BAGHDAD — Iraqi police have lost control over Mosul.

Residents in the northern Iraqi city said police have stopped patrolling most of the city. They said Islamic insurgents have taken control of neighborhoods and walk freely with their weapons through most of Mosul.

"The western part of Mosul has been outside government jurisdiction," Iraqi parliamentarian Hanin Al Qadu said.

Al Qadu said that over the last few months, Mosul has been the scene of daily killings. Many of the casualties have been police officers, Middle East Newsline reported.

Other officials in Mosul agree. They said the spate of assassinations of police and civilian officials has resulted in the erosion of authority in Mosul, the third biggest city in Iraq.

Mosul contains Shi'ites, Kurds and a smattering of Christians and Sunnis. In November 2004, the city came under attack from Al Qaida-aligned insurgents, which led to the collapse of the U.S.-trained police force.

Mosul has been one of several Iraqi cities that remain under partial control of insurgents. Officials acknowledged that the military and police have approved the establishment of militias in some cities in an effort to bolster security.

"The plans of the Interior and Defense ministries to impose security in Iraq have failed," parliamentarian Khudair Al Khuzai said. "We need to bring back popular militias."