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Battle for Mosul: Operation to retake Iraqi city from IS 'begins' Battle for Mosul: Operation to retake Iraqi city from IS 'begins'
(35 minutes later)
A military operation to recapture the Iraqi city of Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) has begun, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says.A military operation to recapture the Iraqi city of Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) has begun, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says.
The long-awaited assault from Kurdish Peshmerga, Iraqi government and allied forces is backed by the US-led coalition fighting IS in Iraq.The long-awaited assault from Kurdish Peshmerga, Iraqi government and allied forces is backed by the US-led coalition fighting IS in Iraq.
Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, has been under IS control since June 2014.Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, has been under IS control since June 2014.
The UN has warned that the humanitarian impact could be "enormous", and affect up to 1.2 million people.The UN has warned that the humanitarian impact could be "enormous", and affect up to 1.2 million people.
Mosul is the group's last major stronghold in Iraq. The loss of the city, officials say, would mark the effective defeat of IS in the country.Mosul is the group's last major stronghold in Iraq. The loss of the city, officials say, would mark the effective defeat of IS in the country.
In an address broadcast on state television in the early hours of Monday, Mr Abadi said: "The hour has come and the moment of great victory is near." In an address broadcast on state television in the early hours of Monday, Mr Abadi said: "The hour of victory has come, the operation to liberate Mosul has started."
"Today I declare the start of these victorious operations to free you from the violence and terrorism of Daesh," he added, using another name for IS. "Today I declare the start of the heroic operations to liberate you from Daesh," he said, using another name for IS.
Dressed in military uniform and surrounded by Iraqi officers, he vowed that only government forces would enter Mosul, a Sunni-majority city. "God willing we will meet in Mosul to celebrate the liberation and your salvation from Isis (IS) so we can live together once again, all religions united and together we shall defeat Daesh to rebuild this dear city of Mosul."
It was from there that IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law - in territory controlled by the group in Iraq and Syria. Surrounded by senior Iraqi officers, he vowed that only government forces would enter Mosul, a Sunni-majority city.
An operation to retake the city, capital of the Nineveh governorate, has been planned for months. This, analysts said, was an attempt to counter fears that the operation could turn into a sectarian conflict.
It was from Mosul that IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law - in territory controlled by the group in Iraq and Syria.
An operation to retake the city, capital of the northern Nineveh governorate, has been planned for months.
Thousands of pro-government forces have used as a platform an air base in the strategic town of Qayyarah, about 60km (37 miles) south of Mosul, which was recaptured in August.
Brig Gen Haider Fadhil told AP news agency that more than 25,000 troops would take part in the offensive.Brig Gen Haider Fadhil told AP news agency that more than 25,000 troops would take part in the offensive.
The US envoy to the coalition against IS, Brett McGurk, said on Twitter: "We are proud to stand with you in this historic operation."The US envoy to the coalition against IS, Brett McGurk, said on Twitter: "We are proud to stand with you in this historic operation."
Thousands of leaflets have been dropped in recent days warning that the offensive was imminent. Thousands of leaflets have been dropped in recent days warning residents that the offensive was imminent.
There are no firm figures on how many people remain in Mosul, but there were more than two million there when IS took it more than two years ago.There are no firm figures on how many people remain in Mosul, but there were more than two million there when IS took it more than two years ago.
The group has lost almost a quarter of the territory it once controlled, according to new data.The group has lost almost a quarter of the territory it once controlled, according to new data.