Qayyarah base, the busy back stage of Mosul offensive Ambulances speed across the Iraqi base carrying wounded security personnel, while others prepare to head to the front lines in the battle to retake Mosul from jihadists. The Qayyarah base was retaken from the Islamic State jihadist group earlier this year and is now a key logistics hub for the major multi-pronged operation to recapture Mosul, Iraq's second city. IMAGES