US General: Mosul to be 'Long and Tough' Battle, But Iraqis Prepared

The long-anticipated campaign to reclaim Mosul from the Islamic State began Monday. It is the largest military operation in Iraq since U.S. forces left five years ago. Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, who commands the U.S.-led coalition targeting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, cautioned it could take weeks or even longer to recapture Mosul. "This may prove to be a long and tough battle, but the Iraqis have prepared for it and we will stand by them," he said. U.S....

© La Voix de l'Amérique - lundi 17 octobre 2016