British fighter jets took off from an air base in Cyprus, ready to provide air support to Iraqi troops in the battle to retake Mosul from I.S. Iraq’s second-largest city fell to the militant group in 2014. Iraqi forces backed by air strikes from the U.S.-led coalition have already gained complete control of the northern district of Shirqat, bringing the military a step closer to the main push on Mosul. U.S. And Iraqi officials have said the push on Mosul could begin in October, though there are concerns that not enough planning has been done for how to manage the city, if and when I.S. Is expelled.