IRAQI militarised police have captured an area on the western side of Mosul amid fierce clashes with Daesh militants.

It comes as thousands of people continued to flee the battle to government-controlled areas, security officials said.

Iraqi forces – which have been backed by aerial support by the US-led international coalition – launched a new push last week to drive Daesh militants from Mosul’s west. They have also captured the city’s international airport and an adjacent military base.

Iraqi authorities declared Mosul’s eastern half “fully liberated” from the Sunni militants in January, three months after launching the operation to take back Iraq’s second-largest city.

Major General Haider al-Maturi said the Tayaran area “is now under full control”. He added that Daesh militants used at least 10 suicide car bombs, killing two policemen.