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WASHINGTON — The U.S. and Iraq are planning a spring offensive to retake the city of Mosul that will require 20,000 to 25,000 Iraqi troops to defeat 1,000 to 2,000 Islamic State of Iraq & Al-Sham fighters.

The main attack force of five Iraqi army brigades will need to be trained first by U.S. advisors, an official at U.S. Central Command, told a briefing Thursday to discuss military operations.

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The U.S. has not ruled out delaying the offensive from its planned start in April or May if more time is needed for training.

While the spring timing had been previously discussed, new details were offered on the size of the force required to recapture Iraq’s second-largest city from ISIS, which seized it in June.

The battle for Mosul will mark the first major test for Iraqi forces since many fled as the jihadi extremists swept across northern Iraq last year to create their self-styled caliphate. While some Iraqi officials pushed for an earlier offensive in Mosul, the U.S. has resisted such pleas, saying more time was needed for training.