Iraqi special forces have moved more than 1,000 people from villages near the front lines of the battle to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State.
Major General Haider Fadhil said the residents of Tob Zawa and other nearby villages have been taken to a camp in the nearby Khazer region for their safety.
The International Organisation for Migration said at least 8,940 people have been displaced since the operation to retake Mosul began on October 17.
Major Salam al-Obeidi said the elite troops were carrying out clean-up operations in areas retaken from the militants to the east of the city.
He said troops had uncovered a vast tunnel network used by IS to shuttle fighters and supplies by motorcycle.