A military operation to recapture the Iraqi city of Mosul from so-called Islamic State (IS) has begun, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says.

The long-awaited assault from Kurdish Peshmerga, Iraqi government and allied forces is backed by the US-led coalition fighting IS in Iraq, reports the BBC.

Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, has been under IS control since June 2014.

The UN has expressed “extreme concern” for the safety of up to 1.5 million people in the area.

Mosul is the group’s last major stronghold in Iraq. The loss of the city, officials say, would mark the effective defeat of IS in the country.

Sporadic artillery was reportedly heard in areas around the city after the announcement.

BDST: 1053 HRS, OCT 17, 2016
SR