A member Iraq’s elite counterterrorism forces raises an Iraqi flag after retaking Bartella, outside Mosul, Iraq, Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. Iraqi and Kurdish forces backed by a U.S.-led coalition launched a multi-pronged assault this week to retake Mosul and surrounding areas from Islamic State militants. A local TV reporter was killed by a sniper while covering the clashes in the city of Kirkuk, which were still raging after sundown. Kirkuk is some 170 kilometers (100 miles) from the Islamic State-held city of Mosul, where Iraqi forces have been waging a wide-scale offensive since Monday. CLERIC SAYS PROTECT CIVILIANSIraq’s top Shiite cleric called on forces taking part in the Mosul offensive to protect civilians, and for residents of Mosul, a mainly Sunni city, to cooperate with security forces.

Source: Washington Post October 21, 2016 19:18 UTC