13,000 people flee Mosul over five days

The United Nations has announced that more than 13,000 people have fled Mosul in just five days since 29th December, as the second phase of military operations to retake the Iraqi city from Daesh has apparently begun.

Stephane Dujarric, UN Spokesperson, said, "The average daily displacement numbers have increased by nearly 50 percent since military operations intensified, some 1,600 to more than 2,300 displaced per day."

Humanitarian assistance continues to be distributed into newly accessible neighbourhoods in the city’s eastern section. Over 1,000 cubic metres of water are being trucked daily and food and non-food items have reached people in four neighbourhoods which have not been serviced by international humanitarian partners, the spokesperson said.

"The military campaign began on 17th October last year. In total, nearly 130,000 people are now displaced from Mosul and surrounding areas due to the fighting," the spokesman added.