OPERATION WEST MOSUL
IRAQ PRIME MINISTER HAIDER AL-ABADI ANNOUNCED THE START OF THE OPERATION TO TAKE BACK WEST MOSUL
THE TERRAIN
Iraqi and coalition officials say the biggest difference in the fight for Mosul’s west will be the terrain. West Mosul’s oldest neighborhoods, has narrow streets that will force Iraqi forces to dismount from their armored vehicles.
THE PLAYERS
Iraq’s special forces will take the lead in the battle. The US-led coalition will continue to closely back Iraqi forces with both airstrikes and raids.
LEAFLETS
Iraqi planes dropped millions of leaflets on western Mosul warning residents the battle to dislodge ISIS was imminent. 4,00,000 civilians could be displaced by the offensive as residents of western Mosul suffer food and fuel shortages and markets are closed, said the UN. 3.50,000 Number of children trapped in western Mosul, according to Save the Children. The UN was rushing to build more shelters expecting displacement.