A few weeks before the offensive by Iraqi and Kurdish forces to retake Mosul from the jihadists of the Islamic State organization, our reporters in Iraq followed the final preparations for this strategic battle. We offer you an exclusive report, filmed at the end of August in northern Iraq. Our reporters went to the Kurdish front, where meter by meter, the peshmerga took back eleven villages around Mosul, a large city in northern Iraq and a stronghold of the Islamic State organization since June 2014. They also visited in Qayyarah, a town located approximately 60 km south of Mosul, where the Iraqi army established its rear base and was preparing to attack Mosul. The kick-off to dislodge the thousands of Islamist fighters from this large city in northern Iraq was given on the night of Sunday to Monday October 17. This strategic battle could last “several weeks, perhaps months,” said French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Tuesday. It promises to be “difficult,” added American President Barack Obama. Our reporters witnessed the final preparations for this offensive, alongside Kurdish and Arab forces, although rivals but fighting together against the common enemy. Suicide bombings, car bombs, burned oil wells, minefields... As the noose tightens, the jihadists are using all means to repel the assault on Mosul and thwart the American bombings.

Director: Camille Courcy
Country: Iraq
Broadcast date: 22-10-2016 (52 on the front page)