A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) is under way, forcing thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes.

BBC Persian's Nafiseh Kohnavard met some families who made their way to the south of the city using different tactics to escape IS. They paint a grim picture of Mosul which has been under IS control for more than two years.

Producer: Dina Demrdash