Getty Iraq army soldiers have made advances in Mosul

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The civilians, which included a family of four, were forced into cages and were doused with oil before the extremists set them alight in the city of Hawija in the Kirkuk Province, reports say. ISIS claimed the people were trying to flee to nearby Kirkuk city, which is controlled by government forces. According to a source cited by al-Sumeiryeh news, the captives had their hands tied and were forced into metal cages before being set alight.

Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images A man walks in the ruins of the Old City of Mosul

The news comes as ISIS’ control in Iraq continues to slip away as the Iraqi army continues to push the fighters out of the Old City of Mosul and into a corner next to the Tigris river. The number of ISIS militants fighting in Mosul has dwindled from thousands at the start of the government offensive more than eight months ago to a mere couple of hundred now, according to the Iraqi military. Iraqi forces say they expect to reach the Tigris and gain full control of the city by the end of this week.

Chilling photographs from inside Mosul Wed, June 21, 2017 Iraqi forces battle to retake the last enclaves held by Islamic State militants Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 12 An Iraqi special forces soldier checks men for explosive belts as they cross from Islamic State controlled part of Mosul to Iraqi forces controlled part of Mosul

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is expected to visit Mosul to formally declare victory, and a week of nationwide celebrations is planned. Mosul was the largest city captured by the Islamist extremists almost three years ago which was deemed to be the capital of the “caliphate” by the terrorists, which at its height covered large parts of Iraq and Syria. Military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Rasool, told state TV: "Victory is very near, only 300 meters separate the security forces from the Tigris.”

Getty Soldiers from the Iraq army celebrate capturing parts of Mosul