Iraqi, Kurdish Forces Liberate Villages Outside Mosul

Iraqi troops and Kurdish Peshmerga forces have liberated several villages from the Islamic State (IS) extremist group on the first day of their offensive to retake the city of Mosul. The long-awaited assault on Iraq's second-largest city began on October 17. It was captured by IS militants more than two years ago. More than 25,000 Iraqi government troops are advancing on Mosul from the south, while 4,000 Kurdish fighters are closing in from the east. (RFE/RL's Radio Farda)