More than 2000 Iraqis a day are fleeing Mosul.<br /><br /> The UN says this is several hundred more each day than before US-led coalition forces began a new phase of their battle to retake the city from ISIL.<br /><br /> After quick initial advances, the operation stalled for several weeks.<br /><br /> However, last Thursday, Iraqi forces renewed their push from Mosul’s east towards the Tigris River on three fronts.<br /><br /> The security forces have taken about a quarter of Mosul since October.<br /><br /> Most residents, however, have stayed put despite severe shortages of food and water.<br /><br /> More than 2,000 Iraqis a day are fleeing Mosul as U.S.-led coalition forces advance: https://t.co/DM9SuAEdbO pic.twitter.com/IoDEXW24YX— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) January 4, 2017<br /><br /> How is the humanitarian situation?<br /><br /> Dire, according to aid workers.<br /><br /> Food stockpiles are dwindling and the price of staples is spiralling.<br /><br /> Fresh water is in short supply, while camps and emergency centres in the south and east are reaching maximum capacity.<br /><br /> More than 125,000 people have been displaced out of a population of roughly 1.5 million.<br /><br /> However, the UN’s refugee agency says the numbers have increased by nearly 50% to 2,300 daily.<br /><br /> This is from 1,600 over the last few days.<br /><br /> Most of the fleeing civilians are from the eastern districts.<br /><br /> However, people from the besieged west, which is still under the militants control, are increasingly attempting to escape.<br /><br /> Some 112k displaced ppl from #Mosul have found shelter in camps & sites where they receive #MosulAid. More: https://t.co/xgzZGZr3vE #Iraq pic.twitter.com/1udCfqGaCa— OCHA Iraq (@OCHAIraq) January 4, 2017<br /><br /> What about civilian casualties?<br /><br /> The UN says many more civilian casualties are being recorded.<br /><br /> The militants have embedded themselves among residents and are using the city terrain to their advantage.<br /><br /> Advances<br /><br /> Elite interior ministry troops are clearing the Mithaq district.<br /><br /> They entered it on Tuesday, when counter-terrorism forces also retook an industrial zone.<br /><br /> Military sources also say the federal police are advancing on the Wahda district.<br /><br /> How long has the operation been underway?<br /><br /> It is in its 12th week.<br /><br /> This is Iraq’s largest military campaign since the US-led invasion in 2003.<br /><br /> What would victory in Mosul mean?<br /><br /> An Iraqi victory in Mosul would probably spell the end for ISIL’s self-styled caliphate.<br /><br /> However, in recent days, the militants have displayed the tactics to which they are likely to resort if they lose the city.<br /><br /> There have been a series of bomb attacks in Baghdad. <br /><br /> Security forces have been attacked in other places.<br /><br /> What they are saying<br /><br /> “We were very afraid,” – a Mithaq resident<br />
