WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Iraqi Security Forces have paused the offensive to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State, also known as Daesh in order to resupply and get ready for the next steps in the military campaign, Operation Inherent Resolve press office told Sputnik on Wednesday.
"The Iraqi security forces are planning and conducting refit and resupply in preparation for future offensive operations," the office stated when asked about the pause in the battle for Mosul.
Iraqi forces backed by the US-led coalition against the Daesh launched the operation to reclaim Mosul from the terror group, which is outlawed in Russia, on October 17.
Last week, Operation Inherent Resolve Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend said the Mosul operation is "almost exactly" where the coalition thought it would be at this stage.
The city has been surrounded and the fighters have no opportunity to resupply, according to the coalition.
Mosul, as well as a number of other northern and western Iraqi cities and towns, was seized by the Daesh in 2014.
