An Iraqi policeman inspects his weapon at the Qayyarah military base, about 60 kilometers (35 miles) south of Mosul, on Oct. 16, 2016, as forces prepare for the offensive after regaining much of the territory the jihadists seized in 2014 and 2015.
Photo: Iraqi forces gather in the area of al-Shourah, some 45 kms south of Mosul, as they advance towards the city on Oct. 17, 2016.