IRAQI forces launched their long-awaited offensive to capture the Islamic State (Isis) stronghold of Mosul yesterday, gaining ground within hours.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of the big push in a televised address late on Sunday night.

Local Sunni Muslim and Assyrian volunteers, Shi’ite-dominated Popular Mobilisation Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces joined the army in driving out the death cult from the capital of Nineveh province on the Syrian and Turkish borders.