Iraq says it has started its long-awaited offensive to retake Mosul from ISIS

Iraqi forces recapture a town from ISIS — (Image credit: Moadh Al-Dulaimi/AFP/Getty Images)

A spokesman for the Iraqi military said Thursday morning that Iraq has begun its long-threatened offensive to recapture Mosul from the Islamic State. Mosul, 225 miles northwest of Baghdad, is Iraq's second-largest city, and the largest city under ISIS control. Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool said that Iraqi forces, with unspecified air support from the U.S.-led coalition, have already taken several villages near a town to the east of Mosul. ISIS overran Mosul in June 2014.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.