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Battle for Mosul ‘ahead of schedule’ – Pentagon

Kurdish security forces take up position overlooking Islamic State controlled villages surrounding Mosul.

Kurdish security forces take up position overlooking Islamic State controlled villages surrounding Mosul. Photo: AP

The Pentagon says the first day of a long awaited mission to retake Mosul from the Islamic State has ended with Iraqi forces “ahead of schedule”.

Spokesman Peter Cook said by midday they had achieved roughly what they had intended to do – and while it was early days, the mission had kicked off they way the Iraqis had hoped.

Iraq’s military says it has inflicted heavy losses on Islamic State. 

A three–pronged attack started at about 6am Baghdad time.

As many as 45,000 Iraqi military forces advanced on Mosul from the south, with Kurdish peshmerga marching from the east and support from US air strikes and ground special forces.

The Pentagon said about 5,000 American military personnel are in Iraq, and that special forces are both advising Iraqi and Kurdish units and guiding strikes, some near the outskirts of the city. “We are crystal clear that Americans are in harm’s way in Iraq, but they are not in a lead role,” Cook said.

Australians in action

Australian personnel and aircraft will certainly be involved in support operations, but Defence won’t say just what or how.

“Defence will not discuss specific details for operational security reasons,” a defence spokesman said.

Defence Minister Marise Payne declined to comment on operational details, saying it would take time and she was awaiting updates.

Peshmerga convoy Mosul

A peshmerga convoy drives towards a frontline in Khazer, about 30km east of Mosul. Photo: AP

She also declined to elaborate on predictions of civilian casualties.

“I don’t think my conjecture on rates of casualties or otherwise would be helpful at this point,” she said.

Australia has a substantial force in the Middle East, extensively involved in the fight against Islamic State.

The six F/A-18 Hornets of the RAAF Air Task Group will operate as part of the coalition air contingent, hitting IS targets in the city.

The RAAF KC-30A refueling aircraft will support the air campaign, as will the E-7A Wedgetail airborne warning and control aircraft.

Closest to Australian boots on the ground could be the 80-stong special operations task group whose members have advised and mentored Iraq’s elite Counter-Terrorism Service.

This unit, referred to as the Golden Division, played a key role in the fight to retake Ramadi.

Iraqi infantry trained by the 300 Australians and 100 New Zealanders of Task Group Taji will be in the thick of the fighting.

Another 30 Australian personnel are embedded in coalition headquarters in Baghdad.

Mosul Islamic state Iraq

A three–pronged attack has been launched in the long–awaited offensive to retake Mosul. Photo: AP

US Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, commander of the coalition taskforce, said the operation to regain control of Mosul would likely continue for weeks, possibly longer.

He said Iraq was supported by a wide range of coalition capabilities, including air support, artillery, intelligence, advisors and forward air controllers.

“But to be clear, the thousands of ground combat forces who will liberate Mosul are all Iraqis,” he said in a statement.

“This may prove to be a long and tough battle, but the Iraqis have prepared for it and we will stand by them.”

– with Max Blenkin, AAP Defence Correspondent

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