Iraqi forces say they are advancing inside western Mosul and fighting Islamic State street-by-street in the Old City, while IS fighters are using civilians as human shields to hinder the operation. Photo: APMOSUL, Iraq—Foreign Islamic State fighters are increasingly being abandoned by local militants as the group loses ground in Mosul, leaving a hardened core of extremists dominated by outsiders that is girding for a fight to the finish. Teams of up to 10 fighters comprised mainly of foreigners control individual streets in the group’s last major Iraqi stronghold, using rooftops as sniper positions and outfitting vehicles with...

Source: Wall Street Journal March 16, 2017 15:08 UTC