reporter: theismages were captured by a photographer exclusively for cnn. they show the impact of the fight against isis in ways we ve seen before. as the iraqi army continues its offensive against the terrorist group in western mosul we get this bird s eye view of what have life is like for people still left there and also the unbelievable destruction that war has caused. and we should warn our viewers, they may find some of these pictures disturbing. a tender father and daughter moment in the most brutal of landscapes. their home is only half standing. the city around them obliterated. these exclusive drone pictures obtained by cnn show the scale of destruction on the front lines of western mosul. neighborhoods newly freed from isis by iraqi forces. as iraq s elite golden division rolls in its armored vehicles
mosul, really, city limits. we hear from residents that isis are amassing car bombs to move forward down the road and perhaps attack these positions. these as iraq s elite golden division, american trained, good equipment, and they are tasked with the difficult job of moving into that urban sprawl at some point in the future. but at this stage, they are exchanging mortar fire regularly with isis here, seeing some of their most rugged and determined fighters at the end of their scopes and gearing in for potentially lengthy and bloody fight ahead. so close to mosul here. a substantial job left ahead. at this point they are still sizing up and trying to soften the isis positions that have been there for months in the dust behind me. nick paton walsh, cnn, near mosul. coming up in the newsroom female reporters working their sources, tracking down leads, breaking stories. no big deal today. up next, meet one of the trailblazers who made it possible. [accountant] my job is to manage and
thank you so much. we appreciate that. errol. zain, to the north, iraqi force res battling isis at a very delicate place, the bajii oil refinery. it is iraq s largest. the iraqis are doing taking extra care to make sure the refinery isn t damaged and to save it. this is just a taste of how apocalyptic it could again at the baiji oil refinery. already choking on smoke. part of this huge complex is still head by isis. the months long fight here slowed by fears and chaos isis could reach if they scorch and burn here as they retreat. iraqi special forces took us to their front line, defending the ruins of a house that a coalition air strike pushed isis out of. in this area. they, from the elite golden
refinery, the country s largest, critically important. senior international correspondent, nick paton walsh has more. reporter: this is just a taste of how apocalyptic it could get at the vital baiji oil refinery choking on smoke. part of the huge complex held by isis. shia fighters filmed this tuesday. the month s long fight here slowed by fears of the ecological chaos, isis could wreak if they scorch and burn here. iraqi forces took us to the front line. they are from the elite golden division. their ramadi colleagues, troops said lacked the will to fight. that line of buildings is isis closest position. during a thick sandstorm they used the cover of it to advance
of the chaos isis could reach if they scorch and burn here. iraqi special forces took us to their front line defending the ruins of a house at a coalition air strike pushed isis out of here. they are from the elite golden division. their colleagues part of the troops the u.s. said lacked the will to fight. that line of buildings over there is isis s closest position and yesterday during a thick sand storm here they used the cover of it to advance within 20 meters of here when the sand storm subsided suddenly a fire fight began. we don t know why they started shooting this day what they may have seen. isis a few in number here they say but willing to die and have a sniper nearby.