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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.
After weeks of fighting, Iraqi government forces reached the eastern banks of the Tigris river in the city for the first time on 8 January 2017. Within a few days they had retaken the university, which was seen as a significant victory. After weeks of fighting, Iraqi government forces reached the eastern banks of the Tigris river in the city for the first time on 8 January 2017. Within a few days they had retaken the university, which Iraqi officials said had been used by IS to make chemical weapons.
In the first 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 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 first 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.But progress slowed after troops first 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.
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.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.
Territory held around Mosul, 16 JanuaryTerritory held around Mosul, 16 January
But experts warn there is still a long way to go in the battle to recapture Mosul. The western bank of the city, although slightly smaller than the east, is more densely populated and includes neighbourhoods that are seen as staunch supporters of IS.But experts warn there is still a long way to go in the battle to recapture Mosul. The western bank of the city, although slightly smaller than the east, is more densely populated and includes neighbourhoods that are seen as staunch supporters of IS.
Dr Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said that unless there was an "unexpectedly rapid collapse of IS", the operation to clear east Mosul could take until early February, while the clearance of west Mosul would stretch "well into the second quarter of 2017".Dr Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said that unless there was an "unexpectedly rapid collapse of IS", the operation to clear east Mosul could take until early February, while the clearance of west Mosul would stretch "well into the second quarter of 2017".
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. Civilians and aid workers have also died caught in "indiscriminate mortar fire", the UN said.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.
Medical teams in the nearby city of Irbil say they are facing a disastrous level of civilian casualties.Medical teams in the nearby city of Irbil say they are facing a disastrous level of civilian casualties.
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.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.
Territorial lossTerritorial loss
According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began. However, gains slowed when Iraqi government forces met stiff resistance in the city of Mosul.According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began. However, gains slowed when Iraqi government forces met stiff resistance in the city of Mosul.
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 were put out of action in October and November 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 were put out of action in October and November by coalition air strikes, with the aim of limiting the jihadists' ability to resupply or reinforce their positions in the east.
The Old Bridge - the only remaining route open to vehicles in the centre of the city - was disabled in a US-led coalition air strike at the end of December.The Old Bridge - the only remaining route open to vehicles in the centre of the city - was disabled in a US-led coalition air strike at the end of December.
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 increasing numbers of 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 150,000 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 160,000 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.
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.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.
The UN says many of those who fled Mosul witnessed the deaths of relatives, friends and neighbours. Children are showing severe signs of trauma - such as excessive crying, mutism, bed-wetting and fear of leaving their parent Some 1,500 civilians wounded in the fighting have been sent to Irbil's main hospitals for emergency care between 17 October 2016 and 11 January 2017, according to UN reports.
As well as food and shelter, it says it is providing "psychological first aid", including counselling and other forms of emotional support. It says many of those who have fled Mosul and ended up in the camps have witnessed the deaths of relatives, friends and neighbours. Children are showing severe signs of trauma - such as excessive crying, mutism, bed-wetting and fear of leaving their parents.
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.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.