Iraqi Army Begins Operation to Retake Mosul from ISIS

On Thursday, April 5, the Iraqi army announced that its military forces, along with their militia allies, have begun the operation to retake the city of Mosul, which is the main base of the Islamic State group. According to the French news agency, this operation is expected to be long and difficult. The Joint Operations Command of Iraq stated in a statement that the army and the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) have 'initiated the first phase of the Victory Operation' in the northern province of Nineveh, of which Mosul is the capital. According to this statement, four villages between the city of Qayyarah, which is still under ISIS control, and Makhmour, where Iraqi forces have gathered with U.S. support in recent weeks, have been liberated. The Iraqi army did not specify how long this phase of the operation would last or when its military forces would retake the city of Mosul. The Joint Operations Command is the coordination center for the security and military forces of Iraq to reclaim large parts of the country that were seized by ISIS in 2014. This command also includes the international coalition led by the United States, which provides air support, military advice, and training to the Iraqi army. In recent months, the Iraqi army has achieved successes in the battle against ISIS, including retaking the city of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, last month. The recent operations of the Iraqi army coincide with reports of the advance of Syrian military forces toward the ancient city of Palmyra, which has been under the control of the Islamic State group since last year. However, Mosul, along with Raqqa in Syria, which is another of the two main cities held by ISIS, will be a significant prize. Experts have warned that the operation to retake the city of Mosul will be difficult due to the high number of ISIS forces in the city and the large population of its residents. Additionally, the Islamic State group has had ample time to prepare for the defense of this city. General Sean MacFarland, the commander of the U.S.-led coalition in the fight against ISIS, has stated that Iraqi generals do not believe that retaking Mosul will be possible before the end of 2016 or early 2017. The Iraqi army, as shown in the operations in Tikrit and Ramadi, has acted slowly and is currently assessing how to cut off supply routes to Mosul before launching the operation. According to the French news agency, thousands of Iraqi forces were deployed in February to a base in Makhmour, 70 kilometers southeast of Mosul, in preparation for the operation. The U.S.-led international coalition conducted three airstrikes in the Qayyarah area on Wednesday, targeting 'telecommunication buildings' and destroying a bridge used by ISIS. The coalition has also conducted eight airstrikes on areas surrounding the city of Mosul. Kurdish Peshmerga forces are also extensively participating in the Mosul operation.