Iraqi Troops Advance on Mosul to Take Islamic State Bastion
- Prime Minister Abadi says military action will restore order
- ‘Humanitarian consequences of this operation will be massive’
Iraqi policemen inspect their weapons at the Qayyarah military base, about 60 kilometres (35 miles) south of Mosul, on Oct. 16.
Photographer: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Iraq has launched a long-awaited offensive to retake Islamic State’s last major stronghold in the country, amid mounting concern over the fate of 1.2 million trapped city residents.
More than two years after Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi swept into the northern city and declared a so-called caliphate at a local mosque, thousands of Iraqi ground troops backed by Kurdish fighters advanced toward Mosul early on Monday. The U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State said it’s backing the campaign with airstrikes, artillery, intelligence and advisers.