Stephen Townsend, commander of US forces in Iraq and Syria, said the operation launched by Iraqi troops to retake Mosul city from the grip of Daesh terrorist group might take weeks or more.

"It is a long and tough battle," Townsend said, noting that the US would support the Iraqi troops for this battle.
Coalition troops have prepared and trained more than 54,000 personnel from the Iraqi troops for the mission, he added.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Abadi announced on Sunday the start of operations to retake Mosul.

Daesh militants took control of Mosul two years ago.

Source: MENA