Iraq's Prime Minister Has Announced That The Battle To Retake Western Mosul From The Islamic State Has Begun

New York Times: Iraq Starts Offensive to Retake Western Mosul From ISIS

ERBIL, Iraq — Iraq opened the next chapter in its offensive to drive the Islamic State out of Mosul, preparing an assault on the western half of the city on Sunday. Overnight, planes carpeted the ground with leaflets, directly appealing to fighters with the group to surrender.

“To those of you who were intrigued by the ISIS ideology,” said one of the leaflets, using the group’s acronym. “This is your last opportunity to quit your work with ISIS and to leave those foreigners who are in your homeland. Stay at home, raising the white flags as the forces approach.”

On state-run television, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of Iraq announced the beginning of the offensive, describing it as “a new dawn” and calling on his troops “to move bravely forward to liberate what is left of the city.”

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More News on The Battle For Western Mosul

Iraqi forces launch push to take western Mosul from IS -- AP
Iraqi forces advance on Islamic State-held western Mosul -- AP
Iraq launches assault on IS-held west Mosul -- AFP
Iraq launches offensive on last Islamic State stronghold in Mosul -- Reuters
Iraq begins battle to free western Mosul from IS -- BBC
Iraqi army launches operation to retake western Mosul from 'Islamic State' -- DW
Iraqi government launches offensive on west Mosul -- Al Jazeera
Iraqi forces launch push to retake western half of Mosul from ISIS -- FOX News
Iraq Launches Offensive to Re-Take Western Mosul From ISIS: Prime Minister -- NBC News
Iraq resumes offensive to retake Mosul from Islamic State, prime minister says -- Washington Post
Iraq launches offensive to recapture western Mosul from Islamic State -- L.A. Times
Iraq launches offensive to liberate western Mosul from Islamic State -- ABC News Online
Iraq launches operation to retake western Mosul from ISIS -- RT
US-led coalition praises 'militias' fighting in Iraq -- AFP
Forces battling IS in Iraq's Mosul theatre -- AFP
The battle for Mosul: What we know -- AFP
Key dates in battle for Mosul -- AFP