War of neighborhoods: A slow push of Iraqi forces into Mosul

Mosul experienced another day of heavy fighting on Saturday, as Iraqi troops continued their push to dislodge Islamic State militants controlling the majority of the northern Iraqi city.

The Associated Press filmed a unit from the Najaf battalion of Iraq's special forces coming under attack along a frontline extending between the neighbourhoods of Bakr and Kirkukli.

The troops fired mortars and machine guns in response and were supported by artillery and airstrikes from the United States-led coalition.

Over one million civilians are thought to be trapped in Mosul, and aid stations received numerous casualties throughout the day.

Iraqi military and hospital officials said mortar rounds fired by IS militants overnight and early on Saturday killed 16 civilians in neighbourhoods already retaken by troops.

The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, says at least 73,000 Iraqis have fled Mosul since the government's campaign to retake the city began on October 17.