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Battle for Mosul: The story so far Battle for Mosul: The story so far
(about 17 hours later)
A long-awaited military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city of 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 of 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 Arab tribesmen and Shia 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 Arab tribesmen and Shia 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, Iraqi forces advanced rapidly from the east and south-east, seizing outlying towns and villages despite strong resistance.In the first two weeks, 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.
To the west, Shia-dominated Popular Mobilisation paramilitary forces have been advancing towards Tal Afar, another IS stronghold.To the west, Shia-dominated Popular Mobilisation paramilitary forces have been advancing towards Tal Afar, another IS stronghold.
Contradictory reports mean it is difficult to know exactly how much territory has been regained since the offensive began.Contradictory reports mean it is difficult to know exactly how much territory has been regained since the offensive began.
The maps shown here are based on expert analysis from two different sources, the Institute for the Study of War and IHS Conflict Monitor.The maps shown here are based on expert analysis from two different sources, the Institute for the Study of War and IHS Conflict Monitor.
Territory held around Mosul, 28 NovemberTerritory held around Mosul, 28 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, including 1,120 civilians, were killed in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in October 2016. In Nineveh province, where Mosul is situated, 566 were killed.The UN says 1,792 people, including 1,120 civilians, were killed in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in October 2016. In Nineveh province, where Mosul is situated, 566 were killed.
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 Mosul, satellite images have revealed extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure and archaeological sites.As Iraqi forces close in on Mosul, satellite images have revealed extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure and archaeological sites.
The imagery, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor and taken on 31 October, shows how the jihadists have destroyed mosques, government buildings and historical areas.The imagery, released by US geopolitical intelligence company Stratfor and taken on 31 October, shows how the jihadists have destroyed mosques, government buildings and historical areas.
Nineveh province administration buildingNineveh province administration building
The Nineveh provincial administration building, which served as IS's municipal headquarters, has been flattened by explosives.The Nineveh provincial administration building, which served as IS's municipal headquarters, has been flattened by explosives.
Further imagery released by Stratfor has also revealed how the jihadists have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the city.Further imagery released by Stratfor has also revealed how the jihadists have constructed multiple barricades across key routes into the city.
IS barricades in southern MosulIS barricades in southern Mosul
The barriers 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.The barriers 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.
IS fighters have also destroyed much of the city's airport in preparation for the expected arrival of Iraqi government forces, the images reveal.IS fighters have also destroyed much of the city's airport in preparation for the expected arrival of Iraqi government forces, the images reveal.
Mosul airportMosul airport
Buildings have been razed and runways have been damaged, with wide trenches carved into them and rubble placed along their lengths, Stratfor's analysis says.Buildings have been razed and runways have 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 70,000 people have now fled their homes in and around Mosul and UN officials are warning this figure is likely to rise as the Iraqi-led forces press further into the city.More than 70,000 people have now fled their homes in and around Mosul and UN officials are warning this figure is likely to rise as the Iraqi-led forces press further into the city.
In a worst-case scenario, the crisis could displace up to one million people, the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says, and 700,000 could need emergency shelter.In a worst-case scenario, the crisis could displace up to one million people, the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says, and 700,000 could need emergency shelter.
Battle for Mosul: The story so far
Two of the biggest camps have been built to the east of Mosul. They are Hasansham, which is already full, and Khazer, which is expected to reach full capacity within days.Two of the biggest camps have been built to the east of Mosul. They are Hasansham, which is already full, and Khazer, which is expected to reach full capacity within days.
The UN says food, water and medical aid are also being delivered to vulnerable families living in newly-recaptured town and villages, which have been experiencing severe shortages of supplies.The UN says food, water and medical aid are also being delivered to vulnerable families living in newly-recaptured town and villages, which have been experiencing severe shortages of supplies.