Advertisement

  1. National

Poor weather hampers advance of Iraqi special forces into Mosul

Iraqi special forces are holding their positions along Mosul's eastern outskirts as poor weather hampers their advance into the city to oust the so-called Islamic State.

Military chief Brigadier General Haider Fadhil said they did not plan to make any further advance into the terrorist stronghold on Wednesday because clouds could obscure the view of aircraft and drones.

Troops have made a swift advance to the outskirts of Mosul in recent weeks. However they have warned it could take months to finally drive out IS from the city.

View all 42 updates ›

France and Iraq to co-host Mosul summit

Kurdish Peshmerga forces advance towards Mosul. Credit: APTN

France and Iraq will co-host a ministerial summit on October 20 to discuss how to stabilise Mosul once the so-called Islamic State have been defeated there.

Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said defeating the terrorists in their Iraqi stronghold could take time and, with militants expected to escape over Syrian border into Raqqa, it was important to consider how best to retake that city too.

He said: "For Raqqa, a similar method will be needed to Mosul. It will take time and political will, but we have to organize ourselves.

"We can't let Islamic State reconstitute itself or strengthen to create an even more dangerous hub. We have to prepare ourselves."

  1. Read more
  2. 42 updates
Poor weather hampers advance of Iraqi special forces into Mosul

More on this story