BAGHDAD (AP) – The Latest on the developments in Iraq where Iraqi forces are pushing to retake the last sliver of ground held by the Islamic State group in the Old City neighborhood (all times local):
1:55 p.m.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he welcomes news that the fight against the Islamic State group in Mosul is nearing its ends but says the once oil-rich city has been left in ruins.
Erdogan spoke to a World Petroleum Congress meeting in Istanbul on Monday. He also questioned who would pay for the reconstruction of the region.
Erdogan says Turkey is “very happy about the news that a conclusion (in the battle for) Mosul is being reached” but cautioned that “the point which Mosul has reached is very important.”