Iraq launches Mosul offensive to drive out Islamic State | Reuters
www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-mosul-idUSKBN12G0Z1
Iraqi government forces launched a U.S.-backed offensive on Monday to drive Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul, a high-stakes battle to retake the militants' last major stronghold in the country. ... World News | Mon Oct 17, 2016 | 3:51pm EDT .... and Kurdish forces as well as Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi'ite militias.