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Image: Iraqi soldiers look out from a tank as they advances towards the Islamic State militants positions in the Old City in western Mosul

World

Iraqi Forces Storm ISIS-Held Old City of Mosul

If the forces succeed in driving out the militant group from the city it will effectively spell the end of the caliphate in Iraq.

/ 14 PHOTOS
Image: Iraqi forces take a position on the roof of a building as they advance towards Mosul's Old City

Iraqi forces take a position on the roof of a building as they advance towards Mosul's Old City on June 18, 2017.

— Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A general view shows smoke billowing from Mosul's Old City

The mosque, with its famous leaning minaret, has become symbolic in the Iraqi military’s fight against the militant group, after ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a caliphate from the mosque in July 2014.

Above: Smoke billows from Mosul's Old City. 

— Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Iraqi forces stand amidst the rubble of a building as they advance towards Mosul's Old City

Iraqi forces stand amidst the rubble of a building as they advance towards Mosul's Old City.The ground forces are being supported by the U.S.-led coalition as well as Iraqi war planes.

— Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Iraqi soldiers look out from a tank as they advances towards the Islamic State militants positions in the Old City in western Mosul

Iraqi soldiers look out from a tank as they advance towards the Islamic State militants positions in the Old City in western Mosul.

— Erik de Castro / Reuters
Image: residents walking through a damaged street as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City

Around 100,000 civilians remain trapped in the city, according to the United Nations.

Above: Residents walk through a damaged street as troops advance. 

— Mohamed El-Shahed / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Iraqi forces advance towards Mosul's Old City

Iraqi forces advance towards Mosul's Old City.

— Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A bullet-riddled vehicle belonging to the Iraqi forces is seen as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City

A bullet-riddled vehicle belonging to the Iraqi forces.

— Mohamed El-Shahed / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Iraqi forces hold a position inside a damaged building

Iraqi forces hold a position inside a damaged building. The offensive follows months of fighting as Iraqi forces attempt to liberate the country’s second-largest city.

— Mohamed Al-Shahed / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A member of the Iraqi forces leaves a damaged building carrying a kettle

A member of the Iraqi forces leaves a damaged building carrying a kettle at an army position as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City.

— Mohaemd El-Shahed / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Iraqi soldiers eat their meal along the road beside their armoured fighting vehicles in western Mosul

Iraqi soldiers eat their meal along the road beside their armored fighting vehicles in western Mosul.

— Erik de Castro / Reuters
Image: Iraqi forces advance towards Mosul's Old City

The wider campaign to drive out ISIS from Mosul began in November last year.

Above: Iraqi forces advance towards Mosul's Old City.

— Mohamed El-Shahed / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Iraqi forces advance towards Mosul's Old City

Lt. Col.  Abdulrahman Al-Khazali told NBC News that the police had advanced through the Old City from the south in order to recapture the mosque.

Above: Iraqi forces climb over rubble as they advance towards Mosul's Old City.

— Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A member of the Iraqi forces rests inside a house

A member of the Iraqi forces rests inside a house.

— Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Displaced Iraqi civilians walking along a road littered with debris and destroyed vehicles are pictured behind a car glass window in western Mosul

A displaced Iraqi civilian walks along a road littered with debris and destroyed vehicles.

— Erik de Castro / Reuters
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