Backed by the US-led coalition, Iraq launched the operation to retake Mosul from Islamic State militants in October. The loss of Mosul would mark a major defeat for the Islamic State, which has suffered a series of major setbacks over the past year. Islamic State militants seized Mosul in the summer of 2014 when they swept across northern and central Iraq. Much of the Old City and surrounding areas have been devastated by the gruelling urban combat. On Sunday, a line of weary civilians walked out of the Old City, past the shells of destroyed apartment blocks lining the cratered roads.

Source: Bangkok Post July 09, 2017 18:00 UTC