The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates March 2, 2017

Reuters: Iraqi forces in Mosul fight Islamic State counter-attack

Islamic State fighters launched a counter-attack against advancing U.S.-backed Iraqi forces in western Mosul during an overnight rain storm, as the battle for control of the militants' last major urban stronghold in Iraq intensified.

Explosions and gun fire rang out across the city's southwestern districts in the early hours of Thursday. The fighting eased in the late morning, although a Reuters correspondent saw an air strike and rebel mortar fire.

A senior Iraqi officer said Islamic State staged its attack on units from the elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) when the storm and strong winds hampered air surveillance and on-the-ground visibility.

He said some militant fighters hid among displaced families to get close to the U.S.-trained troops.

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The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates March 2, 2017

Iraqi forces in Mosul fight Daesh counter-attack -- Daily Star
Iraqi forces fall into Daesh trap west of Mosul -- Middle East Monitor
Iraqi forces make progress in battle for western Mosul -- TRT
Mosul battle: Civilians feared killed in 'air strike' on mosque -- BBC
Airstrike on mosque in W. Mosul kills both civilians & ISIS fighters – media -- RT
Cameraman from Baghdadi’s landmark ISIS inception sermon killed in Mosul -- Iraqi News
Peshmerga official: We will not withdraw from areas we liberated in Mosul -- Iraqi News
Giant cross installed outside Mosul to mark progress against ISIS -- FOX News
Civilian death toll grows amid ISIS attempts to disrupt Mosul siege, UN figures show -- RT
Video: Iraqi soldiers escort traumatised Mosul residents to safety -- France 24
ISIS fighters try hiding among Mosul families as refugee rates surge -- FOX News
UN: 4,000 civilians flee Mosul each day amid fighting -- Al Jazeera
Civilians Flee As Iraqi Army Battles Remaining ISIS Fighters In Mosul -- NPR
Iraqis flee western Mosul; UN warns of more displacement -- AP
'I've Never Seen Such War' - 90-year-old Rescued From Mosul -- VOA
US volunteers aid Mosul's wounded in makeshift frontline clinic -- CNN