which is now under isis control. meantime, u.s.-backed militia groups announcing plans to push out the terror group by shutting down the so-called back door escape out the city. this as the fight against isis rages on in iraq as forces try to liberate mosul. earlier today, kurdish forces reclaimed a town near the city. cnn s arwa damon has been reporting from the front lines. over the weekend she was trapped in the middle of a fierce gun battle with isis. what you are about to see is the war with isis first-hand like you have never seen it before. i have to warn you some of the images you are about to see are graphic. here s arwa damon s exclusive report. reporter: after three weeks of this advance of the iraqi military, it s at last about to enter mosul. the men of the elite counter terrorism force are in high spirits. but after the open plains of northern iraq they are about to meet a terrible new reality.