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Iraq to start Mosul offensive against IS in first half of 2016 - Minister
22 January 2016
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Iraq plans to launch the operation to dislodge Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul in the first half of 2016, Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi told Reuters on Thursday.
Mosul is the largest city under control of the militants who captured it in 2014 to declare a caliphate over vast swathes of Sunni populated regions of Iraq and Syria.``I can say the battle won`t be delayed after the first half of this year, and its end by God`s will shall also be swift,`` Obeidi said in an interview in Cairo. ``We can determine when the battle starts, but its end depends on variables.``Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in December said 2016 will be the year of ``final victory`` on Islamic State. He spoke after the Iraqi army retook from the militants the city of Ramadi, west of Baghdad.
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