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Battle for Mosul: The story so far Battle for Mosul: The story so far
(3 days later)
Iraqi security forces taking part in a military offensive to reclaim the northern city of Mosul from the so-called Islamic State (IS) are continuing to advance into the western half of the city.Iraqi security forces taking part in a military offensive to reclaim the northern city of Mosul from the so-called Islamic State (IS) are continuing to advance into the western half of the city.
After taking the airport, forces have made key gains, recapturing two bridges, as well as government buildings. They are closing in on the heavily-populated old city of Mosul, where the militants are still firmly in control.After taking the airport, forces have made key gains, recapturing two bridges, as well as government buildings. They are closing in on the heavily-populated old city of Mosul, where the militants are still firmly in control.
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, launched on 17 October 2016.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, launched on 17 October 2016.
IS jihadists overran Mosul as they spread across much of northern and western Iraq two years earlier in 2014.IS jihadists overran Mosul as they spread across much of northern and western Iraq two years earlier in 2014.
Government forces liberated eastern Mosul in January this year. But the west of the city presents a more difficult challenge, with its narrow, winding streets. IS has launched multiple suicide attacks against Iraqi forces in western neighbourhoods.Government forces liberated eastern Mosul in January this year. But the west of the city presents a more difficult challenge, with its narrow, winding streets. IS has launched multiple suicide attacks against Iraqi forces in western neighbourhoods.
Retaking the whole of Mosul is expected to take several more months.
Territorial control: Since 20 February 2017Territorial control: Since 20 February 2017
The Iraqi government says at least 50,000 civilians have fled the city since the latest assault on west Mosul began on 19 February.The Iraqi government says at least 50,000 civilians have fled the city since the latest assault on west Mosul began on 19 February.
There is also deep concern for up to 700,000 people who remain there. Food supplies are running very low, and some families say they cannot find any food at all. Clean drinking water is also in very short supply.There is also deep concern for up to 700,000 people who remain there. Food supplies are running very low, and some families say they cannot find any food at all. Clean drinking water is also in very short supply.
The UN said in late January that almost half of all the casualties in Mosul were civilians. At least 1,096 have been killed and 694 injured across Nineveh province since the start of October.The UN said in late January that almost half of all the casualties in Mosul were civilians. At least 1,096 have been killed and 694 injured across Nineveh province since the start of October.
Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, the operation's task force commander, described the recapture of eastern Mosul as a "monumental achievement" for the Iraqi people, but warned there was "still a long way to go" before IS was eliminated from Iraq.Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, the operation's task force commander, described the recapture of eastern Mosul as a "monumental achievement" for the Iraqi people, but warned there was "still a long way to go" before IS was eliminated from Iraq.
It took from mid-October until 8 January 2017 for Iraqi forces to advance as far as the River Tigris and another two weeks to gain full control of the eastern side of Mosul.It took from mid-October until 8 January 2017 for Iraqi forces to advance as far as the River Tigris and another two weeks to gain full control of the eastern side of Mosul.
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.
Territorial lossTerritorial loss
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 (for the recent advances) and IHS Conflict Monitor for territory.The maps shown here are based on expert analysis from two different sources, the Institute for the Study of War (for the recent advances) and IHS Conflict Monitor for territory.
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 - in particular to the city's airport and bridges.Satellite images have revealed extensive damage to Mosul's infrastructure, buildings and archaeological sites - in particular to the city's airport and bridges.
Mosul airportMosul airport
Imagery, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor in October 2016, showed how IS fighters sabotaged much of the city's airport, with wide trenches carved into it and rubble placed along their lengths.Imagery, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor in October 2016, showed how IS fighters sabotaged much of the city's airport, with wide trenches carved into it and rubble placed along their lengths.
The images also show how coalition airstrikes, aimed at destroying key IS positions and assets, caused 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, caused damage to Mosul's sugar factory - a facility kept in action by the militants.
Imagery also revealed how the jihadists constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the city, including north of the airport.Imagery also revealed how the jihadists constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the city, including north of the airport.
The barriers have been made out of concrete blocks and other rubble, Stratfor's analysis says, possibly from the walls of destroyed buildings.The barriers have been made out of concrete blocks and other rubble, Stratfor's analysis says, possibly from the walls of destroyed buildings.
Mosul's bridgesMosul's bridges
All bridges linking the east and west of the city, across the Tigris river, were also destroyed.All bridges linking the east and west of the city, across the Tigris river, were also destroyed.
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.
Iraqi forces have since recaptured two of the bridges, the Fourth bridge and al-Hurriya, also known as the al-Jamhuriya. They will either have to repair them or instal floating bridges to reconnect east and west Mosul. Iraqi forces have since recaptured two of the bridges, the Fourth bridge and al-Hurriya, also known as the al-Jamhuriya. They will either have to repair them or install floating bridges to reconnect east and west Mosul.
Stratfor images show how the bridges were damaged.Stratfor images show how the bridges were damaged.
Al-Hurriya BridgeAl-Hurriya Bridge
A US air strike damaged the Al-Hurriya Bridge at the eastern end last October, but IS then set up a barrier on the western side, shown below.A US air strike damaged the Al-Hurriya Bridge at the eastern end last October, but IS then set up a barrier on the western side, shown below.
Fourth BridgeFourth Bridge
In November 2016 a US air strike damaged the bridge, but more recently it was rendered impassable by further damage, shown below.In November 2016 a US air strike damaged the bridge, but more recently it was rendered impassable by further damage, shown below.
Humanitarian crisisHumanitarian crisis
The UN has warned that the offensive to retake western Mosul could displace up to 400,000 civilians and involve a siege in the densely-populated old city.The UN has warned that the offensive to retake western Mosul could displace up to 400,000 civilians and involve a siege in the densely-populated old city.
More than 200,000 people have fled their homes in and around Mosul as a result of the conflict, but another 60,000 civilians have managed returned to their places of origin, the International Organization for Migration says.More than 200,000 people have fled their homes in and around Mosul as a result of the conflict, but another 60,000 civilians have managed returned to their places of origin, the International Organization for Migration says.
More than 195,000 displaced Iraqis are now living in the 21 camps built by the UN and other agencies around Mosul. More camps are planned to cope with the sudden spike in refugees caused by the latest military offensive.More than 195,000 displaced Iraqis are now living in the 21 camps built by the UN and other agencies around Mosul. More camps are planned to cope with the sudden spike in refugees caused by the latest military offensive.
The organisation 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.The organisation 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.