Battle for Mosul: Bid to retake Iraqi city from IS "begins"

Image copyright AFP

Image caption Iraqi forces have been preparing for the offensive at a base near Mosul

A military operation to recapture the Iraqi city of Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) has begun, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says.

An offensive to retake the city, Iraq"s second largest, has been planned for months.

Mosul has been under IS control since June 2014.

The UN has warned that the humanitarian impact could be "enormous", and possibly affect up to 1.2 million people living in and around the city.

• Iraq seeks help as it sets sights on Mosul


• Inside Mosul: What"s life like under IS?


• The full IS story

"The time of victory has come and operations to liberate Mosul have started," Mr Abadi said in an address broadcast on state television.

"Today I declare the start of these victorious operations to free you from the violence and terrorism of Daesh," he said, using another name for IS.

Original Article

Battle for Mosul: Bid to retake Iraqi city from IS "begins"
http://latiendadejm.com/blog/battle-for-mosul-bid-to-retake-iraqi-city-from-is-begins/

| | La tienda de JM