Iraqi forces deploy in the area of al-Shourah, some 45 kms south of Mosul, as they advance towards the city to retake it from the Islamic State. The US-led coalition against Islamic State said it is backing the campaign with airstrikes, artillery, intelligence and advisers. “We will soon meet at Mosul to celebrate the victory and will all stand together to punish Islamic State,” Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, wearing a military uniform, said on state television. US secretary of defence Ashton Carter said in a statement that the offensive is “a decisive moment” in the campaign to deliver Islamic State a lasting defeat. Islamic State dug trenches and rigged roads and buildings with explosives ahead of the expected offensive.

Source: Mint October 17, 2016 11:42 UTC