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Extremism Watch

What Forces are Fighting in Mosul?

Troop breakdown of Operation Conquest, a U.S.-backed military offensive to eject the Islamic State from Iraq's second largest city, Mosul. (VOA/Mark Sandeen)
Troop breakdown of Operation Conquest, a U.S.-backed military offensive to eject the Islamic State from Iraq's second largest city, Mosul. (VOA/Mark Sandeen)

The massive military push to oust the so-called Islamic State from Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, involves Iraqis, Kurds, Americans and even members of the Iraq's Shi'ite community.

Iraqi special forces search a building located inside a church compound in Bartella, east of Mosul, Iraq on Oct. 21, 2016.
Iraqi special forces search a building located inside a church compound in Bartella, east of Mosul, Iraq on Oct. 21, 2016.

U.S. military officials have warned the operation, which is likely to include street battles once Iraqi and Kurdish troops fight their way inside Mosul, is likely to take weeks.

A family arrives in Qayyarah during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq on Oct. 19, 2016.
A family arrives in Qayyarah during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq on Oct. 19, 2016.

The complexity of the fight became obvious after IS militants attacked Kirkuk, a city to the east of Mosul.

The fighting has also prompted a frenzied rush of civilians, who are fleeing IS-controlled Mosul by the tens of thousands at great personal risk to U.N. camps in Syria.

The Battle for Mosul

Peshmerga forces advance in the east of Mosul to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2016.
1/9 Peshmerga forces advance in the east of Mosul to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2016.
The Battle for Mosul
Smoke rises from Islamic state positions after an airstrike by coalition forces in Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2016.
2/9 Smoke rises from Islamic state positions after an airstrike by coalition forces in Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2016.
The Battle for Mosul
This photo released on his official Facebook page shows Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, center, surrounded by top military and police officers as he announces the start of the operation to liberate the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State milit
3/9 This photo released on his official Facebook page shows Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, center, surrounded by top military and police officers as he announces the start of the operation to liberate the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State milit
The Battle for Mosul
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters stand on top of a military vehicle as they advance towards villages surrounding Mosul, in Khazer, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2016.
4/9 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters stand on top of a military vehicle as they advance towards villages surrounding Mosul, in Khazer, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2016.
The Battle for Mosul
Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces gather ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Mosul, outside Erbil, Iraq, Oct. 15, 2016.
5/9 Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces gather ahead of an operation to re-take the Islamic State-held City of Mosul, outside Erbil, Iraq, Oct. 15, 2016.
The Battle for Mosul
Peshmerga forces gather on the east of Mosul during preparations to attack Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 16, 2016.
6/9 Peshmerga forces gather on the east of Mosul during preparations to attack Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 16, 2016.
The Battle for Mosul
Iraqi special forces soldiers deployed for an offensive to retake Mosul from Islamic State militants prepare to move out from a camp near Khazer, Iraq, Oct. 14, 2016.
7/9 Iraqi special forces soldiers deployed for an offensive to retake Mosul from Islamic State militants prepare to move out from a camp near Khazer, Iraq, Oct. 14, 2016.
The Battle for Mosul
Peshmerga fighters are seen in Khazer, west of Erbil, Iraq in this still frame taken from video, Oct. 17, 2016.
8/9 Peshmerga fighters are seen in Khazer, west of Erbil, Iraq in this still frame taken from video, Oct. 17, 2016.
The Battle for Mosul
Smoke rises from clashes in the east of Mosul during clashes with Islamic State militants, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2016.
9/9 Smoke rises from clashes in the east of Mosul during clashes with Islamic State militants, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2016.
The Battle for Mosul
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