Iraq-Kurdish force of 25,000 'to retake Mosul from IS'
"A joint Iraqi-Kurdish military force of up to 25,000 fighters is being prepared to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS), a US official says.
According to the senior military official, the operation to recapture the northern city will probably take place in April or May.
Iraq's second largest city is currently being held by 1,000 to 2,000 IS militants, the official added."
Vad som kan hindra och skjuta upp anfallet:
"He said the operation would be needed by May, otherwise it would be compromised by the summer heat, although he added that
it could be delayed if the Iraqi forces were not ready."
Syrien/YPG:
"Fighters from the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) and three other rebel groups have advanced steadily into IS-held territory since securing control of Kobane on 26 January.
The YPG and its allies are also now in control of about 35km (22 miles) of the motorway connecting the cities of Aleppo and Hassakeh, the Observatory added.
Ain Issa and the motorway are 56km from the city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the "caliphate" declared by IS in June."
http://m.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31543415