Iraqi security forces advancing north along the Tigris river towards Mosul reached the last major town before the city today. <br/><br/>Major-General Thamer al-Husseini said federal police forces entered a district of Hammam al-Alil, about 20 km of the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul.<br/><br/>Islamic State fighters retreating north to Mosul have forced thousands of residents of villages and towns to travel alongside them as human shields against air strikes. <br/><br/>The United Nations said the militants transported 1,600 abducted civilians on Tuesday, and took another 150 families from the town to Mosul the next day.<br/><br/>The police forces trying to capture the town are part of an Iraqi force advancing on the southern front towards Mosul.