USA: US govt wishes Iraqi forces 'success' in battle for Mosul

Deputy spokesperson of the US State Department, Mark Toner, said the "United States wishes the Iraqi forces success in the battle ahead, and as leader of the coalition, supports Iraqi efforts to rid Mosul, Nineveh, and all of Iraq of these terrorist gangs," during a press briefing from Washington, D.C. on Monday following the start of operations to re-take Mosul from forces of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; formerly known as IS/ISIL).
Toner said the US would continue to provide support to Iraqi forces on the ground. "At the Iraqi government’s request, the US will continue to provide training, advice, and assistance to complete this critical mission," he stressed.
The spokesperson also said the US would continue to support the humanitarian efforts led by the government of Iraq to help displaced Iraqis return to their homes. "We recognise this is going to be a considerable challenge, but we have coordinated closely with Iraqi authorities and NGOs to be as prepared as possible," he stated.
Toner warned of the possibility that IS militants would escape through Iraqi Army lines while pretending to be refugees. "As Iraqi security forces push towards Mosul, they are already identifying and working to identify escape routes and communicating also directions to civilians as the offensive proceeds, and the overall plan envisions that there will be security screenings that’ll be carried about by Iraqi and Kurdish forces and civilian agencies," Toner said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi officially announced the start of the assault on Mosul during an address in Baghdad on Monday. Iraqi forces launched an offensive from the south of Mosul with Peshmerga forces striking from Khazir, east of the city. Warplanes of the US-led coalition are providing air cover.