Flash half-cut sultan in city abroad (5)

I believe the answer is:

mosul

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'city abroad' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'flash half-cut sultan' is the wordplay.
'flash' becomes 'mo' (both mean a very short period of time).
'half cut' means to take half the letters.
'sultan' halved is 'sul'.
'mo'+'sul'='MOSUL'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mosul that I've seen before include "Northern Iraq city on the Tigris" , "Iraqi city near Nineveh" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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