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News | Oct. 17, 2016

Coalition supports ISF Mosul offensive

By Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Hoskins Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

BAGHDAD  –  

 – Iraqi security forces began the offensive to retake Mosul Oct. 17, 2016, with support from the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, left, commander, Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve, visits with an Iraqi soldier at a tactical assembly area in northern Iraq, Iraq, prior to the start of the Mosul offensive, Oct. 10, 2016. The TAAs are where ISF assembled prior to making their push toward Mosul. A Coalition of regional and international nations have joined together to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region and the wider international community. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class R.W. Lemmons IV)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, left, commander, Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve, visits with an Iraqi soldier at a tactical assembly area in northern Iraq, Iraq, prior to the start of the Mosul offensive, Oct. 10, 2016. The TAAs are where ISF assembled prior to making their push toward Mosul. A Coalition of regional and international nations have joined together to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region and the wider international community. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class R.W. Lemmons IV)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, left, commander, Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve, visits with an Iraqi soldier at a tactical assembly area in northern Iraq, Iraq, prior to the start of the Mosul offensive, Oct. 10, 2016. The TAAs are where ISF assembled prior to making their push toward Mosul. A Coalition of regional and international nations have joined together to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region and the wider international community. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class R.W. Lemmons IV)
Coalition supports ISF Mosul offensive
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, left, commander, Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve, visits with an Iraqi soldier at a tactical assembly area in northern Iraq, Iraq, prior to the start of the Mosul offensive, Oct. 10, 2016. The TAAs are where ISF assembled prior to making their push toward Mosul. A Coalition of regional and international nations have joined together to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region and the wider international community. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class R.W. Lemmons IV)
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Photo By: Sgt. 1st Class Robert Lemmons
VIRIN: 161010-Z-BG771-301

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of the major operation to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The top Coalition general in Iraq, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, highlighted the leading role played by the Iraqis in the operation.

“Mosul will be a hard fight, but the Iraqi security forces are ready. They’ve been waiting to liberate Mosul for two years, and today is the day,” said the commanding general of CJFLCC-OIR and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

“The Coalition is proud to support the Iraqis in the liberation of Mosul,” he said. “The Iraqis have been building momentum from liberating Hit, Fallujah and Qayyarah. Mosul will be the next operation and we are confident they will succeed.”

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is leading a coalition of 19 nations to support the liberation of Mosul from ISIL. This operation encompasses years of progress by the ISF in order to defeat ISIL.