Iraqi forces bear down on the village of Lazaaqah on the outskirts of Mosul on Feb. 19. Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times Iraqi forces bear down on the village of Lazaaqah on the outskirts of Mosul on Feb. 19. Iraqi forces bear down on the village of Lazaaqah on the outskirts of Mosul on Feb. 19. Although this skeleton force of Islamic State fighters would offer little more than token resistance, Mhanni said, it would nevertheless be hard to advance. U.S. pilots say the airspace above western Mosul is thick with aircraft.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 19, 2017 22:30 UTC