Rowboats and missiles in war of attrition on Iraq front line

Members of Iraqi rapid response forces fire during a battle with Islamic State militants at Tigris river frontline between east and west of Mosul , Iraq, January 25, 2017. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah

MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi rapid response forces take up positions on the roof of a house as their Islamic State enemies plot their next move along the front line between east and west Mosul.

Sometimes the militants row small boats across the Tigris River at night to stage surprise attacks, or they fire mortar bombs that can rattle whole neighbourhoods.