Newsweek: Mosul Offensive Against ISIS Set to Begin, Says French Defense Minister
Jean-Yves Le Drian's comments come after the French air force conducted airstrikes against the group.
The operation to liberate the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) is set to begin soon, France’s defense minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian declared on Friday, the same day that the French air force conducted strikes against the group after taking off from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
“The battle for Mosul has not started yet. (The operations today) are the extension of our support for the coalition,” he told reporters in northwestern France, Reuters reported. “There will soon be the main attack.”
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The Islamic State is ready for the onslaught .... Preparing for Battle: In Mosul, ISIS Builds Walls, Tunnels, Trenches (Daily Beast).
More News On The Battle To Retake Mosul
Preparations intensify for Mosul offensive in Iraq -- Euronews
Mosul offensive to start soon, says French defence minister -- Reuters
French fighter jets launch mission against IS group in Mosul -- France 24
France begins aicraft carrier airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Mosul -- UPI
US-led coalition targets Islamic State’s leadership in Mosul ahead of ground offensive -- Long War Journal
ISIS News: 18 Members Killed By Airstrikes, US Military Says -- IBTimes
US Picking Off Key IS Officials, 'Softening' Grip on Mosul -- VOA
Islamic State Struggling to Reinforce Mosul Ahead of Iraqi Offensive -- VOA
U.S. sends more troops to Iraq to retake Mosul -- PBS Newshour
Turkey, US, Iraq trying to resolve disagreements on Mosul operation -- Daily Sabah
UN estimates 700,000 Iraqis will need humanitarian aid once Mosul operation begins -- Al Bawaba
'Massive crisis' as 1.5m expected to flee Iraq's Mosul -- Al Jazeera
UN warns of refugee 'disaster' once Iraqi troops take on ISIS in Mosul -- Military Times