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Battle for Mosul: The story so far Battle for Mosul: The story so far
(about 20 hours 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 tens of 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. The offensive was launched on 17 October, more than two years after jihadists overran the city before seizing control of much of northern and western Iraq. 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. The offensive was 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. By 1 November, Iraqi forces had reached the eastern outskirts of Mosul, where they encountered fierce resistance. The operation is expected to take weeks, if not months. By 1 November, Iraqi forces had reached the eastern outskirts of Mosul, but they have since encountered fierce resistance.
In the first days of the operation, Iraqi army units moved towards the city from Qayyarah airbase, in the south, and the town of Kuwayr, in the south-east, taking back several villages. The Peshmerga also captured a string of villages near Khazer, to the east. In the first days of the operation, Iraqi army units advanced from the east and south, clearing surrounding towns and villages, while Peshmerga fighters moved in from the north.
But progress slowed as troops got closer to Mosul, with snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire targeting them. IS also launched counter-attacks elsewhere in Iraq, most notably in the Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk on 21 October. But progress slowed as troops got closer to Mosul, with snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire targeting them. IS has also launched counter-attacks elsewhere in Iraq, most notably in the Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk on 21 October.
Peshmerga fighters later recaptured Bashiqa, north-east of Mosul, after besieging the town for two weeks. Army units also took full control of the last major town south of Mosul, Hamam al-Alil, and discovered a mass grave at its agricultural college. Advances have continued around Mosul. Peshmerga fighters recaptured Bashiqa, north-east of Mosul, after besieging the town for two weeks. Army units also took control of the last major town south of Mosul, Hamam al-Alil, and discovered a mass grave at its agricultural college.
Territory held around Mosul, 14 NovemberTerritory held around Mosul, 14 November
Then, on 13 November, Iraqi forces recaptured the ancient city of Nimrud. IS militants had used bulldozers and other heavy equipment to vandalise the 3,300-year-old site, which included a prominent "citadel" mound, as well as the palaces and tombs of Assyrian kings and temples to their gods.
The UN has meanwhile expressed concern for the safety of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in Mosul.The UN has meanwhile expressed concern for the safety of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in Mosul.
Large quantities of ammonia and sulphur, for possible use in chemical weapons, is being stockpiled by IS and stored near civilians, the UN says. The first humanitarian convoy to enter the city in more than two years arrived on 15 November with enough supplies for 15,000 children and families for a month.
The UN has said smoke from burning oil wells and a chemical plant torched by IS near Mosul has forced over 1,500 people to seek help for respiratory problems.
Militants have also shot dead dozens of civilians, apparently after being accused of treason, the office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner has said.Militants have also shot dead dozens of civilians, apparently after being accused of treason, the office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner has said.
There have also been allegations of atrocities committed by government forces.There have also been allegations of atrocities committed by government forces.
Amnesty International says it has received evidence that men dressed in Iraqi federal police uniforms tortured and killed residents of villages south of Mosul. The federal police deny involvement. The organisation has also said it had evidence that pro-government Sunni tribal fighters had carried out reprisal attacks on men and boys suspected of links to IS.Amnesty International says it has received evidence that men dressed in Iraqi federal police uniforms tortured and killed residents of villages south of Mosul. The federal police deny involvement. The organisation has also said it had evidence that pro-government Sunni tribal fighters had carried out reprisal attacks on men and boys suspected of links to IS.
The UN says 1,792 people were killed in October, 1,120 of them civilians.The UN says 1,792 people were killed in October, 1,120 of them civilians.
Territory lossTerritory loss
According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began, however gains have slowed in recent days.According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began, however gains have slowed in recent days.
As Iraqi forces close in on the city, satellite images have revealed how IS fighters have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the northern Iraqi city.As Iraqi forces close in on the city, satellite images have revealed how IS fighters have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the northern Iraqi city.
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 imagery, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor and taken on 31 October, shows a defensive line built across the city's southern edge.
IS barricades in southern MosulIS 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 walls of destroyed buildings.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 walls of destroyed buildings.
In other areas, the militants have stockpiled materials, ready to block roads as the battle nears.In other areas, the militants have stockpiled materials, ready to block roads as the battle nears.
West of Highway 1, MosulWest of Highway 1, Mosul
Further imagery released by Stratfor also shows how IS has destroyed much of the city's airport in preparation for the expected arrival of Iraqi government forces.Further imagery released by Stratfor also shows how IS has destroyed much of the city's airport in preparation for the expected arrival of Iraqi government forces.
The imagery, also from 31 October, shows how almost all the buildings at the airport, on the southern outskirts of Mosul, have been razed.The imagery, also from 31 October, shows how almost all the buildings at the airport, on the southern outskirts of Mosul, have been razed.
Mosul airportMosul airport
Runways have also been damaged, with wide trenches carved into them and rubble placed along their lengths, Stratfor's analysis says.Runways have also been damaged, with wide trenches carved into them and rubble placed along their lengths, Stratfor's analysis says.
The images also show how coalition airstrikes, aimed at destroying key IS positions and assets, have caused some damage to Mosul's sugar factory - a facility kept in action by the militants.The images also show how coalition airstrikes, aimed at destroying key IS positions and assets, have caused some damage to Mosul's sugar factory - a facility kept in action by the militants.
Humanitarian crisisHumanitarian crisis
More than 47,000 people have so far fled their homes in and around Mosul, but the UN has warned many more could be affected by the military operations. More than 56,000 people have so far fled their homes in and around Mosul, but the UN has warned many more 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 still being built to the south, east and north of Mosul for the people leaving. Two of the biggest camps are to the east of the city, at Khazer and Hasansham.
The UN says it has already set up six camps and more sites are being constructed to house up to 105,000 people. The precise locations of the camps are not being revealed for security reasons. The UN says it has plans to house up to 105,000 people.