Mosul battle: Iraqi PM rallies forces and issues warning to IS

Mosul : The Iraqi prime minister has warned so-called Islamic State (IS) militants fighting in Mosul to lay down their weapons if they want to live, state media reports.

Speaking on a visit to the front line to the east of the city, Haider al-Abadi said government-led forces “will not retreat and will not be broken”.

He said his message to the people of Mosul was “we will liberate you soon”.

The city has been under IS control for more than two years.

Mr Abadi called on IS fighters to surrender after government forces gained a foothold in Mosul’s eastern suburbs.