The Battle For Mosul -- News Updates November 17, 2016

Reuters: Iraqi forces struggle to tell friend from foe in Mosul street battle

A vehicle shielded with metal plates and driven by a suicide attacker turned onto a main road filled with soldiers in eastern Mosul and burst into a ball of fire, causing several casualties.

As it careered down the road it was riddled with gunfire as Iraqi forces responded to the latest Islamic State counterattack against their push to reclaim the northern city.

This and what followed on Thursday were indicative of the challenges Iraq's U.S.-backed military faces in fighting enemies who are willing to kill themselves to defend their last major stronghold in the country while surrounded by well over a million civilians.

Elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) forces posted at intersections along the road pounded targets a few hundred meters away with heavy machine gun fire. Sharpshooters honed in on black-clad figures scurrying across rooftops or popping out of houses with AK-47s to take a few pot shots.

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The Battle For Mosul -- News Updates November 17, 2016

ISIS attacks in Mosul as poor visibility slows Iraqi advance -- AP
Mosul Iraq battle: Bad weather slows advance inside city -- BBC
Iraqi forces yet to seal off Mosul as battle enters second month -- Reuters
The net closes on ISIS: Iraqi forces move further into Mosul as Islamic State militants unleash mortars on troops and civilians -- Daily Mail
Battle for Mosul and ISIL's use of human shields -- Euronews
Iraqi forces fight ISIS street-to-street in Mosul as civilians flee -- RUDAW
In push for Mosul, US coalition pummeling ISIS -- CNN
Canadian military trainers have had dozens of firefights with Islamic State in Iraq, commander says -- South China Morning Post
Shi'ite Militia Seizes Air Base Near Mosul, Cutting IS Supply Route To Syria -- RFE
ISIS suicide bomber takes out Iraqi tank in battle for control of Mosul -- NYDaily News
Reporter's Notebook: Devastation in Mosul as Iraqi screeners catch ISIS fighters -- FOX News
Mosul: Hundreds of bodies discovered in mass graves near city -- CNN
Mosul: Remains of 300 Former Police Officers Found in ISIS Mass Grave -- Newsweek
Mosul: Hundreds of bodies discovered in mass graves -- The Independent
Islamic State killed 300 former policemen south of Mosul, HRW says -- Reuters
Iraqi forces find 'Australian's IS flag' in Mosul -- ABC News Online
Extensive Cultural Damage Found in Historic Iraqi City -- AP
Iraq Kurds won't 'retreat from areas retaken from Islamic State': Barzani -- Reuters
One month on, Mosul offensive takes heavy toll on city’s children -- relief Web
A Real-Life Horror Movie Unfolds as ISIS Loses Control in Mosul -- NBC
Parts of Mosul come back to life, but dangers are close by -- Reuters
Photos Capture A Desolate Mosul As Offensive Drags On -- Huffington Post