IS uses chemical weapons against Iraqi forces in Mosul

The spokesman for the Joint Operation Command in Iraq said Sunday that the Islamic State attacked government troops in western Mosul with a type of gas, the second such attack in as many days.

Iraqi officials have said IS periodically uses chemical weapons but that the effect on military operations has been minimal.

At least six Iraqi soldiers have suffered inhalation problems following a chemical attack launched by Islamic State on Sunday. According to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, Lisa Grande, the number of displaced Iraqi people in Mosul is very impressive, and it could reach a million if fighting continued.

After securing the eastern part of the megapolis earlier this year, fighting in heavily populated west Mosul was expected to turn into a tough challenge for Iraqi forces due to the city's narrow alleyways and streets which does not allow for armored vehicles and tanks to go through.

The United Nations said last month that 12 people, including women and children, had been treated for possible exposure to chemical weapons agents in Mosul.

The front has hardly moved for over a month. "There are discussions and dialogue between messengers representing Baghdadi and representing Zawahiri", referring to ISIL leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and Ayman al Zawahiri, the head of Al-Qaeda.

Troops have had the famous centuries-old al-Nuri Mosque leaning minaret in their sights since last month, as capturing it would mark a symbolic victory over the insurgents.

"We have to watch every single house to avoid attackers on motorcycles packed with explosives".

Government forces, including army, police and elite counter terrorism units have taken back most of it, including the half that lies east of the Tigris river.

Some 400,000 people are trapped in the area and more than 300,000 have fled fighting since the operation started in October, officials say.