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Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37847506
Battle for Mosul on Schedule
(BBC News) Michael Knights - On Day 16 of the offensive to retake Mosul from Islamic State militants, the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) reached the eastern edges of the city at two points. Cooperation between the Kurdish Peshmerga and the ISF has been effective and enthusiastic. IS resistance has been strong, with around 100 car bombs, but the attacking momentum of the security forces has not been reduced. In addition, Shia paramilitary units led by the Hashd al-Shaabi are quickly filling up the desert areas between Mosul and the Syrian border. The writer is a fellow of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.