Iraq's counter-terrorism forces assemble to launch attacks on the city of Mosul in Bazwaia town, on the eastern outskirts of Mosul, Iraq, on Oct. 31, 2016. Iraqi security forces on Monday entered a district at the edge of the city of Mosul for the first time after two weeks of a massive offensive to dislodge Islamic State (IS) militants from their last major stronghold in Iraq, a senior military officials said. Earlier in the day, a military statement said the Iraqi army and counter-terrorism forces started the operation at 6:30 am (0330 GMT), advancing in three routes toward the eastern side of the Tigris River, which bisects the city. (Xinhua/Yaser Jawad)
