Iraqi troops forces have resumed an offensive on the eastern front of Mosul as part of an operation to retake the northern city from the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.
An Iraqi commander said car bombers were trying to stop the advance, but that his troops aimed to enter Mosul's eastern outskirts later on October 31.
A huge offensive to retake Mosul, seized by IS militants in 2014, began two weeks ago.
The operation is likely to take weeks.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced on his website on October 31 that he would be visiting troops near the front line.
Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi'ite militias said over the weekend they had launched an attack against IS militants west of Mosul, toward the town of Tal Afar.
