Iraq's army operation kicks off to retake Intl. airport

The Iraqi army has launched a major operation to retake Mosul International Airport on the city’s southern outskirts.
The assault is also aimed at retaking a nearby military base. The site could be used as a launchpad for the rest of the Mosul operation to retake the whole western part of the city from the Daesh terrorist group. The offensive for western Mosul began on Sunday following a hiatus of a few weeks since the Iraqi forces liberated the eastern side. Mosul is bisected by the Tigris River. It fell to Daesh in 20-14. The city is seen as the last urban stronghold of Daesh in Iraq. The liberation of Mosul would be the de facto fall of the terror group in the country.