In Iraq, US backed forces pushed deeper into western Mosul aiming to capture a bridge across the Tigris to establish an important supply route linked to the recaptured east bank. Colonel Falah al-Wabdan of the Interior Ministry's Rapid Response unit, has said, the Army engineers plan to rehabilitate the bridge to allow troops to bring in reinforcements and supplies directly from the eastern side.<br/><br/>Government forces retook the east bank from Islamic State (IS) in January, after 100 days of fighting. Several thousand militants, including many who traveled from Western countries to join up, are believed to be holed up in the city. Around 750,000 people are besieged in western Mosul and used as human shields by the IS fighters. The United Nations says about 400,000 people may have to leave their homes during the new offensive as food and fuel runs out in western Mosul.