Iraqi and Kurdish commanders pause Mosul offensive

The frontlines to the east of Mosul were largely quiet Tuesday, a day after Iraqi Kurdish forces advanced amid a barrage of United States-led airstrikes and heavy artillery.

"We are just holding our positions," said Colonel Khathar Sheikhan of the Kurdish Peshmerga, which captured a handful of villages east of Mosul on Monday. An Iraqi special forces commander said his troops had delayed an advance following a request from Kurdish forces for more time to achieve their goals.

Iraqi Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil said his men had planned to move at dawn, but postponed the operation until Iraqi army and Kurdish commanders meet later on Tuesday.