Iraq’s army launches long-awaited assault to reclaim Mosul

IRBIL, Iraq – Meeting fierce resistance from Islamic State fighters, Iraqi troops pushed their way into Mosul’s eastern outskirts on Tuesday, commanders said, marking the start of a difficult and dangerous new phase in the battle to retake the northern city.

The incursion by Iraqi special forces – acting as the tip of the spear in a massive U.S.-backed offensive – marked the first presence of government troops within the city limits during more than two years of harsh rule by the Sunni militants of the Islamic State.

A larger contingent of regular troops from the Iraqi army’s 9th Division was behind the special forces, The Associated Press reported.

In the outlying district of Gogjali, the elite troops seized the state television building, an Iraqi general told news agencies. After nearly a full day of fighting, Iraqi forces continued to advance toward the densely populated Karama district, which Islamic State fighters were using as a base to fight from behind makeshift blast walls.

As has been their practice since the overall offensive began two weeks ago, Islamic State fighters sought to hold off the attackers by lacing structures and roadways with explosives. As elsewhere, American airstrikes were aiding the advance of coalition troops, including Iraqi government forces, Kurdish fighters, and tribal and Shiite militias.

Mosul, once Iraq’s second most populous city, with a population of about 1.2 million, fell to the Islamic State in 2014, and it has been the militants’ main urban stronghold in the country since then. Losing Mosul would represent a major blow to the group – both militarily and in terms of prestige.

Even though the U.S.-backed attackers are now operating inside the city proper, the urban core of Mosul is still about six miles away, and in fighting so far, advancing only a few yards can be a costly endeavor.

Near the battle lines on the city’s eastern edge, black smoke rose from fires set by the militants in an attempt to shield their positions from airstrikes. Many civilians trapped by the fighting huddled in their homes, and television footage showed white flags hung by residents from windows and balconies in an effort to stave off strikes aimed at the Islamic State fighters.

People living in the district of al-Quds, at the city’s eastern approach, said heavy clashes had erupted at dawn, punctuated by loud explosions. One told the Reuters news agency by phone that residents could see Islamic State fighters using vehicles and alleyways for cover as they fired on advancing Iraqi troops.