Iraqi troops have moved into west Mosul’s Old City, Islamic State’s last hub in the city, where the UN estimates some 150,000 civilians are trapped.
Iraqi special forces, as well as the regular army and Federal Police, are participating in the operation that began on Sunday, according to Lieutenant General Abdul-Amir Rasheed Yar Allah, as cited by AP.
Some 150,000 civilians are believed to be trapped inside west Mosul’s Old City, where the terrorists intend to use them as human shields, according to UN deputy special representative and humanitarian coordinator in Iraq Lise Grande, who spoke to AP on Friday.
Some 860,000 people have already fled Mosul, she said.