The fight to retake Mosul, Iraq from the Islamic State (ISIS) began Sunday and could last two months, according to a commander involved in the fighting.
Peshmerga Brigadier Gen. Sirwan Barzani told CNN the battle will not be swift, and the weather could cause it to last even longer.
"My expectation is two months for the fight inside Mosul, but weather is one of the factors that can delay the process," Barzani said.
A force of roughly 94,000 troops made up of Iraqis, Peshmerga fighters, paramilitaries, and even some Americans are trying to recapture Mosul from the 5,000 ISIS fighters guarding the city. Mosul is strategically situated in northern Iraq on the Tigris River, with several major roads leading out of it to other parts of the country.
The coalition forces are armed with small arms, rockets, tanks, and even have some air support from the Turkish military. ISIS is using small arms, car bombs, and suicide bombers in the fight.
Barzani said the coalition forces will be inside Mosul in roughly two weeks, but only Iraqi military members and national police will be allowed inside the city.
ISIS took over Mosul in 2014 without much of a fight from Iraqi forces.
It was reported Monday that 20 villages outside of Mosul were secured in the first 24 hours of fighting.
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