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Battle for Mosul: The story so far Battle for Mosul: The story so far
(about 14 hours later)
A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) is under way, forcing tens of 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 tens of thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes.
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. The offensive was launched on 17 October, more than two years after jihadists overran the city before seizing control of much of northern and western Iraq.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. The offensive was 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.The operation is expected to take weeks, if not months.
In the first two weeks of the operation, Iraqi forces advanced rapidly from the east and south-east, seizing outlying towns and villages despite strong resistance.In the first two weeks of the operation, Iraqi forces advanced rapidly from the east and south-east, seizing outlying towns and villages despite strong resistance.
But progress slowed as troops got closer to Mosul, with snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire targeting them. Bad weather has also hampered their advance, with poor visibility limiting the ability of aircraft to provide cover.But progress slowed as troops got closer to Mosul, with snipers, suicide bombers and shellfire targeting them. Bad weather has also hampered their advance, with poor visibility limiting the ability of aircraft to provide cover.
Forces advancing from the north and south have still not entered the city.Forces advancing from the north and south have still not entered the city.
Territory held around Mosul, 17 NovemberTerritory held around Mosul, 17 November
The UN has meanwhile expressed concern for the safety of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in Mosul.The UN has meanwhile expressed concern for the safety of the estimated 1.5 million civilians living in Mosul.
In areas retaken by Iraqi forces, families are going hungry due to lost livelihoods, disrupted food production and supply, it said. Schools and medical facilities have also been damaged.In areas retaken by Iraqi forces, families are going hungry due to lost livelihoods, disrupted food production and supply, it said. Schools and medical facilities have also been damaged.
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 lossTerritory loss
According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began, however gains have slowed in recent days.According to analysis by IHS Conflict Monitor, IS fighters have been losing territory since the offensive began, however gains have slowed in recent days.
As Iraqi forces close in on the city, satellite images have revealed how IS fighters have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the northern Iraqi city.As Iraqi forces close in on the city, satellite images have revealed how IS fighters 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.
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 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 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
Further imagery released by Stratfor also shows how IS has destroyed much of the city's airport in preparation for the expected arrival of Iraqi government forces.Further imagery released by Stratfor also shows how IS has destroyed much of the city's airport in preparation for the expected arrival of Iraqi government forces.
The imagery, also from 31 October, shows how almost all the buildings at the airport, on the southern outskirts of Mosul, have been razed.The imagery, also from 31 October, shows how almost all the buildings at the airport, on the southern outskirts of Mosul, have been razed.
Mosul airportMosul airport
Runways have also been damaged, with wide trenches carved into them and rubble placed along their lengths, Stratfor's analysis says.Runways have also been damaged, with wide trenches carved into them and rubble placed along their lengths, Stratfor's analysis says.
The images also show how coalition airstrikes, aimed at destroying key IS positions and assets, have caused some damage to Mosul's sugar factory - a facility kept in action by the militants.The images also show how coalition airstrikes, aimed at destroying key IS positions and assets, have caused some damage to Mosul's sugar factory - a facility kept in action by the militants.
Humanitarian crisisHumanitarian crisis
More than 58,000 people have so far fled their homes in and around Mosul, but the UN has warned many more could be affected by the military operations. More than 59,000 people have so far fled their homes in and around Mosul, but the UN has warned many more 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 still being built to the south, east and north of Mosul for the people leaving. Two of the biggest camps are to the east of the city, at Khazer and Hasansham.Camps are still being built to the south, east and north of Mosul for the people leaving. Two of the biggest camps are to the east of the city, at Khazer and Hasansham.
The UN says it has plans to house up to 105,000 people.The UN says it has plans to house up to 105,000 people.