IS ‘caliph’ believed to be still in Mosul

BAGHDAD: The Iraqi army has entered Mosul for the first time in over two years in a battle that is likely to end in a decisive defeat for Islamic State (IS).

The fight for Mosul will be all the greater for IS because its self-declared caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (pix), is believed to be still inside the city.

Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, said sources indicated “Abu Bakr is there and if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of IS”.

His presence in Mosul may complicate and prolong the battle as his supporters would fight to the death to defend him.

Fuad said “it is obvious they will lose, but not how long this will take to happen”.

Iraqi Special Forces entered Mosul on Tuesday, seizing the state television station on the east bank of the Tigris River that divides the city in half.

Fuad said the fall of Mosul would depend on many factors, especially whether or not IS “is going to destroy the five bridges over the river”. – The Independent