Iraqi PM: Mosul battle reaching final stages

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the government offensive to recapture the city of Mosul from Islamic State militants was in its final stages.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday night, he warned the insurgents that they must surrender or be killed.

"The battle now is in the final stages. Daesh become day after day surrounded inside a tight area and they are in their final days," Abadi said, using an Arab acronym for Islamic State.

He also pledged to treat the families of IS fighters fairly.

"Let me be very clear, we will preserve families of Daesh who are civilians but we will punish the terrorists and bring them to justice if they surrender," he said.

"They are cornered and if they will not surrender they will definitely get killed."