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Battle for Mosul: The story so far Battle for Mosul: The story so far
(1 day later)
A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) is under way, forcing thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes.A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) is under way, forcing thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes.
About 50,000 Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Muslim Arab tribesmen and Shia Muslim militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, are involved in the operation, launched on 17 October, more than two years after jihadists overran the city before seizing control of much of northern and western Iraq.About 50,000 Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Muslim Arab tribesmen and Shia Muslim militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, are involved in the operation, launched on 17 October, more than two years after jihadists overran the city before seizing control of much of northern and western Iraq.
The operation is expected to take weeks, if not months. By 1 November, Iraqi forces had reached the eastern outskirts of Mosul, where they encountered fierce resistance.The operation is expected to take weeks, if not months. By 1 November, Iraqi forces had reached the eastern outskirts of Mosul, where they encountered fierce resistance.
In the first days of the operation, Iraqi army units moved towards the city from Qayyarah airbase, in the south, and the town of Kuwayr, in the south-east, taking back several villages. The Peshmerga also captured a string of villages near Khazer, to the east.In the first days of the operation, Iraqi army units moved towards the city from Qayyarah airbase, in the south, and the town of Kuwayr, in the south-east, taking back several villages. The Peshmerga also captured a string of villages near Khazer, to the east.
But progress slowed as troops got closer to Mosul, with snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire targeting them. IS also launched counter-attacks elsewhere in Iraq, most notably in the Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk on 21 October.But progress slowed as troops got closer to Mosul, with snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire targeting them. IS also launched counter-attacks elsewhere in Iraq, most notably in the Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk on 21 October.
On 7 November, Peshmerga fighters recaptured Bashiqa, north-east of Mosul, after besieging the town for two weeks. Army units also took full control of the last major town south of Mosul, Hamam al-Alil, and discovered a mass grave at its agricultural college.On 7 November, Peshmerga fighters recaptured Bashiqa, north-east of Mosul, after besieging the town for two weeks. Army units also took full control of the last major town south of Mosul, Hamam al-Alil, and discovered a mass grave at its agricultural college.
The UN has meanwhile expressed expressed concern for the safety of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in Mosul.The UN has meanwhile expressed expressed concern for the safety of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in Mosul.
It has also received credible reports of IS militants forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes in areas around the city, apparently to use them as human shields.It has also received credible reports of IS militants forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes in areas around the city, apparently to use them as human shields.
Hundreds of civilians, many of them former Iraqi Security Forces personnel and police officers, have also allegedly been summarily killed in a number of incidents.Hundreds of civilians, many of them former Iraqi Security Forces personnel and police officers, have also allegedly been summarily killed in a number of incidents.
Amnesty International has also said there is evidence that some pro-government Sunni tribal fighters have carried out reprisal attacks on men and boys suspected of links to IS.Amnesty International has also said there is evidence that some pro-government Sunni tribal fighters have carried out reprisal attacks on men and boys suspected of links to IS.
The UN says 1,792 people were killed in October, 1,120 of them civilians.The UN says 1,792 people were killed in October, 1,120 of them civilians.
Territory held around Mosul, 8 NovemberTerritory held around Mosul, 8 November
According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began.According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began.
Satellite images of Mosul have revealed how fighters from so-called Islamic State have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the northern Iraqi city.Satellite images of Mosul have revealed how fighters from so-called Islamic State have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the northern Iraqi city.
The imagery, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor and taken on 31 October, shows a defensive line built across the city's southern edge.The imagery, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor and taken on 31 October, shows a defensive line built across the city's southern edge.
The jihadists have also destroyed a number of buildings south of their positions around Mosul airport to enable them to observe advancing government forces, Stratfor says.The jihadists have also destroyed a number of buildings south of their positions around Mosul airport to enable them to observe advancing government forces, Stratfor says.
IS barricades in southern MosulIS barricades in southern Mosul
The barricades constructed across key routes into the city have been made out of concrete blocks and other rubble, Stratfor's analysis says, possibly from the concrete walls of destroyed buildings.The barricades constructed across key routes into the city have been made out of concrete blocks and other rubble, Stratfor's analysis says, possibly from the concrete walls of destroyed buildings.
In other areas, the militants have stockpiled materials ready to block roads as the battle nears.In other areas, the militants have stockpiled materials ready to block roads as the battle nears.
West of Highway 1, MosulWest of Highway 1, Mosul
In the first days of the offensive, troops steadily advanced along Highway 2, a key road to the east of Mosul, according to Stratfor.In the first days of the offensive, troops steadily advanced along Highway 2, a key road to the east of Mosul, according to Stratfor.
Imagery released by analysts on 19 October gave an idea of what the advancing forces faced.Imagery released by analysts on 19 October gave an idea of what the advancing forces faced.
Highway 2, east of MosulHighway 2, east of Mosul
Stratfor said the images showed militants had also erected temporary barriers along Highway 2, which connects Mosul with the Kurdish city of Irbil, in an effort to prevent vehicles passing.Stratfor said the images showed militants had also erected temporary barriers along Highway 2, which connects Mosul with the Kurdish city of Irbil, in an effort to prevent vehicles passing.
Some of the barriers appeared to be constructed from tyres. In certain locations, the tyres were set on fire to reduce visibility and impede air operations.Some of the barriers appeared to be constructed from tyres. In certain locations, the tyres were set on fire to reduce visibility and impede air operations.
Humanitarian crisisHumanitarian crisis
More than 34,000 people have so far fled their homes in and around Mosul, but the UN has warned up to 1.5 million people could be affected by the military operations. More than 41,000 people have so far fled their homes in and around Mosul, but the UN has warned up to 1.5 million people could be affected by the military operations.
At its worst, the crisis could displace up to 1 million people, the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says, and 700,000 may need emergency shelter.At its worst, the crisis could displace up to 1 million people, the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says, and 700,000 may need emergency shelter.
Camps are being built in the south, east and north of Mosul in preparation for the flood of people leaving.Camps are being built in the south, east and north of Mosul in preparation for the flood of people leaving.
The UN says it has already set up seven camps, ready to receive up to 55,000 people. More sites being constructed will house a further 450,000. The precise locations of the camps are not being revealed for security reasons.The UN says it has already set up seven camps, ready to receive up to 55,000 people. More sites being constructed will house a further 450,000. The precise locations of the camps are not being revealed for security reasons.