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Poor weather hampers advance of Iraqi special forces into Mosul

Iraqi special forces are holding their positions along Mosul's eastern outskirts as poor weather hampers their advance into the city to oust the so-called Islamic State.

Military chief Brigadier General Haider Fadhil said they did not plan to make any further advance into the terrorist stronghold on Wednesday because clouds could obscure the view of aircraft and drones.

Troops have made a swift advance to the outskirts of Mosul in recent weeks. However they have warned it could take months to finally drive out IS from the city.

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IS 'likely using abductees as human shields' in Mosul

Iraqi forces are intent on recapturing the city of Mosul Credit: Reuters

Fighters with so-called Islamic State are likely using villagers from areas around Mosul as human shields, a spokeswoman for the UN human rights office has said.

Citing "corroborated information" from the area, Ravina Shamdasani said that IS had abducted 550 families from villages around Mosul and are holding them close to IS locations in the Iraqi city.

She said the UN human rights office was also investigating reports that IS fighters had killed 40 civilians in one village.

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Poor weather hampers advance of Iraqi special forces into Mosul

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