Iraqi counter-terrorism forces assemble in Bartella town, about 20 km east of Mosul, northern Iraq, on Feb. 20, 2017, preparing to participate in military operations to retake western Mosul. Iraqi security forces on Sunday announced the commencement of a new phase of offensive to drive out the extremist militants of Islamic State (IS) group from its major stronghold in the western side of Mosul, the Iraqi military said. (Xinhua/Yaser Jawad)
