Islamist State mounts dogged resistance in Mosul despite air-strike fury
Qaraqosh — Iraqi forces advancing on Mosul faced stiff resistance from the Islamic State group on Monday, despite the US-led coalition unleashing an unprecedented wave of air strikes to back the week-old offensive. Federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters were moving forward in several areas, but the jihadists were hitting back with shelling, sniper fire, suicide car bombs and booby traps. IS has tried to deflect attention from losses around Mosul with attacks on Iraqi forces elsewhere in the country, the latest on Sunday near the Jordanian border. Following a weekend visit to Iraq by US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter, American officials said the coalition was providing the most air support yet to the operation. "One week into Mosul operation, all objectives met thus far, and more coalition air strikes than any other seven-day period of war against ISIL (IS)," Brett McGurk, the top US envoy to the 60-nation coalition, said on social media. Coalition spokesman Colonel John D...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.