Iraqi troops and tanks have arrived in the northern city of Mosul to boost forces for a huge offensive against al-Qaeda after deadly bombings this week, an official said on Sunday. "We have sent many soldiers, vehicles and tanks to Mosul at the request of our commanders," defence ministry spokesman Major General Mohammed al-Askari told AFP.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Friday promised a "decisive battle" against the jihadists in Nineveh province after dozens of people including a top police chief were killed in two days of bomb attacks in the provincial capital Mosul.