The battle for Mosul, Iraq
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Iraqi firefighters battle large fire at oil wells as they trying to prevent the flames from reaching the residential neighborhoods in Qayara, Iraq on Aug. 31, 2016. Oil wells on the edge of Qayara burn days after the key town south of was retaken from the Islamic State group by Iraqi ground forces backed by U.S.-led coalition airpower. Iraqâs prime minister pledges Mosul will be retaken this year. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
Locals celebrate with soldiers of Iraqi Counterterrorism Service after the defeat of Islamic State group, in Qayara, 70 kilometers (45 miles) south of Mosul, Iraq on Aug. 27, 2016. Iraqi forces retook the town of Qayara, a key area near a major air base south of Mosul, from the Islamic State group Thursday according to a statement issued from the office of prime minister Al-Abadi. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
A still image from video shows Islamic State militants battling to maintain control around Mosul, Iraq August 16, 2016. (Amaq News Agency via REUTERS TV)
(REUTERS)
A member of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces checks his weapon in a military vehicle on the southeast of Mosul, Iraq, August 14, 2016. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Smoke rises from clashes with Islamic State militants on the southeast of Mosul , Iraq, August 14, 2016. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Displaced people approach the Kurdish Peshmerga forces on the southeast of Mosul, Iraq, August 14, 2016. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
A Kurdish flag is seen on military vehicles of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces on the southeast of Mosul, Iraq, August 14, 2016. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Kurdish Peshmerga forces ride on military vehicles on the southeast of Mosul, Iraq, August 14, 2016. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
An Iraqi soldier helps a wounded soldier from clashes in south of Mosul, August 12, 2016. Picture taken August 12, 2016. (REUTERS/Stringer)
(REUTERS)
Displaced people, who fled from Al-Shirqat due to Islamic State violence, receive aid on the outskirts of Al-Shirqat, south of Mosul, Iraq, July 30, 2016. Picture taken July 30, 2016. (REUTERS/Stringer)
(REUTERS)
A displaced woman, who fled from Al-Shirqat, due to Islamic State violence, holds her child on the outskirts of Al-Shirqat, south of Mosul, Iraq, July 30, 2016. Picture taken July 30, 2016. (REUTERS/Stringer)
(REUTERS)
Smoke rises after airstrikes from the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State militants in a village east of Mosul, Iraq, May 29, 2016. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Women and children stand in line to receive a portion of food at Dibaga camp for internally displaced civilians in Iraq on Aug. 7, 2016. The U.N. refugee agency says that more than 100,000 people have been displaced as Iraqi forces clear territory ahead of the critical battle for the Islamic State-held city of Mosul. (AP Photos/Alice Martins)
(AP Photos/Alice Martins)
In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi's convoy tours the front line in their fight against Islamic State group militants in the Samarra desert, on the border between Anbar and Salahuddin provinces, Iraq. Iraqi forces are again trying to clear Islamic State group fighters from the sprawling deserts that stand between recent territorial gains in Anbar province and the IS-held city of Mosul to the north. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 photo, Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi's convoy refuels during a during a tour at the front line in their fight against Islamic State group militants in the Samarra desert, on the border between Anbar and Salahuddin provinces, Iraq. Iraqi forces are again trying to clear Islamic State group fighters from the sprawling deserts that stand between recent territorial gains in Anbar province and the IS-held city of Mosul to the north. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Iraqi army members stand guard at the entrance to the Nineveh Liberation Operations Command at Makhmour base, south of Mosul, Iraq, March 13, 2016. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Iraqi security forces wait for vehicles travelling to Mosul to fight against militants of Islamic State at an Iraqi army base in Camp Taji in Baghdad, February 21, 2016. (REUTERS/Ahmed Saad)
(REUTERS/Ahmed Saad)
Iraqi security forces ride in vehicles travelling to Mosul to fight against militants of Islamic State at an Iraqi army base in Camp Taji in Baghdad, February 21, 2016. (REUTERS/Ahmed Saad)
(REUTERS/Ahmed Saad)
Iraqi army members stand guard at the entrance to the Nineveh Liberation Operations Command at Makhmour base, south of Mosul, Iraq February 14, 2016. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Iraqi army members stand guard at the entrance to the Nineveh Liberation Operations Command at Makhmour base, south of Mosul, Iraq February 14, 2016. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
An Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga stands guard near the Mosul Dam in northern Iraq, February 3, 2016. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters inspect an rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher as they take control of the area, on the outskirts of Mosul February 6, 2015. (REUTERS/Ari Jalal)
(REUTERS)
Members of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi security forces patrol on a road some 25 km west of the northern city of Kirkuk, Iraq, on February 2, 2015, just a fews days after they retook the area from IS group (AFP Photo/Marwan Ibrahim)
(AFP/File)
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters walk next to their tank as they take control of the area, on the outskirts of Mosul February 6, 2015. (REUTERS/Ari Jalal)
(REUTERS)
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters walk with their weapons as they take control of the area, on the outskirts of Mosul February 6, 2015. (REUTERS/Ari Jalal)
(REUTERS)
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Kurdish Peshmerga fighters stand near the body of an Islamic State militant killed during a battle, on the outskirts of Mosul February 6, 2015. (REUTERS/Ari Jalal)
(REUTERS/Ari Jalal)
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters take a rest on the outskirts of Mosul January 30, 2015. (REUTERS/Ari Jalal)
(REUTERS)
In this Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 photo, Kurdish Peshmerga walk to the frontline in Shandoukhah, northern Iraq. The Iraqi Kurdish fighters retaking territory from Islamic State militants have found surprising ambivalence in areas they free from the jihadis’ oppressive rule. Locals have swiftly shaken off the imposed Islamic lifestyle _ but as Sunnis, from the same ethnic group as the militants, many are bracing for treatment as collaborators nonetheless. An AP team traveling with the Kurds found the road to Mosul, a coveted prize in the battle for Iraq, strewn with suspicion and fear. (AP Photo/Vivian Salama)
In this Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 photo, a Kurdish Peshmerga soldier stands guard, overlooking the road between Mosul and Tal afar at the frontline of Eski Mosul. The Iraqi Kurdish fighters retaking territory from Islamic State militants have found surprising ambivalence in areas they free from the jihadis’ oppressive rule. Locals have swiftly shaken off the imposed Islamic lifestyle _ but as Sunnis, from the same ethnic group as the militants, many are bracing for treatment as collaborators nonetheless. An AP team traveling with the Kurds found the road to Mosul, a coveted prize in the battle for Iraq, strewn with suspicion and fear. (AP Photo/Bram Janssen)
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter takes up position with his weapon as he keeps watch, on the outskirts of Mosul January 26, 2015. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are digging trenches and building defense berms in Wadi al-Ghorab (Valley Of The Crows), less than 2 km away from the IS-held Sultan Abdullah village, which demarcates the new border of their autonomous region. The Kurds have enjoyed de facto self rule since the first Gulf War in 1991. They are now closer than ever to achieving their dream of full independence. Yet they are menaced by the deadly ambitions of the Islamic caliphate across the frontline. Picture taken January 26, 2015. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters stand guard on the outskirts of Mosul January 26, 2015. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are digging trenches and building defense berms in Wadi al-Ghorab (Valley Of The Crows), less than 2 km away from the IS-held Sultan Abdullah village, which demarcates the new border of their autonomous region. The Kurds have enjoyed de facto self rule since the first Gulf War in 1991. They are now closer than ever to achieving their dream of full independence. Yet they are menaced by the deadly ambitions of the Islamic caliphate across the frontline. Picture taken January 26, 2015. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter takes up position with weapon at the frontline against the Islamic State, on the outskirts of Mosul January 26, 2015. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are digging trenches and building defense berms in Wadi al-Ghorab (Valley Of The Crows), less than 2 km away from the IS-held Sultan Abdullah village, which demarcates the new border of their autonomous region. The Kurds have enjoyed de facto self rule since the first Gulf War in 1991. They are now closer than ever to achieving their dream of full independence. Yet they are menaced by the deadly ambitions of the Islamic caliphate across the frontline. Picture taken January 26, 2015. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters take position with their weapons on the outskirts of Mosul January 26, 2015. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are digging trenches and building defense berms in Wadi al-Ghorab (Valley Of The Crows), less than 2 km away from the IS-held Sultan Abdullah village, which demarcates the new border of their autonomous region. The Kurds have enjoyed de facto self rule since the first Gulf War in 1991. They are now closer than ever to achieving their dream of full independence. Yet they are menaced by the deadly ambitions of the Islamic caliphate across the frontline. Picture taken January 26, 2015. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter takes up position with weapon at the frontline against the Islamic State, on the outskirts of Mosul January 26, 2015. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are digging trenches and building defense berms in Wadi al-Ghorab (Valley Of The Crows), less than 2 km away from the IS-held Sultan Abdullah village, which demarcates the new border of their autonomous region. The Kurds have enjoyed de facto self rule since the first Gulf War in 1991. They are now closer than ever to achieving their dream of full independence. Yet they are menaced by the deadly ambitions of the Islamic caliphate across the frontline. Picture taken January 26, 2015. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters take position with their weapons at the frontline against the Islamic State, on the outskirts of Mosul January 26, 2015. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are digging trenches and building defense berms in Wadi al-Ghorab (Valley Of The Crows), less than 2 km away from the IS-held Sultan Abdullah village, which demarcates the new border of their autonomous region. The Kurds have enjoyed de facto self rule since the first Gulf War in 1991. They are now closer than ever to achieving their dream of full independence. Yet they are menaced by the deadly ambitions of the Islamic caliphate across the frontline. Picture taken January 26, 2015. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
A Kurdish flag is seen next to Peshmerga fighters taking position with their weapons on the frontline against the Islamic State, on the outskirts of Mosul January 26, 2015. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are digging trenches and building defense berms in Wadi al-Ghorab (Valley Of The Crows), less than 2 km away from the IS-held Sultan Abdullah village, which demarcates the new border of their autonomous region. The Kurds have enjoyed de facto self rule since the first Gulf War in 1991. They are now closer than ever to achieving their dream of full independence. Yet they are menaced by the deadly ambitions of the Islamic caliphate across the frontline. Picture taken January 26, 2015. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters take position with their weapons at the frontline against the Islamic State, on the outskirts of Mosul January 26, 2015. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are digging trenches and building defense berms in Wadi al-Ghorab (Valley Of The Crows), less than 2 km away from the IS-held Sultan Abdullah village, which demarcates the new border of their autonomous region. The Kurds have enjoyed de facto self rule since the first Gulf War in 1991. They are now closer than ever to achieving their dream of full independence. Yet they are menaced by the deadly ambitions of the Islamic caliphate across the frontline. Picture taken January 26, 2015. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)
(REUTERS)
In this Thursday Jan. 29, 2015 photo, a Kurdish peshmerga fighter fires a weapon towards positions of the Islamic State group who are 500 meters or half a mile away, overlooking the strategic town of Sinjar, northern Iraq. (AP Photo/Bram Janssen)
(AP Photo/Bram Janssen)
In this Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 file photo, Kurdish peshmerga fighters surround extremists inside a hotel near police headquarters in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, 290 kilometers (180 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq. While Islamic State fighters have been forced to retreat from Kobani, the strategic town on Syria’s border with Turkey, they appear far from beaten in northern Iraq. Along the Kurds’ shifting front lines, it’s a tenuous hold. In Kirkuk, Kurdish forces have suffered painful losses from incessant IS guerrilla activity. (AP Photo, File)
(AP Photo, File)
A U.S. Navy F-18E Super Hornet supporting operations against the militant Islamic State group, leaves after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Iraq on Oct. 4, 2014. U.S.-led airstrikes and Iranian aid have helped Iraqi troops, militiamen and Kurdish fighters take back bits around Islamic State-held territory, but recapturing it all remains far out of reach for this country held hostage. (AP Photo/U.S. Air Force, Shawn Nickel)
(AP Photo/U.S. Air Force, Shawn Nickel, File)
Fighters from the Islamic State group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle down a main road at the northern city of Mosul, Iraq on June 23, 2014. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
In this June 16, 2014 file photo, Demonstrators chant pro-Islamic State group slogans as they carry the group's flags in front of the provincial government headquarters in Mosul, Iraq on June 16, 2014. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
The battle for Mosul, Iraq
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Iraqi firefighters battle large fire at oil wells as they trying to prevent the flames from reaching the residential neighborhoods in Qayara, Iraq on Aug. 31, 2016. Oil wells on the edge of Qayara burn days after the key town south of was retaken from the Islamic State group by Iraqi ground forces backed by U.S.-led coalition airpower. Iraqâs prime minister pledges Mosul will be retaken this year. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
The Iraqi Army is preparing to close in on the northern city of Mosul, which has been under the fierce occupation of the Islamic State since July 2014.With a population once thought to reach nearly 2 million people, Mosul is the largest city ISIS holds, and the battle for it will be one of the largest ever against the armed group. ( Ash Gallagher for Yahoo News
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by Ash Gallagher for Yahoo News
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