Iraq forces launch battle to retake IS stronghold Mosul

Al-Shura (Iraq) (AFP) - Iraqi forces launched an offensive Monday to retake Mosul and deal a death blow to the Islamic State group's "caliphate" in the northern city where it was declared two years ago. Some 30,000 federal forces are leading the offensive, backed by a 60-nation US-led coalition, in what is expected to be a long and difficult assault on IS's last major Iraqi stronghold. Iraqi forces could be seen readying weapons and ammunitions as columns of armoured vehicles headed towards Mosu