Reuters: Iraqi forces besiege Islamic State around Mosul Old City
Iraqi government forces besieged Islamic State militants around Mosul's Old City on Thursday, edging closer to the historic mosque from where the group's leader declared a caliphate nearly three years ago.
The militants, holed up in houses and darting through alleyways, resisted with sniper fire, suicide attacks and car bombs.
Though heavy rain hampered the advance, Federal Police and rapid response unit troops reached points about 500 m (yards) from the centuries-old al-Nuri Mosque by Thursday morning.
The black jihadist flag was clearly visible draped from its famous leaning minaret.
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Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates March 16, 2017
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In Mosul, ISIS is in disarray and surrounded -- USA Today
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Iraqi Forces Tracking Down IS Leader Al-Baghdadi in Mosul -- Iraqi News
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Heart-stopping moment Sky reporters narrowly avoid ISIS suicide bomb explosion in Mosul -- The SUN
Iraqi forces use heavy artillery & rockets in Mosul after pledging not to – HRW researcher -- RT
At wrecked Mosul airport, home is still distant for Iraq's displaced -- Reuters
Mosul's growing humanitarian crisis as bad as feared -- USA Today
UN: Mass Exodus from Western Mosul Possible -- VOA
Relief operations in western Mosul reaching ‘breaking point’ as civilians flee hunger, fighting – UN -- UN News Centre
More than 150,000 Iraqis fled west Mosul fighting: ministry -- AFP
Inside the fight to free Mosul -- CBC
IS militants lacking purpose, motivation and direction in Mosul: US military official -- Iraqi News
Islamic State Deploys Ideological Booby Trap As It Retreats -- RFE
Iraqi Forces Tracking Down IS Leader Al-Baghdadi in Mosul -- Iraqi News
Iraqi forces capture third out of five bridges in Mosul from Islamic State -- UPI
Smoke from explosion fills the skies of western Mosul -- RUDAW
This ISIS Armored Loader Just Broke Through Iraqi Army Lines and Blew Up -- The Drive
Heart-stopping moment Sky reporters narrowly avoid ISIS suicide bomb explosion in Mosul -- The SUN
Iraqi forces use heavy artillery & rockets in Mosul after pledging not to – HRW researcher -- RT
At wrecked Mosul airport, home is still distant for Iraq's displaced -- Reuters
Mosul's growing humanitarian crisis as bad as feared -- USA Today
UN: Mass Exodus from Western Mosul Possible -- VOA
Relief operations in western Mosul reaching ‘breaking point’ as civilians flee hunger, fighting – UN -- UN News Centre
More than 150,000 Iraqis fled west Mosul fighting: ministry -- AFP
Inside the fight to free Mosul -- CBC
