Battle for Mosul begins

**~~Profileid~~** · 10-17-2016, 03:34 AM

The offensive to liberate Mosul from ISIS control has begun, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a televised statement early Monday.

"Our dearest people in Nineveh province, the victory bell has rung, and the operations to liberate Mosul have begun," he said. "I am announcing today the beginning of these heroic operations to liberate you from the brutality and terrorism of ISIS. God willing, we will meet soon on the ground of Mosul where we will all celebrate the liberation and your freedom."
Only forces with the Iraqi army and National Police will enter the city "and no others," the Prime Minister said.
Fighting with them are the Popular Mobilization Units, largely Shiite paramilitary forces that include Sunnis, Christians and other ethnic and religious groups. The units released a statement shortly after Monday's offensive began saying they were targeting ISIS tunnels and trenches south of Mosul with highly destructive thermobaric missiles.
Defeating ISIS in Mosul would represent a major victory for the Abadi government, as it struggles to boost its credibility, prove its military prowess and end the terrorist group's territorial dominance in Iraq's oil-rich north.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/16/middle...raq/index.html

**~~Profileid~~** · 10-17-2016, 03:36 AM

https://twitter.com/CNN/status/787807507452399616

**~~Profileid~~** · 10-17-2016, 03:37 AM

https://twitter.com/Defense_Iraq/sta...18089601724416

**~~Profileid~~** · 10-17-2016, 03:42 AM

https://twitter.com/IraqiSecurity/st...31616492175360

**~~The.Mask~~** · 10-17-2016, 04:01 AM

Who is gonna control the city the Irakians or the Kurds?

**Óttar** · 10-17-2016, 04:03 AM

Give the power back to Assad, give the Kurds autonomy and get the f_ out of there already.

**~~Profileid~~** · 10-17-2016, 04:03 AM

The Iraqi Air Force dropped thousands of leaflets over Mosul on Saturday night to warn residents of a looming offensive on the ISIS-held city.

"It's victory time," blares a headline on the newspaper-style leaflets, quoting Iraqi President Haider al-Abadi in remarks directed at Mosul's residents. "Time to celebrate a clean Iraq without 'Daesh' (ISIS) or any dark belief."
Another headline reads, "We are preparing to take action to free Mosul and regain security and stability in the region."
The four-page leaflets tell residents that coalition forces are making advances on Iraq's second-largest city and that no one should panic. Residents are asked to stay away from certain parts of the city, avoid ISIS positions, remain in their homes and seal their windows and doors. A phone number for Mosul residents to report ISIS activity is included.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/15/middle...ons/index.html