BAGHDAD: The Iraqi air force on Friday dropped leaflets calling on people living in the old city centre of Mosul, held by the militant Islamic State group, to flee, raising fears among humanitarian organisations for the safety of civilians.

The leaflet drop, announcedinanIraqimilitarystatement, is an indication that an offensive to dislodge the militants from their remaining enclave in the northern Iraqi city was imminent.

`Save the Children is deeply concerned that any calls to leave west Mosul will mean that civilians, particularly children, are in significant danger of being caught in the crossfire,` the organisation said in a statement.

The civilian population trapped behind IS lines is facing a harrowing situation with little food and water, no electricity and limited access to hospitals.

The US-backed offensive on Mosul, now in its eighth month, has taken longer than planned as the militants are dug in among civilians, fighting back with booby traps, suicide cars and motor bikes, snipers and mortar fire.

Prime Minister Haider al Abadi had initially hoped Mosul would be `liberated` by the end of 2016.

The United Nations last week said up to 200,000 more people could flee the city as fighting moves to the old quarter.

About 700,000, nearly a third of the pre-war city`s population, have already fled, seeking refuge either with friends and relatives or in camps.

`Iraqi air force planes dropped a short while ago hundreds of thousands of leaflets on the non-liberated areas ... urging the citizens to exit through safe corridors,` anIraqimilitary statement said.-Reuters