RAF jets join strikes on Islamic State targets in Mosul

British jets and drones have hit Islamic State targets as part of the push to drive the militants out of their Iraqi stronghold.

Video footage released by the Ministry of Defence shows an RAF Typhoon obliterating an IS truck packed with explosives in Mosul.

Other targets hit in the northern Iraqi city included an anti-tank gun in support of the ground offensive.

Mosul has been under IS control since 2014, and the assault to remove them has led to warnings of a humanitarian crisis as people flee.

:: Mosul advance slowed down by Islamic State car bombs

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has described the effort to liberate Mosul as a "big moment" in the war against IS.

He also vowed UK forces would continue to play a major role as part of the coalition supporting the Iraqi and Kurdish forces on the ground.

Details of other strikes carried out on Monday and Tuesday include a Reaper drone attacking an armed truck and two groups of IS fighters.

Typhoons destroyed targets including a string of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) laid out in a defensive belt.

Coalition forces expect IS to have laid a series of booby traps in and around Mosul as part of their effort to hamper Iraqi advances.

:: Inside Mosul: IS threatens US and spreads terror among civilians

Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood said "huge amounts of planning" had gone into preparing for the liberation of Mosul.

Save The Children said thousands of Iraqis have made their way to an already overcrowded Syrian refugee camp in an effort to escape the bombardment.

The charity claims about 5,000 people have arrived at the Al Hol camp and at least 1,000 more are massing at the border waiting to cross.