Iraqi Army begins important offensive in southern Mosul

The Iraqi Army announced the start of their imperative offensive to capture the Islamic State stronghold of Al-Qiyyarah, marking the inception of the government’s assault to liberate this city.

Al-Qiyyarah is strategically located along the main highway to the provincial capital of the Nineveh Governorate; if captured, ISIS will no longer have a buffer-zone to the south of Mosul.

The U.S. Air Force is aiding the Iraqi Armed Forces from above, targeting the Islamic State’s positions along the Mosul-Baghdad Highway.

The Islamic State will not likely hold this town for very long, thanks in large part to its susceptibility to U.S. and Iraqi airstrikes.