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Battle for Mosul: The story so far Battle for Mosul: The story so far
(1 day later)
A 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 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 commander of the US-led military coalition in Iraq says the operation could take another two months.The commander of the US-led military coalition in Iraq says the operation could take another two months.
In the first two weeks of the offensive, Iraqi forces advanced rapidly from the east and south-east, seizing outlying towns and villages despite strong resistance.In the first two weeks of the offensive, Iraqi forces advanced rapidly from the east and south-east, seizing outlying towns and villages despite strong resistance.
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. But progress slowed after troops entered Mosul from the east on 1 November, as they were targeted by snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire. Bad weather also hampered their advance, with poor visibility limiting the ability of aircraft to provide cover.
Contradictory reports mean it is difficult to know exactly how much territory has been regained.Contradictory reports mean it is difficult to know exactly how much territory has been regained.
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, 19 DecemberTerritory held around Mosul, 19 December
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.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 received reports that IS militants have been killing civilians for not co-operating as the battle for the city intensifies. Civilians and aid workers have also died caught in "indiscriminate mortar fire", the UN said.
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. Medical teams in the nearby city of Irbil say they are facing a disastrous level of civilian casualties.
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. Some 1,959 members of the Iraqi security forces were killed across the country in November - almost three times the figure for October, the UN says. 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.
Satellite images have revealed extensive damage to Mosul's infrastructure, buildings and archaeological sites.Satellite images have revealed extensive damage to Mosul's infrastructure, buildings and archaeological sites.
Mosul's bridgesMosul's bridges
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.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.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 bridges have been damaged where they reach land, rather than in the middle of the river.Satellite images, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor, show how the bridges have been damaged where they reach land, rather than in the middle of the river.
1. Al Jamhuriya Bridge1. Al Jamhuriya Bridge
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, Stratfor analysis says.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, Stratfor analysis says.
2. Fourth Bridge2. Fourth Bridge
Further Stratfor imagery taken on 31 October, shows how militants have destroyed mosques, government buildings and historical areas.Further Stratfor imagery taken on 31 October, shows how militants have destroyed mosques, government buildings and historical areas.
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.
Nineveh province administration buildingNineveh province administration building
IS fighters have also destroyed much of the city's airport in preparation for the expected arrival of Iraqi government forces.IS fighters have also destroyed much of the city's airport in preparation for the expected arrival of Iraqi government forces.
Imagery has also revealed how the jihadists have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the city.Imagery 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.
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 increasing numbers of civilians to leave to avoid becoming trapped between frontlines.
More than 90,000 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 100,000 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.
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. So far, the UNHCR has constructed six camps with the capacity to house more than 9,000 families. A further three camps are under construction for an additional 5,000 families.
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.
Aid workers in the camps say they are dealing with children showing severe signs of trauma - such as excessive crying, mutism, bed-wetting and fear of leaving their parents.
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.