Near Mosul, Iraq (CNN) Iraqi forces remain on the doorstep of ISIS-held Mosul, encountering snipers, landmines and road-blocking boulders as they edged closer to the key city.

Troops came within hundreds of meters of Mosul on Monday evening and are now the closest they've been since launching an operation two weeks ago to wrest the city from more than two years of ISIS rule.

Peshmerga forces deploy in the dark near the village of Wardak early on October 17.

Peshmerga forces deploy in the dark near the village of Wardak early on October 17.

Members of the Iraqi coalition gather around a fire at Zardak mountain ahead of the offensive.

Members of the Iraqi coalition gather around a fire at Zardak mountain ahead of the offensive.

Smoke rises from a suicide car bomb attack carried out by ISIS in the village of Bedene on October 17.

Smoke rises from a suicide car bomb attack carried out by ISIS in the village of Bedene on October 17.

Kurdish security forces take up a position near ISIS-controlled villages on Monday, October 17.

Kurdish security forces take up a position near ISIS-controlled villages on Monday, October 17.

A Peshmerga fighter peers up from an underground tunnel in the liberated town of Badana on October 18. ISIS fighters have built tunnels below residential streets to escape from airstrikes.

A Peshmerga fighter peers up from an underground tunnel in the liberated town of Badana on October 18. ISIS fighters have built tunnels below residential streets to escape from airstrikes.

Iraqi forces head toward the front lines near Qayyara on Tuesday, October 18.

Iraqi forces head toward the front lines near Qayyara on Tuesday, October 18.

Peshmerga fighters look over a village during an assault near Bashiqa on Thursday, October 20.

Peshmerga fighters look over a village during an assault near Bashiqa on Thursday, October 20.

Gen. Abdel Ghani al-Asadi, who leads Iraq's counterterrorism forces, sits in Bartella on October 21 after the town was reclaimed.

Gen. Abdel Ghani al-Asadi, who leads Iraq's counterterrorism forces, sits in Bartella on October 21 after the town was reclaimed.

Spent bullet cartridges litter the street around the Jihad Hotel, where ISIS militants battled Iraqi security forces in Kirkuk on Friday, October 21.

Spent bullet cartridges litter the street around the Jihad Hotel, where ISIS militants battled Iraqi security forces in Kirkuk on Friday, October 21.

An Iraqi forces member helps a man push a car as they arrive at a refugee camp in Qayyara on October 22.

An Iraqi forces member helps a man push a car as they arrive at a refugee camp in Qayyara on October 22.

Kurdish security forces detain a suspected member of ISIS in the eastern suburbs of Kirkuk on Saturday, October 22.

Kurdish security forces detain a suspected member of ISIS in the eastern suburbs of Kirkuk on Saturday, October 22.

Iraqi forces distribute fruit in the village of al-Khuwayn, south of Mosul, after recapturing it from ISIS on October 23.

Iraqi forces distribute fruit in the village of al-Khuwayn, south of Mosul, after recapturing it from ISIS on October 23.

Kurdish Peshmerga forces take positions as they start to move toward the Imam Reza and Tizxirab villages of the Bashiqa district on Sunday, October 23.

Kurdish Peshmerga forces take positions as they start to move toward the Imam Reza and Tizxirab villages of the Bashiqa district on Sunday, October 23.

Soldiers give first aid to an injured boy in Tob Zawa on October 25.

Soldiers give first aid to an injured boy in Tob Zawa on October 25.

Residents of Qayyara wait for distribution of food and water rations on October 26. Local water sources have been contaminated by the burning oil and sulfur.

Residents of Qayyara wait for distribution of food and water rations on October 26. Local water sources have been contaminated by the burning oil and sulfur.

Women and children grieve over the grave of a family member at a Qayyara cemetery damaged by ISIS on October 27.

Women and children grieve over the grave of a family member at a Qayyara cemetery damaged by ISIS on October 27.

U.S. military personnel take cover in a bunker after a mortar alarm was sounded at a coalition air base in Qayyara on Friday, October 28.

U.S. military personnel take cover in a bunker after a mortar alarm was sounded at a coalition air base in Qayyara on Friday, October 28.

Displaced families are seen on the road near Qayyara on Saturday, October 29.

Displaced families are seen on the road near Qayyara on Saturday, October 29.

Children play in a camp for internally displaced people near Kirkuk, Iraq, on October 30. More than 600 families from Tel Afar, a town west of Mosul, have been living in the camp since ISIS took control of the area in 2014.

Children play in a camp for internally displaced people near Kirkuk, Iraq, on October 30. More than 600 families from Tel Afar, a town west of Mosul, have been living in the camp since ISIS took control of the area in 2014.

Archbishop Yohanna Petros Mouche, center, performs Mass in the liberated town of Qaraqosh on Sunday, October 30.

Archbishop Yohanna Petros Mouche, center, performs Mass in the liberated town of Qaraqosh on Sunday, October 30.

An Iraqi soldier navigates through a shattered windshield as coalition forces advance on Bazwaya on October 31.

An Iraqi soldier navigates through a shattered windshield as coalition forces advance on Bazwaya on October 31.

An Iraqi soldier receives treatment after being injured during clashes with ISIS fighters near Bazwaya on October 31.

An Iraqi soldier receives treatment after being injured during clashes with ISIS fighters near Bazwaya on October 31.

A man fleeing the village of Bazwaya carries a white flag as he arrives at a checkpoint on November 1.

A man fleeing the village of Bazwaya carries a white flag as he arrives at a checkpoint on November 1.

An Iraqi special forces soldier searches for the location of an ISIS sniper in Gogjali on November 1.

An Iraqi special forces soldier searches for the location of an ISIS sniper in Gogjali on November 1.

Iraqi families pack into a truck to be moved to camps on Thursday, November 3.

Iraqi families pack into a truck to be moved to camps on Thursday, November 3.

A suspected member of ISIS is detained at a checkpoint near Bartella, Iraq, on November 4.

A suspected member of ISIS is detained at a checkpoint near Bartella, Iraq, on November 4.

Iraqi soldiers patrol an alley on the outskirts of Mosul on Friday, November 4.

Iraqi soldiers patrol an alley on the outskirts of Mosul on Friday, November 4.

Iraqi soldiers pass near a bridge destroyed in an airstrike in Qayyara on November 5.

Iraqi soldiers pass near a bridge destroyed in an airstrike in Qayyara on November 5.

People line up to receive food at a refugee camp in the Khazir region on November 5. Thousands are taking refuge in camps set up for internally displaced people.

People line up to receive food at a refugee camp in the Khazir region on November 5. Thousands are taking refuge in camps set up for internally displaced people.

A baby is passed through a fence back to his mother at a refugee camp in the Khazir region on Saturday, November 5.

A baby is passed through a fence back to his mother at a refugee camp in the Khazir region on Saturday, November 5.

Female members of the Freedom Party of Kurdistan sing as they hold a position near Bashiqa on November 6.

Female members of the Freedom Party of Kurdistan sing as they hold a position near Bashiqa on November 6.

Children play in debris created by an airstrike in Qayyara on Sunday, November 6.

Children play in debris created by an airstrike in Qayyara on Sunday, November 6.

A civilian man who fled the fighting trims his beard after reaching an Iraqi army position in Mosul on November 7.

A civilian man who fled the fighting trims his beard after reaching an Iraqi army position in Mosul on November 7.

Iraqi children witness a man being interrogated by a member of the Iraqi army at a base next to the Al-Intissar neighborhood of Mosul on November 7.

Iraqi children witness a man being interrogated by a member of the Iraqi army at a base next to the Al-Intissar neighborhood of Mosul on November 7.

An Iraqi forces member investigates a mass grave that was discovered after coalition forces recaptured the area of Hamam al-Alil on Monday, November 7.

An Iraqi forces member investigates a mass grave that was discovered after coalition forces recaptured the area of Hamam al-Alil on Monday, November 7.

US Marines install equipment at a coalition base in Qayyara on November 9.

US Marines install equipment at a coalition base in Qayyara on November 9.

Iraqi troops watch a broadcast of Donald Trump's acceptance speech in a house in Arbid, on the outskirts of Mosul, on Wednesday, November 9. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi congratulated Trump on his win and said he hoped for continued support in the war on ISIS.

Iraqi troops watch a broadcast of Donald Trump's acceptance speech in a house in Arbid, on the outskirts of Mosul, on Wednesday, November 9. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi congratulated Trump on his win and said he hoped for continued support in the war on ISIS.

An Iraqi woman displaced by war holds her cat near a checkpoint in the Iraqi village of Shaqouli, east of Mosul, on November 10.

An Iraqi woman displaced by war holds her cat near a checkpoint in the Iraqi village of Shaqouli, east of Mosul, on November 10.

A member of Iraq's special forces guards two suspected ISIS fighters found hiding in a house in Mosul on November 11.

A member of Iraq's special forces guards two suspected ISIS fighters found hiding in a house in Mosul on November 11.

A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter holds part of a defused bomb planted by ISIS militants in Bashiqa, Iraq, on Friday, November 11.

A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter holds part of a defused bomb planted by ISIS militants in Bashiqa, Iraq, on Friday, November 11.

An Iraqi special forces soldier prays next to a Humvee before troops pushed toward Mosul's Karkukli neighborhood on November 13.

An Iraqi special forces soldier prays next to a Humvee before troops pushed toward Mosul's Karkukli neighborhood on November 13.

A woman cries Sunday, November 13, after seeing the St. Addai church that was damaged by ISIS fighters during their occupation of the Keramlis village.

A woman cries Sunday, November 13, after seeing the St. Addai church that was damaged by ISIS fighters during their occupation of the Keramlis village.

An injured baby receives treatment at a field hospital in Mosul on November 15.

An injured baby receives treatment at a field hospital in Mosul on November 15.

Iraqi civilians sit on the ground in Mosul on November 24. An Iraqi officer addressed the group, demanding to know the whereabouts of alleged ISIS militants who opened fire on troops a few days earlier.

Iraqi civilians sit on the ground in Mosul on November 24. An Iraqi officer addressed the group, demanding to know the whereabouts of alleged ISIS militants who opened fire on troops a few days earlier.

Displaced civilians return to the village of Tall Abtah on Friday, November 25, after Iraqi forces retook the village from ISIS.

Displaced civilians return to the village of Tall Abtah on Friday, November 25, after Iraqi forces retook the village from ISIS.

A man mourns during the funeral of four Iraqi paramilitary fighters who were killed in battles in the town of Tal Afar.

A man mourns during the funeral of four Iraqi paramilitary fighters who were killed in battles in the town of Tal Afar.

Iraqi soldiers transport a comrade who was injured during a battle near the village of Haj Ali on Tuesday, November 29.

Iraqi soldiers transport a comrade who was injured during a battle near the village of Haj Ali on Tuesday, November 29.

An Iraqi soldier searches a home for ISIS militants after Iraqi forces retook the village of Al-Qasr on Wednesday, November 30.

An Iraqi soldier searches a home for ISIS militants after Iraqi forces retook the village of Al-Qasr on Wednesday, November 30.

Internally displaced Iraqis who fled the fighting in Mosul watch as a civilian drone films them at the al-Khazir camp on Thursday, December 1.

Internally displaced Iraqis who fled the fighting in Mosul watch as a civilian drone films them at the al-Khazir camp on Thursday, December 1.

Iraqi Shiite fighters ride through a desert area near the village of Al-Boutha al-Sharqiyah, west of Mosul, on Friday, December 2.

Iraqi Shiite fighters ride through a desert area near the village of Al-Boutha al-Sharqiyah, west of Mosul, on Friday, December 2.

A young girl takes part in a Christmas Day Mass at a church in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh. The area's churches were heavily damaged by ISIS militants before the town was freed by Iraqi forces during the Mosul offensive.

A young girl takes part in a Christmas Day Mass at a church in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh. The area's churches were heavily damaged by ISIS militants before the town was freed by Iraqi forces during the Mosul offensive.

French President Francois Hollande and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, right, view territory held by ISIS during a visit to a military outpost near Mosul on Monday, January 2.

French President Francois Hollande and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, right, view territory held by ISIS during a visit to a military outpost near Mosul on Monday, January 2.

Families are forced to evacuate as Iraqi forces advance in western Mosul on Thursday, March 2. The number of internally displaced people has surged as the offensive effort has intensified.

Flames billow from an explosion in Mosul during a clash between Iraqi forces and ISIS fighters on Sunday, March 5.

Flames billow from an explosion in Mosul during a clash between Iraqi forces and ISIS fighters on Sunday, March 5.

Iraqis visit a bath house on the southern outskirts of Mosul on Wednesday, April 5.

Iraqis visit a bath house on the southern outskirts of Mosul on Wednesday, April 5.

A member of Iraq's security forces stands guard in eastern Mosul as smoke rises from the ISIS-controlled western section of the city on Friday, April 7.

A member of Iraq's security forces stands guard in eastern Mosul as smoke rises from the ISIS-controlled western section of the city on Friday, April 7.

An Iraqi federal policeman smokes during a break from battle on Wednesday, April 12.

An Iraqi federal policeman smokes during a break from battle on Wednesday, April 12.

A smoke cloud rises on the front line as the Iraqi Emergency Response Division advances in west Mosul on Saturday, May 6.

A smoke cloud rises on the front line as the Iraqi Emergency Response Division advances in west Mosul on Saturday, May 6.

A member of the Iraqi counterterrorism service secures a building as troops push toward Mosul's Al-Oraibi western district on Sunday, May 14.

A member of the Iraqi counterterrorism service secures a building as troops push toward Mosul's Al-Oraibi western district on Sunday, May 14.

An Iraqi man tries to extinguish a burning car during fighting in Mosul's western Rifai neighborhood on Tuesday, May 16.

An Iraqi man tries to extinguish a burning car during fighting in Mosul's western Rifai neighborhood on Tuesday, May 16.

Displaced Iraqis make their way through rubble after evacuating their homes in a neighborhood of west Mosul on Wednesday, May 17.

Displaced Iraqis make their way through rubble after evacuating their homes in a neighborhood of west Mosul on Wednesday, May 17.

An Iraqi soldier helps transport a girl as residents flee their homes west of Mosul on Friday, May 26.

An Iraqi soldier helps transport a girl as residents flee their homes west of Mosul on Friday, May 26.

Two boys comfort each other after their home collapsed during fighting between Iraqi forces and militants in Mosul on Saturday, June 24. The boys, who are cousins, said some of their relatives were still under the rubble.

Two boys comfort each other after their home collapsed during fighting between Iraqi forces and militants in Mosul on Saturday, June 24. The boys, who are cousins, said some of their relatives were still under the rubble.

The remnants of Mosul's ancient leaning minaret are seen in the Old City on Sunday, June 25. ISIS' claim that US warplanes were responsible for the destruction of the minaret is "1,000% false," US officials told CNN.

Members of the Iraqi Federal Police hold a position as US-led coalition forces advance through the Old City on Wednesday, June 28.

Members of the Iraqi Federal Police hold a position as US-led coalition forces advance through the Old City on Wednesday, June 28.

A bomb explodes near the al-Nuri mosque complex on Thursday, June 29. Iraq's military has seized the remains of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri. Iraq and the United States have accused ISIS of blowing up the historic mosque.

A bomb explodes near the al-Nuri mosque complex on Thursday, June 29. Iraq's military has seized the remains of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri. Iraq and the United States have accused ISIS of blowing up the historic mosque.

An Iraqi Special Forces soldier exchanges fire with ISIS militants in the Old City on Friday, June 30.

An Iraqi Special Forces soldier exchanges fire with ISIS militants in the Old City on Friday, June 30.

A suspected ISIS fighter is held in a basement while Iraqi forces continue to push for control of the Old City of Mosul on Monday, July 3.

A suspected ISIS fighter is held in a basement while Iraqi forces continue to push for control of the Old City of Mosul on Monday, July 3.

This injured girl was found by Iraqi forces as they advanced against ISIS militants in the Old City of Mosul on Monday, July 3. She was carried away for medical assistance.

Members of the Iraqi federal police wave the country's flag as they celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on July 9, 2017. Iraq declared victory against ISIS forces in Mosul after a grueling monthslong campaign. The battle to reclaim Mosul, the last major ISIS stronghold in Iraq, has been underway since fall 2016.

Experts and officials have said that entering Mosul will likely trigger the fiercest fighting seen yet in the offensive and that the battle is expected to be fought street to street or even house to house.

The plan is to squeeze ISIS fighters from different directions, commanders say. But reports that the militant group has brought thousands of civilians -- mostly women and children -- into Mosul as human shields raises serious concerns that there could be a high number of civilian casualties in the battle.

The Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, said that he condemned "in the strongest terms" the "continued, absolute disregard for international human rights and international humanitarian law" by the terror group.

Citing the abduction and execution by ISIS of large numbers of civilians, and the use of human shields in and around Mosul, he stressed in a statement that the perpetrators of ISIS' war crimes need to be held accountable and said that existing allegations of these crimes are sufficient to be acted upon immediately.

He added that the Iraqi government has an obligation to stamp out retaliatory violence by Iraqi troops or associated militias.

"Any kind of retaliatory violence against individuals on the basis of their membership of a specific group is unacceptable and will undermine the legitimate calls of these communities for their own protection and for their long-standing grievances to be addressed."

Meanwhile, Turkey moved tanks and bulldozers from Ankara to southeastern cities near the Iraqi border, its closest position to Mosul, according to a statement from the Turkish military.

Turkey's defense minister said they were being used to fight against terror, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

In striking distance

Iraqi forces surrounded the ISIS-held village of Gogjali on Mosul's eastern outskirts Tuesday and by late afternoon had taken control of the village, Maj. Gen. Maan al-Saadi, commander of Iraqi counter-terrorism special forces, told CNN. A commander on the ground said troops are working to clear any explosives ISIS may have left behind in Gogjali.

The village is the last populated area before eastern Mosul and freeing Gogjali opens the path for forces to enter the larger city.

Iraqi troops took control of a state TV building on the eastern edge of Mosul and raised the Iraqi flag over it, according to a statement released by Iraq's joint military commands.

An officer with the country's Counter-Terrorism Force told CNN that progress had been slowed by the large number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines planted by ISIS. He was speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk with the media.

Progress was also slowed by the presence of as many as 20,000 civilians who are still in Gogjali, who are essentially being used as human shields by ISIS, according to Saadi.

Other officers told CNN that ISIS fighters had blocked the main road between the village and Mosul with boulders and that bulldozers were needed to clear them. The road is also laced with IEDs and mines, they said.

CNN correspondents near Gogjali said earlier Tuesday that they could see smoke rising on Mosul's perimeter from oil trenches being set on fire to obscure warplanes from striking ISIS targets and deter troops from entering.

Troops are now in clear striking distance of the city and they appear to have begun an assault on Mosul from outside.

CNN Map

Prime Minister to ISIS: 'Surrender or die'

On Monday night, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi gave the estimated 5,000 ISIS militants holed up in Mosul a chilling warning as troops approached the city's doorstep.

Iraqi families displaced by the ongoing operation to free Mosul are seen near Qayyarah, south of the city, on Saturday.

"There is no way to escape, either surrender or die," he told a reporter for state-run Iraqiya TV at the Qayyara airbase south of Mosul.

We will "cut the head (off) the snake," he said.

Abadi urged Mosul's beleaguered residents, who have suffered under ISIS rule since June 2014, to stay indoors during the battle. He also said they should resist ISIS-propogated rumors and do what they can to prevent ISIS from destroying the city's infrastructure.

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He also noted that for the first time, Iraqi forces would be fighting side by side with Kurdish Peshmerga troops and urged politicians to "leave (their) political differences aside."

The coalition of around 100,000 people in the Mosul offensive is an extraordinary union of ethnic and religious groups that have long stood on opposing sides in Iraq's history.

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Among them are Kurdish groups, including the Peshmerga, and Shia and Christian paramilitary groups.

The battle for Mosul is seen as one of the most significant in the fight against ISIS. The city is the terror group's Iraqi stronghold and is considered the jewel of its self-proclaimed caliphate.