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| Battle for Mosul: Isis stronghold under attack from Iraqi and Kurdish forces – latest news | Battle for Mosul: Isis stronghold under attack from Iraqi and Kurdish forces – latest news |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.27pm BST | |
| 14:27 | |
| The U.N. refugee agency has called on warring parties in Iraq to spare the lives of civilians and not to use them as hostages or human shields, Associated Press reports. | |
| Speaking to reporters in Baghdad, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, says he raised the issue of protection civilians with the Iraqi government and received “strongest assurances” from Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. | |
| Grandi underlined that protection civilians “will indispensable for the future of Iraq, for the future in which the people of Iraq have live together and build a prosperous country.” | |
| 2.14pm BST | |
| 14:14 | |
| Isis says it has counterattacked with suicide bombers | |
| An Islamic State news agency says the group has launched a series of suicide attacks targeting Kurdish forces leading the assault on Mosul. | |
| The Aamaq news agency is claiming eight suicide attacks against Kurdish peshmerga and says Isis destroyed two Humvees belonging to the Kurdish forces and Shia militias east of the city on Monday, according to an Associated Press report. | |
| The update comes as US Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, the top commander in the US-led coalition in Iraq, says he is confident that the attack on Mosul will succeed. | |
| Mosul will be a hard fight, but the Iraqi security forces are ready. They’ve been waiting to liberate Mosul for two years, and today is the day. | |
| The US is supporting Iraqi and Kurdish with airstrikes, and US soldiers are serving in a support role on the ground. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.24pm BST | |
| 1.43pm BST | 1.43pm BST |
| 13:43 | 13:43 |
| The aid agencies War Child and World Vision are also sounding the alert over the risk posed to civilians by the battle for Mosul, echoing the earlier warning from Save the Children that half a million children could be in the firing line. | The aid agencies War Child and World Vision are also sounding the alert over the risk posed to civilians by the battle for Mosul, echoing the earlier warning from Save the Children that half a million children could be in the firing line. |
| World Vision is also raising concerns that identification documents may have been confiscated during ISIL occupation, which could lead to issues with registration. Separating fathers from the family for protracted periods during screening may also make families for vulnerable, the charity has warned. | World Vision is also raising concerns that identification documents may have been confiscated during ISIL occupation, which could lead to issues with registration. Separating fathers from the family for protracted periods during screening may also make families for vulnerable, the charity has warned. |
| Khalil Sleiman, World Vision’s Response Manager for northern Iraq, said: | Khalil Sleiman, World Vision’s Response Manager for northern Iraq, said: |
| We’re already supporting half a million people who fled Mosul when it was first occupied over two years ago. We’re now poised for another massive influx of children and families who will have been through horrific experiences most of us could never imagine. | We’re already supporting half a million people who fled Mosul when it was first occupied over two years ago. We’re now poised for another massive influx of children and families who will have been through horrific experiences most of us could never imagine. |
| They will arrive with nothing but the clothes on their back and will be thirsty, hungry, and need urgent medical attention. | They will arrive with nothing but the clothes on their back and will be thirsty, hungry, and need urgent medical attention. |
| War Child says it is poised to support thousands of children in locations around Mosul with specialist services including learning spaces, trained education staff and mobile child protection teams. However, it says that more funding. | War Child says it is poised to support thousands of children in locations around Mosul with specialist services including learning spaces, trained education staff and mobile child protection teams. However, it says that more funding. |
| Sameena Gul, War Child UK’s country director in Iraq, said: | Sameena Gul, War Child UK’s country director in Iraq, said: |
| Our staff are working with children who are dealing with the impact of conflict in Iraq every day. The boys and girls we support can face a range of problems, from long-term psychological trauma, sexual assault, recruitment to militias and disruption to education. War Child will be dealing with thousands of children fleeing the fighting in Mosul. It is crucial the international community therefore provides the necessary support to ensure these children are protected from harm. | Our staff are working with children who are dealing with the impact of conflict in Iraq every day. The boys and girls we support can face a range of problems, from long-term psychological trauma, sexual assault, recruitment to militias and disruption to education. War Child will be dealing with thousands of children fleeing the fighting in Mosul. It is crucial the international community therefore provides the necessary support to ensure these children are protected from harm. |
| 1.36pm BST | 1.36pm BST |
| 13:36 | 13:36 |
| Families do not have clear routes of escape from Mosul, aid workers have warned, leaving thousands at risk of being caught in the fighting. | Families do not have clear routes of escape from Mosul, aid workers have warned, leaving thousands at risk of being caught in the fighting. |
| Aleksandar Milutinovic, the Iraq director for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), said those civilians who do try to flee will run a gauntlet of snipers, landmines and booby traps, as well as oil burning in trenches around the city. | |
| And even if they do escape, there is not enough capacity in refugee camps and aid centres to assist them, he added. In a statement, Milutinovic said: | |
| It is estimated that as many as 200,000 people could flee from the city in these first weeks, though there are currently only 60,000 tents available in seven emergency camps. In total, up to 1 million people could flee their homes in search of safety during the military operation, with an estimated 700,000 requiring shelter, food, water and other vital aid. | It is estimated that as many as 200,000 people could flee from the city in these first weeks, though there are currently only 60,000 tents available in seven emergency camps. In total, up to 1 million people could flee their homes in search of safety during the military operation, with an estimated 700,000 requiring shelter, food, water and other vital aid. |
| With emergency camps not ready for the large numbers likely to flee, the IRC anticipates that many people will find their way to abandoned buildings, schools and mosques in the towns and villages around Mosul. The IRC’s mobile response teams are ready to reach 60,000 of the most vulnerable, whether they flee to the north, east or south of the city. The IRC teams will provide $420 in cash to 5,000 families (30,000 people) so they can buy food, pay rent and buy clothes, blankets and cooking utensils. Another 30,000 will be given essential items, provided with legal support or identified as needing specialist care. With more funding the IRC could increase the reach of its response to 90,000 people. | With emergency camps not ready for the large numbers likely to flee, the IRC anticipates that many people will find their way to abandoned buildings, schools and mosques in the towns and villages around Mosul. The IRC’s mobile response teams are ready to reach 60,000 of the most vulnerable, whether they flee to the north, east or south of the city. The IRC teams will provide $420 in cash to 5,000 families (30,000 people) so they can buy food, pay rent and buy clothes, blankets and cooking utensils. Another 30,000 will be given essential items, provided with legal support or identified as needing specialist care. With more funding the IRC could increase the reach of its response to 90,000 people. |
| After escaping the city, men and boys over the age of 14 will be security screened. This may take several days and it will be critical conditions are suitable, and people are provided with food, water, medical care and adequate communication on the process. The IRC will be one of the few aid agencies present at these centres, helping to ensure that the most vulnerable are identified, prioritised and, if necessary, given medical care. | After escaping the city, men and boys over the age of 14 will be security screened. This may take several days and it will be critical conditions are suitable, and people are provided with food, water, medical care and adequate communication on the process. The IRC will be one of the few aid agencies present at these centres, helping to ensure that the most vulnerable are identified, prioritised and, if necessary, given medical care. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.14pm BST | |
| 1.26pm BST | 1.26pm BST |
| 13:26 | 13:26 |
| Mona Mahmood | Mona Mahmood |
| My colleague Mona Mahmood has conducted a phone interview with Hassan al-Allaf, the deputy governor of Mosul who is in charge of supporting aid for civilians on the left bank of the city. He is at the Mosul Dam military operations centre. He says: | |
| I’m in charge of supporting aid for civilians at the left bank of Mosul. We deal with displaced families and Mosul infrastructure. We support the army with potential residential sites in Mosul that should not be targeted to avoid killing innocent people. I’m a university professor, I teach chemistry at the College of Agriculture and Forestry in Mosul. | |
| I left Mosul the day Isis took over the city. I have not seen my relatives who are still inside Mosul for two years. I just talked to the head of a tribe in Mosul, he lives at the western bank of the the city. They are so glad for the beginning of the battle for Mosul liberation. The battle started yesterday at 2am Iraq time. | |
| People are desperately observing the marching of the Iraqi forces to Mosul. The mobile network is too weak and people are so scared to talk. The head of the tribe told me that all the city now is in a state of alert and he claimed that some of the Isis families are fleeing the city. Some of the roads are blocked by concrete walls, caravans and damaged cars to stop the progress of the city. | People are desperately observing the marching of the Iraqi forces to Mosul. The mobile network is too weak and people are so scared to talk. The head of the tribe told me that all the city now is in a state of alert and he claimed that some of the Isis families are fleeing the city. Some of the roads are blocked by concrete walls, caravans and damaged cars to stop the progress of the city. |
| It is too early to talk about the liberation of Mosul city, all the battles now and bombardment is against the deterrence wall set up by Isis at the suburbs of the city like al-Hamdaniya district, al-Hamam, Britla, al-Guwair and Ba’ashiqa. | |
| The battle now is at the surrounding areas of Mosul, it might take a few weeks to get to the city centre. We have set up camps for the people who would flee the city, however, up till now, we did not receive any. None of the people are fleeing outside Mosul but they are moving from the west bank to east bank which is relatively safer. None of the tribal militia formed by the tribes of Mosul is taking part in the battle so far. There is a tribal militia at the southern part of Mosul, they are holding the ground. Their job is to keep the security inside the city after the battles. | The battle now is at the surrounding areas of Mosul, it might take a few weeks to get to the city centre. We have set up camps for the people who would flee the city, however, up till now, we did not receive any. None of the people are fleeing outside Mosul but they are moving from the west bank to east bank which is relatively safer. None of the tribal militia formed by the tribes of Mosul is taking part in the battle so far. There is a tribal militia at the southern part of Mosul, they are holding the ground. Their job is to keep the security inside the city after the battles. |
| There are six axes for the battle of Mosul liberation – two axes are from the south-eastern part of Mosul, al-Khaziq and Ba’ashiqa, where the battles are going on now. Other axes are still quiet, like the northern one in Aski Mosul, Zumar, Mosul Dam and Telkief. We think at night the army would march to these three axes. I have not seen any of the Shia militia here, they might take part in the Telafer liberation. | |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.11pm BST | |
| 12.25pm BST | 12.25pm BST |
| 12:25 | 12:25 |
| The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, says Turkey is determined to be part of the operation to recapture Mosul, and possible talks on the city’s future. | The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, says Turkey is determined to be part of the operation to recapture Mosul, and possible talks on the city’s future. |
| Associated Press reports that Erdoğan has reiterated Turkey’s concerns that the operation could lead to sectarian clashes. He also maintained that efforts in Iraq to keep Turkey away from the Mosul offensive were linked to Ankara’s efforts to prevent any possible demographic change in the region. | Associated Press reports that Erdoğan has reiterated Turkey’s concerns that the operation could lead to sectarian clashes. He also maintained that efforts in Iraq to keep Turkey away from the Mosul offensive were linked to Ankara’s efforts to prevent any possible demographic change in the region. |
| Turkey has been warning about possible sectarian clashes in Mosul if the majority Sunni region were placed under Shia militia control. Erdoğan says that once Mosul is liberated, Turkey cannot allow “a Sunni-Shia strife” in the city. | Turkey has been warning about possible sectarian clashes in Mosul if the majority Sunni region were placed under Shia militia control. Erdoğan says that once Mosul is liberated, Turkey cannot allow “a Sunni-Shia strife” in the city. |
| He insisted Turkey “will be in the (Mosul) operation and we will be at the table. It is not possible for us to stay outside”. | He insisted Turkey “will be in the (Mosul) operation and we will be at the table. It is not possible for us to stay outside”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.06pm BST | at 1.06pm BST |
| 11.44am BST | 11.44am BST |
| 11:44 | 11:44 |
| A defeat in Mosul would be a massive ideological blow to the Islamic State’s ideology, with the city representing the heart of the caliphate that the group declared in the region two years ago, according to one terrorism expert. | A defeat in Mosul would be a massive ideological blow to the Islamic State’s ideology, with the city representing the heart of the caliphate that the group declared in the region two years ago, according to one terrorism expert. |
| Dr Natasha Underhill from Nottingham Trent University, an expert on terrorism in the Middle East, said that if the city was recaptured it could spell the beginning of the end for Isis as we know it. She said: | Dr Natasha Underhill from Nottingham Trent University, an expert on terrorism in the Middle East, said that if the city was recaptured it could spell the beginning of the end for Isis as we know it. She said: |
| If the campaign to retake Mosul is a success, it would not only be a massive military defeat for IS but more importantly it would be massive blow to its ideological stance. Mosul symbolises the heart of the caliphate for the group and removing this would mark the beginning of the end for a group who is already struggling for survival. The group is no longer the powerhouse that it once appeared and is in fact struggling not only to gain support but to keep the support in place that it currently has. | If the campaign to retake Mosul is a success, it would not only be a massive military defeat for IS but more importantly it would be massive blow to its ideological stance. Mosul symbolises the heart of the caliphate for the group and removing this would mark the beginning of the end for a group who is already struggling for survival. The group is no longer the powerhouse that it once appeared and is in fact struggling not only to gain support but to keep the support in place that it currently has. |
| The international community needs to be extremely careful in how it approaches this campaign, keeping in mind that this is not just a fight for territory, but also a fight for the hearts and minds of those who are the most fragile – the citizens of Iraq. In order for this to be a success there cannot be a repeat of the debacle that followed the 2003 invasion where the US-led coalition were essentially understaffed and unplanned for the scope of instability that would emerge across Iraq. For IS this would almost certainly be the hardest blow and would make it almost impossible for them to continue their propaganda campaign built around their creation of the caliphate. | The international community needs to be extremely careful in how it approaches this campaign, keeping in mind that this is not just a fight for territory, but also a fight for the hearts and minds of those who are the most fragile – the citizens of Iraq. In order for this to be a success there cannot be a repeat of the debacle that followed the 2003 invasion where the US-led coalition were essentially understaffed and unplanned for the scope of instability that would emerge across Iraq. For IS this would almost certainly be the hardest blow and would make it almost impossible for them to continue their propaganda campaign built around their creation of the caliphate. |
| If Mosul were to be retaken by the allied coalition, a desperate IS may increase its levels of suicide attacks and other such methods to try to show its strength, but in reality the group is already weakened and has made little real ground in the last year. If anything they have been pushed back to levels not seen since its rapid emergence in 2014. It may be the beginning of the end for IS as we know them. | If Mosul were to be retaken by the allied coalition, a desperate IS may increase its levels of suicide attacks and other such methods to try to show its strength, but in reality the group is already weakened and has made little real ground in the last year. If anything they have been pushed back to levels not seen since its rapid emergence in 2014. It may be the beginning of the end for IS as we know them. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.02pm BST | at 1.02pm BST |
| 11.41am BST | 11.41am BST |
| 11:41 | 11:41 |
| Smoke is rising over Mosul from the artillery and mortar fire and airstrikes from the US-led coalition backing Iraqi and irregular forces’ assault. As these pictures show, the battle is intensifying for control of the city. | Smoke is rising over Mosul from the artillery and mortar fire and airstrikes from the US-led coalition backing Iraqi and irregular forces’ assault. As these pictures show, the battle is intensifying for control of the city. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.00pm BST | at 1.00pm BST |
| 11.23am BST | 11.23am BST |
| 11:23 | 11:23 |
| The assault on Mosul may cause up to 100,000 Iraqis to flee to Syria and Turkey, the UN refugee agency warned. | The assault on Mosul may cause up to 100,000 Iraqis to flee to Syria and Turkey, the UN refugee agency warned. |
| The UNHCR has issued an appeal for an additional $61m (£50m) for Mosul-related humanitarian work in Iraq, Syria and Turkey following the attack on the city. It says the money will be spent on tents, camps, heating stoves and other “winter items”, Reuters reports. | The UNHCR has issued an appeal for an additional $61m (£50m) for Mosul-related humanitarian work in Iraq, Syria and Turkey following the attack on the city. It says the money will be spent on tents, camps, heating stoves and other “winter items”, Reuters reports. |
| Meanwhile, Numan Kurtulmuş, Turkey’s deputy prime minister, has said his country is ready for the hundreds of thousands who may flee because of fighting although, he added, there will be no influx of refugees if the operation is run correctly. | Meanwhile, Numan Kurtulmuş, Turkey’s deputy prime minister, has said his country is ready for the hundreds of thousands who may flee because of fighting although, he added, there will be no influx of refugees if the operation is run correctly. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.37am BST | at 11.37am BST |
| 10.57am BST | 10.57am BST |
| 10:57 | 10:57 |
| The Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said Iraqi demands that Turkey stay out of the battle for Mosul are “out of the question”. | The Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said Iraqi demands that Turkey stay out of the battle for Mosul are “out of the question”. |
| #BREAKING Erdogan says 'out of question' for Turkey to stay out of Mosul operation | #BREAKING Erdogan says 'out of question' for Turkey to stay out of Mosul operation |
| Reuters earlier reported that 1,500 irregulars trained by Turkish forces at a base in northern Iraq were due to join the advance on Iraq’s second-biggest city, which has been in Islamic State hands for two years. | Reuters earlier reported that 1,500 irregulars trained by Turkish forces at a base in northern Iraq were due to join the advance on Iraq’s second-biggest city, which has been in Islamic State hands for two years. |
| The agency later posted a brief report saying that Turkey’s deputy prime minister, Numan Kurtulmuş, had revealed that 3,000 Turkish-trained forces were taking part in the operation. | The agency later posted a brief report saying that Turkey’s deputy prime minister, Numan Kurtulmuş, had revealed that 3,000 Turkish-trained forces were taking part in the operation. |
| The deployment of Turkish soldiers in Iraqi territory had led to tensions between the two governments, with Baghdad saying the soldiers are violating Iraq’s sovereignty and demanding they leave the country, a call Ankara has ignored. | The deployment of Turkish soldiers in Iraqi territory had led to tensions between the two governments, with Baghdad saying the soldiers are violating Iraq’s sovereignty and demanding they leave the country, a call Ankara has ignored. |
| A source told Reuters that the Turkish-trained force is comprised of Shias, Yazidis and Christians, as well as Turkmen fighters. Their presence could cause friction with Kurdish fighters, since Turkey regards its domestic Kurdish separatist groups as terrorists. | A source told Reuters that the Turkish-trained force is comprised of Shias, Yazidis and Christians, as well as Turkmen fighters. Their presence could cause friction with Kurdish fighters, since Turkey regards its domestic Kurdish separatist groups as terrorists. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.57pm BST | at 12.57pm BST |