DHAKA: The Iraqi prime minister has warned so-called Islamic State (IS) militants fighting in Mosul to lay down their weapons if they want to live, state media reports.

Speaking on a visit to the front line to the east of the city, Haider al-Abadi said government-led forces “will not retreat and will not be broken”.

He said his message to the people of Mosul was “we will liberate you soon”, reports the BBC.

The city has been under IS control for more than two years.

Abadi called on IS fighters to surrender after government forces gained a foothold in Mosul’s eastern suburbs.

“My message to IS, if they want to save their lives, they should lay down their weapons now,” the prime minister told reporters.

Government forces on Saturday also gained control of Hammam al-Alil, about 15 km south of Mosul on the Tigris river, despite fierce resistance, the army said.

Lieutenant-General Raed Shakir Jawdat said security forces were in control of the centre of the town, but did not say whether IS militants had been pushed out completely.

BDST: 0828 HRS, NOV 06, 2016
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