Battle in west Mosul could see siege, mass displacement: U.N.

Iraq's U.S.-backed offensive against Islamic State in western Mosul could displace up to 400,000 civilians and involve a siege in the densely populated old city, the United Nations' Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq said on Saturday.The military and security forces last month recaptured the eastern half of the city, Iraq's second largest, and are expected to advance on the western side in coming days.Western Mosul contains the old city center, with its ancient souks, Grand Mosque and most govern