Iraq launches offensive on last IS enclave in Mosul

The Iraqi army today launched a final campaign to retake the city of Mosul, after dropping hundreds of thousands of leaflets calling on people to take refuge.

Iraqi troops attack IS in western Mosul on May 23. Photo: Reuters

Iraqi forces have launched an operation targetingThe last area controlled by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in Mosul, includingAncient Citadel Centerand three adjacent districts along the west bank of the Tigris River, Reuters reported.

Iraqi military commanders hope to capture cathedralGrand al-Nuri inThe Old City, before Ramadan, begins on May 27 or 28 in Iraq.JobLosing Mosul would end the area IS has controlled for nearly three years, including parts of Syria.

Before that, to prepare for the campaign,Iraqi government aircraft dropped hundreds of thousands of leaflets in unliberated areas, urging people to escape through safe corridors.

However, people in Mosul saidThe militants have placed corrugated metal plates on gravel along roads as an early warning system. The noise will alert IS to military activity or civilians trying to escape.

Answering by phone, an anonymous resident inFarouq, nearThe Citadel, expressing concern that "they are waiting to die, either from bombs or from starvation".said adults here eat only one meal a day, flour or bean soup.

Millet, which is often used to feed birds, is being used instead of rice and the price has increased tenfold. People have to look for wild plants and eat mulberry leaves instead of vegetables.

Iraq launched the campaign to liberate Mosul last October and Prime MinisterHaider al-Abadi initially hoped the army would retake Mosul by the end of 2016.

According to VNE