Fears of sectarian abuse as Iraq launches Mosul offensive

The military offensive underway in Iraq to drive out Daesh from Mosul has raised fears about sectarian abuse. With ground support from the US-led coalition, Iraqi government forces launched the offensive in the early hours of Monday.

Some 30,000 Iraqi soldiers, Kurdish Peshmerga militia and Sunni tribal fighters were expected to take part in the drive to push an estimated 4,000 to 8,000 Daesh militants from Mosul, a city of 1.5 million people. Concerns about abuse and sectarian retribution have been raised among Iraqi officials and aid workers as Shia militias join the offensive in smaller cities in northern Iraq.

Where is Mosul?

Mosul is the second biggest city in Iraq. It is located in the north of the country.

What is happening there?

Since June 2014 it has been under the control of Daesh.

What’s happening now?

Iraqi and Kurdish forces, backed by an international coalition which is led by the US, are battling to recapture the city from Daesh.

“Today, the heroic operation to free you from the terror and the oppression of Daesh begins,” Iraq Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi announced on television. “We will meet soon on the ground in Mosul to celebrate liberation and your salvation.” He made the announcement whilst surrounded by the armed forces’ top commanders.

The presence of Shia militia groups forming the so-called Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which have official status in Baghdad, is bitterly resented by Sunnis. The PMF have been accused by the UN and others of carrying out sectarian killings and kidnappings in areas liberated from Daesh control.

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