This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-37883486
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Iraq conflict: IS bombs kill 17 civilians as Mosul battle rages | Iraq conflict: IS bombs kill 17 civilians as Mosul battle rages |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Seventeen civilians have been killed by roadside bombs in Iraq as they fled from a northern town held by so-called Islamic State (IS), police say. | Seventeen civilians have been killed by roadside bombs in Iraq as they fled from a northern town held by so-called Islamic State (IS), police say. |
| Several families were riding in a lorry when it was hit by two explosions. A policeman also died. | Several families were riding in a lorry when it was hit by two explosions. A policeman also died. |
| They were fleeing from Hawija, west of the city of Kirkuk. | They were fleeing from Hawija, west of the city of Kirkuk. |
| The deaths came as Iraqi government-led forces continued their assault on Mosul further north - the last city still occupied by IS. | The deaths came as Iraqi government-led forces continued their assault on Mosul further north - the last city still occupied by IS. |
| Iraqi forces also attacked Hamam al-Alil, south of Mosul on the Tigris river, and overcame fierce resistance before raising the Iraqi flag in the centre, the army said. | Iraqi forces also attacked Hamam al-Alil, south of Mosul on the Tigris river, and overcame fierce resistance before raising the Iraqi flag in the centre, the army said. |
| The battle so far | The battle so far |
| On schedule but not exactly to plan | On schedule but not exactly to plan |
| How IS sells the battle for Mosul | How IS sells the battle for Mosul |
| The lorry containing the displaced families was taking them from Hawija, which is about 120km (75 miles) south of Mosul, to the town of al-Alam further south, | The lorry containing the displaced families was taking them from Hawija, which is about 120km (75 miles) south of Mosul, to the town of al-Alam further south, |
| Images on social media showed charred corpses and the remains of the vehicle. | Images on social media showed charred corpses and the remains of the vehicle. |
| The battle in Mosul continued on Saturday as government forces tried to clear the eastern districts, including al-Zahra, that they entered on Friday. | The battle in Mosul continued on Saturday as government forces tried to clear the eastern districts, including al-Zahra, that they entered on Friday. |
| Government troops and IS fighters exchanged sniper fire from residential rooftops, with both sides also firing mortar rounds. The fiercest clashes were in the al-Bakr area. | Government troops and IS fighters exchanged sniper fire from residential rooftops, with both sides also firing mortar rounds. The fiercest clashes were in the al-Bakr area. |
| Iraq's state-run Iraqia News TV said on Saturday that PM Haider al-Abadi had travelled to Mosul and had inspected front-line combat units. | Iraq's state-run Iraqia News TV said on Saturday that PM Haider al-Abadi had travelled to Mosul and had inspected front-line combat units. |
| Mosul has been in IS hands for more than two years. | Mosul has been in IS hands for more than two years. |
| Meanwhile, newly released satellite images taken on Monday for Texas-based private intelligence firm Stratfor purport to show the defences set out by IS in southern Mosul. | Meanwhile, newly released satellite images taken on Monday for Texas-based private intelligence firm Stratfor purport to show the defences set out by IS in southern Mosul. |
| Concrete barricades, rubble and earthen berms block key streets, while buildings have been levelled near Mosul airport for line-of-sight reasons. |