A statement by the US military's Central Command, which also supports the offensive, said that about 800-900 militants of the so-called Islamic State have been killed during the course of the operation so far.

According to United Nations figures, at least 10 thousand people have fled the region since the beginning of the operation on October 17. The Iraqi government says this number of above 12 thousand already. As the operational forces are making further advances towards Mosul, more civilians in and around the ISIS-occupied Mosul city are expected to flee the region.

In the meantime, it is reported that at least 1000 people went under treatment after ISIS gangs set fire to a sulphur plant in southern Mosul last weekend.