Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates March 1, 2017

Reuters: Iraqi army controls main roads out of Mosul, trapping Islamic State

U.S.-backed Iraqi army units on Wednesday took control of the last major road out of western Mosul that had been in Islamic State's hands, trapping the militants in a shrinking area within the city, a general and residents said.

The army's 9th Armored Division was within a kilometer of Mosul's Syria Gate, the city's northwestern entrance, a general from the unit told Reuters by telephone.

"We effectively control the road, it is in our sight," he said.

Mosul residents said they had not been able to travel on the highway that starts at the Syria Gate since Tuesday. The road links Mosul to Tal Afar, another Islamic State stronghold 60 km (40 miles) to the west, and then to Syria.

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Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates March 1, 2017

Iraqi forces push toward Mosul government complex -- AP
Iraqi army nears Mosul's main government buildings as battle to oust Isis proceeds quicker than expected -- The Independent
Iraqi forces take control of key road, battle for Mosul's Wadi al-Hajar district -- UPI
Iraqi troops poised to retake Mosul government buildings -- USA Today
Iraq erecting floating bridge to connect east, west Mosul -- UPI
Iraqi forces invade major prison facility in western Mosul -- Iraqi News
Mosul Caught in 'Strange and Terrifying' Battle as IS Foreign Soldiers Fight to the End -- US News and World Report
US-Led Coalition Conducts Five Strikes Against Daesh in Mosul -- Sputnik
Mosul battle: Iraqi forces cut IS escape route to Tal Afar -- BBC
Last exit Mosul: Iraq army takes IS's remaining escape route -- Middle East Eye
IS using more suicide vehicles and armed drones in Mosul -- AP
Mosul residents caught between IS group fighters and Iraqi forces -- France 24
Thousands of 'exhausted and dehydrated' people flee Iraqi city of Mosul -- DW
UN: 8,000 flee as Iraqi forces fight IS in western Mosul -- AP
Thousands fled west Mosul in past 10 days, officials -- Al Jazeera
ISIS terrorists try to blend with civilians fleeing humanitarian disaster in besieged Mosul -- RT
Families report skyrocketing food prices, dire conditions in western Mosul – UN agency -- UN News Centre