Iraqi and US-led coalition forces have killed or gravely injured more than 2,000 Islamic State fighters in the battle for Mosul since October, the top US commander in Iraq said today. <br/><br/>At a joint news conference with US Defense Secretary Ash Carter at Qayara air base, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend told reporters there are still an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 IS fighters defending Mosul. <br/>'<br/>Iraqi forces have only won back a handful of eastern Mosul neighborhoods since launching the offensive in mid-October. Mosul is about 250 miles from Baghdad. <br/><br/>Pentagon chief Carter made an unannounced visit today to the Qayara base, flying in from Baghdad after meeting with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and sharing lunch with American troops. It was Carter's first visit to Qayara since it began operating as an Iraqi staging base in October. <br/><br/>Carter toured the air base, greeting soldiers and offering holiday wishes. He assured them the Mosul campaign is on track.

Iraqi and US-led coalition forces have killed or gravely injured more than 2,000 Islamic State fighters in the battle for Mosul since<br/>October, the top US commander in Iraq said today. At a joint news conference with US Defense Secretary Ash Carter at Qayara air base, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend told reporters there are still an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 IS fighters defending Mosul. <br/>'<br/>Iraqi forces have only won back a handful of eastern Mosul neighborhoods since launching the offensive in mid-October. Mosul is about 250 miles from Baghdad. Pentagon chief Carter made an unannounced visit today to the Qayara base, flying in from Baghdad after meeting with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and sharing lunch with American troops. It was Carter's first visit to Qayara since it began operating as an Iraqi staging base in October. <br/><br/>Carter toured the air base, greeting soldiers and offering holiday wishes. He assured them the Mosul campaign is on track.