Battle to retake Mosul from IS begins

An Iraqi operation to recapture the city of Mosul, the last stronghold of the so-called Islamic State (IS) in the country, has started.

Artillery began firing on the city early on Monday, in a long-awaited assault from Kurdish Peshmerga, Iraqi government and allied forces.

Tanks are now moving towards the city, which has been held by IS since 2014.

The UN has expressed “extreme concern” for the safety of up to 1.5 million people in the area.

The BBC’s Orla Guerin, who is with Kurdish forces east of Mosul, says tanks are advancing on the city, kicking up clouds of dust.

As the operation began, one Kurdish general said: “If I am killed today I will die happy because I have done something for my people.”

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The recapture of the city, officials say, would mark the effective defeat of IS in Iraq.

The start of the operation was announced by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in an televised address in the early hours of Monday (local time), “The hour of victory has come,” he said.

“Today I declare the start of the heroic operations to liberate you from Daesh,” he said, using another name for IS.

“God willing we will meet in Mosul to celebrate the liberation and your salvation from Isis (IS) so we can live together once again, all religions united and together we shall defeat Daesh to rebuild this dear city of Mosul.”

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Surrounded by senior Iraqi officers, he vowed that only government forces would enter Mosul, a Sunni-majority city.

This, analysts said, was an attempt to counter fears that the operation could turn into a sectarian conflict.

US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter described it as “a decisive moment” in the campaign to deliver IS “a lasting defeat”. But he added that it would be a “difficult fight”.

It was from Mosul that IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate – a state governed in accordance with Islamic law – in territory controlled by the group in Iraq and Syria.

The operation to retake the city, capital of the northern Nineveh governorate, has been planned for months, and analysts say it could last for weeks, if not months.

Image copyright ORLA GUERIN/BBC

Thousands of pro-government forces have gathered at an airbase in the strategic town of Qayyarah, about 60km (37 miles) south of Mosul, which was recaptured in August.

Thousands of pro-government forces have gathered at an airbase in the strategic town of Qayyarah, about 60km (37 miles) south of Mosul, which was recaptured in August.

Thousands of leaflets have been dropped warning residents that the offensive was imminent.

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How will battle unfold? By Michael Knights, Washington Institute for Near East Policy

What can be said with certainty is that the liberation of Mosul will be a multi-phased operation.

First the logistical base for the operation must be established at Qayyarah airbase. This is also the collecting point for the Iraqi forces that will liberate Mosul.

The next phase will be a multi-pronged advance on the outskirts of Mosul. This phase will unfold in fits and spurts: one day 10 miles will be gained easily, another day there will be tough fighting at an IS strongpoint or a pause to bring up supplies.

During November and December the main battle will likely begin. But for the Iraqi and coalition forces the issue of civilians will be a tricky factor.

Read more here

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The UN under-secretary for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, asked for civilians to be protected and be given access to assistance “they are entitled to and deserve”.

“I am extremely concerned for the safety of up to 1.5 million people living in Mosul who may be impacted,” he said in statement.