October 2016 - Iraq Special Weapons News

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DOD 31 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
Iraqi forces battle their way into Daesh-held city of Mosul + drone footage Press TV 31 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces have entered the Daesh-held city of Mosul for the first time since major operations began to liberate the Takfiri terrorists' stronghold in Iraq.
Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 31 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Pentagon Hails Progress, Momentum in Mosul Fight AFPS 31 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi security forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are making progress as they push toward Mosul in the effort to liberate the city from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Pentagon's press secretary said today.
Ankara Wants to Begin Liberation of Syrian Raqqa Once Mosul Free - Deputy PM Sputnik 31 Oct 2016 -- Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said that the operation to liberate Syrian Raqqa from the Daesh terrorists should take place after the end of Turkish Euphrates Shield operation in northern Syria and operation to liberate Iraqi Mosul from the Daesh.
Iraq opens new frontlines in Mosul operations Press TV 31 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces have launched an offensive to advance toward the eastern borders of the city of Mosul from three new axes.
Iraqi Forces Liberate Mosul Suburb Bazwaya, Several Nearby Villages Sputnik 31 Oct 2016 -- Anti-terrorist Iraqi units liberated Bazwaya, a suburb of Mosul, and several nearby villages from the Daesh terrorists, according to Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah.
Peshmerga Forced to Create Special Unit to Deal with Daesh Mines in Mosul Sputnik 31 Oct 2016 -- On Monday, coalition forces resumed their offensive against Daesh in the jihadi-held city of Mosul following a weekend pause. Speaking to Sputnik, Peshmerga demining unit commander Lokman Serafettin warned that the coalition has discovered a new Daesh strategy: the use of mines in civilian areas.
Iraqi Troops Half Mile Away From Daesh-Held Mosul Sputnik 31 Oct 2016 -- Talib Kinany, the head of Iraq's counter-terrorism forces, said that Iraqi troops are between 800 to 900 meters [0.5 mile] away from Mosul.
Iraqi Forces Resume Mosul Offensive Sputnik 31 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi security forces have resumed the offensive against the Daesh terrorist group in Mosul, the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS) said Monday.
Iraqi Forces Nudge Into Mosul as Sectarian, Ethnic Tensions Rise in Northern Iraq VOA 31 Oct 2016 -- The prize is close. In a village just two kilometers from Mosul, the head of Iraq's Special Forces, General Talib Shaghati, held an impromptu news conference with several reporters to announce "good news" for more than a million civilians trapped in the Islamic State's last major urban stronghold in Iraq.
Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 30 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Iraqi forces liberate over 60 villages near Daesh-held Mosul Press TV 30 Oct 2016 -- A high-ranking Iraqi security source says government forces have taken back more than 60 villages from Daesh Takfiri terrorists since the beginning of the massive and multi-pronged offensive to free the northern city of Mosul started nearly a fortnight ago.
Iraq denies US claim of 'pause' in Mosul operations Press TV 30 Oct 2016 -- Iraq has denied a recent claim made by the US-led coalition supposedly targeting Daesh in the Arab country that there was going to be a "pause" in Iraqi military operations to liberate the northern city of Mosul.
Erdogan warns Hashd al-Shaabi over entering Tal Afar Press TV 30 Oct 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey will increase its military presence in town of Silopi located on the border with Iraq, while issuing a warning to Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi forces, also known as Popular Mobilization Forces.
Daesh Terrorists in Mosul Not Receiving Reinforcements From Syria – Iraqi Army Sputnik 30 Oct 2016 -- No reinforcement of Daesh militants arrived in Mosul from the Syrian territory, in contrary, the terrorists are undertaking attempts to escape to Syria, Yahya Rasul Zubaidi, a spokesman for the Iraqi Joint Special Operations Command, said Sunday.
Shiite Militia to Liberate Tal Afar From Daesh Despite Turkey's Objections Sputnik 30 Oct 2016 -- Despite Ankara's warnings, Shiite militia will participate in the liberation of the Iraqi city of Tal Afar with Sunni Turkmen population.
Iraqi Shia Militia Opens Front Against Daesh West of Mosul Sputnik 30 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi Shia militia opened a new front against Daesh terror group west of Mosul, local media reported on Saturday.
Encircling Mosul: Iraqi Shia Militias to Block Daesh Western Flank Sputnik 30 Oct 2016 -- On Friday, Iraqi Shia paramilitary groups announced they will join the ongoing battle for Iraq's Mosul, the largest Daesh stronghold, crucial for crushing the violent extremist group.
Baghdad Bombings Kill 17 People, Wound 60 VOA 30 Oct 2016 -- Five explosions left at least 17 people dead and 60 wounded in Baghdad Sunday, authorities said.
New Mosul-area Desert Camps Start Taking in Fleeing Villagers VOA 30 Oct 2016 -- As Iraqi families speed away from the frontlines of the battle against Islamic State in trucks, the thousands of tents in the desert countryside surrounding Mosul are slowly being occupied by fleeing villagers.
Fears Mount of IS Resorting to Chemical Warfare VOA 30 Oct 2016 -- The sulfur dioxide fire Islamic State militants triggered last week is only the first stage in a plan that will see the extremists resort to chemical warfare in a bid to stave off Iraqi and Kurdish forces from retaking Mosul, the terror group's last major urban stronghold in Iraq, military experts fear.
Counter-ISIL Strikes Target Terrorists in Iraq AFPS 29 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Iraqi forces, allies inch closer to Daesh-controlled Mosul Press TV 29 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi government soldiers, backed by allied fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, have recaptured more areas and villages around the strategic northern city of Mosul in a large-scale offensive aimed at ending the control of Daesh militants there.
Hashd al-Shaabi fighters launch operation west of Mosul Press TV 29 Oct 2016 -- Volunteer fighters from Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units, have begun an offensive to take back Mosul from Daesh terrorists.
Shi'ite Militias Join Battle for Mosul VOA 29 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces advanced into a town south of Mosul Saturday as an Iraqi Shi'ite militia joined the offensive by opening up a new front to the west.
Experts Doubt Many High-level IS Leaders Are Staying in Mosul VOA 28 Oct 2016 -- There is a growing sense that by the time Iraqi forces finish wresting control of the key city of Mosul from Islamic State fighters, few if any of the terror group's top leaders will be there.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 28 Oct 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Col. Dorrian via Teleconference from Bagdad, Iraq DoD 28 Oct 2016 -- Presenters: Colonel John Dorrian, Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman; Captain Jeff Davis, Director, Defense Press Office
Coalition Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Iraq, Syria AFPS 28 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Iraqis Clear Areas Outside Mosul Before Advancing To Liberate City AFPS 28 Oct 2016 -- In the operation to liberate Iraq's second-largest city from the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Iraqi and Kurdish forces continue clearing and back-clearing areas around Mosul before they advance to the city, the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman told reporters today.
Russia to help Iraq stop Daesh militants fleeing Mosul to Syria Press TV 28 Oct 2016 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that Daesh terrorists are leaving the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in droves and heading to neighboring Syria, voicing Moscow's eagerness to work with the Iraqi government to stop the exodus.
Daesh abducts 1000s near Mosul to use them as human shields: UN Press TV 28 Oct 2016 -- Daesh terrorists have abducted tens of thousands of civilians from near Mosul to use them as human shields as government forces inch closer to the city proper in an operation to retake it, the UN says.
UN Decries IS 'Mass Executions, Human Shields' In Mosul RFE/RL 28 Oct 2016 -- The office of UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein has said that militants of the extremist organization Islamic State (IS) have executed at least 232 people in the embattled Iraqi city of Mosul.
Iraqi Forces Discover Daesh-Built Long Tunnel, Bomb Factory in Mosul - Reports Sputnik 28 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi security forces have discovered a 1.8-mile tunnel and a bomb-making facility built by Daesh militants in Mosul, Al Sumaria broadcaster reported citing its sources.
Nearly 8,000 families abducted by ISIL from Mosul vicinity – UN rights office UN News 28 Oct 2016 -- Credible reports suggest that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) has been forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes in sub-districts around Mosul, including nearly 8,000 families the group abducted, since the operations to restore Iraqi Government control over Mosul began on 17 October, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said today.
Thousands of Iraqi Civilians Abducted, Hundreds Executed in Battle for Mosul VOA 28 Oct 2016 -- The U.N. human rights office reports Iraqi civilians are increasingly being used as pawns by Islamic State militants in their battle for Mosul. The agency says it has received credible reports of hundreds of executions, mass abductions, and the use of civilians as human shields.
772 Daesh terrorists killed, 23 captured since start of Mosul operation: Iraq Press TV 27 Oct 2016 -- Iraq's Joint Operations Command (JOC) has announced that more than 700 Takfiri militants have been killed and nearly two dozen others arrested ever since government forces and allied fighters launched a massive operation to dislodge the terrorists from the northern city of Mosul.
Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 27 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Turkey May Strengthen Military Presence in Iraq Due to Increased Daesh Threat Sputnik 27 Oct 2016 -- Turkey is considering the deployment of more troops to the camp in northern Iraqi town of Bashiqa due to increased threat from Daesh terrorist group, if Ankara-Baghdad talks on the camp status come to a deadlock, Turkish media reported, citing government sources.
Iraqi, Kurdish Forces Approaching Outskirts of Mosul AFPS 27 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi and Kurdish forces are about 5 miles from Mosul's outskirts and are clearing towns and villages to the north, east and south of Iraq's second-largest city, Pentagon Press Operations director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.
Peshmerga forces won't enter Iraq's Mosul: Kurdish leader Press TV 27 Oct 2016 -- The leader of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region has assured that Kurdish Peshmerga forces will not set foot in Mosul during a joint operation with the army and allied fighters aimed at liberating the Daesh-held northern city.
Iraqi forces gain more ground in push to retake Mosul Press TV 27 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi government forces have managed to liberate more areas around the northern city of Mosul as part of a massive offensive aimed at retaking the entire city from Takfiri Daesh terrorists.
Daesh executing civilians as Iraqi forces advance Press TV 27 Oct 2016 -- Daesh executes over 230 civilians in Mosul as the battle to liberate the Iraqi city from the Takfiris gains momentum.
Obama Asks Erdogan To Coordinate With U.S., Iraq In Fight Against IS RFE/RL 27 Oct 2016 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has personally intervened in a dispute between Turkey and Iraq involving the battle against the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, asking Turkey's leader to coordinate his actions with both Washington and Baghdad.
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Lt. Gen. Townsend Via Teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 26 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve
Coalition Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Iraq, Syria AFPS 26 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
OIR Commander Cites Momentum in Mosul Push; Raqqa Isolation to Begin 'Soon' AFPS 26 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces continue to make steady progress in the effort to retake Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said today.
Int'l coalition military chiefs vow to intensify fight against IS People's Daily 26 Oct 2016 -- Defense chiefs of international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) during a meeting here on Tuesday vowed to intensify the fight by putting on track a military offensive to retake Reqqa, IS bastion in Syria.
Daesh 'Creatively' Flies Drones for Surveillance, Attacks Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- The commander of the US-led coalition fighting Daesh said the jihadists "make extensive use of drones" for surveillance and attacks.
Rights Group Warns of Mine Threats in Former IS Territory VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Human Rights Watch warned Wednesday of the dangers civilians face from landmines placed by Islamic State fighters as battles continue to recapture control of areas in Syria and Iraq.
Ankara Will Not Abandon Its 'Brothers Turkmens' in Iraq if They Are in Danger Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- Ankara will not abandon its "brothers Turkmens in Tal Afar" in Iraq if their well-being is jeopardized, the Turkish foreign minister said.
More areas retaken from Daesh near Iraq's Mosul Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi government soldiers have liberated more areas around the northern city of Mosul from Daesh terrorists in a massive offensive aimed at retaking the entire city from the extremists.
Some 60 Iraqi Soldiers Killed in Mosul Offensive, 250 Wounded - CENTCOM Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces lost some 60 soldiers in the operation to liberate Mosul from the Daesh, while about 250 others have been wounded, US Central Command commander Gen. Joseph Votel said on Wednesday.
Hope Amid Chaos: Yazidis Waiting to Reunite With Hostages After Mosul Liberation Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- Hundreds of Yazidi hostages are being held captive by Daesh in Mosul, and the Yazidis hope the impending operation there will liberate them, Yezidi representative of the Regional Government of Iraqi Kurdistan Xeyri Bozan told Sputnik Turkiye.
UN Refugee Agency Airlifting Over 7,000 Tents to Assist Displaced in Mosul Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)'s goal is to secure 50,000 tents and 50,000 emergency shelter kits for Iraqi families to provide necessary assistance to the Iraqis displaced due to Mosul operation, according to a press release.
UN aid agencies stepping up assistance for those fleeing Mosul fighting UN News 26 Oct 2016 -- As newly-displaced Iraqis are starting to arrive at camps set up by the United Nations for people fleeing the ongoing military offensive to wrest Mosul from terrorists, the Organization's health and refugee agencies have ramped up their own operations to provide assistance and to respond to what has thus far been a 'moderate' influx.
More Than 10,000 Iraqis Have Fled Mosul Area VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- The International Organization for Migration says more than 10,000 Iraqis have been displaced since the start of an operation to retake the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State militants.
As Some Iraqis Flee Fighting, Others Long for Home VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Fleeing fighting, abandoning their villages, and returning to formerly IS controlled areas, Iraqis are on the move.
US: IS Attacks Elsewhere Have Not Shaken Focus on Mosul VOA 25 Oct 2016 -- Efforts by the Islamic State terror group to draw attention away from the Iraqi-led assault on the key northern city of Mosul are having little if any impact, according to U.S. defense and intelligence officials.
US says Syria, Iraq Campaigns Against IS Will Overlap VOA 25 Oct 2016 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter says that even as Iraqi forces advance on Mosul in Iraq, the coalition fighting Islamic State militants is laying the groundwork for another operation against the group, in its stronghold in nearby Raqqa, Syria.
Counter-ISIL Strikes Target Terrorists in Iraq, Syria AFPS 25 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 25 Oct 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
Noose Tightening Around ISIL in Mosul, Carter Says AFPS 25 Oct 2016 -- The contributions of coalition partners in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant are invaluable, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today at the opening of the counter-ISIL small group defense ministerial at Hexagone Balard, the new French defense ministry building in Paris.
US Air Force Downs Daesh Drone With Electronic Weapon Sputnik 25 Oct 2016 -- On Monday a top-ranking US Air Force official announced that a small enemy drone controlled by Daesh had been downed by an electronic weapon. The weaponized unmanned craft responsible for the death of four civilians.
C-130s fly first mission into renovated airfield in Iraq AFNS 25 Oct 2016 -- The 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flew two C-130J Super Hercules into Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq, Oct. 21, the first coalition aircraft to land on the airfield since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Turkey Considers Ground Operation in Iraq Against Daesh or PKK Sputnik 25 Oct 2016 -- Ankara does not rule out the possibility to launch a ground operation in Iraq if developments there pose a threat to Turkey, the country's foreign minister said.
Turkey says may launch ground operation into Iraq Press TV 25 Oct 2016 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has once again ignored calls for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Iraq, saying Ankara will consider all military options "including ground operations" if security in the Arab country deteriorates.
IS Militant Atrocities Mount Against Mosul Civilians VOA 25 Oct 2016 -- The U.N. human rights office says atrocities against civilians in Mosul by Islamic State militants reportedly are increasing as Iraqi soldiers close in on the embattled northern Iraqi city.
UN: Fresh Reports of Extrajudicial Killings by Islamic State VOA 25 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations said Tuesday it has preliminary reports of extrajudicial killings and summary executions by Islamic State fighters around the northern city of Mosul, including the militants using civilians as human shields.
Iraqi artillery fire now hitting Daesh inside Mosul Press TV 25 Oct 2016 -- With the start of the second week of operations aimed at liberating the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from Daesh, Iraq's top anti-terror commander says military forces have started targeting the terror outfit's positions inside the city with artillery fire.
Turkey says forces in multiple fronts in Mosul operations, Iraq denies Press TV 25 Oct 2016 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu claims Turkey is involved in the operations to liberate Mosul on "multiple fronts" despite Iraq's denial of its involvement.
UN receives reports of executions and use of 'human shields' by ISIL in battle for Mosul UN News 25 Oct 2016 -- As Iraqi Government forces close in on Mosul, the United Nations human rights wing said today that it continues to receive reports of grave violations against civilians, including extrajudicial killings and summary executions, by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) extremists.
Coalition Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Iraq, Syria AFPS 24 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Carter, Inherent Resolve Commander Brief Operations in Iraq, Syria AFPS 24 Oct 2016 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Army Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, updated reporters yesterday on operations in Iraq and Syria during a news conference in Irbil, Iraq.
US Scrambles to Contain Flaring Turkey-Iraq Tensions VOA 24 Oct 2016 -- U.S. officials are scrambling to contain flaring tensions between Ankara and Baghdad after Turkish officials announced their troops Sunday shelled Islamic State positions near the Iraqi city of Mosul - an artillery barrage, the Turks say, requested by Kurdish peshmerga commanders.
In Smoke and Ruins, Iraqi City Celebrates IS Defeat VOA 24 Oct 2016 -- "We can't even wash our hands because there is just barely enough water to drink," says Intisar, leaning on her tin door frame in the city of Qayyarah, Iraq. She is surrounded by her three daughters – their clothes, faces and hands all blackened with oil residue.
Amid Heavy Resistance, Iraqi Forces Make Solid Progress AFPS 24 Oct 2016 -- While Iraqi and Kurdish forces face heavy resistance from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant about 10 miles out from Mosul, Iraq, Pentagon press operations director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today that there continues to be solid progress in the efforts to liberate the city from ISIL control.
Iraqis Taking Ground from ISIL Around Mosul, Officials Say AFPS 24 Oct 2016 -- As of yesterday, Iraqi forces have taken an estimated 800 square kilometers from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in the battle for the city that began Oct. 17, U.S. officials told reporters today at a Pentagon briefing.
Iran rebukes Turkey for violating Iraqi territory under excuse of fight against terror ISNA 24 Oct 2016 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi on Monday rebuked the Turkish government for violating Iraqi territory under excuse of fight against terrorism without permission from Baghdad government.
Iraqi forces recapture more villages around Daesh-held Mosul Press TV 24 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi army soldiers, backed by fighters from pro-government Poplar Mobilization Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, have retaken more villages from Daesh Takfiri terrorists as part of a massive operation to liberate the northern city of Mosul.
Iraqi forces advance toward Mosul Press TV 24 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces are pushing on toward the center of the strategically-important al-Hamdaniya district in the northeast of Iraq's Nineveh Province, as part of operations to liberate the province's capital, Mosul, and its nearby areas from the Daesh terrorist group.
Iraqi Troops, Peshmerga Advance On Three Sides of Mosul RFE/RL 24 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces are poised on three sides of Mosul after a weekend in which they seized villages and towns to the south, east, and north of the Islamic State (IS) stronghold in northern Iraq.
Iraqi Army Kills 772 Daesh Fighters, Frees 74 Villages Week Into Mosul Offensive Sputnik 24 Oct 2016 -- 74 villages were freed and 772 Daesh terrorists were killed during the Iraqi army campaign to retake Mosul, according to official statement.
Iraqi Forces Shell Area East of Mosul VOA 24 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces shelled areas outside of Mosul Monday, as their offensive to retake the country's second-largest city from Islamic State militants entered its second week.
Turkish Artillery, Tanks Support Kurds Taking Part in Mosul Operation Sputnik 23 Oct 2016 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that Turkish artillery and tanks are supporting the northern Iraqi Kurdish forces Peshmerga in the operation to liberate the Iraqi settlement of Bashiqa from the Daesh terrorist group.
Iraq denies Turkish participation in Mosul ops Press TV 23 Oct 2016 -- Iraq's Joint Operations Command has denied a claim by the Turkish prime minister that military forces from his country were participating in operations to retake the northern city of Mosul from the Daesh terrorist group.
Iraqi Special Units Reach Northern Outskirts of Mosul Sputnik 23 Oct 2016 -- Special counterterrorist units of Iraq reached the outskirts of the Qawsyat district, that is the first district that belongs to the northern part of Mosul, according to a military source.
Media Availability with Secretary Carter and Lt. Gen. Townsend at Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq DoD 23 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve
Media Availability with Secretary Carter and General Stephen Townsend in Irbil, Iraq DoD 23 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; General Stephen Townsend, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve
Carter Meets With Iraqi Prime Minister, Addresses Troops in Baghdad AFPS 23 Oct 2016 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi yesterday in Baghdad and spoke with troops there about the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the ongoing military campaign to retake the city of Mosul.
Iraqi Kurds, Turkish Artillery Pound IS Stronghold Near Mosul VOA 23 Oct 2016 -- Kurdish Peshmerga fighters backed by Turkish artillery on Sunday claimed major advances against Islamic State extremists outside Iraq's second largest city, Mosul, at one point claiming to have seized full control of the town of Bashiqa.
Hezbollah fighters to remain in Syria until final victory achieved, Nasrallah says Press TV 23 Oct 2016 -- The secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says the group's fighters will remain in neighboring Syria until they achieve the final victory over foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists and purge the crisis-hit Arab country of extremists.
Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Iraq, Syria AFPS 23 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Top advisor to Daesh ringleader killed in Mosul Press TV 23 Oct 2016 -- The Iraqi air force has killed a top advisor to Daesh's ringleader and second-in-command to the terror group's shadow governor for Mosul, as part of large-scale military operations to liberate the strategic northern city.
US sends extra intelligence analysts to Iraq for ISIL data in Mosul Press TV 23 Oct 2016 -- The US military is sending dozens of additional intelligence analysts to Iraq to sort out a trove of information expected to be recovered from Daesh (ISIL) terrorists in the ongoing Mosul offensive.
Iraqi Forces Advance On Mosul; IS Militants Attack Western Iraqi Town RFE/RL 23 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi and Kurdish forces have advanced toward Mosul as part of an operation to retake the northern city from the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.
Iraqi Army Takes Village On Northern Approach Into Mosul RFE/RL 23 Oct 2016 -- Reports from northern Iraq say Iraqi government forces have entered the last settlement on the northern approach into the extremist-controlled city of Mosul.
Turkey Ready To 'Take Measures' In Northern Iraq RFE/RL 23 Oct 2016 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says Turkey is ready to "take measures" in northern Iraq because Ankara is not satisfied with promises from the United States and Baghdad about the role of Kurdish militants and Shi'ite militia fighters in the battle for Mosul.
Prices, Poverty Soar in IS-held Parts of Iraq VOA 23 Oct 2016 -- When Peshmerga soldiers cut off Islamic State's supply route from Mosul to her village in Hawija, sugar prices suddenly shot up 30 times, according to Layla, a mother of three.
Carter in Iraq, Gets Assessment of Mosul Fight VOA 23 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi and Kurdish forces were in a new offensive Sunday on a town near Mosul, as U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited the region to get an assessment of the battle to push Islamic State out of Iraq's second largest city.
Remarks by Secretary Carter Following his Meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi in Baghdad, Iraq DoD 22 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
Remarks by Secretary Carter at a Troop Event in Baghdad, Iraq DoD 22 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; Staff Sergeant Cara Duda
Coalition Strikes Continue to Hit ISIL Terrorists in Iraq, Syria AFPS 22 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Air Force Engineers Repair Runway in Iraq AFPS 22 Oct 2016 -- Three months ago, four Air Force engineers with the 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group arrived in northern Iraq to conduct a reconnaissance mission for what would become a historic undertaking. The engineers were informed their task had never been attempted in Iraq.
US Soldiers at Military Base Near Mosul Put on Gas Masks Over Toxic Smoke Sputnik 22 Oct 2016 -- US soldiers deployed at a military base near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul put on protective masks on Saturday because of a fire at a nearby sulphur plant.
Iraq Rejects Turkish Bid to Participate in Mosul Fight VOA 22 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has formally rejected a bid from Turkey to participate in the military push to retake the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State extremists.
Oil Fires Burn South of Mosul AFPS 22 Oct 2016 -- Combined Joint Task Force – Inherent Resolve is assessing the potential risk to personnel at Camp Swift and Qayyarah West Airfield, located about 50 miles south of Mosul, as a result of nearby burning oil wells and a sulfur plant fire.
Abadi resists US push for Turkish role in Mosul battle Press TV 22 Oct 2016 -- Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has opposed the US push for the participation of Turkey in the ongoing Iraqi military operation to retake the strategic northern city of Mosul from Daesh Takfiri terrorists, stressing Iraqi forces will accomplish the task themselves.
Mosul streets will see person by person fight: KRG official Press TV 22 Oct 2016 -- A senior official from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has welcomed news that residents of Mosul have risen against the Daesh Takfiri terrorists, saying the Iraqi city is likely to witness a "person by person" fight.
Ankara-Baghdad war of words worsens over Turkish troop deployment Press TV 22 Oct 2016 -- Diplomatic tensions have escalated between Baghdad and Ankara amid the latest verbal salvo coming from Iraqi authorities against the presence of Turkish troops in the north of the conflict-plagued Arab country.
Iraqi forces advance against Daesh in Kirkuk, Nineveh Press TV 22 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces make fresh advances as they engage in a sixth day of operations to retake the city of Mosul from Daesh a day after the Takfiri group's surprise attack on the oil-rich Kirkuk.
Iraqi official denies US claims on Iraq-Turkey military cooperation deal Press TV 22 Oct 2016 -- An Iraqi official has denied US claims that Iraq and Turkey have reached a provisional agreement authorizing Turkish involvement in ongoing operations to liberate Mosul from Daesh terrorists.
Iraqi TV: Security Forces Repel Major IS Attack On Kirkuk; 80 Killed RFE/RL 22 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi state TV said security forces repelled a major attack by the Islamic State militants on the oil producing city of Kirkuk but at least 80 people, mainly security forces, were killed.
U.S. Defense Secretary Praises Mosul Offensive RFE/RL 22 Oct 2016 -- The U.S. defense secretary gave an upbeat assessment of the ongoing operation to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State militants, as he traveled to Baghdad for talks with top Iraqi officials.
US-Led Coalition Strikes Funeral Procession in Iraqi Town - Russian MoD Sputnik 22 Oct 2016 -- The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that the US-led coalition launched strikes on a funeral procession in the Iraqi town of Daquq near the city of Kirkuk, killing dozens of civilians.
Turkey Fights in Iraq for Own Influence, Not Against Terrorism - Iraqi PM Sputnik 22 Oct 2016 -- Turkey has sent troops to Iraq to extend its influence, but not to combat Daesh terrorist group, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi said Saturday.
Mosul Liberation Important Irrespective of Motives Behind Operation - Kremlin Sputnik 22 Oct 2016 -- The liberation of the Iraqi city of Mosul will be a significant victory over Daesh terrorist group irrespective of the motivation behind the military operation of the US-led coalition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday.
Islamic State Fighters Give Ground Around Mosul But Are Likely to Dig in VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- Less than a week into the offensive to retake the Islamic State's Iraqi stronghold of Mosul, the list of towns and villages freed from the terror group's grip continues to grow while Iraqi and Kurdish commanders praise the faster-than-expected pace.
Military Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 21 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 21 Oct 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
Islamic State, Syria, And Western Responsibility RFE/RL 21 Oct 2016 -- An Iraqi-led coalition that includes Kurdish and U.S. Special Forces has now begun its campaign to drive the extremist group Islamic State (IS) from its stronghold of Mosul, the group's second-largest city. Dabiq, the site of what IS suggested would be an apocalyptic battle signaling the end times, and a town central to IS's ideology, fell just a week earlier -- without even a fight. IS is losing territory everywhere; the "dawla," or "state," that IS has brutally carved out over the past two years, is being torn apart.
IS Fighters Push Back on Mosul Offensive VOA 21 Oct 2016 -- Islamic State militants launched an assault Friday on the northern oil city of Kirkuk, drawing troops and resources away from the battle toward Mosul as Iraqi and Kurdish peshmerga forces continue to move in on the country's second-largest city.
Iraq's top Shia cleric demands protection for civilians in Mosul Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Iraq's most prominent Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has called on army soldiers, fighters from pro-government Popular Mobilization Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces battling to retake the city of Mosul from Daesh State militants to protect civilians trapped there.
Iraq to continue anti-Daesh fight until final victory: Abadi Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says Iraq is poised to press ahead with its anti-terror war until its liberation from the Takfiri Daesh terror group.
'Thousands of Peshmerga Fighters Involved in Battling Daesh' in Iraq's Mosul Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Helgurt Hikmet, the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Peshmerga in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, spoke to Sputnik about the situation in Mosul and involvement of thousands of Peshmerga soldiers in the fight against Daesh.
Daesh Using New Tactic of Trying to Divide Iraqis, Kurds by Attacking Kirkuk Sputnik 21 Oct 2016 -- Daesh militants are employing a new tactic of trying to divide the Iraqi and the Kurdish forces by attacking other cities in the country while the offensive to liberate Mosul is underway to complicate the situation, the representative of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government in Russia told Sputnik.
UN agencies provide shelter, clean water to families displaced amid Iraq's Mosul offensive UN News 21 Oct 2016 -- With the military offensive still unfolding in Mosul, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) are rushing to provide shelter, drinking water, and sanitation services for displaced families and children.
Iraqi forces seize more areas near Mosul from Daesh terrorists Press TV 20 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi army soldiers, backed by Popular Mobilization Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, have established control over more areas near Mosul as they are trying to drive Daesh militants out of their last stronghold in the country and deal a death blow to them.
Counter-ISIL Strikes Target Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 20 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
US Service Member Killed North of Mosul VOA 20 Oct 2016 -- A U.S. service member was killed by a bomb blast north of Mosul, a military official tells VOA.
Iraqi Forces Close In on IS In Mosul, But Tough Urban Battles Lie Ahead VOA 20 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi government and Kurdish Peshmerga forces say they are within 25 kilometers of the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul, three days into an operation seen as crucial in defeating the terror group. The closer the Iraqi and coalition forces get to the city, the more difficult the fighting is likely to become, and the more dangerous for the millions of civilians trapped in the city.
For Refugees, Defeat of IS Can't Come Soon Enough VOA 20 Oct 2016 -- Without prompting, 10-year-old Maha rattled off her story as if she had told it several times before: Her father is in jail now, she said, after he was attacked by Islamic State fighters and later accused of joining them.
Iraqi forces retake key town amid push to liberate Mosul Press TV 20 Oct 2016 -- A senior Iraqi military commander says the country's special forces have managed to liberate a key town near Mosul as they press ahead with their offensive to liberate the northern Daesh-held city.
Iran to stand by Iraqi nation in anti-terror battle: Velayati Press TV 20 Oct 2016 -- A senior Iranian official has reiterated the Islamic Republic's support for neighboring Iraq in its anti-terror battle as the Arab country starts a large-scale operation to drive Daesh terrorists out of the northern city of Mosul.
Iraqi troops launch fresh Mosul push, retake town Press TV 20 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi troops launch a fresh push against areas held by Daesh terrorists around Mosul as special forces join the offensive to retake the Takfiri group's last major stronghold in Iraq.
Preparing For Mosul's Humanitarian Crisis RFE/RL 20 Oct 2016 -- As military strategists laid plans to retake Mosul from Islamic State (IS) militants, aid agencies began quietly preparing for the grave humanitarian crisis they expect the northern Iraqi city's liberation to reveal.
U.S. Soldier Killed In Northern Iraq As Mosul Offensive Continues RFE/RL 20 Oct 2016 -- The Pentagon says a U.S. soldier has been killed by an improvised explosive device in northern Iraq.
Iraqi Troops Kill Some 200 Daesh Fighters While Liberating Town of Bartella Sputnik 20 Oct 2016 -- The Iraqi Armed Forces killed about 200 militants during a military operation aimed at liberation of the northern country's of Bartella from Daesh, media reported.
Iraqi Prime Minister Says Foreign Ground Forces Not Involved in Mosul Operation Sputnik 20 Oct 2016 -- The ground forces participating in the operation to liberate the Iraqi city of Mosul comprise only nationals of the country, foreign troops exclusively provide air cover, training and logistical support, Haider Abadi, Iraq's prime minister, said on Thursday.
US, South Korea Tightening Alliance to Counter Nuclear Threat from North VOA 19 Oct 2016 -- The United States and South Korea on Wednesday announced a further strengthening of their security alliance with the start of talks on an "extended deterrence" against a nuclear North Korea.
With Sights Set on Mosul, Trouble Lurks on the Horizon VOA 19 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi and Kurdish forces moving on Mosul are bracing for heavier resistance as they advance toward the Islamic State's last major stronghold in Iraq. Yet even as confidence in the operation grows, there are fears the most treacherous terrain may lie outside the city itself.
US General Urges Iraqis 'Not to Rush' Mosul Fight VOA 19 Oct 2016 -- The general running the coalition's ground campaign in Iraq is urging Iraqi forces fighting for Mosul not to "go so fast that they start to give opportunity to the enemy."
Fight Against Islamic State Is A Land Grab That Will Resonate For Years To Come RFE/RL 19 Oct 2016 -- We may be witnessing the end of the extremist group Islamic State (IS) as we know it.
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 19 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, commander, Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Operation Inherent Resolve, and commander, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Coalition Targets ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 19 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 19 Oct 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
Iraqi Forces Have Momentum in Fight for Mosul, Says OIR Commander AFPS 19 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces have momentum in the fight to retake Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the U.S. commander of Operation Inherent Resolve's ground troops said today.
Mosul Offensive 'On Track,' Centcom Commander Says AFPS 19 Oct 2016 -- The commander of U.S. Central Command detailed the progress of the Mosul offensive in Iraq and also spoke of the long-range strategies for the United States in the Middle East during a discussion at the Center for American Progress here today.
Iran not interfering in Iraq affairs: Leader advisor Press TV 19 Oct 2016 -- A senior Iranian official says only Iraqi forces have the right to participate in the ongoing operation to liberate the Iraqi city of Mosul, Daesh's last major stronghold in the Arab country.
UPDATES: Day 3 of operations to liberate Daesh-held Mosul Press TV 19 Oct 2016 -- The long-awaited battle for Mosul enters its third day, in a push which has seen the Iraqi army join forces with various military groups in the country, including Shia, Sunni and Kurdish forces, to drive out Daesh terrorists from their last stronghold in Iraq. Mosul slipped into the hands of Daesh in the summer of 2014. It took months for the army and pro-government volunteer forces to prepare for the decisive offensive to liberate the strategic northern city.
Daesh may launch chemical attacks during Mosul op: US officials Press TV 19 Oct 2016 -- American officials say the Daesh Takfiri group may resort to launching chemical attacks in the fight to hold its grip on Iraq's second largest city, Mosul.
Thousands Of Civilians Flee Mosul Amid Military Operation RFE/RL 19 Oct 2016 -- Thousands of people have fled the Mosul area in northern Iraq, where an offensive is underway to drive out the Islamic State (IS) group.
Mosul Liberation Offensive Moves Faster Than Expected - Baghdad Sputnik 19 Oct 2016 -- The Iraqi forces are making an unexpectedly fast progress toward the Iraqi city of Mosul to free it from Daesh terrorists, the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi's spokesman said Wednesday.
'Daesh Ranks Panicking, Commanders Fleeing' From Mosul to Syria Amid Offensive Sputnik 19 Oct 2016 -- Said Mamuzini, the representative of the Arab Democratic Party of Kurdistan (KDP), spoke to Sputnik about the military operation underway in Mosul, saying that amid the military offensive, Daesh terrorists are fleeing the region with their families.
Apache Helicopters Begin Supporting Counter-Daesh Operation in Mosul Sputnik 19 Oct 2016 -- Apache ground-support helicopters have joined the operation to liberate the Iraqi city of Mosul from Daesh terrorists.
Aid Group: Thousands Have Fled Mosul VOA 19 Oct 2016 -- The international charity Save the Children says thousands of people have fled the Mosul area in order to escape the unfolding offensive by Iraqi and Kurdish forces to retake the city from Islamic State militants.
Americans Advancing on Mosul with Iraqis and Kurds VOA 18 Oct 2016 -- More than 100 American troops are accompanying Iraqi and Kurdish peshmerga forces in their push to take back the city of Mosul from Islamic State forces.
Iraqi Troops Advance Toward Mosul as ISIL Tries to Hide Movements AFPS 18 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi and Kurdish peshmerga security forces are working together as they advance along several axes to liberate Mosul, Iraq, from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant control, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, director of Pentagon press operations, told reporters today.
Mosul: UN mission calls for Iraqi unity behind Government forces fighting ISIL UN News 18 Oct 2016 -- With the military operations under way to wrest the control of Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorists, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) today called on the Iraqi people to unite in support of their country's armed forces and is urging "that every step be taken to avoid civilian casualties."
UN aid agencies brace for possible displacement 'catastrophe' caused by military offensive in Mosul UN News 18 Oct 2016 -- United Nations humanitarian agencies operating in Iraq are bracing for what could be a displacement catastrophe requiring the largest and most complex global response in 2016, in the wake of the military offensive under way to oust terrorists from Mosul, the country's second-largest city.
Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 18 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
US forces in 'harm's way' as battle for Mosul goes forward: Pentagon Press TV 18 Oct 2016 -- The Pentagon has acknowledged US troops will be heavily involved in the large-scale military offensive to wrest the Iraqi city of Mosul from Daesh terrorists.
Iraqi, Kurdish Fighters Make Gains in Battle to Retake Mosul From Islamic State VOA 18 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi and Kurdish forces say they have retaken a dozen villages outside Mosul, as they press to reclaim Iraq's second largest city from Islamic State militants.
UN: No Large Displacement of Mosul Residents Yet VOA 18 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations said Tuesday that 36 hours into the Iraqi and Kurdish military offensive to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State group, it had not seen any immediate large outflows of residents from the city.
Iraq Braces for 'Humanitarian Catastrophe' as Civilians Set to Flee Mosul VOA 18 Oct 2016 -- Beneath the barrage of weaponry being unleashed on Islamic State forces in Mosul live an estimated one-and-a-half million people, and aid agencies in Iraq are bracing for a humanitarian catastrophe. Up to a million civilians are expected to flee the fighting, adding to the already desperate refugee situation.
Obama Confident Of IS Defeat After Second Day Of Mosul Offensive RFE/RL 18 Oct 2016 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says a battle now underway to recapture Iraq's northern city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS) militants will be "a difficult fight," but he is confident that Iraqi forces leading the military operation will defeat the militant group.
Secretary General: NATO stands in support of Iraq NATO 18 Oct 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Iraqi Foreign Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jaafari to NATO Headquarters on Tuesday (18 October 2016) for talks on the Alliance's support to Iraq.
Tough battle in Mosul, but Daesh will be defeated: Obama Press TV 18 Oct 2016 -- US President Barack Obama warned of a "difficult fight" ahead as Iraqi military forces move to liberate the city of Mosul, but expressed confidence that Daesh terrorists will be defeated.
Russia warns against Mosul terrorists relocating to eastern Syria Press TV 18 Oct 2016 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warns that his country could take "political and military" decisions if the Daesh Takfiri terrorists were redeployed to eastern Syria after being granted a safe passage from Mosul.
Persian Gulf Arab states favorites of Daesh: Iraqi PM Press TV 18 Oct 2016 -- Iraq's prime minister, whose country is engaged in a costly war with the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group, has implied that a number of Arab governments in the Persian Gulf region have been aiding and abetting the terror outfit.
UPDATES: Day 2 of the battle for Mosul Press TV 18 Oct 2016 -- Tuesday marks the second day of military operations by the Iraqi army, volunteer Shia and Sunni fighters as well as Kurdish Peshmerga forces to liberate the city of Mosul, the last stronghold of Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Iraq, which they overran in June 2014. Operations to free the city have been the subject of long planning, and the large-scale offensives are targeting the city from three different directions. Below is a series of live updates on the second day of the battle for Mosul.
Iraqi Mosul to Face Humanitarian Catastrophe - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik 18 Oct 2016 -- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that nobody had calculated the risks of the operation to liberate northern Iraqi city of Mosul, occupied by the Daesh, as well as had solved such issues as preparation of shelters, food and health for refugees that would flee the city.
Kurds Call for Post-Liberation Plan for Mosul to Avoid Extremists Infiltration Sputnik 18 Oct 2016 -- Head of the Kurdish Regional Mission to the European Union said that a clear political plan that would be implemented after the liberation of Mosul from the Daesh should be elaborated to avoid infiltration of extremist groups into the city, the head of the Kurdish Regional Mission to the European Union.
Iraqi Army Takes Control Over Nimrud During Mosul Liberation Operation Sputnik 18 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi troops regained control of the ancient city of Nimrud in the north of the country as part of the operation to liberate Mosul from the Daesh terrorists, local media reported on Tuesday.
Kurdish Commanders Claim Quick Gains As Mosul Offensive Opens RFE/RL 18 Oct 2016 -- Kurdish commanders claimed wide advances as Peshmerga fighters and Iraqi forces, backed by U.S.-led coalition jets, opened their assault on Mosul, part of a long-awaited effort to retake the northern Iraqi city from Islamic State militants.
Battle for Mosul Putting Iraq Leadership, US Vision to the Test VOA 18 Oct 2016 -- One day into the Iraqi-led operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State terror group, a hopeful Pentagon proclaimed the effort "ahead of schedule," well aware the outcome could have a significant impact on U.S. strategy in the region.
US troops on the ground in Mosul: Pentagon Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- The US military has confirmed that its troops are deployed on the frontlines in the offensive to retake the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from Daesh (ISIL) terrorists.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 17 Oct 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
Iraqi forces making gains in battle for Mosul Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces have made major advances in their battle to liberate the city of Mosul from Daesh. The operations are advancing from three directions, namely the south, the east, and the northeast of the city. Here is a series of the latest updates on the military push:
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 17 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
Shiite Militias Insist on Joining Liberation of Mosul VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has promised only regular Iraqi forces will enter Sunni-dominated Mosul in the battle to oust jihadists who have controlled the city for two years. However, in the runup to the assault, leaders of Shiite militias say they will be part of the liberation of the Islamic State terror group's last major Iraqi stronghold.
UN Readies for Humanitarian Impact of Mosul Operation VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations is bracing for what could be its biggest humanitarian challenge. As Iraqi and Kurdish forces move to liberate Iraq's second-largest city from Islamic State fighters, the U.N. said Monday as many as 1 million civilians could try to flee the fighting.
Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 17 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Iraq, Syria Make Significant Strides Countering ISIL, Press Secretary Says AFPS 17 Oct 2016 -- In Syria and Iraq, local ground forces backed by the U.S.-led coalition have made significant progress over the past two days in the fight to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters today.
Kurdish Soldiers Report Initial Success in Battle to Re-take Mosul VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- Kurdish leaders reported some initial success as Iraqi forces launched a long-anticipated ground offensive Monday to retake the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State militants.
Ankara-Baghdad Tensions Escalate as Mosul Operation Begins VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- With Iraqi-led forces starting their operation to recapture the city of Mosul from Islamic State militants, diplomatic tensions have erupted again between Baghdad and Ankara over the operation.
UN calls for protection of civilians as Iraq begins military operations to retake Mosul UN News 17 Oct 2016 -- As a large-scale military offensive gets under way to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) fighters, senior United Nations officials today are stressing the need to ensure that civilians in the city are protected and able to access to humanitarian assistance.
Iraqi Forces Begin Battle for Mosul AFPS 17 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces launched their counterattack yesterday to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, according to a statement released by Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials.
Mosul liberation operation launched IRNA 17 Oct 2016 -- Battle for liberation of the city of Mosul in the northern Iraq province of Nineveh from the terrorist Daesh group started on Monday.
Iran vows support for Iraq terror fight amid Mosul offensive Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says the Islamic Republic supports the Iraqi government in its fight against terrorism amid an offensive to drive out Daesh terrorists from Iraq's northern city of Mosul.
Bomb blast kills 10 south of Baghdad Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- A bomb planted in a car has exploded in an area to the south of the Iraqi capital, killing at least ten people and injuring 25 others.
Iraq Launches Operation To Retake Mosul From Islamic State RFE/RL 17 Oct 2016 -- A long-awaited military operation to retake the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State (IS) group has started.
More Aid Needed for Mosul as 200,000 Residents May Flee Iraqi City Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) media coordinator Becky Bakr Abdulla, currently working in Iraq, said that the umanitarian community on the ground, including the NRC, is ready to receive 60,000 people from Mosul.
Iraqi Politician Tells Sputnik Daesh's First Line of Defense in Mosul Crumbles Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Daesh militants are taking heavy casualties as the Iraqi military and its allies continue their implacable advance on the city of Mosul.
Daesh Suppresses Uprising of Own 'Islamic Police' in Mosul Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- The Daesh announced through their information channels that the Islamic police uprising against its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had been suppressed, according to local media.
Peshmerga Commander to Sputnik: Daesh Already Experiences Heavy Losses in Mosul Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Commenting on the ongoing offensive of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army on Iraq's second-largest city of Mosul, Peshmerga unit commander Hüseyin Yezdanpana told Sputnik Turkiye that Daesh is already experienceing heavy losses.
Over 80,000 Troops Involved in Liberation of Iraqi Mosul From Daesh Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Over 80,000 troops are involved, including engineers and logistical support, in the operation to liberate the city of Mosul in Iraq from the Daesh terrorists, according to media reports.
DDN Turkey Determined to Take Part in Mosul Operation – President Erdogan Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Turkey is determined to participate in the operation to free Iraq's city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS) militants, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Monday.
Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on Iraqi Announcement Regarding Mosul DoD 16 Oct 2016
Kurdish Militia and Iraqi Army Start Large-Scale Operation on Mosul Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- The Kurdish Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army launched an offensive on the northern Iraqi city of Mosul controlled by the Daesh terror group on Monday at about 03:00 GMT, the General Command of Peshmerga said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Announces Launch of Operation to Retake Mosul from Daesh Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on Iraqi television early Monday that the long-awaited offensive to retake the Daesh stronghold in Iraq has begun.
Iraqi PM Signals Start of Mosul Offensive VOA 16 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has announced the formal start of a military push to drive Islamic State extremists from the northern stronghold city of Mosul.
U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 16 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Iraq drops leaflets over Mosul warning residents of looming battle Press TV 16 Oct 2016 -- The Iraqi Air Force has started to drop thousands of leaflets over Mosul, notifying residents of the looming offensive to retake the city from Daesh.
Suicide Bomber Claims More Lives in Baghdad VOA 16 Oct 2016 -- A suicide bomber struck a Shi'ite Muslim religious observance Sunday in Baghdad, killing at least two people and wounding four.
Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 15 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Iran FM holds separate talks on Syria with Iraq, Russia counterparts in Lausanne Press TV 15 Oct 2016 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has held separate talks with his Iraqi and Russian counterparts in the Swiss lakeside city of Lausanne about a solution to the crisis in Syria.
US Military Starts Shelling Daesh Positions in Iraqi Mosul Sputnik 16 Oct 2016 -- US military started on Saturday to shell positions of the Daesh in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, Turkish media reported, citing Kurdish sources.
Iran vows to stand by Iraq in campaign against terrorists Press TV 15 Oct 2016 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry has denounced the latest deadly bombing attacks in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, saying the Islamic Republic will support Iraq in its fight against terrorists until their final defeat.
Iraq cannot handle Mosul offensive alone, Erdogan claims Press TV 15 Oct 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has claimed the Iraqi government cannot push the Daesh Takfiri terror group out of Mosul alone, expressing Turkey's readiness to take part in the planned military operation to liberate the city.
Iraqi Army Moves to Capture Kirkuk Town in Preparation for Mosul Offensive Sputnik 15 Oct 2016 -- As the hour of the upcoming assault on Mosul draws near, the Iraqi army and its allies move to liberate the town of Havice located in Kirkuk province.
Dozens Die in Baghdad Suicide Blast Claimed by IS VOA 15 Oct 2016 -- A suicide bomber in Baghdad killed more than 35 people and wounded over 50 others Saturday in an attack on Shi'ite Muslim religious observances.
Counter-ISIL Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 14 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
As Mosul Battle Looms Large, Iraqi Troops Get Pentagon Drone Defense System Sputnik 14 Oct 2016 -- Colonel John Dorrian, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led international coalition against Daesh, announced Thursday that the US Defense Department has given anti-aircraft systems to Iraqi soldiers in order to fend off drone attacks from jihadists.
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 13 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
Major Offensive: More Than 60,000 Iraqi Troops Preparing to Retake Mosul Sputnik 13 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi media reports that at least 65,000 Iraqi soldiers in six divisions are preparing for the battle to retake the city of Mosul from the Daesh forces that have made it their headquarters in Iraq for the past two years.
Aid Groups Fear Battle for Mosul Will Be Disaster for Civilians VOA 13 Oct 2016 -- More than 62,000 civilians are believed to have fled Mosul in recent weeks as Iraqi forces prepare for a final assault to retake the city from the Islamic State terror group. And there are growing indications they may be among the last to safely escape.
Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 13 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Turkey: Troops to stay in Iraq as long as needed Press TV 13 Oct 2016 -- A top Turkish official says the country's military forces will continue their presence in northern Iraq regardless of Baghdad's repeated protests and escalating tensions between the two neighbors.
Baghdad summons Turkish envoy to protest troop presence on Iraqi soil Press TV 13 Oct 2016 -- The Iraqi Foreign Ministry has summoned Turkey's ambassador to protest the continued presence of Turkish troops on Iraqi soil without Baghdad's permission.
Over 50,000 Iraqi Gov't Fighters on Standby to Start Liberating Nineveh Sputnik 13 Oct 2016 -- More than 50,000 Iraqi government fighters are on a standby to start a military operation to liberate Nineveh province north of Iraq which has been under Daesh jihadist group occupation for the past two years, Nineveh Deputy Governor, Hasan Allaf told Sputnik on Wednesday.
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Col. Dorrian via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 12 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Colonel John Dorrian, Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman
Liberating Mosul Will Be Iraq's Biggest Fight, OIR Spokesman Says AFPS 12 Oct 2016 -- The size of Iraq's second-largest city will make the liberation of Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's two-year grip the largest mission Iraqi security forces have yet undertaken against the enemy, the spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve told Pentagon reporters today.
Coalition Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 12 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Turkey-Iraq tensions escalate over operation in Mosul Press TV 12 Oct 2016 -- As the operation to liberate the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from Daesh terrorist group approaches, tensions between Ankara and Baghdad are escalating over Turkey's possible military involvement in the offensive.
U.S. Says Turkey Should Get Iraq's Approval To Station Troops There RFE/RL 12 Oct 2016 -- The United States urged Turkey and Iraq to overcome a dispute over about 2,000 Turkish troops stationed in northern Iraq and said the troops should only be there with Baghdad's approval.
Coalition Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 11 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Turkish PM Worried by Clinton's Remarks on Arming Kurds in Syria, Iraq Sputnik 11 Oct 2016 -- Ankara is concerned by Hillary Clinton's remarks she would mull arming Kurds in Syria and Iraq.
Iraq censures 'irresponsible' remarks by Turkey's Erdogan Press TV 11 Oct 2016 -- The Iraqi government has criticized "irresponsible" remarks recently made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Iraqi soldiers liberate region in Anbar Province from Daesh Press TV 11 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi government forces have launched an offensive in the beleaguered western province of Anbar, and managed to liberate a region there from the grip of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group.
Turkish President Tells Iraq PM To 'Know His Place' RFE/RL 11 Oct 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi should "know his place" and added that a Turkish Army contingent in Iraq will not take orders from Baghdad.
Two French Commandos Injured in Daesh-Linked Drone Attack in Iraqi Kurdistan Sputnik 11 Oct 2016 -- Two French commandos deployed in Iraqi Kurdistan were wounded in a drone attack by a militant group with connections to Daesh.
Iraqi Soldiers Fully Liberate Island of Hit From Daesh Militants Sputnik 11 Oct 2016 -- The operation involved the efforts of an international coalition, particularly its aircraft, the Iraqi air force and the artillery.
Turkey to Participate in Liberation of Iraq's Mosul From Daesh - Erdogan Sputnik 11 Oct 2016 -- Turkey would take part in the operation to liberate the Iraqi city of Mosul occupied by Daesh, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday as cited by local media.
Iraqi Army Kicks Off Massive Offensive Against Daesh in Central Iraq Sputnik 11 Oct 2016 -- The Iraqi security forces backed by paramilitary groups launched an effort on Monday to squeeze Daesh out of the land strip along the border between the Salahudin and Diyala governorates, according to Iraqi commanders.
Counter-ISIL Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 10 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 10 Oct 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
Apocalypse Or Bust - The Battle For Dabiq RFE/RL 09 Oct 2016 -- The town of Dabiq, in northern Syria, around 25 miles from Aleppo, with its population of just under 3,500, is an unimpressive site for a battle that is supposed to herald the Apocalypse.
Sectarian Disputes Plague Planning for Long-Awaited Battle of Mosul VOA 09 Oct 2016 -- With the long-awaited military assault on Mosul possibly just days away, U.S. officials are scrambling to resolve flaring disputes between allies in the coalition to liberate Iraq's second largest city, the Islamic State's last major urban stronghold in Iraq.
Iraqi forces liberate more Daesh-held areas, advance towards Mosul Press TV 08 Oct 2016 -- Pro-government forces in Iraq have been making further advances against militants as more forces are mobilized to start an operation to push Daesh Takifir terrorists out of their last stronghold, Mosul.
Turkish Troops Doing Very Useful Work in Iraq – Turkish Prime Minister Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- Turkish Prime Minister stated that Turkish troops are doing a really useful work in Iraq and Ankara has no claims to the Iraqi territorial integrity.
Republic of Iraq - AC-208 Aircraft DSCA 07 Oct 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq for AC-208 aircraft and related equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $65.3 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 6, 2016.
Iraq army may respond if Turkey hinders Mosul battle: Security source Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi security officials warn the army may attack occupying Turkish forces deployed to the north should they intervene in an upcoming operation to liberate the city of Mosul from Daesh terrorists.
Iraq demands emergency Security Council session over Turkish troops Press TV 06 Oct 2016 -- Iraq has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting over the presence of Turkish troops on its territory after warning Ankara of a new war if the soldiers are not pulled out.
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 06 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 06 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
ISIL Fighters Are 'Dead Men Walking' in Mosul, Raqqa, Work Says AFPS 06 Oct 2016 -- The defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is certain, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said today.
Turkish Troops Will Stay in Iraq, PM Yildirim Says Sputnik 06 Oct 2016 -- Turkish troops will remain in the camp in the northern Iraqi town of Bashiqa despite Baghdad's objections, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Thursday.
International Coalition Strikes People's Militia in Iraq Killing 18 Fighters Sputnik 06 Oct 2016 -- The head of the press center of the People's Militia in Iraq, Thu El-Fiqar Al-Baldawi spoke to Sputnik about the attack carried out by the international coalition on the People's Militia on October 5, in northern Iraq that killed 18 soldiers and injured dozens.
Kurdish Commander in Iraq Denies Reports of US Building Military Base Near Mosul Sputnik 06 Oct 2016 -- In an interview with Sputnik, a Kurdish Peshmerga commander in Iraq, Livan Hurettin, denied earlier reports about a military base allegedly being built by the US near Bashiqa, a town 25 kilometers from Mosul.
Iraq to Take Military Presence Dispute With Turkey to UNSC Sputnik 06 Oct 2016 -- Baghdad has submitted a request for an emergency session at the UN Security Council to discuss Turkish troops' presence in Iraq.
Coalition, Iraqi Forces to Investigate Strikes South of Mosul AFPS 05 Oct 2016 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces will conduct a joint investigation in the wake of coalition strikes today on a building being used by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials said.
Mosul's Liberation From ISIL 'Inevitable,' Canadian General Says AFPS 05 Oct 2016 -- The liberation of Mosul, Iraq, from the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant fighters is inevitable, Canadian Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Dave J. Anderson of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve told Pentagon reporters here today.
Plans Take Shape for Iraqi Assault on Mosul VOA 05 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi troops are gearing up to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State, in an assault expected to begin later this month. Officials of the U.S.-led coalition assisting Iraq say up to 45,000 troops will be needed to keep Mosul secure after it is recaptured.
Turkey-Iraq Tensions May Complicate Battle Against IS in Mosul VOA 05 Oct 2016 -- As the operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group approaches, tensions between Iraq and Turkey are escalating over Turkey's possible military involvement in the attack.
Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Anderson via teleconference DoD 05 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Canadian Armed Forces Brigadier General D.J. Anderson, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve director of partner force development and the ministerial liaison team; Captain Jeff Davis, Director, Defense Press Office
Counter-ISIL Strikes Target Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 05 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Ankara Summons Iraqi Envoy Over Resolution on Turkish Military Presence Sputnik 05 Oct 2016 -- The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the Iraqi ambassador over Baghdad's resolution calling the Turkish troops stationed in a military camp in northern Iraq an occupying force, a spokesperson from the ministry told RIA Novosti Wednesday.
'Sad of state affairs' in Iraq as last month's surge in violence leaves more casualties - UN UN News 05 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations in Iraq has reported that civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict in the country, with a more than 28 per cent spike in fatalities and a 17 per cent increase in injuries from August to September this year.
Iraqi PM Tells Mosul Residents Liberation Approaching VOA 05 Oct 2016 -- Tension between Iraq and Turkey rose a notch Wednesday after a warning by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi that the presence of Turkish troops in the north of the country risked provoking a larger regional confrontation. The growing spat came as military efforts to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul intensified.
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 04 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
Weakened IS May Find Havens in Rural Iraq, Syria VOA 04 Oct 2016 -- If expected military offensives rout the Islamic State group from the cities that are its strongholds in Syria and Iraq, military analysts and Kurdish commanders say the extremists would establish bases in rural areas to further their regional terrorism.
IS Plans Widespread Destruction in Mosul as Conditions Worsen for Residents VOA 04 Oct 2016 -- Kurdish officials say Islamic State militants are planning to meet a liberation offensive in Mosul with mass killings and widespread destruction of the historic Iraqi city.
Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 04 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Iraqi PM vows imminent 'victory' against terrorists in Mosul Press TV 04 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has pledged triumph in the near future over terrorists in the northern city of Mosul, the last major city under control of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the Middle Eastern country.
Turkey Fears Possible Sectarian Conflict in Iraq After Mosul Liberation - PM Sputnik 04 Oct 2016 -- Northern Iraq may suffer from a sectarian conflict after a possible liberation of Daesh stronghold of Mosul, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday.
Counter-ISIL Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 03 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Pentagon paid UK firm $540mn to make fake Iraq terrorist videos Press TV 03 Oct 2016 -- The US military paid a UK PR firm over half a billion dollars in the wake of the 2003 Iraq invasion to create fake terrorist videos in a covert operation probably launched to prolong its occupation, an investigation has revealed.
Multiple bomb blasts claim lives of at least 15 civilians in Baghdad Press TV 03 Oct 2016 -- A string of bomb explosions has struck the Shia-majority areas of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, killing at least 15 people and wounding 40 others, security sources say.
No Turkish forces allowed in Mosul operation: Iraqi Foreign Ministry Press TV 03 Oct 2016 -- Iraq says Turkish forces will not be allowed to participate in military operations aimed at liberating Mosul, an Iraqi city that Daesh has declared as its so-called headquarters.
Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 02 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Aerial attacks kill 30 Daesh militants in Iraq's troubled Anbar Press TV 02 Oct 2016 -- Over two dozen members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group have been killed in airstrikes against their positions in Iraq's western province of Anbar.
Violence claimed over 1,000 Iraqi lives in September: UN Press TV 02 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations says more than 1,000 people lost their lives and over 1,500 others suffered injuries as a result of acts of terrorism and violence across Iraq in September.
Iraqi Operation to Liberate Mosul From Daesh to Be Swift, Unexpected Sputnik 02 Oct 2016 -- All Iraqi forces on the ground signaled their readiness to start the operation to liberate the northern city of Mosul from the Daesh terrorist group, according to Nineveh province security committee member.
Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 01 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Turkish troops will remain in Iraq, Syria for another year Press TV 01 Oct 2016 -- Turkish lawmakers have almost overwhelmingly approved extension by another year of Ankara's cross-border military incursions into Syria and Iraq.
No exact time set for Mosul operation: Peshmerga spokesman IRNA 01 Oct 2016 -- Spokesman for Iraqi Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga fighters Jabbar Yavar has said that the Mosul operation will be launched before year of 2017, but the exact time of its start is not fixed yet.
Iraqi forces seize Daesh central telecom network in Sharqat Press TV 01 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi pro-government Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units, has managed to discover and neutralize the central telecommunication network of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the central-northern province of Salahuddin.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

October 2016 - Iraq Special Weapons News