But Iraqi forces — who do not have the same kind of battlefield support, particularly high-quality medical care — have been far more risk-averse and deliberate in their operations. The United States military is poised to influence the battle in potentially decisive ways. PhotoA key question is who will secure the city once the Islamic State is driven out. Nor does the United States want Iraq to keep its largely Shiite army inside the city any longer than it needs to. Of the two million people who resided in Mosul before it was seized by the Islamic State, aid organizations estimate that about 1.2 million remain.

Source: New York Times October 07, 2016 09:00 UTC