BAGHDAD—It promises to be the biggest and perhaps last major battle against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq.
Iraq’s government is setting its sight on Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city that has been under ISIS control since June 2014, as its next major target in the fight against ISIS. The assault is likely months away, but fierce fighting has already been raging as Iraqi forces try to clear the militants from villages and towns south of the city.
The goal is to protect the Qayara air base, which was recaptured from the militants on July 9 and is to be a main hub for the final move on Mosul. Some 560 American military personnel, mainly engineers and logistics, security and communications experts, are due to deploy at the base to upgrade its facilities to prepare for the Mosul attacks, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
