In pictures: Iraqi troops push deeper into Mosul

Just over five weeks ago, Iraqi government forces launched a major offensive to retake the city of Mosul from so-called Islamic State. Jewan Abdi has been following special forces personnel advancing from the east.

Iraqi special forces personnel wait in their Humvees for the order to start the assault on Kukjali, a district on the eastern outskirts of Mosul.

A man holds up a white flag as he walks towards special forces troops in Kukjali. Many of the civilians the troops encounter say they are happy to see them and offer them cups of tea, even when the fighting is only metres away.

Ahmed, a member of the special forces, asks a man about the locations of IS militants and civilians in Kukjali, on Mosul's eastern outskirts. Kukjali was the first area within the city limits to be entered by Iraqi forces.

Snipers take up a position in Kukjali. A few minutes later, they spotted IS militants and opened fire.

Even after taking control of Kukjali, the troops were concerned that civilians would be targeted by IS sniper and mortar fire, and instructed them to stay indoors.

The troops are having to clear Mosul's densely-populated residential areas house by house. In one building in Qadsiya, they found military uniform, body armour and a black IS banner, which they are held upside down here.

Abu Daoud, a sniper group leader, speaks to his commander about finding a good spot to observe the Mualameen district of Mosul. He has been a member of the special forces for years. Trained by the US military, he has fought in several major battles against IS since the jihadist group swept across Iraq in 2014.

Six-year-old Ahmed is treated for an injury sustained in an IS car bomb attack in the eastern Tahrir district of Mosul that killed one person. They are seen at a small clinic run by special forces personnel about 500m (1,640ft) from the frontline.

Four Humvees were also damaged by the car bomb. Troops spend a long day and night trying to fix the vehicles, which were needed urgently on the frontline.

Mohammed burned his leg with hot water. His mother brought him to a special forces-run clinic for first aid because there is no medical centre nearby.

Life can appear normal only a few hundred metres from the fighting. Many civilians came out onto the streets, joking with special forces troops and jumping on their vehicles.

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