Two roadside bombs have struck a convoy carrying Iraqi families fleeing Islamic State-controlled territory, killing 18 people.
Iraqi families who fled the town of Hawija take refuge in the nearby town of Sharqat, around 80km south of Mosul. Photo: AFP
Several families were riding in a lorry when it was hit by two explosions. A policeman also died.
The bombs targeted a truck carrying people from Hawija, about 120 km south of Islamic State's stronghold in Mosul, as they were being taken to the town of Al Alam.
The deaths came as Iraqi government-led forces continued their assault on Mosul, the last city in the Iraq still occupied by IS.
An image grab taken from AFPTV shows an Iraqi forces M1 Abrams tank and armoured vehicles holding a position on the edge of the Al-Karamah district of eastern Mosul. Photo: AFP
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 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.
The battle in Mosul continued on Saturday as government forces tried to clear the eastern districts, including al-Zahra, that they entered on Friday.
Iraqi families, who fled violence in and around Mosul arrive to board a truck before heading to camps housing displaced people near the village of Gogjali. Photo: AFP
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.
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.
Concrete barricades, rubble and earthen berms block key streets. while buildings have been levelled near Mosul airport for line-of-sight reasons.
