Iraqi army to attack al-Qaida stronghold

Iraqi army reinforcements moved into positions near the northern city of Mosul today, ready to strike al-Qaida in Iraq targets in their last urban stronghold.

Maj. Gen. Riyad Jalal, a senior officer in the Mosul region, said the additional forces were encamped in an Iraqi base near the city and would open an offensive against al-Qaida fighters "immediately after all the added troops arrive".