Iraqi and Kurdish forces, backed by US-led airstrikes, launched coordinated military operations early on Monday as the long-awaited fight to wrest the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State fighters got underway.
![Iraqi soldiers celebrate Mosul offensive Iraqi soldiers celebrate Mosul offensive](https://static.euronews.com/articles/346979/1200x675_346979.jpg)
Video. Iraqi soldiers celebrate Mosul offensive
Iraqi and Kurdish forces, backed by US-led airstrikes, launched coordinated military operations early on Monday as the long-awaited fight to wrest the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State fighters got underway.