伊拉克和库尔德战斗人员报告收复摩苏尔之战初胜

Iraqi and Kurdish forces say they have retaken a number of villages outside the northern city of Mosul, as they press an offensive to reclaim control of the area from Islamic State militants.

The operation, backed by airstrikes from a U.S.-led coalition and involving Sunni tribal forces and Shi'ite militias, went on for its second day Tuesday with the fighting still located outside of Mosul itself.

Kurdish President Masoud Barzani said the first day of fighting freed 200 square kilometers. He declared "Mosul will be liberated," and added that his fighters are doing their best to keep the city from becoming like war-battered Aleppo, Syria.

This is the largest military operation in Iraq since U.S. combat forces left five years ago, but it is raising concerns about the safety of hundreds of thousands of civilians in the area.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said Monday that Iraqi and Kurdish forces are "ahead of schedule so far." He said U.S. troops are on the outskirts of Mosul in a support role, but that "Iraqis are in the lead."