Clinton Assails Trump For Remarks Against Mosul Offensive

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton criticized rival Donald Trump on October 24 for saying that the effort to reclaim the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State control was going to be a disaster.

"He's basically declaring defeat before the battle has even started," Clinton said at a New Hampshire campaign rally, in a Reuters report. "He's proving to the world what it means to have an unqualified commander in chief."

Trump, the Republican nominee, said in a tweet, "The attack on Mosul is turning out to be a total disaster. We gave them months of notice. U.S. is looking so dumb."

The attack on Mosul is turning out to be a total disaster. We gave them months of notice. U.S. is looking so dumb. VOTE TRUMP and WIN AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2016

Both candidates are focusing on a few political swing states that can decide the outcome of the election.

Iraqi and Kurdish forces, supported by the United States, have carried out a huge attack on the area surrounding the Mosul, the last stronghold of Islamic State forces in Iraq. Since the assault was initiated on October 16, they have retaken about 80 villages and towns from Islamic State control, but have yet to move on the city itself. Military officers said the operation might last weeks or even months.

Trump claimed during the final 2016 presidential debate that the attack on the Iraqi city was plotted to help Clinton's campaign to the White House.

In the latest poll released by CNN, Clinton tops Trump by five points as the presidential campaign is in its final two weeks.

Among potential voters, Clinton edges Trump 49 percent to 44 percent, with only 3 percent backing Libertarian Gary Johnson and 2 percent ooting for Green Party nominee Jill Stein.

The survey also showed that Clinton was able to widen her lead among younger voters and non-whites, while Trump has increased his backing among the whites without college degrees.

Taking Johnson and Stein out of the equation, Clinton's margin extends by a point in the clash between the Democrat and the Republican, to 51 percent to 45 percent.