Iraq government announces fresh offensive against Islamic State in Mosul

Telegraph - The Iraqi government has announced a fresh offensive against the Islamic State in Mosul.

کد خبر: ۶۶۸۹۴۵

تاریخ: ۰۱ اسفند ۱۳۹۵ - ۱۰:۴۳

Having already taken the eastern side of the city, the Iraqi authorities and their allies plan to drive the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from the west as well.

Up until now ISIL has faced airstrikes as the Iraqis and their allies attempt to loosen the group’s grip on its stronghold.

Thousands of leaflets have been dropped on the western side of Mosul telling civilians that a ground offensive was imminent.

The move to dislodge Isil from the west of the city was announced by Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister.

"We announce the start of a new phase in the operation, we are coming Nineveh to liberate the western side of Mosul,"  he  said in a brief televised speech.

"Our forces are beginning the liberation of the citizens from the terror of Daesh," he added.

Apart from the Isil militants it is estimated that there are 650,000 civilians in the the area.

The leaflets "contain instructions for the citizens to get ready to welcome the Iraqi forces that are coming to liberate their areas and to warn Daesh (Isil) members to lay down their weapons and surrender," the Iraqi defence ministry said in a statement.

There are fears for the safety of the civilian population. "The situation is distressing," said Lise Grande, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Iraq. told CNN.

"People, right now, are in trouble. We are hearing reports of parents struggling to feed their children and to heat their homes."