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Battle for Mosul: The story so far Battle for Mosul: The story so far
(about 20 hours later)
A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) is under way, forcing thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes.A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) is under way, forcing thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes.
About 30,000 Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, launched the assault on 17 October, more than two years after jihadists overran the city before seizing control of much of northern and western Iraq. About 50,000 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, 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, depending on how much resistance they face from the 3,000 to 5,000 militants believed to be inside Mosul. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has said the offensive is proceeding as planned. The operation is expected to take weeks, if not months. The latest reports from the frontline say elite Counter-Terrorism Service troops have entered the eastern Kukjali area, which is within the city limits, but they are facing fierce resistance.
After more than a week of fighting, the Iraqi army and Kurdish forces are beginning to reach the eastern outskirts of Mosul.
However, there are concerns about the fate of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in the city, with UN human rights staff receiving reports of atrocities being committed by IS militants.
Up to 200,000 people are expected to be forced to flee Mosul in the next few weeks as troops close in on the city. Those inside report that they are already running out of basic supplies.
Between 17 and 19 October, Iraqi army units moved towards Mosul from Qayyarah airbase, in the south, and the town of Kuwayr, in the south-east, and took back several villages. The Peshmerga also captured a string of villages near Khazer, to the east.Between 17 and 19 October, Iraqi army units moved towards Mosul from Qayyarah airbase, in the south, and the town of Kuwayr, in the south-east, and took back several villages. The Peshmerga also captured a string of villages near Khazer, to the east.
This was followed on by a large-scale operation led by Kurdish fighters to the east and north of the city on 20 October. This was followed on by a large-scale operation to the east and north on 20 October.
Government forces went on to re-capture the town of Bartella, less than 15km (10 miles) east of Mosul and two villages - al-Awaizat and Nanaha - south of Mosul, evacuating 65 displaced families and killing 15 IS militants. On 31 October, CTS troops recaptured Bazwaya, the last village to the east of Mosul.
By 31 October, Iraqi forces were reported to be close to the eastern edge of Mosul city. The UN has meanwhile expressed concern for the safety of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in the city.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has received reports of mass killings and forced relocations of civilians by IS militants.
Up to 200,000 people were expected to flee Mosul in the first weeks of the offensive. Those inside report that they are already running out of basic supplies.
IS has also launched a string of counter-attacks around the country, notably in the Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk south of Mosul and the western town of Rutba.
Territory held around Mosul, 31 OctoberTerritory held around Mosul, 31 October
IS has hit back with a spate of attacks around the country, starting last Friday in the strategic, Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk. There have also been attacks on the town of Rutba in western Iraq and the Sinjar region to the west of Mosul.
According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began.According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began.
Troops have been steadily advancing along Highway 2, a key road to the east of Mosul, according to US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor. In the first two days of the offensive, troops steadily advanced along Highway 2, a key road to the east of Mosul, according to US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor.
Satellite images taken on Tuesday and released by Stratfor on 19 October, give an idea of what lies ahead for the advancing forces. Satellite images taken on Tuesday and released by Stratfor on 19 October, give an idea of what the advancing forces faced.
Highway 2, east of MosulHighway 2, east of Mosul
Stratfor says the images show militants have erected temporary barriers along Highway 2, which connects Mosul with the Kurdish city of Irbil, in an effort to prevent vehicles passing. Stratfor says the images show militants erected temporary barriers along Highway 2, which connects Mosul with the Kurdish city of Irbil, in an effort to prevent vehicles passing.
Some of the barriers appear to be constructed from tyres. In certain locations, the tyres have been set on fire to reduce visibility and impede air operations. Some of the barriers appeared to be constructed from tyres. In certain locations, the tyres were set on fire to reduce visibility and impede air operations.
Bartella, east of MosulBartella, east of Mosul
The images also show how air and artillery strikes targeted buildings and IS defensive installations around the town of Bartella, which sits on Highway 2, before its recapture on 20 October. The images also showed how air and artillery strikes targeted buildings and IS defensive installations around the town of Bartella, which sits on Highway 2, before its recapture on 20 October.
Area close to Qaraqosh, south-east of MosulArea close to Qaraqosh, south-east of Mosul
According to Stratfor, IS lines are being softened up in preparation for another thrust by Iraqi forces near Qaraqosh, which is also known as Baghdida or Hamdaniya. According to Stratfor, the IS lines were being softened up in preparation for another thrust by Iraqi forces near Qaraqosh, also known as Baghdida or Hamdaniya, which was retaken on 22 October.
Defensive positions used by the jihadists, such raised banks of earth and trenches, have been targeted to weaken the resolve of the fighters, Stratfor says. Defensive positions used by the jihadists, such raised banks of earth and trenches, were targeted to weaken the resolve of the fighters, Stratfor says.
Humanitarian crisisHumanitarian crisis
As the battle for territory continues, the UN has warned up to 200,000 people could be displaced in the first two weeks of the conflict. More than 17,000 people have so far fled their homes in and around Mosul - although the UN has said up to 700,000 may be forced to leave the city.
Camps are being built in the south, east and north of Mosul in preparation for the flood of people leaving the city. Camps are being built in the south, east and north of Mosul in preparation for the flood of people leaving.
The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says it has already set up five camps, ready to receive up to 45,000 people. The precise locations of the camps are not being revealed for security reasons.The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says it has already set up five camps, ready to receive up to 45,000 people. The precise locations of the camps are not being revealed for security reasons.
So far, more than 15,000 people have fled their homes, the UNHCR says, with many heading south.