Tri-Service

Battle for Mosul: Operation To Retake IS Stronghold Begins

Iraqi government and Kurdish forces have launched an operation to recapture the last major stronghold of the so-called Islamic State (IS) in the country.

US-led coalition air strikes and heavy artillery fire is supporting the convoys of Iraqi, Kurdish and US forces as they moved east of the city of Mosul this morning.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of the operation on state television, launching the country into its toughest battle since American troops left nearly five years ago.

Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, has been under IS rule for more than two years and is still home to more than a million civilians, according to UN estimates.

British forces are playing a key part in the battle. RAF jets have been striking Islamic State positions around the city of months, while on the ground the British Army has been heavily involved in training both Iraqi and Kurdish troops

UK Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has welcomed the start of the operation.

“Daesh are on the back foot. The beginning of the encirclement of Mosul today is a big moment in our efforts to rid Iraq of Daesh. Mosul is a large and complex city and operations there will be tough but with Coalition support Iraqi forces will prevail."

“Alongside our Coalition partners, the UK will continue to play a leading role in the air and on the ground, including through our strike missions, specialised surveillance, humanitarian support and the mentoring and training of Iraqi forces.”

The push will be the biggest military operation in Iraq since American troops left in 2011 and, if successful, the strongest blow yet to IS.

Iraqi forces are being backed by US-led coalition air and ground support

A statement on Mr al-Abadi's website pledged that the fight for the city would lead to the liberation of all Iraqi territory from the militants this year.

In Washington, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter called the launch of the operation to liberate Mosul "a decisive moment in the campaign" to deliver a lasting defeat to IS. He said the US and other members of the international coalition stand ready to support Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

Iraqi forces have been massing around the city in recent days, including elite special forces which are expected to lead the charge into the city, as well as Kurdish forces, Sunni tribal fighters, federal police and Shiite militia forces.

South of Mosul, Iraqi military units are based at the sprawling Qayyarah air base, but to the city's east, men are camped out in abandoned homes as the tens of thousands of troops massed around the city have overwhelmed the few military bases in the area.