Last Sunday night the Iraqi government announced that they would being their massive operation to rid the second largest city in the war-ridden country of the terroristic self-proclaimed caliphate, ISIS.

The Islamic State has occupied the large city in northern Iraq since its beginnings. The city has remained a stronghold in the claimed territory of the State where ISIS has tried to set up a community in which they could gain legitimacy. Even reopening  a five star hotel. The leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi even made the declaration of the caliphate back in 2014 from this urban stronghold.

The fight has had great success during its initial phase to eradicate ISIS from the small villages surrounding Mosul. This due to the support that the Iraqi army is receiving from the Kurdish Peshmerga. Next week I will be examining who the Peshmerga and the Kurds are.

To read more and get current updates on the hyperactive situation read here:

Iraqi and Kurdish forces close in on Mosul after making quick gains – The Guardian

Mosul: Most intense day of fighting since offensive began – CNN

Retaking Mosul: Iraq’s most complex anti-IS operation

Breaking News 10/21/16 @ 11:00 am: ISIS Counterattacks the small city of Kirkuk during the morning.