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Battle for Mosul: The story so far Battle for Mosul: The story so far
(about 1 hour later)
A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) is under way, forcing thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes.A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) is under way, forcing thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes.
About 50,000 Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Muslim Arab tribesmen and Shia Muslim militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, are involved in the operation, launched on 17 October, more than two years after jihadists overran the city before seizing control of much of northern and western Iraq.About 50,000 Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Muslim Arab tribesmen and Shia Muslim militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, are involved in the operation, launched on 17 October, more than two years after jihadists overran the city before seizing control of much of northern and western Iraq.
The operation is expected to take weeks, if not months. The latest reports from the frontline say government forces have entered Mosul's outskirts for the first time since the city was seized in June 2014.The operation is expected to take weeks, if not months. The latest reports from the frontline say government forces have entered Mosul's outskirts for the first time since the city was seized in June 2014.
They have been combing the streets of the recently recaptured eastern district of Kukjali for any remaining IS fighters, before they press on into the heart of the city. Iraqi counter-terrorism forces have also retaken the more built-up Karama district. Troops have broken through IS defences and reached the eastern district of al-Zahra. Special forces have been fighting the jihadists in the streets and alleys in the most intense urban combat since the Iraqi offensive began.
Army units are also pushing into the south-eastern Judaydat al-Mufti area, according to the military.Army units are also pushing into the south-eastern Judaydat al-Mufti area, according to the military.
Between 17 and 19 October, Iraqi army units moved towards Mosul from Qayyarah airbase, in the south, and the town of Kuwayr, in the south-east, and took back several villages. The Peshmerga also captured a string of villages near Khazer, to the east.Between 17 and 19 October, Iraqi army units moved towards Mosul from Qayyarah airbase, in the south, and the town of Kuwayr, in the south-east, and took back several villages. The Peshmerga also captured a string of villages near Khazer, to the east.
This was followed by a large-scale operation to the east and north on 20 October.This was followed by a large-scale operation to the east and north on 20 October.
Amnesty International has said there is increasing evidence that some of the Sunni militia groups have been carrying out reprisal attacks on local men and boys suspected of links to the IS jihadists.Amnesty International has said there is increasing evidence that some of the Sunni militia groups have been carrying out reprisal attacks on local men and boys suspected of links to the IS jihadists.
The UN has meanwhile expressed concern for the safety of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in the city.The UN has meanwhile expressed concern for the safety of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in the city.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has received reports of mass killings and forced relocations of civilians by IS militants.The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has received reports of mass killings and forced relocations of civilians by IS militants.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said 1,792 people had been killed in October, 1,120 of whom were civilians.The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said 1,792 people had been killed in October, 1,120 of whom were civilians.
Territory held around Mosul, 2 November Territory held around Mosul, 4 November
According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began.According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began.
In the first days of the offensive, troops steadily advanced along Highway 2, a key road to the east of Mosul, according to US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor. Satellite images of Mosul have revealed how fighters from so-called Islamic State have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the northern Iraqi city.
Satellite images released by Stratfor on 19 October, give an idea of what the advancing forces are facing. The imagery, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor and taken on 31 October, shows a defensive line built across the city's southern edge.
The jihadists have also destroyed a number of buildings south of their positions around Mosul airport to enable them to observe advancing government forces, Stratfor says.
IS barricades in southern Mosul
The barricades constructed across key routes into the city have been made out of concrete blocks and other rubble, Stratfor's analysis says, possibly from the concrete walls of destroyed buildings.
In other areas, the militants have stockpiled materials ready to block roads as the battle nears.
West of Highway 1, Mosul
In the first days of the offensive, troops steadily advanced along Highway 2, a key road to the east of Mosul, according to Stratfor.
Imagery released by analysts on 19 October gave an idea of what the advancing forces faced.
Highway 2, east of MosulHighway 2, east of Mosul
Stratfor says the images show militants have erected temporary barriers along Highway 2, which connects Mosul with the Kurdish city of Irbil, in an effort to prevent vehicles passing. Stratfor said the images showed militants had also erected temporary barriers along Highway 2, which connects Mosul with the Kurdish city of Irbil, in an effort to prevent vehicles passing.
Some of the barriers appeared to be constructed from tyres. In certain locations, the tyres were set on fire to reduce visibility and impede air operations.Some of the barriers appeared to be constructed from tyres. In certain locations, the tyres were set on fire to reduce visibility and impede air operations.
Bartella, east of Mosul
The images also show how air and artillery strikes targeted buildings and IS defensive installations around the town of Bartella, which sits on Highway 2, before its recapture on 20 October.
Area close to Qaraqosh, south-east of Mosul
According to Stratfor, the IS lines were being softened up in preparation for another thrust by Iraqi forces near Qaraqosh, also known as Baghdida or Hamdaniya, which was retaken on 22 October.
Defensive positions used by the jihadists, such as raised banks of earth and trenches, were targeted to weaken the resolve of the fighters, Stratfor says.
Humanitarian crisisHumanitarian crisis
More than 21,000 people have so far fled their homes in and around Mosul but the UN has warned up to 1.5 million people could be affected by the military operations. More than 22,000 people have so far fled their homes in and around Mosul, but the UN has warned up to 1.5 million people could be affected by the military operations.
At its worst, the crisis could displace up to 1 million people, the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says, and 700,000 may need emergency shelter.At its worst, the crisis could displace up to 1 million people, the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says, and 700,000 may need emergency shelter.
Camps are being built in the south, east and north of Mosul in preparation for the flood of people leaving.Camps are being built in the south, east and north of Mosul in preparation for the flood of people leaving.
The UN says it has already set up seven camps, ready to receive up to 55,000 people. More sites being constructed will house a further 450,000. The precise locations of the camps are not being revealed for security reasons.The UN says it has already set up seven camps, ready to receive up to 55,000 people. More sites being constructed will house a further 450,000. The precise locations of the camps are not being revealed for security reasons.