The Battle For Mosul

Guardian UK: Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga ask UK for help against Isis chemical attack - Battle for Mosul, designed to end the Isis caliphate in Iraq, expected to begin as early as middle of this month

The US announced at the beginning of last week it was sending a further 600 troops to help with the attack on Mosul.

Hundreds of US military advisers are helping the Iraqis establish Qayyara airbase as a logistical hub ahead of their assault on Mosul, where they will play a supporting role in the operation.