Iraqi army commander: US-backed forces launch offensive against al-Qaida

US-backed forces have launched an operation against al-Qaida in Mosul, an Iraqi army commander said Saturday. Maj. Gen. Riyadh Jalal Tawfiq, the commander of military operations in the northern city of Mosul, issued a statement to announce the beginning of the long anticipated offensive against al-Qaida in Iraq's last urban stronghold on Saturday.