Civilians flee fighting as Iraqi forces push into eastern Mosul

Record ID: 162977

  • Title: Civilians flee fighting as Iraqi forces push into eastern Mosul
  • Date: 3rd January 2017
  • Summary: MITHAQ DISTRICT, EASTERN MOSUL, IRAQ (JANUARY 3, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PLUME OF SMOKE RISING IN DISTANCE / AUDIO OF GUNFIRE VARIOUS OF A MILITARY HELICOPTER FLYING OVER AREA (AUDIO OF GUNFIRE) MEMBERS OF IRAQI ARMY'S RAPID RESPONSE UNIT WALKING IN STREET (AUDIO OF SNIPER SHOT) VARIOUS OF SMOKE RISING IN DISTANCE VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS RUNNING ACROSS STREET DEAD BODY OF ISLAMIC STATE MILITANT ON GROUND MEN HELPING WOUNDED CIVILIAN INTO BUILDING (AUDIO OF GUNFIRE) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING WITH BELONGINGS DAMAGED WINDOW OF HUMVEE, LOGO READING (Arabic): "RAPID RESPONSE UNIT" (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEMBER OF THE RAPID RESPONSE UNIT, FIRST LIEUTENANT RAMI, SAYING: "Rapid Response Unit began liberating the Mithaq district today. We are continuing our advance in this neighbourhood with the support of Iraqi air force. We have opened safe passages to allow families to escape. Our advance will continue and the enemy is shaken." CHILD CARRYING WHITE FLAG SOLDIER HELPING A WOMAN WITH HER BELONGINGS PEOPLE WALKING WITH THEIR BELONGINGS FLASHING VICTORY SIGNS VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS FIRING IN AIR IN CELEBRATION OF THEIR ADVANCE VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS SITTING ON PAVEMENT
  • Embargoed: 18th January 2017 16:52
  • Keywords: Iraq Mosul Islamic State Mithaq offensive refugees
  • Location: MITHAQ, EASTERN MOSUL, IRAQ
  • City: MITHAQ, EASTERN MOSUL, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015XJ1PVR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Iraqi forces opened safe passages for civilians to leave Mithaq, in eastern Mosul on Tuesday (January 3) as they push deeper into eastern districts to retake the Islamic State's last major stronghold.
    Rapid Response Unit of Iraqi army launched an offensive to capture Mithaq on Tuesday with U.S.-led coalition providing air support.
    "We are continuing our advance in this neighbourhood with the support of Iraqi air force. We have opened safe passages to allow families to escape. Our advance will continue and the enemy is shaken," a Rapid Response Unit officer said.
    More than 114,000 civilians have been displaced from Mosul so far, according to the United Nations - a fraction of the 1.5 million thought to still be inside.
    Despite being pushed back in Mosul, the militants have continued to launch deadly bomb attacks in other parts of the country, including at least twice in the heavily fortified capital Baghdad over the past four days.
    Daily suicide attacks and roadside bombs, along with snipers and mortars, have been the most lethal Islamic State tactics in resisting the 100,000-strong Iraqi force.
    The second phase of the campaign, launched last week following nearly a month of deadlock, has pushed Islamic State out of several more areas in eastern Mosul despite fierce resistance. Iraqi forces have yet to enter the west.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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