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Battle for Mosul: The story so far Battle for Mosul: The story so far
(21 days later)
Forces battling to seize back control of Mosul in northern Iraq from so-called Islamic State (IS) have reclaimed the eastern half of the city, 100 days after the offensive began. Attempt to retake eastern Mosul begins, 19 February
A statement from the US-led Combined Joint Task Force said clearance operations were continuing, but that Iraqi security forces now controlled all areas on the eastern bank of the River Tigris, which flows through the city centre. Iraqi government forces have launched an offensive to liberate the western part of the city of Mosul from so-called Islamic State, after retaking the city's eastern half last month.
Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, the task force's commander, described it as a "monumental achievement" for the Iraqi people. Air strikes rained down as hundreds of military vehicles rolled across the desert towards the jihadists' positions on Sunday, almost exactly four months after the Mosul operation began.
The western side, with its narrow, winding streets, presents a more difficult challenge than the rest of the city. The UN has voiced concern about civilians trapped there, amid reports that they could number up to 650,000.
Experts warn that western Mosul, although slightly smaller than the east, is more densely populated and includes districts that are seen as pro-IS.
Retaking of eastern Mosul, 18 January
Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, the task force's commander, described the recapture of eastern Mosul as a "monumental achievement" for the Iraqi people.
He praised the way Iraqi security personnel, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, had come together to fight a common enemy.He praised the way Iraqi security personnel, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, had come together to fight a common enemy.
However, Gen Townsend warned: "There is still a long way to go before [IS] is completely eliminated from Iraq, and the fight for western Mosul is likely to be even tougher than the eastern side."However, Gen Townsend warned: "There is still a long way to go before [IS] is completely eliminated from Iraq, and the fight for western Mosul is likely to be even tougher than the eastern side."
The Mosul 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 Mosul 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.
On 1 November, Iraqi government forces reached the outskirts of Mosul, but they encountered fierce resistance from IS snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire.On 1 November, Iraqi government forces reached the outskirts of Mosul, but they encountered fierce resistance from IS snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire.
Bad weather also hampered their advance, with poor visibility limiting the ability of aircraft to provide cover.Bad weather also hampered their advance, with poor visibility limiting the ability of aircraft to provide cover.
It took until 8 January 2017 for the Iraqi forces to advance as far as the River Tigris and another two weeks to gain full control of the eastern side of the city.It took until 8 January 2017 for the Iraqi forces to advance as far as the River Tigris and another two weeks to gain full control of the eastern side of the city.
Elsewhere in the region, the Shia-dominated, paramilitary Popular Mobilisation force has been advancing westwards towards the town of Tal Afar and the border with Syria.Elsewhere in the region, the Shia-dominated, paramilitary Popular Mobilisation force has been advancing westwards towards the town of Tal Afar and the border with Syria.
Territory held around Mosul, 23 JanuaryTerritory held around Mosul, 23 January
Experts warn that western Mosul, although slightly smaller than the east, is more densely populated and includes districts that are seen as pro-IS.
Dr Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said that unless there was an "unexpectedly rapid collapse of IS", the clearance of west Mosul could 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 clearance of west Mosul could stretch "well into the second quarter of 2017".
The UN has meanwhile expressed concern for the safety of 750,000 civilians estimated to be trapped in the west.
"The reports from inside western Mosul are distressing," said humanitarian co-ordinator Lisa Grande. "The prices of basic food and supplies are soaring. Water and electricity are intermittent in neighbourhoods and many families without income are eating only once a day. Others are being forced to burn furniture to stay warm."
Although tens of thousands of people fled their homes in and around Mosul as troops pushed into the east, the UN says about 550,000 chose to remain in their homes.Although tens of thousands of people fled their homes in and around Mosul as troops pushed into the east, the UN says about 550,000 chose to remain in their homes.
The UN says almost half of all the casualties from Mosul have been civilians. At least 1,096 have been killed and 694 injured across Nineveh province since the start of October.The UN says almost half of all the casualties from Mosul have been civilians. At least 1,096 have been killed and 694 injured across Nineveh province since the start of October.
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.Satellite images, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor, show how the bridges have been damaged.
Al Shohada BridgeAl Shohada Bridge
The US targeted the eastern end of the bridge with an air strike in November to stop IS forces from crossing, but IS has now damaged the western end to stop Iraqi forces from crossing.The US targeted the eastern end of the bridge with an air strike in November to stop IS forces from crossing, but IS has now damaged the western end to stop Iraqi forces from crossing.
Fifth BridgeFifth Bridge
IS forces appear to have blown up part of the bridge towards the eastern end in another bid to stop Iraqi forces from crossing to the western side.IS forces appear to have blown up part of the bridge towards the eastern end in another bid to stop Iraqi forces from crossing to the western side.
Old BridgeOld Bridge
This satellite image shows new damage at both ends of the Old Bridge.This satellite image shows new damage at both ends of the Old Bridge.
Al Jamhuriya BridgeAl Jamhuriya Bridge
A US air strike damaged the bridge at the eastern end last October, but IS have since set up a barrier on the western side, shown below.A US air strike damaged the bridge at the eastern end last October, but IS have since set up a barrier on the western side, shown below.
Fourth BridgeFourth Bridge
Back in November a US air strike damaged the bridge, but more recently it has been rendered impassable by further damage, shown below.Back in November a US air strike damaged the bridge, but more recently it has been rendered impassable by further damage, shown below.
Nineveh province administration buildingNineveh province administration building
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.
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 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.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 UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) warned that the crisis could displace up to one million people and 700,000 could need emergency shelter.In a worst-case scenario, the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) warned that the crisis could displace up to one million people and 700,000 could need emergency shelter.
Most of the people displaced from Mosul are staying in 13 camps and emergency sites. According to the UN, 10 of these camps are already full and four are being extended. Seven more are under construction.Most of the people displaced from Mosul are staying in 13 camps and emergency sites. According to the UN, 10 of these camps are already full and four are being extended. Seven more are under construction.
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.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.
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.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.