BAGHDAD — For months, the Iraqi government has been preparing to launch an offensive to recapture the country's second largest city, Mosul, from the Islamic State. Now, there are clear signs that the militants believe it is imminent.The extremist group's fighters have sent their wives and children to Syria and Turkey, pulled their black flags from buildings to hide potential airstrike targets for a U.S.-led coalition, planted roadside bombs and set fires to oil wells to stymie Iraqi troops.
