This was published 8 years ago
The fight for Mosul reaches a critical stage
Half a kilometre of territory still remains to be reclaimed from several hundred hard-core IS fighters, all of whom are prepared to die for their cause. Photos by Kate Geraghty. Follow us on Twitter @photosSMH.
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A teenage boy carries a baby as he flees Islamic State held areas in West Mosul.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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Lieutenant Colonel Saaed Beder Kathem runs away from the blast range of a planned detonation of one of six IED's on a road in West Mosul.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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An Iraqi Special Forces soldier walks in front of a wall of debris on a road in West Mosul.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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Iraqi soldiers sit at a firing position in West Mosul, on a street where six IED's are yet to be cleared.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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Unable to walk, Abdulsalam Abufader 73 (right) talks with Iraqi Special Forces as he sits in his wheelchair at the entrance of his home in West Mosul.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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Unable to walk, Abdulsalam Abufader 73 (right) talks with Iraqi Special Forces as he sits in his wheelchair at the entrance of his home in West Mosul.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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An Iraqi Special Forces soldier spray paints a signal to a wall in West Mosul.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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Iraqi soldiers at a firing position in West Mosul, on street where six IED's are yet to be cleared.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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A teenage boy carries a baby as he flees Islamic State.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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Iraqi soldiers at a firing position in West Mosul, on street where six IED's are yet to be cleared.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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An Iraqi Special Forces soldier walks through the devestated streets of West Mosul.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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An Iraqi Special Forces soldier inspects the damage along a street.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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An Iraqi Special Forces soldier takes a selfie in the destroyed streets in West Mosul.Credit:Kate Geraghty