Preparations intensify for Mosul offensive

The U.S. is stepping up its military campaign against the so-called Islamic State by sending 600 extra troops to assist Iraqi forces in the impending push on Mosul, the militants’ de facto capital in Iraq

Areas of control

Iraqi government  Kurds Islamic State (IS)

U.S., UK and France’s air strikes expected to play major role in Mosul operation

Rafale fighter

Zummar

Mosul Dam

Tigris River

Tal Afar

Badush

Mosul: IS militants – thought to number up to 5,000 – digging network of tunnels and filling moats with crude oil in preparation for long battle

Airport: Cement blast walls placed at airport and on city’s southern outskirts to impede advancing troops

NINEVEH PROVINCE

Qayyarah Air Base: Most new U.S. troops assigned to rebuild base, badly damaged by retreating IS militants in July. Qayyarah will serve as main staging post for government offensive

Tall Kayf

Mosul

60km

IRAQ

Qayyarah

Zlican Camp

Bashiqa airfield

Kalak

Bashiqa

Bartella

Bakhdida

Hamma al-Alil

Nimrud

Makhmur

Mosul campaign expected to include 25,000 Iraqi troops, 10,000 Sunni tribal fighters, and 6,000 Kurdish Peshmerga.
Around 4,500 U.S. and 3,500 NATO troops will give support

TURKEY

SYRIA

IRAQ

Al Asad Airbase: New U.S. troops deployed

100km 60 miles

Mosul

Baghdad 

IRAN

20km 12 miles

Sources: U.S. Department of Defence, wire agencies