Tuesday his forces had taken complete control of eastern Mosul, and the commander of the campaign to retake Islamic State's last major stronghold in Iraq has said preparations to cross the Tigris are under way. IS fighters have moved in recent days into Mosul's main medical complex made up of a dozen buildings located between two of the city's five bridges - positions that can be used for observation and sniper fire, local residents said.