Alalam - Iraq

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said the group would be driven out of the country by April.

The second phase of the campaign launched on Thursday (December 29) following weeks of deadlock and has pushed Islamic State out of several more areas despite fierce resistance.

The fourth day of the renewed push saw incremental advances on the eastern and southeastern fronts.

A federal police official told Reuters that Iraqi forces had taken near total control of Intisar and Siha neighbourhoods, and were clearing Salam.

"On the fourth day, our troops were able to liberate the Intisar neighbourhood as well as the Saha neighbourhood.

They are now clearing the Salam neighbourhood, they are clashing with the enemy.

Large numbers of our enemy were killed yesterday, and god willing the defeat broke their back.

Today we will continue our advance," said Major General Ali Lami at a forward base in Intisar.

Although the militants are vastly outnumbered in Mosul, they have embedded themselves among residents, hindering Iraqi forces who are trying to avoid civilian casualties.

Despite food and water shortages, most civilians have stayed in their homes rather than fleeing as had been expected.

Thousands more people have fled their homes since the military's new push began, many under the cover of darkness to avoid detection by Islamic State.

SA