Summary
Much of the fighting for west Mosul will be at close quarters, but Iraq's battle against Daesh (ISIS) is also being waged in the open desert. On a dusty ridge west of Iraq's second city, the army's 9th Division is advancing through exposed territory in a push to sever the road between west Mosul and the Daesh-held town of Tal Afar.
The main route from Tal Afar to Daesh-held territory in Syria has already been cut, but severing the road from the town to Mosul will prevent the militants from resupplying or retreating as they come under pressure from Iraqi forces advancing from the south.
The fight is not an easy one, the division's commander, Staff Lt. Gen. Qassem al-Maliki said.
Gen. Abdel-Razzaq, working two walkie-talkies to coordinate strikes from helicopters overhead.
U.S. Lt. Col. James Browning said his forces had been assisting Iraqi troops for nearly two months, including during the earlier phase of the operation to capture east Mosul.
The Pentagon says around 450 U.S. military advisers are currently assisting Iraqi partners in the fight for Mosul, performing roles including providing guidance and calling in air strikes.
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