In Washington, Defense Secretary Ash Carter called the start of Iraqi operations to liberate Mosul "a decisive moment in the campaign" to deliver a lasting defeat to the Islamic State group. Iraqi forces have been massing around the city in recent days. Thousands of Iraqi troops were deployed there ahead of the planned operation along with large numbers of tanks, armored personnel carriers and heavy artillery. Iraqi troops were also positioned east of Mosul in the Khazer area, along with Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and to the north of the city near the Mosul Dam and Bashiqa areas. "Godspeed to the heroic Iraqi forces, Kurdish #Peshmerga, and #Ninewa volunteers.

Source: International New York Times October 16, 2016 10:33 UTC