Thousands of Iraqis fled western Mosul on Saturday during a lull in heavy fighting in districts around the densely populated Old City where Iraqi forces are facing fierce resistance from Daesh militants, Reuters reported.

The report stated that government forces are no focused on controlling the Old City as well as the al-Nuri Mosque – Daesh’s last stronghold in Iraq.

As some residents managed to escape during a lull in fighting, one man told Reuters: "We have been trapped for 25 days. No water, no food, everyone will die and they will have to pull us from the rubble."

Many families said they had hardly eaten in weeks and that water was also scarce.

"It is terrible, Islamic State [Daesh] have destroyed us. There is no food, no bread. There is absolutely nothing," said another resident.

Reports however indicate that up to 600,000 civilians may be caught inside the city.

United Nations reports that around 255,000 people have been displaced from Mosul and surrounding areas since October, including more than 100,000 since the latest military campaign in western Mosul began last month.