ERBIL, Iraq _ Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced early Monday that a military offensive to recapture Mosul from Islamic State is now underway. The offensive had been expected some time this month.
"The campaign to liberate Mosul has begun," al-Abadi said on Iraqi state television, appearing surrounded by uniformed military officials.
Mosul is Islamic State's last major stronghold in Iraq. It was once the country's second-largest city, with a diverse population of about 1.2 million.
Brett McGurk, President Barack Obama's envoy in the campaign against Islamic State, tweeted the announcement soon after. "Abadi issued orders to initiate major operations to liberate Mosul after two years of darkness under ISIL terrorists," he wrote, referring to Islamic State.
