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Battle for Mosul: The story so far Battle for Mosul: The story so far
(2 days later)
A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) is under way, forcing tens of thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes.A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) is under way, forcing tens of thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes.
Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia 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 Arab tribesmen and Shia 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. The operation is expected to take months.
In the first two weeks, Iraqi forces advanced rapidly from the east and south-east, seizing outlying towns and villages despite strong resistance.In the first two weeks, Iraqi forces advanced rapidly from the east and south-east, seizing outlying towns and villages despite strong resistance.
But progress slowed as troops got closer to Mosul, with snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire targeting them. Bad weather has also hampered their advance, with poor visibility limiting the ability of aircraft to provide cover. But progress slowed after troops entered Mosul from the east on 1 November, with snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire targeting them. Bad weather also hampered their advance, with poor visibility limiting the ability of aircraft to provide cover.
Forces advancing from the north and south have still not entered the city.Forces advancing from the north and south have still not entered the city.
To the west, Shia-dominated Popular Mobilisation paramilitary forces have been advancing towards Tal Afar, another IS stronghold. To the west, Shia-dominated Popular Mobilisation paramilitary forces have been making gains around Tal Afar, another IS stronghold.
Contradictory reports mean it is difficult to know exactly how much territory has been regained since the offensive began.Contradictory reports mean it is difficult to know exactly how much territory has been regained since the offensive began.
The maps shown here are based on expert analysis from two different sources, the Institute for the Study of War and IHS Conflict Monitor.The maps shown here are based on expert analysis from two different sources, the Institute for the Study of War and IHS Conflict Monitor.
Territory held around Mosul, 5 DecemberTerritory held around Mosul, 5 December
The UN has meanwhile expressed concern for the safety of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in Mosul. Mosul's bridges
It has received reports that IS militants have been killing civilians for not co-operating as the battle for control of the Iraqi city intensifies. In the centre of the city, four of the five main bridges have been put out of action by coalition air strikes, with the aim of limiting the jihadists' ability to resupply or reinforce their positions in the east.
The Old Bridge is now the only remaining route open to vehicles in the centre of the city.
Satellite images released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor show how the damage to the bridges is focused on areas near or over the land, rather than in the middle of the river.
Damaging the bridges in this way should make them easier to repair after the battle, which could help them be returned to civilian use more quickly.
The UN has meanwhile expressed concern for the safety of the up to 1.5 million civilians believed to be living in Mosul before the offensive.
It has received reports that IS militants have been killing civilians for not co-operating as the battle for the city intensifies.
It has also received reports that as many as half a million people in the city - including almost half of its children - have been cut off from access to clean water after a major water pipeline was damaged in the fighting.It has also received reports that as many as half a million people in the city - including almost half of its children - have been cut off from access to clean water after a major water pipeline was damaged in the fighting.
The break in the pipeline is located in an area still held by IS, making it impossible to repair quickly.
Although Iraqi authorities are bringing water into recaptured eastern districts by lorry, the supply is not enough and civilians could be forced to resort to unsafe water sources.
The UN says 1,959 members of the Iraqi security forces were killed across the country in November - almost three times the figure for October. Some 926 civilians were killed and 930 others were injured.The UN says 1,959 members of the Iraqi security forces were killed across the country in November - almost three times the figure for October. Some 926 civilians were killed and 930 others were injured.
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 Mosul, satellite images have revealed extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure and archaeological sites. Satellite images have revealed extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure and archaeological sites, caused by the jihadists..
The imagery, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor and taken on 31 October, shows how the jihadists have destroyed mosques, government buildings and historical areas. The imagery, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor and taken on 31 October, shows how they have destroyed mosques, government buildings and historical areas.
Nineveh province administration buildingNineveh province administration building
The Nineveh provincial administration building, which served as IS's municipal headquarters, has been flattened by explosives.The Nineveh provincial administration building, which served as IS's municipal headquarters, has been flattened by explosives.
Further imagery released by Stratfor has also revealed how the jihadists have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the city.Further imagery released by Stratfor has also revealed how the jihadists have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the city.
IS barricades in southern MosulIS barricades in southern Mosul
The barriers 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.The barriers 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.
IS fighters have also destroyed much of the city's airport in preparation for the expected arrival of Iraqi government forces, the images reveal. IS fighters have also destroyed much of the city's airport in preparation for the expected arrival of Iraqi government forces.
Mosul airport
Buildings have been razed and runways have 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.
Humanitarian crisisHumanitarian crisis
The International Committee for the Red Cross has warned that the offensive to retake Mosul could take months, prompting more and more civilians to leave to avoid becoming trapped between frontlines.The International Committee for the Red Cross has warned that the offensive to retake Mosul could take months, prompting more and more civilians to leave to avoid becoming trapped between frontlines.
More than 77,000 people have now fled their homes in and around Mosul and UN officials are warning this figure is likely to rise as the Iraqi-led forces press further into the city. More than 80,000 people have now fled their homes in and around Mosul and UN officials are warning this figure is likely to rise as the Iraqi-led forces press further into the city.
In a worst-case scenario, the crisis could displace up to one million people, the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says, and 700,000 could need emergency shelter.In a worst-case scenario, the crisis could displace up to one million people, the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says, and 700,000 could need emergency shelter.
Two of the biggest camps have been built to the east of Mosul. Nearly half the people, about 5,700 families, who have fled from Mosul are now living in the Khazer camp. Hashansham is also filling up fast. Three of the camps built to house refugees from Mosul, Khazer and Hashansham to the east and Qaymawa to the north-east are already full. Two new camps are being opened to cope with the rising demand.
Many of the new arrivals fled their homes in such a hurry, they arrived without adequate winter clothing for the increasingly harsh weather conditions.Many of the new arrivals fled their homes in such a hurry, they arrived without adequate winter clothing for the increasingly harsh weather conditions.
The UN says food, water and medical aid are also being delivered to vulnerable families living in newly-recaptured town and villages, which have been experiencing severe shortages of supplies.The UN says food, water and medical aid are also being delivered to vulnerable families living in newly-recaptured town and villages, which have been experiencing severe shortages of supplies.