Iraq launches offensive against the last remaining ISIS stronghold in Mosul.

The Iraqi army launched a decisive offensive today to retake the city of Mosul, after dropping hundreds of thousands of leaflets urging residents to evacuate.

Iraqi troops attacked ISIS in western Mosul on May 23. Photo: Reuters

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

Iraqi military commanders hoped to capture the church.Grand al-Nuri inThe Old City, before the start of Ramadan, which begins on May 27th or 28th in Iraq.JobLosing Mosul would help end the area that ISIS has controlled for nearly three years, including parts of Syria.

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

However, residents in Mosul saidThe militants placed corrugated metal sheets on gravel along the roads to create an early warning system. The noise would alert ISIS to military activity or civilians attempting to escape.

Speaking by phone, an anonymous resident said...Farouq, nearbyThe man from the ancient citadel expressed concern that "they are waiting to die, either from bombs or from starvation."They said that adults here only eat one meal a day, either wheat flour or bean soup.

Millet, commonly used to feed birds, is now being used instead of rice, and its price has increased tenfold. People are also having to search for wild plants and eat mulberry leaves as a substitute for vegetables.

Iraq launched an operation to liberate Mosul last October, and the Prime Minister...Haider al-Abadi initially hoped the army would retake Mosul by the end of 2016.

According to VNE