Iraqi civilians flee as air strikes pound Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq — National forces say their recent territorial gains against the Islamic State group in Mosul’s Old City have largely been propelled by air strikes, despite a spike in allegations of civilian casualties and warnings from human rights groups of the dangers of using large munitions in the dense, highly populated area.

Special forces Lt. Col. Muhanad al-Timimi said over the past three days that his forces have carried out about 20 air strikes a day on Islamic State-held territory within the area of operation — a portion of the Old City measuring about a half square mile in size.

Half buried in a mound of rubble beside a strike crater, limbs protruded, darkened by dust and rotting in the summer heat.

Throughout the fight against the militants, the U.S.-led coalition has largely relied on air strikes to enable Iraqi ground forces to advance.

Iraqi forces have repeatedly requested air strikes in Mosul, often to kill teams of just two or three militants armed with light weapons.

“The Coalition always seeks to use weapons that are proportional to the target to minimize collateral damage,” the U.S-led coalition said in a written statement.