lsis propaganda claimed a sandstorm that disrupted the Iraqi army’s advance had been sent by Allah, but it soon cleared BERCI FEHER/REX FEATURESIslamic State fighters have begun corralling residents of Mosul into schools and shooting at those who try to escape the city as they prepare to cover a retreat by senior leaders, residents say. Iraqi special forces have now entered the eastern fringes of Mosul, and civilians among the estimated million or more trapped inside describe cowering in their houses as bullets fly outside and coalition bombs fall around them. Some also described to The Times by telephone how Isis fighters appeared to be preparing for the battle. Iraqi special forces try to find cover as they take fire from Isis militants in Gogjali, an eastern district of Mosul Marko Drobnjakovic/AP“Isis are asking people to gather inside schools,” one, Abu Saif, said. “Apparently, they want to take them as human shields or to sneak among them if the army enters the city.

Source: The Times November 03, 2016 01:11 UTC