On the frontlines of Mosul

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Empty shells, which Iraqi forces believe are used by Islamic State militants to create bombs, are pictured at the University of Mosul during a battle with Islamic State militants, in Mosul, Iraq, January 15, 2017. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad - RTSVLPY

A member of Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces stands at the site of a car bomb attack during a battle with Islamic State militants in Andalus neighborhood of Mosul, Iraq, January 17, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RTSVWU2

American army personnel gather at the University of Mosul during a battle with Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq, January 18, 2017. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSW295

Iraqi rapid response forces flash victory signs during a fight with Islamic State militants in the district of Cokjaly in southern Mosul, Iraq, January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RTSWIGQ

Displaced people flee their homes as Iraqi forces battle with Islamic State militants in Arabi neighborhood, north of Mosul, Iraq, January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSWZCT

Buildings destroyed during previous clashes are seen as Iraqi forces battle with Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah - RTSWZPN

Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) react after a car bomb exploded during an operation to clear the al-Andalus district of Islamic State militants, in Mosul, Iraq, January 16, 2017. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSVRBH

Civilians give sweets to security forces during a battle with Islamic State militants in the al-Zirai district of Mosul, Iraq, January 18, 2017. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RTSW22E

A member of the Iraqi security forces inspects a house used by Islamic State (IS) militants during a battle with IS in Talkeef district, north of Mosul, Iraq, January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSWFY8

Destroyed buildings Saddam Hussein's palaces are seen during a battle with Islamic State militants in southern Mosul, Iraq, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RTSWRTH

Blankets and sealed windows are seen at a location used by Islamic State militants as a women's prison in Mosul, Iraq January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah - RTSWZPK

Young boy in the Andalus district holds up his shirt to show Iraqi forces that he is not wearing a suicide vest during an operation to clear the al-Andalus district of Islamic State militants, in Mosul, Iraq, January 16, 2017. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RTSVR9J

A military vehicle of Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces is seen at the site of car bomb attack during a battle with Islamic State militants in Andalus neighborhood of Mosul, Iraq, January 17, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RTSVWUZ

Members of the Iraqi security forces inspect weapons left behind by Islamic State militants during the battle with Islamic State militants in Talkeef district north of Mosul, Iraq, January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSWFWH

A mortar shell that Islamic State militants left behind is seen during a battle with Islamic State militants in east of Mosul, Iraq, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RTSWPVZ

Wrecked vehicles used by Islamic State militants for bombings are seen as Iraqi forces battle with Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah - RTSWZPF

Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) gather during an operation to clear the al-Zirai district of Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq, January 18, 2017. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RTSW1WR

Children flash victory signs to Iraqi army soldiers during a fight with Islamic State militants north of Mosul, Iraq, January 19, 2017. REUTERS/Ari Jalal - RTSWAJB

An Iraqi soldier walks next to a wall painted with the black flag commonly used by Islamic State militants, during a battle with Islamic State militants near Arabi neighborhood, north of Mosul, Iraq, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSWOU6

A man carries his child as he flees his home as Iraqi forces battle with Islamic State militants in Arabi neighborhood, north of Mosul, Iraq, January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSWZCV

A burning car of Islamic State militants is seen during an operation to clear the al-Andalus district of Islamic State militants, in Mosul, Iraq, January 16, 2017. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RTSVR7Y

A member of Iraqi rapid response forces fires a rocket launcher during a battle with Islamic State militants in the district of Yarimja in southern Mosul, Iraq, January 18, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSW2XT

A man who fled the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul shows his marriage certificate issued by the Islamic State militants at temporary court at Khazer camp in Iraq, January 18, 2017. Picture taken January 18, 2017. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad - RTSWGTD

A military vehicle of Iraqi soldier is seen next to a wall painted with the black flag commonly used by Islamic State militants, during a battle with Islamic State militants in Arabi neighborhood, north of Mosul, Iraq, January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSWZ8G

A member of Iraqi rapid response forces take his position during a battle with Islamic State militants in the district of Yarimja in southern Mosul, Iraq, January 16, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSVRQX

A member of Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces takes his position during a battle with Islamic State militants in Andalus neighborhood of Mosul, Iraq, January 17, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RTSVWV0

Iraqi army soldiers fire their weapons during a fight with Islamic State militants north of Mosul, Iraq, January 19, 2017. REUTERS/Ari Jalal - RTSWAFR

Iraqi soldiers take cover during a battle with Islamic State militants near Arabi neighborhood, north of Mosul, Iraq, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSWOU4

Displaced people pass Iraqi soldiers as they flee their homes during a battle with Islamic State militants in Arabi neighborhood, north of Mosul, Iraq, January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSWZCU