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| Battle for Mosul: Isis city under attack from Iraqi and Kurdish forces – live news | Battle for Mosul: Isis city under attack from Iraqi and Kurdish forces – live news |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.48pm BST | |
| 19:48 | |
| What we know so far | |
| 7.30pm BST | |
| 19:30 | |
| The Pentagon spokesman elaborates a bit on efforts to alert Mosul residents about the dangers of the mission, noting leaflets, radio broadcasts and a television broadcast earlier today by prime minister Haider al-Abadi. | |
| The instructions are meant to “make [residents] as aware as possible of the dangers they face, and they’re not insignificant, of course,” Cook says. | |
| A reporter asks about the spat between Ankara and Baghdad over the presence of Turkish forces in Iraq to fight Isis. | |
| “Our advice to the Iraqis as to the Turks is to sit down and discuss” their disagreements, Cook says. “Forces operating in Iraq, international forces, need to be there at the consent of the Iraqi government.” | |
| He says it’s at the discretion of al-Abadi’s government to decide whether other groups, such as Shia militias – who with Sunni militias sowed chaos during Iraq’s brutal, post-invasion civil war – will take part in the fight. A Mosul city councilman told the Guardian earlier on Monday that he and his colleagues had urged al-Abadi not to let Shia militias join the fight for fear of sectarian violence. | |
| With that, the briefing concludes. | |
| 7.20pm BST | |
| 19:20 | |
| Cook calls the assessment of Mosul over the last two years “pretty abysmal” under Isis, and that although the coalition is worried about the humanitarian situation, “the goal first of all is to remove Isil”. | |
| He says that the coalition plans to drop seven million leaflets in Mosul over the next 48 hours to try to educate the residents of the city for how they stay safe or, if possible, escape Mosul. | |
| “Certainly there has been resistance from Isil,” Cook says, alluding to footage of artillery, small arms combat and explosions circulating online. “This is a big fight with multiple locations so fighting may be more intense in some locations than others.” | |
| A reporter asks about the simultaneous campaign in Syria, and Cook says the Pentagon is optimistic: “We think Isil is on the run, both in Syria and Iraq, and that’s a good thing.” | |
| Another asks about whether the US intends to send special forces on the ground to assist Turkish troops who’ve had recent successes in Syria. “You know me better,” Cook replies, “than for me to tell you where US special forces are going anywhere in the world.” | |
| My colleague Julian Borger, in attendance at the briefing, asks about the leaflets being dropped for residents of Mosul. | |
| “These leaflets make clear that help is on the way,” Cook says. “There may be some specific guidance as to the safest place to be in your homes if there’s air strikes or artillery or if teh fight comes to be in your neighborhood.” | |
| He says that “in certain parts of the city” are being warned to stay in their homes, “because they may be safer in that context than trying to flee the city.” | |
| 7.09pm BST | 7.09pm BST |
| 19:09 | 19:09 |
| “Most American forces are not anywhere close to the front line,” Cook says, but he concedes that many remain in danger near Mosul and elsewhere in Iraq. | “Most American forces are not anywhere close to the front line,” Cook says, but he concedes that many remain in danger near Mosul and elsewhere in Iraq. |
| “We are crystal clear that Americans are in harm’s way in Iraq, but they are not in a lead role.” | “We are crystal clear that Americans are in harm’s way in Iraq, but they are not in a lead role.” |
| The Pentagon spokesman says that Isis has had two years to prepare for this campaign by setting traps in and around Mosul, “to plant IEDs to do what the y can to make life more difficult for the Iraqi security forces, certainly to make life more difficult for the people of Isil.” | The Pentagon spokesman says that Isis has had two years to prepare for this campaign by setting traps in and around Mosul, “to plant IEDs to do what the y can to make life more difficult for the Iraqi security forces, certainly to make life more difficult for the people of Isil.” |
| He calls Isis “an enemy with a substantial ability to make life much more difficult.” | He calls Isis “an enemy with a substantial ability to make life much more difficult.” |
| Cook is again asked about Iraqi progress in the campaign. “This is the biggest military operation we’ve had in Iraq by the Iraqi forces,” Cook says. “Plenty of Americans have contributed to getting Iraqi forces into this position.” | Cook is again asked about Iraqi progress in the campaign. “This is the biggest military operation we’ve had in Iraq by the Iraqi forces,” Cook says. “Plenty of Americans have contributed to getting Iraqi forces into this position.” |
| “By midday they had achieved roughly what they had intended to do. It’s day one, it’s early, but this had kicked off certainly the way the Iraqis had hoped,” he says. “Day one, so far, has gone according to plan.” | “By midday they had achieved roughly what they had intended to do. It’s day one, it’s early, but this had kicked off certainly the way the Iraqis had hoped,” he says. “Day one, so far, has gone according to plan.” |
| He’s asked whether there’s an indication that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis, might be in Mosul. | He’s asked whether there’s an indication that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis, might be in Mosul. |
| “I don’t have any information at this time,” Cook says. | “I don’t have any information at this time,” Cook says. |
| 7.00pm BST | 7.00pm BST |
| 19:00 | 19:00 |
| “There are Americans on the outskirts of the city,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook tells reporters, “but I’m not going to get into the disposition of every single American”. | |
| He declines to get into any specifics about the movements or positions of various forces. “I can’t speak to the movement of every single Iraqi brigade or every single American.” | He declines to get into any specifics about the movements or positions of various forces. “I can’t speak to the movement of every single Iraqi brigade or every single American.” |
| “There was a plan for Americans to provide that advisory role as they have through the course of this,” he says. “It is too soon to say at this point where these movements will go, where these Americans will go in this advisory capacity. | |
| “But what is important is that it will be the Iraqis in the lead.” He says Americans “are behind the forward line of troops, and they are providing the same sort of advice and assistance in Iraq as they were previously”. | |
| Cook is asked about the plan for if and when Isis militants are ousted from Mosul, but declines to get into specifics. “We do have concerns about the humanitarian situation,” and he says simply that the US has been coordinating with Baghdad and the UN. | |
| Updated | |
| at 7.49pm BST | |
| 6.54pm BST | 6.54pm BST |
| 18:54 | 18:54 |
| Pentagon: Iraqi forces are ahead of schedule | Pentagon: Iraqi forces are ahead of schedule |
| Peter Cook, a spokesman for the Pentagon, is holding a press conference about military operations in Iraq and Syria. | Peter Cook, a spokesman for the Pentagon, is holding a press conference about military operations in Iraq and Syria. |
| He begins by hailing “significant progress in northern Syria”, noting that Turkish and Syrian rebel forces have taken six villages, including Dabiq, the town that plays a key role in Isis’s apocalyptic mythology. Their propaganda magazine is named after the town, Cook notes. | |
| He thanks Turkish forces for their cooperation, in particular, and moves on to the campaign on Mosul. | He thanks Turkish forces for their cooperation, in particular, and moves on to the campaign on Mosul. |
| The operation began at 6am Baghdad time, Cook says. “On the first day of what we assume will be a difficult campaign that will [take] some time,” he continues. He can say that Iraqi and Kurdish forces “have met their objectives so far and that they are ahead of schedule”. | The operation began at 6am Baghdad time, Cook says. “On the first day of what we assume will be a difficult campaign that will [take] some time,” he continues. He can say that Iraqi and Kurdish forces “have met their objectives so far and that they are ahead of schedule”. |
| “The enemy gets a vote here,” he warns, noting the very early stage of the campaign. “We will see whether Isil stands and fights.” | “The enemy gets a vote here,” he warns, noting the very early stage of the campaign. “We will see whether Isil stands and fights.” |
| “We’re on day one here,” he says. | “We’re on day one here,” he says. |
| He explains a bit about US involvement in the campaign, saying there are about 5,000 American military personnel in Iraq, “many of those people are in enabler roles, they may be trainers”, and that there are “a number of people providing logistical support”. Earlier on Monday a general acknowledged that there are JTACs, the elite units that guide airstrikes from the ground. | |
| Cook says any target on the ground would be screened by both American and Iraqi commanders. “We are not doing anything in this fight without the consent and approval of the Iraqi government.” | |
| “We’re going to be deferring to the Iraqis because this is their fight,” Cook says. He says that in the last month the US-led coalition has launched more than 10,000 strikes, including more than 70 in and around Mosul. | “We’re going to be deferring to the Iraqis because this is their fight,” Cook says. He says that in the last month the US-led coalition has launched more than 10,000 strikes, including more than 70 in and around Mosul. |
| He also notes that Mosul, like Dabiq, has a symbolic role to Isis: it is where the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, announced a “caliphate”, and the city had a diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-faith population of a million people before Isis took control. | He also notes that Mosul, like Dabiq, has a symbolic role to Isis: it is where the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, announced a “caliphate”, and the city had a diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-faith population of a million people before Isis took control. |
| Pentagon's Spokesman Peter Cook says Apache helicopters not used in #Mosul so far. | Pentagon's Spokesman Peter Cook says Apache helicopters not used in #Mosul so far. |
| Updated | |
| at 7.47pm BST | |
| 6.32pm BST | 6.32pm BST |
| 18:32 | 18:32 |
| IEDs slow Kurdish advance | IEDs slow Kurdish advance |
| AP reports that as columns of armoured vehicles have moved towards Mosul, Kurdish forces have captured several small, mostly unpopulated villages to the east of the city. | AP reports that as columns of armoured vehicles have moved towards Mosul, Kurdish forces have captured several small, mostly unpopulated villages to the east of the city. |
| But their progress was slowed by roadside bombs left behind by the militants, and IS unleashed a series of suicide car and truck bomb attacks, one of which struck a Kurdish tank. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties from that incident or fighting elsewhere. | But their progress was slowed by roadside bombs left behind by the militants, and IS unleashed a series of suicide car and truck bomb attacks, one of which struck a Kurdish tank. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties from that incident or fighting elsewhere. |
| An estimated 25,000 to 30,000 troops are involved in the offensive, including Iraqi military forces, Kurdish peshmerga and Sunni tribal forces. Reuters reported that helicopters and explosions could be heard near the city’s eastern front, and that an estimated 4,000 to 8,000 Isis militants are thought to be in Mosul. | An estimated 25,000 to 30,000 troops are involved in the offensive, including Iraqi military forces, Kurdish peshmerga and Sunni tribal forces. Reuters reported that helicopters and explosions could be heard near the city’s eastern front, and that an estimated 4,000 to 8,000 Isis militants are thought to be in Mosul. |
| “Daesh are using motorcycles for their patrols to evade air detection, with pillion passengers using binoculars to check out buildings and streets,” Abu Maher, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State, told the news agency. | “Daesh are using motorcycles for their patrols to evade air detection, with pillion passengers using binoculars to check out buildings and streets,” Abu Maher, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State, told the news agency. |
| Reuters and AP both report that aid groups fear a crisis for civilians trapped or trying to flee the city. “Civilians who attempt to escape the city will have little choice but to take their lives into their own hands and pray that they are able to avoid snipers, landmines, booby traps and other explosives,” Aleksandar Milutinovic, the International Rescue Committee’s Iraq Director, told AP. | Reuters and AP both report that aid groups fear a crisis for civilians trapped or trying to flee the city. “Civilians who attempt to escape the city will have little choice but to take their lives into their own hands and pray that they are able to avoid snipers, landmines, booby traps and other explosives,” Aleksandar Milutinovic, the International Rescue Committee’s Iraq Director, told AP. |
| “We set up a fortified room in the house by putting sandbags to block the only window and we removed everything dangerous or flammable,” Abu Maher said. “I spent almost all my money on buying food, baby milk and anything we might need.” | “We set up a fortified room in the house by putting sandbags to block the only window and we removed everything dangerous or flammable,” Abu Maher said. “I spent almost all my money on buying food, baby milk and anything we might need.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.05pm BST | at 7.05pm BST |
| 6.10pm BST | 6.10pm BST |
| 18:10 | 18:10 |
| Khalaf al-Hadidi, a member of Mosul’s city council who now lives in Erbil, the Kurdish stronghold, has told my colleague Mona Mahmood that the council is doing what it can to help the military operation with a plan to help displaced civilians – and to convince those civilians that they should help the Iraqi army by reporting human rights violations. | Khalaf al-Hadidi, a member of Mosul’s city council who now lives in Erbil, the Kurdish stronghold, has told my colleague Mona Mahmood that the council is doing what it can to help the military operation with a plan to help displaced civilians – and to convince those civilians that they should help the Iraqi army by reporting human rights violations. |
| “We have also set up an emergency plan to deal with any abnormal circumstances up till the Iraqi forces get into Mosul,” he said. | “We have also set up an emergency plan to deal with any abnormal circumstances up till the Iraqi forces get into Mosul,” he said. |
| Mosul’s city council has 15 members, he said, “and we are all working now with the military forces to provide them with logistical information of sensitive places in Mosul, and how to avoid targeting heavily populated areas during the battle against Isis. | Mosul’s city council has 15 members, he said, “and we are all working now with the military forces to provide them with logistical information of sensitive places in Mosul, and how to avoid targeting heavily populated areas during the battle against Isis. |
| I live in Erbil but I went today to al-Qader district near the town of al-Hamdaniya, the backward lines of the military operations. The visit was meant to find out whether there are any civilians fleeing the city. We have prepared a camp of more than 6,000 tents for locals who might get stuck during the battle. We also asked the military forces to provide us with some information to guide the besieged civilians on how to flee the city through safe routes. | I live in Erbil but I went today to al-Qader district near the town of al-Hamdaniya, the backward lines of the military operations. The visit was meant to find out whether there are any civilians fleeing the city. We have prepared a camp of more than 6,000 tents for locals who might get stuck during the battle. We also asked the military forces to provide us with some information to guide the besieged civilians on how to flee the city through safe routes. |
| However, I learnt that the military forces are urging the civilians to stay at their homes because they have put a sealed security plan, which entails careful targeting of Isis sites to try to avoid harming civilians and their possessions. | However, I learnt that the military forces are urging the civilians to stay at their homes because they have put a sealed security plan, which entails careful targeting of Isis sites to try to avoid harming civilians and their possessions. |
| I left Mosul the day Isis took over the city two years ago, because I’m a member of the city council and they were chasing all Mosul politicians and key men to kill them for collaborating with the Iraqi government. I was a headmaster of a secondary school in Mosul before I joined the council. | I left Mosul the day Isis took over the city two years ago, because I’m a member of the city council and they were chasing all Mosul politicians and key men to kill them for collaborating with the Iraqi government. I was a headmaster of a secondary school in Mosul before I joined the council. |
| Hadidi added that the council adopted a decision, which it passed to the Iraqi government, to reject the participation of Shia militias in the mission to retake Mosul. “We do not want to go back to the time of sectarian war and killing civilians. The involvement of Shia militias would have hurt morale. | Hadidi added that the council adopted a decision, which it passed to the Iraqi government, to reject the participation of Shia militias in the mission to retake Mosul. “We do not want to go back to the time of sectarian war and killing civilians. The involvement of Shia militias would have hurt morale. |
| “Today the prime minister confirmed that no Shia militia would take part in the fight. I haven’t seen any of them today, only peshmerga and the Iraqi army.” | “Today the prime minister confirmed that no Shia militia would take part in the fight. I haven’t seen any of them today, only peshmerga and the Iraqi army.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.02pm BST | at 7.02pm BST |
| 5.47pm BST | 5.47pm BST |
| 17:47 | 17:47 |
| Elite special forces units from the US are playing a major role in the battle for Mosul, my national security editor Spencer Ackerman reports, noting that the fight is the first in a long string of “advisory” operations that US officials have openly acknowledged. | Elite special forces units from the US are playing a major role in the battle for Mosul, my national security editor Spencer Ackerman reports, noting that the fight is the first in a long string of “advisory” operations that US officials have openly acknowledged. |
| In a statement on Monday morning, the American general in charge of the coalition’s war in Iraq and Syria, Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, openly acknowledged the presence of “forward air controllers” among the US “advisory” contributions to the battle. | In a statement on Monday morning, the American general in charge of the coalition’s war in Iraq and Syria, Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, openly acknowledged the presence of “forward air controllers” among the US “advisory” contributions to the battle. |
| Those controllers, known as joint terminal air controllers, or JTACs, and drawn from US special operations forces, are the troops on the ground who spot for airstrikes, in an attempt to ensure greater accuracy of aerial bombardment. Their presence indicates that US troops, while not formally in a combat role, are on the frontlines and willing to use substantial airpower on Iraq’s second city. | Those controllers, known as joint terminal air controllers, or JTACs, and drawn from US special operations forces, are the troops on the ground who spot for airstrikes, in an attempt to ensure greater accuracy of aerial bombardment. Their presence indicates that US troops, while not formally in a combat role, are on the frontlines and willing to use substantial airpower on Iraq’s second city. |
| The US command’s acknowledgment of their presence is a departure from previous battles in two years’ worth of war against Isis. Members of Congress have criticised the Pentagon for relaying airstrike spotting through coordination cells far from the fight, including in an operations centre in the Iraqi Kurdish capital of Erbil. | The US command’s acknowledgment of their presence is a departure from previous battles in two years’ worth of war against Isis. Members of Congress have criticised the Pentagon for relaying airstrike spotting through coordination cells far from the fight, including in an operations centre in the Iraqi Kurdish capital of Erbil. |
| Having US troops spotting airstrikes is both the latest departure from Barack Obama’s pledge against having “boots on the ground” and an effort at ensuring greater specificity and lethality against Isis targets in the city. | Having US troops spotting airstrikes is both the latest departure from Barack Obama’s pledge against having “boots on the ground” and an effort at ensuring greater specificity and lethality against Isis targets in the city. |
| “JTACs are the difference between precision bombing and area bombing,” said Christopher Harmer, a former US Navy pilot who said their presence indicated the US is willing to “incur casualties” in Mosul. | “JTACs are the difference between precision bombing and area bombing,” said Christopher Harmer, a former US Navy pilot who said their presence indicated the US is willing to “incur casualties” in Mosul. |
| “With JTACs, you can select individual targets in real time and accurately strike them. Without JTACs, you can only bomb a general area and hope for success.” | “With JTACs, you can select individual targets in real time and accurately strike them. Without JTACs, you can only bomb a general area and hope for success.” |
| The UK and France are also believed to have their own special forces involved in retaking Mosul. Earlier this month, two French special operations forces training peshmerga were seriously injured by abooby-trapped Isis drone that exploded after crashing near them in Dohuk, 46 miles (75km) north of the city. | The UK and France are also believed to have their own special forces involved in retaking Mosul. Earlier this month, two French special operations forces training peshmerga were seriously injured by abooby-trapped Isis drone that exploded after crashing near them in Dohuk, 46 miles (75km) north of the city. |
| While it is unclear what specifically the UK and French contributions to the battle are, it is believed British special forces will also aid in calling in airstrikes. France has sent approximately 150 troops to operate four 155mm Caeser howitzers as part of its Task Force Wagram. The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, carrying 24 Rafale combat planes, is also in the eastern Mediterranean to support the war. | While it is unclear what specifically the UK and French contributions to the battle are, it is believed British special forces will also aid in calling in airstrikes. France has sent approximately 150 troops to operate four 155mm Caeser howitzers as part of its Task Force Wagram. The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, carrying 24 Rafale combat planes, is also in the eastern Mediterranean to support the war. |
| As the long-anticipated battle began on Monday, US warplanes launched substantial bombing runs on positions around Mosul. The US reported attacking three units of Isis fighters, two staging areas for their operations, 12 Isis rally points and even a bridge. Six tunnel entrances, an anti-artillery system, four generators powering communications-signal towers and four mortar systems were destroyed, according to the US military. | As the long-anticipated battle began on Monday, US warplanes launched substantial bombing runs on positions around Mosul. The US reported attacking three units of Isis fighters, two staging areas for their operations, 12 Isis rally points and even a bridge. Six tunnel entrances, an anti-artillery system, four generators powering communications-signal towers and four mortar systems were destroyed, according to the US military. |
| In a sign that the coalition is bracing for a gruelling campaign, Townsend said the fight was likely to last “weeks, possibly longer”. | In a sign that the coalition is bracing for a gruelling campaign, Townsend said the fight was likely to last “weeks, possibly longer”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.57pm BST | at 6.57pm BST |
| 3.49pm BST | 3.49pm BST |
| 15:49 | 15:49 |
| Fawaz Ali, an engineer from Mosul, who now lives in Turkey, told my colleague Mona Mahmood that his family remaining in the Iraqi city are afraid they may face repercussions from the Shia militias fighting to oust Islamic State. He said: | Fawaz Ali, an engineer from Mosul, who now lives in Turkey, told my colleague Mona Mahmood that his family remaining in the Iraqi city are afraid they may face repercussions from the Shia militias fighting to oust Islamic State. He said: |
| My family contacted me yesterday to say: ‘Look, we can’t call you any more, all mobiles are monitored by Isis. We just want to let you know that we are OK and Mosul centre is quiet. All the people are staying indoors in fear of bombardment by US jets against the city.’ | My family contacted me yesterday to say: ‘Look, we can’t call you any more, all mobiles are monitored by Isis. We just want to let you know that we are OK and Mosul centre is quiet. All the people are staying indoors in fear of bombardment by US jets against the city.’ |
| I cannot go to work here in Istanbul because I’m so worried about my family and uncles. I feel like I’m paralysed and tied to the internet waiting for any glimpse of good news, but I can’t find any relatives or friends from Mosul to talk to, they have all switched off their mobiles because if you want to make a phone call, you have to go upstairs to get a network and you might be spotted by Isis militants. | I cannot go to work here in Istanbul because I’m so worried about my family and uncles. I feel like I’m paralysed and tied to the internet waiting for any glimpse of good news, but I can’t find any relatives or friends from Mosul to talk to, they have all switched off their mobiles because if you want to make a phone call, you have to go upstairs to get a network and you might be spotted by Isis militants. |
| People are scared of the aftermath of Mosul liberation and that the result would be Shia militia and Iraqi army taking the city, who would start to detain people although they are innocent, accusing them of being Isis supporters … The locals believe that peshmerga is better than Shia militia because they are not sectarian. | People are scared of the aftermath of Mosul liberation and that the result would be Shia militia and Iraqi army taking the city, who would start to detain people although they are innocent, accusing them of being Isis supporters … The locals believe that peshmerga is better than Shia militia because they are not sectarian. |
| I won’t go back to Mosul if it is taken by Shia militia or the Iraqi army to be detained just because I’m Sunni. It is going to be a real disaster to have Shia militia who want to get revenge for Imam Hussein. Neither Isis nor Shia militia are good, they are both pure vice. | I won’t go back to Mosul if it is taken by Shia militia or the Iraqi army to be detained just because I’m Sunni. It is going to be a real disaster to have Shia militia who want to get revenge for Imam Hussein. Neither Isis nor Shia militia are good, they are both pure vice. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.57pm BST | at 5.57pm BST |
| 3.36pm BST | 3.36pm BST |
| 15:36 | 15:36 |
| Ranj Alaaldin, a Middle East scholar at the London School of Economics, writes on Comment is Free that victory over Islamic State will not solve Iraq’s problems: | Ranj Alaaldin, a Middle East scholar at the London School of Economics, writes on Comment is Free that victory over Islamic State will not solve Iraq’s problems: |
| Arab Sunni tribal groups are expected to do most of the fighting in the city itself but these groups have their own rivalries and do not necessarily have support and legitimacy among locals in Mosul, particularly since they receive support and training from rival political factions in Iraq and external powers that are widely disdained by locals … | Arab Sunni tribal groups are expected to do most of the fighting in the city itself but these groups have their own rivalries and do not necessarily have support and legitimacy among locals in Mosul, particularly since they receive support and training from rival political factions in Iraq and external powers that are widely disdained by locals … |
| The conditions that gave rise to Isis in the first place are still there and have been exacerbated, rather than alleviated, over the past two years since the jihadis took control of Mosul in 2014. While President Obama clearly does not want Isis (or rather the “caliphate”) to outlive his presidency, there are no guarantees the US and the international community will continue their support and help to remedy these shortcomings, as well as mediate between rival factions. | The conditions that gave rise to Isis in the first place are still there and have been exacerbated, rather than alleviated, over the past two years since the jihadis took control of Mosul in 2014. While President Obama clearly does not want Isis (or rather the “caliphate”) to outlive his presidency, there are no guarantees the US and the international community will continue their support and help to remedy these shortcomings, as well as mediate between rival factions. |
| In the short and medium term, Isis will continue to commit terrorist atrocities such as the July bombing in Karrada that killed close to 300 people, and it still has its apparatus in Syria as a launching pad for attacks and atrocities elsewhere. This latest offensive on Mosul won’t change that – and without substantial investment for rebuilding it’s unlikely to help Iraq become a more peaceful, stable country. | In the short and medium term, Isis will continue to commit terrorist atrocities such as the July bombing in Karrada that killed close to 300 people, and it still has its apparatus in Syria as a launching pad for attacks and atrocities elsewhere. This latest offensive on Mosul won’t change that – and without substantial investment for rebuilding it’s unlikely to help Iraq become a more peaceful, stable country. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.55pm BST | at 5.55pm BST |
| 3.25pm BST | 3.25pm BST |
| 15:25 | 15:25 |
| Unlike with previous Iraqi-led attacks on Islamic State strongholds, the US has said its troops are on the frontlines. | Unlike with previous Iraqi-led attacks on Islamic State strongholds, the US has said its troops are on the frontlines. |
| In a statement, Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, the commander of the coalition taskforce, included forward air controllers among the US personnel “supporting” the invasion of Mosul. | In a statement, Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, the commander of the coalition taskforce, included forward air controllers among the US personnel “supporting” the invasion of Mosul. |
| The US is therefore acknowledging it has put people on the frontlines in order to ensure greater precision for aerial bombing in a densely populated urban area. | The US is therefore acknowledging it has put people on the frontlines in order to ensure greater precision for aerial bombing in a densely populated urban area. |
| The absence of spotters in Iraq and Syria, known by their military acronym JTACs, has been a frequent object of criticism for the Pentagon in Congress. | The absence of spotters in Iraq and Syria, known by their military acronym JTACs, has been a frequent object of criticism for the Pentagon in Congress. |
| Townsend also prepared the public for “weeks, possibly longer” of battle. | Townsend also prepared the public for “weeks, possibly longer” of battle. |
| He said: | He said: |
| Earlier today, Iraqi security forces launched their counterattack to liberate Mosul from Isil, also known as Daesh. This operation to regain control of Iraq’s second-largest city will likely continue for weeks, possibly longer. Iraq is supported by a wide range of coalition capabilities, including air support, artillery, intelligence, advisers and forward air controllers. But to be clear, the thousands of ground combat forces who will liberate Mosul are all Iraqis. | Earlier today, Iraqi security forces launched their counterattack to liberate Mosul from Isil, also known as Daesh. This operation to regain control of Iraq’s second-largest city will likely continue for weeks, possibly longer. Iraq is supported by a wide range of coalition capabilities, including air support, artillery, intelligence, advisers and forward air controllers. But to be clear, the thousands of ground combat forces who will liberate Mosul are all Iraqis. |
| This liberation battle comes after more than two years of Daesh oppression in Mosul, during which they committed horrible atrocities, brutalised the people and asserted the city was one of their twin capitals. Isil’s cruelty and reach has shown that they are not just a threat in Iraq and Syria, but to the region and the entire world. | This liberation battle comes after more than two years of Daesh oppression in Mosul, during which they committed horrible atrocities, brutalised the people and asserted the city was one of their twin capitals. Isil’s cruelty and reach has shown that they are not just a threat in Iraq and Syria, but to the region and the entire world. |
| Over the course of these past two years, a coalition of more than 60 nations has united to defeat Isil. We have conducted tens of thousands of precision strikes to support Iraqi operations, trained and equipped more than 54,000 Iraqi forces, and supported our Iraqi partners as they fought to liberate their country. | Over the course of these past two years, a coalition of more than 60 nations has united to defeat Isil. We have conducted tens of thousands of precision strikes to support Iraqi operations, trained and equipped more than 54,000 Iraqi forces, and supported our Iraqi partners as they fought to liberate their country. |
| As we provide our support, we will continue to use precision to accurately attack the enemy and to minimise any impact on innocent civilians. We can’t predict how long it will take for the Iraqi security forces to defeat Daesh in Mosul; but we know they will succeed – just as they did in Bayji, in Ramadi, in Falluja and, more recently, in Qayyarah and Sharqat. | As we provide our support, we will continue to use precision to accurately attack the enemy and to minimise any impact on innocent civilians. We can’t predict how long it will take for the Iraqi security forces to defeat Daesh in Mosul; but we know they will succeed – just as they did in Bayji, in Ramadi, in Falluja and, more recently, in Qayyarah and Sharqat. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.53pm BST | at 5.53pm BST |
| 2.53pm BST | 2.53pm BST |
| 14:53 | 14:53 |
| The success of the Mosul attack will constitute the almost complete reversal of Islamic State’s blitzkrieg advance in 2014, which brought under its control the lives of millions of people in the heart of the Middle East. | The success of the Mosul attack will constitute the almost complete reversal of Islamic State’s blitzkrieg advance in 2014, which brought under its control the lives of millions of people in the heart of the Middle East. |
| My colleague, Jason Burke, has been addressing the question of what this could mean in the longer term. He writes: | My colleague, Jason Burke, has been addressing the question of what this could mean in the longer term. He writes: |
| Mosul is of profound significance to both Kurds and Arabs, and to Sunni and Shia Muslims. Its recapture may widen faultlines between these communities, rather than heal them. Iraq’s Sunni minority have long felt alienated by the country’s Shia-led government in Baghdad, and it is Shia-dominated government forces who will reoccupy the city. | Mosul is of profound significance to both Kurds and Arabs, and to Sunni and Shia Muslims. Its recapture may widen faultlines between these communities, rather than heal them. Iraq’s Sunni minority have long felt alienated by the country’s Shia-led government in Baghdad, and it is Shia-dominated government forces who will reoccupy the city. |
| The defeat of Isis as a territorial power would dramatically rearrange the bloodstained three-dimensional chessboard of the Syrian civil war too. It could potentially benefit the regime of Bashar al-Assad, or other rival Islamic militant groups there, such as the major al-Qaida-linked faction now known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham. This is a conflict where unforeseen consequences have long been the rule, not the exception. | The defeat of Isis as a territorial power would dramatically rearrange the bloodstained three-dimensional chessboard of the Syrian civil war too. It could potentially benefit the regime of Bashar al-Assad, or other rival Islamic militant groups there, such as the major al-Qaida-linked faction now known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham. This is a conflict where unforeseen consequences have long been the rule, not the exception. |
| The most intense discussions have been about the threat an Isis without territory may pose to the west. Many analysts and officials predict a spike in attacks, particularly in Europe. Some of these, analysts predict, will be carried out by trained and commissioned extremists which the group will unleash as it is forced out of its final redoubts. Others will be by individuals who will return to European nations from the Syrian or Iraqi battlefields seeking revenge and, possibly, martyrdom. Then there may be some “freelance” attacks, by angry sympathisers. | The most intense discussions have been about the threat an Isis without territory may pose to the west. Many analysts and officials predict a spike in attacks, particularly in Europe. Some of these, analysts predict, will be carried out by trained and commissioned extremists which the group will unleash as it is forced out of its final redoubts. Others will be by individuals who will return to European nations from the Syrian or Iraqi battlefields seeking revenge and, possibly, martyrdom. Then there may be some “freelance” attacks, by angry sympathisers. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.51pm BST | at 5.51pm BST |
| 2.39pm BST | 2.39pm BST |
| 14:39 | 14:39 |
| Shia militias will turn Mosul into a bloodbath, Saudis warn | Shia militias will turn Mosul into a bloodbath, Saudis warn |
| The Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, says Mosul will turn into a bloodbath and mass killings if the Iraqi government allows Shia militias to enter the city, as it has in other Iraqi cities liberated from Islamic State control. In a rare press conference in London he said: | The Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, says Mosul will turn into a bloodbath and mass killings if the Iraqi government allows Shia militias to enter the city, as it has in other Iraqi cities liberated from Islamic State control. In a rare press conference in London he said: |
| We oppose any kind of involvement by the Shia militias. When they went into Falluja they committed mass atrocities, including a mass grave of 400 people. We tracked what happened on the internet and the amount of traffic for extremist websites and recruitment shot up by 150%. | We oppose any kind of involvement by the Shia militias. When they went into Falluja they committed mass atrocities, including a mass grave of 400 people. We tracked what happened on the internet and the amount of traffic for extremist websites and recruitment shot up by 150%. |
| If they go into Mosul which is many times larger than Falluja I would expect the negative reaction will be tremendous and if there are mass killings, it could end up being a bonanza for violent extremists, and recruitment for Daesh. It could add fuel to the sectarian fires raging in the region and so we have urged the Iraqi government not to use the Shia militias. That is the greatest danger that we see. We actually told them to disband them, and yet they have not. They are being managed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. They are brutal. | If they go into Mosul which is many times larger than Falluja I would expect the negative reaction will be tremendous and if there are mass killings, it could end up being a bonanza for violent extremists, and recruitment for Daesh. It could add fuel to the sectarian fires raging in the region and so we have urged the Iraqi government not to use the Shia militias. That is the greatest danger that we see. We actually told them to disband them, and yet they have not. They are being managed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. They are brutal. |
| He added that although there had been reassurances from the Iraqi government about the deployment of Shia militias, he was not sure the Iraqi government was fully in control. He said the Iranians played a role, the Revolutionary Guards played a role, and sometimes the militias acted independently of the government. He said he supported the attack on Mosul, adding: “We support any objective which is to destroy al-Qaida absolutely.” | He added that although there had been reassurances from the Iraqi government about the deployment of Shia militias, he was not sure the Iraqi government was fully in control. He said the Iranians played a role, the Revolutionary Guards played a role, and sometimes the militias acted independently of the government. He said he supported the attack on Mosul, adding: “We support any objective which is to destroy al-Qaida absolutely.” |
| But he did not propose the Saudis should play a role in the reconstruction of Mosul if it is liberated. He said: | But he did not propose the Saudis should play a role in the reconstruction of Mosul if it is liberated. He said: |
| I think the Iraqis have the second largest oil reserves in the world. | I think the Iraqis have the second largest oil reserves in the world. |
| There are a number of tribes that extend from Saudi Arabia into Iraq so a lot of Iraqis have kinsmen in Saudi Arabia so our history is intertwined, and so is our future, but we have to get off this sectarian track. | There are a number of tribes that extend from Saudi Arabia into Iraq so a lot of Iraqis have kinsmen in Saudi Arabia so our history is intertwined, and so is our future, but we have to get off this sectarian track. |
| The Iraqis need to find a way to have a more incredible government – they found a way in 2014 when they removed Maliki. | The Iraqis need to find a way to have a more incredible government – they found a way in 2014 when they removed Maliki. |
| Jubier said that if the Daesh were forced out of Mosul, they were likely to go on to Syria, adding its president, Bashar al-Assad, would allow them to grow. | Jubier said that if the Daesh were forced out of Mosul, they were likely to go on to Syria, adding its president, Bashar al-Assad, would allow them to grow. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.06pm BST | at 3.06pm BST |
| 2.30pm BST | 2.30pm BST |
| 14:30 | 14:30 |
| Mona Mahmood | Mona Mahmood |
| My colleague, Mona Mahmood, has conducted a second interview with Iraqis affected by the battle for Mosul. Abu Firas, a father of five, is a secondary schoolteacher from Telafer in Mosul. He recently fled Mosul and now lives in Sulaimaniya. | My colleague, Mona Mahmood, has conducted a second interview with Iraqis affected by the battle for Mosul. Abu Firas, a father of five, is a secondary schoolteacher from Telafer in Mosul. He recently fled Mosul and now lives in Sulaimaniya. |
| I’m in Sulaimaniya, counting the days to get back home. It has been a real hardship since I left Mosul seven months ago and fled to Turkey with my family. I stayed in Turkey for 15 days and then returned to Sulaimaniya as I could not cope with expensive life in Turkey. It was so hard to stay in Telafer after Isis militants took over of Mosul. I’m a government employee and did not get a salary for more than a year and a half – how can I feed my five kids? | I’m in Sulaimaniya, counting the days to get back home. It has been a real hardship since I left Mosul seven months ago and fled to Turkey with my family. I stayed in Turkey for 15 days and then returned to Sulaimaniya as I could not cope with expensive life in Turkey. It was so hard to stay in Telafer after Isis militants took over of Mosul. I’m a government employee and did not get a salary for more than a year and a half – how can I feed my five kids? |
| If I had stayed in Mosul my family would have died, there was no work, no freedom, no life. The strict rules of Isis were a nightmare that I challenge any human being to be able to accept them. | If I had stayed in Mosul my family would have died, there was no work, no freedom, no life. The strict rules of Isis were a nightmare that I challenge any human being to be able to accept them. |
| I still have three brothers in Mosul with their families, they said that the battle is still at the suburbs of Mosul. They could not flee because they could not afford the cost of traveling to Turkey. Besides it is very risky, if Isis militants get hold of any one fleeing, they will execute him immediately. I paid more than $2,000 to flee with the help of a smuggler who took us to Syria and then to Turkey. | I still have three brothers in Mosul with their families, they said that the battle is still at the suburbs of Mosul. They could not flee because they could not afford the cost of traveling to Turkey. Besides it is very risky, if Isis militants get hold of any one fleeing, they will execute him immediately. I paid more than $2,000 to flee with the help of a smuggler who took us to Syria and then to Turkey. |
| When Isis first came, they said they came just to change the situation for the interest of Mosul civilians who suffered a great deal of injustice from the Iraqi army. Something that made all the people happy to have them and look at them as saviours from the devil, but it turned that was not right and they began to impose their hardline Islamic doctrine on people. They made our life a complete hell. | When Isis first came, they said they came just to change the situation for the interest of Mosul civilians who suffered a great deal of injustice from the Iraqi army. Something that made all the people happy to have them and look at them as saviours from the devil, but it turned that was not right and they began to impose their hardline Islamic doctrine on people. They made our life a complete hell. |
| When I had to flee I could not take anything with me and thought it was better to let my neighbour stay in my house. At least he would guard it and Isis would not confiscate it. I will get back to Mosul as soon as it is liberated. Only God knows how long the battle will last because Isis won’t give up easily. They have been reinforcing their forces to be ready for the attack. They will not hand over Mosul easily, which is one of their main fortresses in Iraq. | When I had to flee I could not take anything with me and thought it was better to let my neighbour stay in my house. At least he would guard it and Isis would not confiscate it. I will get back to Mosul as soon as it is liberated. Only God knows how long the battle will last because Isis won’t give up easily. They have been reinforcing their forces to be ready for the attack. They will not hand over Mosul easily, which is one of their main fortresses in Iraq. |
| I will get back to my home, even if Shia militia take the city as they did in other Sunni-liberated areas in Iraq. I do not care any more, I prefer to die in my home and not to be a refugee. I will never repeat this mistake again. | I will get back to my home, even if Shia militia take the city as they did in other Sunni-liberated areas in Iraq. I do not care any more, I prefer to die in my home and not to be a refugee. I will never repeat this mistake again. |
| I live with my sister in Sulaimaniyia now and we are really struggling to provide the daily basics for the kids. I have run out of all my savings and am borrowing money from sister all the time. | I live with my sister in Sulaimaniyia now and we are really struggling to provide the daily basics for the kids. I have run out of all my savings and am borrowing money from sister all the time. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.04pm BST | at 3.04pm BST |