Timeline of the Battle of Mosul (2016–2017)

The Battle of Mosul was a major military offensive launched by the Iraqi government and its allies to liberate the city of Mosul from the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as Daesh. The operation spanned from October 2016 to July 2017 and involved a complex coalition of forces, including the Iraqi Army, Kurdish Peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters, and various international allies providing air support, training, and advisory assistance.

Pre-Offensive Operations:

• Early 2016: Preparatory military operations begin, including isolating Mosul and cutting off supply lines. Coalition airstrikes target ISIS infrastructure, leadership, and weapons caches within and around the city.
• October 16, 2016: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi officially announces the start of the offensive to liberate Mosul.

Phase 1: Initial Advance and Encirclement (October 17, 2016 – January 2017):

• October 17-20, 2016: Peshmerga forces launch a major offensive east of Mosul, capturing several villages and clearing a path for the Iraqi Army to advance.
• October 20-31, 2016: Iraqi forces advance on multiple fronts, pushing into the surrounding plains and encountering fierce resistance from ISIS.
• November 1, 2016: Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) breach Mosul's eastern city limits and engage in intense urban combat.
• November - December 2016: ISOF, supported by Iraqi Army and Coalition air power, gradually clear districts in eastern Mosul, facing car bombs, snipers, and booby traps. The fighting is slow and costly, with heavy civilian casualties.
• December 2016 - January 2017: Progress stalls in some areas due to dense urban environment and determined ISIS resistance. The Tigris River divides the city, hindering coordination between eastern and western fronts.

Phase 2: Western Mosul Offensive (February 19, 2017 – July 2017):

• February 19, 2017: Iraqi forces launch the offensive to retake the western side of Mosul.
• February - March 2017: Iraqi forces advance through the heavily populated western districts, facing even more intense resistance than in the east. The narrow streets and dense building structure make maneuverability difficult.
• March 2017: Significant progress is made, with Iraqi forces capturing key landmarks, including the Mosul International Airport and the government complex.
• March - June 2017: The battle focuses on the Old City of Mosul, the last major ISIS stronghold. The fighting is extremely difficult due to the narrow alleyways, dense population, and ISIS's use of civilians as human shields.
• June 21, 2017: Iraqi forces begin a final push to retake the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, a highly symbolic location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the caliphate in 2014.
• June 29, 2017: Iraqi forces recapture the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, although ISIS destroys the mosque as they retreat.
• July 2017: The remaining ISIS fighters are cornered in a small area of the Old City.
• July 9, 2017: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declares victory over ISIS in Mosul.
• July 10, 2017: Official celebrations are held to mark the liberation of Mosul.

Post-Liberation:

• July 2017 onwards: Operations continue to clear remaining pockets of ISIS resistance and address the vast humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict. Reconstruction efforts begin, but face significant challenges due to the scale of the destruction.
• Ongoing: The city faces ongoing challenges related to security, displaced persons, and rebuilding infrastructure.