Military reports from Iraq indicate that the ongoing operation to retake the militant-held city of Mosul has huge challenges.
Iraqi’s Foreign Minister said on Tuesday that the progress aimed at liberating the northern city of Mosul has been slowed by the Islamic States terrorist’s use of civilians as human shields.
Ibrahim al-Jaafari during a visit to Hungary on Tuesday said that 1,700 Islamic States fighters have been killed and 120 others captured in the battle to recapture Mosul so far.
Al-Jaafari noted one third of the Ninevah province, where Mosul is the capital, has been freed from ISIS.
Al-Jaafari also said some 62,000 refugees have left the city – much fewer than was expected by authorities.
