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Mosul battle: US defence chief Ash Carter makes surprise visit to Iraq Mosul battle: US defence chief Ash Carter makes surprise visit to Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
The US defence secretary has arrived on an unannounced visit to Iraq to assess the progress of the offensive against so-called Islamic State (IS) in Mosul.The US defence secretary has arrived on an unannounced visit to Iraq to assess the progress of the offensive against so-called Islamic State (IS) in Mosul.
Ash Carter comes fresh from meetings with Turkish leaders in Ankara aimed at allowing Turkey to play a part in the Mosul operation despite Iraqi concerns.Ash Carter comes fresh from meetings with Turkish leaders in Ankara aimed at allowing Turkey to play a part in the Mosul operation despite Iraqi concerns.
He has overseen a steady increase in US troop numbers in Iraq this year.He has overseen a steady increase in US troop numbers in Iraq this year.
Iraqi forces began a new attempt to recapture the town of Qaraqosh near Mosul on Saturday. Iraqi forces have entered the town of Qaraqosh, 32km (20 miles) south of Mosul, commanders say.
The town, which was formerly known for its large Christian population, is said to be largely empty but IS has mined the approaches to Mosul. Qaraqosh, Iraq's largest Christian town before the war, is said to be largely empty but IS has mined the approaches to Mosul.
The militants have also been attacking with multiple suicide bombers, each driving a vehicle laden with explosives at high speed towards government lines. The militants have been attacking with suicide bombers elsewhere, driving vehicles laden with explosives at high speed towards government lines.
Friday's IS attack on the city of Kirkuk, 170km (105 miles) to the south-east, now appears to be over, leaving at least 35 people dead and 120 wounded, according to medical sources. Friday's IS attack on the city of Kirkuk, 170km (105 miles) south-east of Mosul, now appears to be over, leaving at least 35 people dead and 120 wounded, according to medical sources.
Is the IS group finished?Is the IS group finished?
Voices from Mosul as battle nearsVoices from Mosul as battle nears
Dodging ghosts of IS in the desertDodging ghosts of IS in the desert
Turkish issueTurkish issue
Mr Carter, on his third trip to Iraq in a year, is due to meet Iraqi leaders and military commanders. Mr Carter, on his third trip to the country in a year, is due to meet Iraqi leaders and military commanders.
More than 4,800 US soldiers are in Iraq and at least 100 US special operations personnel are operating with Iraqi units.More than 4,800 US soldiers are in Iraq and at least 100 US special operations personnel are operating with Iraqi units.
The offensive against Mosul, which began on Monday, is a two-pronged operation, with Iraqi government forces attacking from the south and Kurdish fighters advancing from the east.The offensive against Mosul, which began on Monday, is a two-pronged operation, with Iraqi government forces attacking from the south and Kurdish fighters advancing from the east.
Differences between Iraq and Turkey have come to the fore since hundreds of Turkish soldiers began training Sunni Muslim fighters at a base in northern Iraq last year.Differences between Iraq and Turkey have come to the fore since hundreds of Turkish soldiers began training Sunni Muslim fighters at a base in northern Iraq last year.
The Sunni Turks fear the liberation of Mosul may be spearheaded by Shia Muslims and Kurds. Turkey says Kurdish fighters in Syria and Iraq have ties to the Kurdish militant PKK in Turkey.The Sunni Turks fear the liberation of Mosul may be spearheaded by Shia Muslims and Kurds. Turkey says Kurdish fighters in Syria and Iraq have ties to the Kurdish militant PKK in Turkey.
The presence of the Turkish military has also drawn protests among radical Shia in Baghdad.The presence of the Turkish military has also drawn protests among radical Shia in Baghdad.
Advance continues
Reports on Tuesday that Qaraqosh had been liberated caused an outpouring of joy among Christians who had fled to Kurdish areas when IS swept into Mosul in June 2014.
But the reports turned out to be premature as snipers impeded the progress of government forces.
In another development, US military officials said smoke from a sulphur plant set on fire by IS was creating a potential breathing hazard for troops based at Qayyarah air field, south of Mosul.
Concern for the fate of civilians in Mosul increased on Friday after reports that IS was herding villagers into the city, possibly to use them as human shields.Concern for the fate of civilians in Mosul increased on Friday after reports that IS was herding villagers into the city, possibly to use them as human shields.
The UN is also investigating reports 40 people were shot dead by IS fighters in one village.The UN is also investigating reports 40 people were shot dead by IS fighters in one village.