- Retaking Mosul from ISIS likely to prove tricky, costly
For the first time in years, the Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr and his militia are unleashing fiery anti-American rhetoric and threatening to attack U.S. troops. But top U.S. military officials have downplayed his remarks, saying that for now there’s no cause for concern. – Military Times
Commanders of the war against ISIS in Iraq and Syria are planning to depart from using purely counterinsurgency tecniques and instead use a range of combat techniques in the upcoming attack upon Mosul - to include Iraqi Security Forces' use of traditional heavy "Combine Arms Maneuver" tactics, US ground fires support and potential use of US Apache attack helicopters from the air. – Scout Warrior
Iraq's government is setting its sight on Mosul, Iraq's second largest city that has been under ISIS control since June 2014, as its next major target in the fight against ISIS. The assault is likely months away, but fierce fighting has already been raging as Iraqi forces try to clear the militants from villages and towns south of the city. – Associated Press