Fall of Mosul Would Mean Fall of the Caliphate: US General



Smoke rises from Islamic state positions after an airstrike by coalition forces in Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 18, 2016. The pace of operations slowed on Tuesday as Iraqi forces began pushing toward larger villages and encountering civilian populations on the second day of a massive operation to retake the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State group.

The fall of the ISIS-held city of Mosul in Iraq would mean the fall of ISIS’s caliphate as well. That’s according to the commander leading the U.S.-backed Iraqi ground forces pushing toward the city to oust the extremist terror group.

“ISIS has said this is the crown jewel of Iraq and its idea of a caliphate,” Maj. Gen. Gary Volesky told NBC News Tuesday. “There’s not going to be a caliphate, if there ever really was one. So for ISIL, this is going to be a key loss for them, and it will be a loss.”

Volesky expressed confidence in the military offensive, praising Iraqi troops for driving quickly toward Mosul.

“Iraqis have the momentum,” he said.

A line of about 12 people formed a human chain on a hillside to rescue a man trapped in a burning sport utility vehicle. The two-vehicle crash happened Sunday Oct. 16, 2016 in Palm Bay, Florida. Smoke billowed from the SUV as rescuers linked arms on a steep embankment and pulled the driver to safety. (Published Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016)

ISIS took control of Mosul two and a half years ago.  

Published 3 hours ago | Updated 10 minutes ago

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