Iraqi forces have taken their first steps toward retaking the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul. VOAs Sharon Behn reports exclusively from the front line, where .brThe Iraqi army is preparing an offensive to take the city of Mosul, the main stronghold of the ISIL. The Joint Operations Command has dispatched the fourth batch .brbrSee Now Full Story: The Iraqi army, backed by Shiite and Sunni fighters, has begun a major effort to retake Saddam Husseins hometown of .