sleeper cell #2
イラクモスルで，イラク軍・トルコ軍・クルド人部隊とISとの戦闘が開始されました。モスル付近にあるバシカと呼ばれる町は，クルド人部隊がISから奪取したようです。しかし，バシカにいる全てのIS戦闘員を掃討したわけではなく，予断を許さない状況には変わりません。また，イラクはトルコの軍事支援を要請しているわけではなく，ISとの戦闘において，足並みが揃っていない可能性もあります。
記事の中で気になった表現は"sleeper cell"です。Oxford Dictionaries.comで調べると"A group of secret agents that have remained inactive for a long period"と書かれておりました。「長期間活動しないスパイ」ということでしょうか。Urban Dictionaryの例文には"Those terrorists pretending to be normal students were the ultimate sleeper cells"とあり，「市民に紛れているテロリスト」を指すようです。(Ume)
Mosul offensive: Turkish and Kurdish forces launch attacks on IS
In an apparent attempt to divert attention from the Mosul offensive, IS militants attacked the town of Rutba, in the western province of Anbar, on Sunday.
An Iraqi military spokesman reported three suicide car bombs in the city but said the situation was now "under control".
The town had been under IS control since 2014, but was taken back into government hands four months ago. Rutba's mayor said IS entered the city through sleeper cells.
As the pressure builds on IS in and around Mosul, the group has been counter-attacking with suicide bombers and launching assaults in other areas.
On Friday, IS launched an attack on the city of Kirkuk, south-east of Mosul. At least 46 people were killed and many more injured. The city remains under curfew and there were reports of continuing sporadic clashes on Sunday.
