Bashiqa, whose residents are mostly Yazidis, lies 12 km (8 miles) to the northeast of Mosul.
The operation to regain control over Mosul began in the morning of Oct. 17. In addition to Iraq’s government forces, local Peshmerga paramilitaries participate in the operation.
The operation is supported by international anti-terrorism coalition air force.
Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq with a population of 1.3 million people, has been under the IS control for more than two years.
Mosul was surrendered almost without a fight during the extremists’ attack in June 2014.
The “Islamic State” considers Mosul as its main stronghold in Iraq.
More about:
