Iraqi forces say they have launched an assault on Mosul’s Old City, the last district held by Islamic State (IS), reported the BBC.

Special forces are advancing on the district from the west, and federal police are on the southern front, a statement said.

The UN says as many as 100,000 civilians are believed to be trapped in the densely populated Old City.

They have been told to leave the area if they can.

About 230 civilians have been killed in western Mosul in the past two weeks, the UN says, some in air strikes and rocket attacks, and others shot dead by IS snipers as they tried to flee.