Advertisement

  1. National

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.

View all 42 updates ›

UN: Reports of mass killings by IS around Mosul

A man, who fled Bazwaia village during the Mosul offensive, carrying a white flag. Credit: Reuters/Zohra Bensemra

The United Nations has received "more reports of mass killings around Mosul" by so-called Islamic State (IS) according to a spokeswoman.

Some reports suggest IS killed 40 former Iraqi security forces on Saturday and threw their bodies into a river, the UN added.

The militants also tried to "move about 25,000 civilians to Mosul from Hammam Al-Alil on Monday" but were partly stopped by US-led coalition jets.

More on this story