Initial photos from Mosul operation

A much anticipated Mosul offensive to liberate the city from Daesh began midnight Sunday, according to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. In an address on state television, Abadi said only the army and police would be in the city. He called on people in Mosul to be in solidarity with the security forces. It was reported earlier that the Iraqi army was gradually advancing toward Mosul, which officials in Baghdad vowed to liberate by the end of the year. Peshmerga forces reportedly are deployed on the Khazir front -- 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Mosul -- and U.S. artillery units also began striking Daesh positions on different fronts. The primary targets of the offensive are the Hamdaniya and Karakus districts.

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation

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Initial photos from Mosul operation