Monday, October 17, 2016

Iraq announces start of offensive to retake Mosul

Iraq's Prime Minister has announced the start of an offensive to take back the city of Mosul, the capital of the Islamic State group's territory in Iraq.

Speaking on state TV, Haider al Abadi  said a moment of victory was near.

The assault on Mosul is backed by the US-led coalition and could be one of the biggest military operations in Iraq since the 2003 American invasion.

Former US CIA Director David Petraeus told ABC's This Week that taking back Mosul would be tough but the outcome wasn't in doubt:

IN: It's going to be...
OUT: ...increasingly know it
DUR: 15 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1016petraeus1.mp3

Four star general David Petraeus told ABC's This Week that the real battle would be dealing with competing groups once ISIS has left, and the US would need to step up its support to rebels:

IN: There's no question...
OUT: ...any meaningful diplomacy
DUR: 23 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1016petraeus2.mp3