Nearly 3 years after Da'ish took the city... #Iraq's flag has been raised above #Mosul's government buildings

[tigergorzow]

1 minute ago, nannab said:

Why is the government letting  imis( Iranians) get away with this?

nannab, Their day is coming once "Liberation Of Mosul" is completed.   President DJT & SEC DEF Mattis will not tolerate this nonsense and this is why we will have bases in various locations in Iraq & Kurdistan area.   The Iranian influence will fade for sure as well as their pawn Maliki.

[nannab]

Hope so. I wish just they would move a little faster regarding incidents like this.I think I read that some of the people go missing.

Thank you Sir.

 

[tigergorzow]

Airstrike kills 62 IS members west of Mosul

by Loaa Adel Feb 18, 2017, 10:12 pm

 

 

 

International Coalition intensifies airstrikes against Islamic State’s headquarters.

 

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) A security source in Nineveh Province declared that 62 members of the Islamic State were killed by a coalition airstrike, west of Mosul, Alsumaria News reported on Monday.

The source said, “Today, US-led coalition warplanes bombarded the General Hospital building that was used by the Islamic State as a headquarters for foreign immigrants, west of Mosul.”

“The airstrike resulted in the killing of 62 members of the Islamic State, holding Russian, Chechen, French and German nationalities,” the source added on condition of anonymity.

“The airstrike was carried out based on accurate intelligence information and destructed the hospital completely,” the source explained.

“The Islamic State imposed a security cordon around the area of incident and prevented the residents from approaching it,” the source further added.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/airstrike-kills-62-members-west-mosul/

Edited February 19, 2017 by tigergorzow

[tigergorzow]

Turkey sets out Raqqa operation plans to U.S.: report

by Loaa Adel Feb 18, 2017, 3:39 pm

 

 

 

 

A Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter stands near a flag in northern Raqqa province, Syria February 6, 2017. REUTERS/Rodi Said

 

(Reuters) Turkey has presented two proposals to the United States for how to carry out a joint military operation to drive Islamic State from its stronghold in the Syrian city of Raqqa, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported on Saturday.

Turkey has said repeatedly that the planned operation should be conducted by local Arab forces, possibly with support from Turkish troops, as opposed to the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Force (SDF) — an alliance dominated by Kurdish YPG militia.

Washington’s support for the SDF, which launched a campaign to encircle Raqqa in November, has caused tension with NATO-ally Turkey. Ankara views the Kurdish militia as an extension of militants fighting on its own soil.

It is not yet clear whether the new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump will provide weapons to the YPG despite Turkey’s objections. The U.S. says weapons provided to the SDF are so far limited to its Arab elements but Ankara says the arms are going to Kurdish militia and is asking for a halt.

In a meeting on Friday at Turkey’s Incirlik air base, a key hub for U.S.-led coalition against jihadists, Turkish military chief Hulusi Akar and his U.S. counterpart Joseph Dunford discussed the two Raqqa road maps, Hurriyet said, citing security sources.

Ankara’s preferred plan of action envisages Turkish and U.S. special forces, backed by commandoes and Turkey-backed Syrian rebels entering Syria through the border town of Tel Abyad, currently held by Kurdish YPG militia, the newspaper said.

The forces would effectively cut through YPG territory, before pushing on to Raqqa, which lies about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south.

Such a plan would require the United States to convince the Kurdish militia to grant the Turkey-backed forces a 20-kilometre (12-mile)-wide strip through YPG territory in order to push south, the paper said.

The SDF alliance, which includes Arab and other groups in Syria’s north as well as the YPG, controls swathes of territory along the Syria-Turkey border as they push back Islamic State.

With air strikes and special ground forces from the U.S.-led coalition, the SDF is in the middle of a multi-phased operation to surround Raqqa, Islamic State’s base of operations in Syria.

Hurriyet also said Ankara was betting on securing a Syrian and Arab force of about 9,000 to 10,000 troops for the Raqqa operation, with most coming from among the fighters being trained at two camps inside Turkey.

A second but less likely alternative outlined by Akar to Dunford was to push towards Raqqa via the Syrian town of Bab, Hurriyet reported, which Turkey-backed forces have been fighting to seize from Islamic State for the past two months.

But the long journey of 180 kilometres (about 110 miles) and mountainous terrain make that possibility less likely, it said.

http://www.iraqinews.com/arab-world-news/turkey-sets-raqqa-operation-plans-u-s-report/

Edited February 19, 2017 by tigergorzow

[bigwave]

One of Donald Trump’s main promises to the American people was to wipe ISIS off the face of the earth and the news out of Mosul shows the President is keeping his word. U.S.-led forces took out ISIS’s command and took control of it’s headquarters on Friday.

The Washington Examiner reports:

An Islamic State command-and-control headquarters in western Mosul was destroyed by a coalition air strike, the Defense Department announced on Saturday.

The five-story Bab Sinjar administration building, which also served as a propaganda facility, was located in the Jumhuri medical community complex, the release from Operation Inherent Resolve said. The U.S.-led coalition carried out the strike in Iraq on Friday.

Islamic State terrorists regularly use protected sites like hospitals, schools and mosques for activities to try to protect themselves from air strikes, but the coalition determined through intelligence collection that the building was no longer used for any medical purposes and that there were no civilians at the site.

Not only has ISIS sustained heavy damaged from U.S.-led forces, but Russia has been pounding the group, as well.

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/02/boom-u-s-led-forces-destroy-isis-command-control-hq/

[fancy]

Wonderful news, thanks bigwave. And now it begins. DJT said he'd do it, and he will. Things will move swiftly now.

[TexasMike1958]

Turn up the heat and they will run like cowards....

[Officiallytook]

Monday's are looking ever so bright lately

 

[jcfrag]

1 hour ago, Officiallytook said:

Monday's are looking ever so bright lately

 

Can't say enough good stuff about Sundays either, but then Sundays and Mondays are usually  the best days for news!!! 

[Drunk_Viking64]

3 hours ago, TexasMike1958 said:

Turn up the heat and they will run like cowards....

These cockroaches can run but they can't hide!!! General MadDog is just like Raid "Kills Bugs Dead!"

 

[The Englishman]

Iraq begins battle to free western Mosul from IS

• 28 minutes ago
•  
• From the sectionMiddle East

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Media captionMusic blares as Iraqi forces push across the desert

Islamic State

•      

Iraqi government forces have launched an offensive to liberate the western part of the city of Mosul from the so-called Islamic State.

Hundreds of military vehicles, backed by air power, rolled across the desert towards the jihadists' positions early on Sunday.

Iraqi forces retook two villages south of the city in the first hours of the operation, a top commander said.

The offensive was formally announced by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

Army Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir Yarallah said in a statement that elite Rapid Response units captured the villages of Athbah and Al-Lazzagah - two villages south of Mosul airport.

Government forces retook the eastern side of the city, the last major IS stronghold in Iraq, last month. But military officials say the western side, with its narrow, winding streets, may prove a bigger challenge.

The UN has voiced concern about civilians trapped there, amid reports that they could number up to 650,000. Leaflets warning residents of an imminent offensive were earlier dropped over the west of the city.

Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, the commander of the US-led coalition forces, said in a statement on Sunday: "Mosul would be a tough fight for any army in the world."

 

---

The BBC's Quentin Sommerville is embedded with the Emergency Response Division special forces troops near Mosul

The assault began just after dawn, after days of coalition air strikes, with hundreds of armoured vehicles, thousands of men, and support from helicopter gunships.

The men of Iraq's Emergency Response Division, police special forces are leading the attack. Their targets are three IS held villages to the south of west Mosul. They are trying to gain the high ground from IS, which will give them sight of the city's airport and its southern edge.

The government forces made quick gains but have been slowed as they begin to take villages. There are no signs of any civilians. Heavy machine gunfire, rockets and artillery fire are constant.

For the first time in nearly three years, the Iraqi flag is again flying over the south of western Mosul.

 

Media captionQuentin Sommerville: "All morning coalition aircraft have been softening up Islamic State positions"

 

 

Ahead of the launch of the operation, Mr Abadi said in a televised speech: "We announce the start of a new phase in the operation, we are coming to Nineveh to liberate the western side of Mosul."

"Our forces are beginning the liberation of the citizens from the terror of Daesh [IS]," he added, quoted by AFP news agency.

Iraqi forces have now all but surrounded the western part of Mosul, while the US-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes on IS targets.

Winning the city back has never been just about the military objective of driving IS out of its stronghold, the BBC's Sebastian Usher says.

Minimising civilian casualties and avoiding reprisals will be key to regaining the trust of the city's population in the Iraqi state itself, he adds.

[The Englishman]

PM Abadi Announces Start of West Mosul Offensive

The operation aims to liberate people of Mosul, Abadi says

 

 Basnews English

 19 February 2017

Iraq

 

 

 

 

MOSUL— Iraqi PM Haidar al-Abadi announced on Sunday the start of the operation to retake control of western Mosul from the Islamic State (IS).

The Iraqi troops launched a large-scale offensive aiming at driving out the IS militants from the west coast of Mosul after liberating the eastern half of the city.

Abadi described the operation a "new dawn" in the liberation of Mosul.

Liberating people of Mosul from IS is the priority, not retaking the territories Abadi said, asking the Iraqi organizations to provide humanitarian assistance and support to the liberated areas.

In the early hours of the operation, the Iraqi troops managed to liberate Bakhira village in west of Tal Afar town, located west of Mosul.

The Iraqi war jets dropped millions of leaflets over the western Mosul late Saturday to warn the residents of the imminent offensive by ground forces to liberate the west coast of the city.

[The Englishman]

IRAQI FORCES SECURE TWO VILLAGES, POWER PLANT IN WESTERN MOSUL

Iraqi security forces advance towards the western side of Mosul, Iraq February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily

52 mins ago

Views 171

 

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MOSUL – Iraqi forces regained control of two villages and a power plant on Sunday (February 19) during the newly launched offensive to liberate the western side of Mosul from Islamic State (ISIS).

Forces from the elite Rapid Response units secured the villages of Athbah and Lazzaqa, situated before Mosul airport and southwest of the city, Army Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir Yarallah said in a statement.

Iraqi forces backed by the army’s air force and artillery also retook a power plant in Lazzaqa, near the western shore of the Tigris River.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of the offensive to dislodge ISIS from the western side of Mosul on Sunday morning. As soon as the announcement was made, troops began making movements towards the ISIS-controlled west.

Iraqi planes dropped millions of leaflets on western Mosul warning residents that the offensive was imminent, the Defense Ministry said on Saturday (February 18).

The militants are essentially under siege in western Mosul, along with an estimated 650,000 civilians, after U.S.-backed forces surrounding the city forced them from the east in the first phase of an offensive that concluded last month.

After more than 100 days of hard urban battle against ISIS militants, Iraqi forces announced the complete liberation of eastern Mosul on January 24.

The offensive to dislodge ISIS from Mosul, its last major city stronghold in Iraq, started in October. The hardline Sunni group declared in 2014 a self-styled caliphate that also spans parts of Syria.

[NoviceInvestor]

🙏that loss of lives is minimal ..

[copper13]

May Isis lives all be distroyed! Every last one of them!! 😇🙏

[yota691]

Field commander: the right to storm the coast very soon

 

 

2/19/2017 0:00  BAGHDAD / morning  Mosul / Sunrise Maher / Sondos Abdulwahab  likely a senior field commander starting the process of editing the coast of Mosul right over the next few days. This comes at a time when the popular crowd forces foiled on Saturday, the third - largest attempt by terrorists Daesh within boycotted the visible western Nineveh in order to open a gap in the collar siege to escape across it toward Syria, Mekpdh them heavy losses as well as the killing of the most prominent of their leaders.    The end of the inevitability of Daesh   Joint Special Operations Command has examined the mechanism and strategy of the battle to liberate the right coast during a meeting yesterday at its headquarters in the presence of senior military commanders and field , including the commander of Nineveh operations , Major General Najim al - Jubouri , who said in an interview with the correspondent of the "morning": that the starting toward edit the right coast is near too, especially our troops in various different forms and formations on standby and waiting for the zero hour to start the third phase of operations « are coming, Nineveh», noting that the Air Force continuously bombed the hideouts of terrorists in this coast Mekpda them heavy losses in addition to the destruction of their weapons stores.  He pointed out that this battle will be easier and faster compared to the time it took on the left coast, especially after breaking and entering Aldoaash state of confusion, fear and panic they became uncertain that the end is inevitable too close and inescapable. He also stressed the first commander of special forces in counter - terrorism device Lt. Gen. Sami Arda, the date of the start of this battle is very close. He added that the anti - terror forces will be involved in urban warfare operations inside cities, and that the initial battles will be assigned other military pieces. The Prime Minister General Commander of the Armed Forces , Haider al - Abadi, briefed Thursday on the conduct of operations « are coming, Nineveh» and preparations kinds of forces that will be involved in implementation. As Abadi said , according to a statement his office during a meeting with military leaders at the headquarters of the Joint Special Operations Command, said that the resolution of the battle with Daesh become very soon, stressing the importance that everyone takes into account the battle mode with Aldaasha terrorism which is trying in various ways to undo the screws himself.  The crowd governs the ring  and because of the approaching date of the liberation of the remaining province of Nineveh operations, tried gangs «Daesh» open gap in the collar of the blockade in the right coast and Tal Afar in order to escape from which to Syria, but the heroes of the popular crowd all Ahbtoha, most recently reported by the the leader of the crowd Hasan  the support by saying that the factions of the popular crowd, foiled Saturday was carried out by a large exposure Aldoaash the third of its kind in the southwest district of Tall Afar. He said the clashes lasted for more than 4 hours 19 terrorists were killed and burned two wheels carrying Ahadetyn. After that was the Champions crowd foiled vulnerable to similar villages southwest of Tal Afar , where clashes continued for five hours at a time in which dragged dozens of children suicide bombers, as it tried from which these terrorists trapped in Tal Afar , a second time to escape towards Baaj , especially as there are great leaders among the attackers insists flee to Syria. He explained that the target villages by Daesh controlled by the crowd are appointed Talaoa appointed horse and ruined Jehah North Sharia and the village of saltwater virginity. In turn, confirmed media folk crowd killed the so - called (ordered the shields of the State of Nineveh Bdaash Battalion) during the failed exposure that took place yesterday at dawn on the west of Tal Afar , conclusively, while Ajhzat missile force Brigade 7 of the forces of the crowd on a convoy of Doaash coming from the urban city near a salty village killing many of them , including leader of the terrorist (Salman military).  A faction of the crowd forces were also killed during the new frustration vulnerable in the village of North Sharia 15 Daashaa including terrorist leader (Abouhbh Shami). The news correspondent «morning» for the Iraqi army Capt . Oday Bashar as saying that the popular crowd foiled an attack on the village of Ein Doaash Talaoa which blew three wheels bomb killed 12 terrorists of the nationalities of the Syrian and Libyan and Iraqi. The terrorists are bombing schools  and in return went deeper gangs Daesh to target residents in areas and neighborhoods liberated east of Mosul through indiscriminate shelling of their homes and the pupils and students in schools as well as send the beasts of the suicide bombers to blow themselves up among civilians .. where the Captain said in Nineveh Amir Police confident, to us that the terrorists yesterday they bombed three residential apartments widows Katyusha rockets in Algeria left the neighborhood coast killing four civilians and wounding nine others , including women and children. He pointed out that the security forces have spread throughout the neighborhood and launched a new another operation to search for those involved with Daesh and befriend and assist terrorists. Against the backdrop of Daesh guerrilla threats to the school administrations to prevent the resumption of pupils, students and faculty time, leading in the Joint Special Operations Command, Hamzah Othman revealed to the reporter the morning, all that terrorists bombed yesterday morning itself with missiles primary and secondary schools , including high schools outstanding, unity and QBs for girls and primary schools of Baghdad and underbrush and Lily, what killing five students and faculty and wounded 21 students and a teacher. Gangs has not only terrorism but it used drones and modified by throwing bombs at the grassroots victory Market east of Mosul, according to a leading anti - terrorism device on Mohsen say, pointing to correspondence morning, the shelling led to the death of three women and injuring 10 other women. He said Mohsen said the army forces managed to kill a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt after receiving information from the locals his presence in the main street of the Green Apartments before trying to blow himself up among civilians. At the same time , local residents told from the right coast in contact with us .. that Daesh gangs waged a campaign since Tuesday evening Friday during which he broke into the houses by force and stole all the food by force of arms and under threat of death after the exposure elements of hunger and running out of rations, arguing that theft even included cooked food and ready in pots families. He noted that most of the population Daesh camps located between residential neighborhoods have become empty and left most of the elements of the (organization) terrorist because of their exposure to hunger and thirst  , leaving light weapons  inside the camps.

 

[yota691]

urgent .. commander of the international coalition: the battle of Mosul will be the most difficult for any army in the world

 

   

 

 4 hours ago

 

 

Twilight News / alive , the commander of the international coalition against al Daesh, Stephen Townsend, the Iraqi army launching edit the coast right operations in Mosul, stressing that the Iraqi security forces have proved their strength and ability too, seriousness and professionalism in the battle of Mosul , which is an uphill battle for any army in the world. 
Townsend said in a statement the US embassy , "I applaud and wish good luck for the soldiers of the army and police brave Iraqis who are fighting today for the liberation of their country and make the region and the world a safer place." 
He stressed that " the battle for Althariralcaml of the connector can not come fast enough for hundreds of thousands of Iraqi citizens who have suffered MOST within two years under the oppression and injustice of Daesh in western Mosul, a period in which Daesh terrible atrocities committed and terrorized the people of Mosul, referring to " the cruelty and brutality Daesh on the civilian population has shown that it is not just a threat in Iraq and Syria, but for the region and the whole world , and over the past two years, and particularly in these past four months in Mosul, Iraqi forces proved to be a force capable too, are enormous, and the seriousness and professionalism and withstood the general terror. " 
he continued , " while targeting Daesh civilians without distinction, the Iraqi security forces did everything in its power to protect citizens in the city of Mosul, of all sects and religions. " 
Townsend said." We really all of Iraq demonstrated that he was her only to be a unified nation. " 
He added , " over the past two years, which included the Alliance more than 65 nation united to defeat Daesh, and contribute to the coalition in the defeat Daesh through five ways to train Iraqi and Ttaghizarult., enabling them to provide advice and assistance to their leaders, and the provision of information and intelligence Alasttalaah and to support surveillance, and through the air and ground raids audited against legitimate Daesh military targets 
and said : "so far, the coalition has conducted more than 10,000 air strike against targets Daesh, trained and equipped Aktrmen 70,000 per person in the Iraqi forces to support Iraqi operations. 
He said Townsend "Coalition forces and its partners will continue to use strikes designed to attack the accuracy Daesh ability to command and control its fighters boil, remove safe havens, and spare Massadermdackhelhm, and the destruction of their equipment, and their fighters were killed while minimizing the influence a innocent civilians. 
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al - Abadi, announced the start of operations to restore western Mosul of al Daesh, it said in a statement issued by his press office. 
The statement , "We announce the start of a new page of coming operations O Nineveh for the Liberation of the right side of Mosul, he added , " our troops off to liberate citizens from terrorism because our mission Daesh human liberation by the earth

 

[yota691]

"The new Arab" monitor the first hours of the battle of the west coast of Mosul

Mosul, Ali al-Husseini

February 19, 2017

 

 

 

 

Axes seven fighting overlapping appeared among them with the dawn on Sunday, when the Iraqi government announced the start of the offensive on the western Mosul Coast , to restore it from the grip of the "Islamic State" (Daesh) and broad international support air and ground, and with the participation of 52 thousand fighters, spread over different axes of the city, and several combat formations of regular and irregular .

According to military sources , an Iraqi in the clashes regions spoke for " the new Arab" the battles currently circulating at a distance of only 8 km from the administrative borders of areas of the west coast , in the sense that the residential areas are within the range of mortars and Katyusha rockets, which continue to bomb those areas intermittently between an hour and other.

Currently The fighting in the open and rural areas where the guerrillas to organize the Islamic state was forced to withdraw from it, and retreat to the area around Mosul International Airport, and Camp Ghazlani, and on the outskirts of Tel pomegranate and Mushayrifa; according to the same sources, which confirmed that the organization depends on Alangmasien foreigners, and suicide bombings.

Troops opened a few hours after the start of the fighting mobile field hospital close to the clashes sites, due to losses in its ranks .

A senior general in the Iraqi army within restore Mosul campaign for "new Arab" that in the battle of the east coast of military errors obtained will not be repeated in the West Coast, and has become most well - known organization plans ", noting that" in the event of the organization withdrawal tried and spare the city 's human and material losses it likely to leave the field to him , "according to the saying.

With lower temperatures in Mosul to less than zero Celsius during the evening; expects that the fighting stop with eight o'clock Baghdad time evening solutions, according to sources confirmed for "new Arab" that the airline will continue to conduct air strikes without stopping, and spotted a "new Arab" camera footage the fighting is currently taking place in Mosul and on several axes aerial bombing and missile and artillery operations show, as well as clashes between the two sides

 

[yota691]

First Published: 2017-02-19

Bombings in the east with the progress of the Iraqi forces toward Mosul airport

350 thousand children are stuck in the western part of the city without a safe haven with the start of a long and difficult battle.

Middle East Online

Escape is not an option BAGHDAD / south of Mosul (Iraq) - The Iraqi army said that the US-backed Iraqi forces began Sunday in the progress towards Mosul airport's first goal in its ground offensive to take control of the western part of the city, which is still in the grip of the organization of the Islamic state. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi earlier Sunday morning, officially the start of the ground operation in western Mosul and called for Iraqi forces to "attention to human dignity and respect for human rights" during the battle. The militants of the Islamic state are trapped in western Mosul, with an estimated 650 thousand civilians after the encircled backed by troops from the United States east of the city in the first phase of the attack, which ended last month. The lead units of the Iraqi Federal Police advanced north towards Mosul neighborhoods west of the Tigris River in order to control the Mosul airport, which is located on the southern edge of the city, according to data from the Joint Command of the Armed Forces. She added that the data forces took control of several villages and plant distribution of electricity in the early hours of the offer and killed a number of militants, including snipers. The Iraqi Defense Ministry Saturday that Iraqi planes dropped millions of leaflets on the west of Mosul to warn the population of the battle to expel fighters of the Islamic State is about to begin and this at a time when troops began to move in the direction of the region. Security sources said five people were killed, including three Iraqi soldiers in two suicide bombings Sunday in eastern Mosul. The first attack targeted an army checkpoint, killing three soldiers, while a second targeted a gathering of civilians in the yard of "My Fair Lady," which resulted in two deaths. The security sources said that dialed from Arbil, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, east of Mosul, said about 12 people were also wounded in the attacks, which were carried out by two men wearing suicide vests. Security sources suspect that the bombers crossed into eastern Mosul, from the west, which is still subject to the control of the Islamic state. Uphill battle Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of the US-led coalition forces said in a statement, "he said Mosul will be an uphill battle for any army in the world." Lise Grande, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Iraq on Saturday that up to 400 thousand civilians have been displaced by the attack in western Mosul's population is suffering from shortages of food and fuel and the closure of markets. Leaders are expected to battle west of Mosul be harder than the east because the tanks and armored vehicles can not move in the narrow streets and alleys. Residents say the militants also set up a network of corridors and tunnels will enable them to hide and fighting between civilians and disappearances after the implementation of a lightning operations and track the movements of government troops. The ancient city is located in western Mosul, antique souks in addition to the Grand Mosque and most of the government buildings management. The leader of the Islamic state, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has declared the state "caliphate" over parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014 on the platform of the Great Mosque of Mosul. MOSUL and second largest city in Iraq, is the largest urban center is controlled by the Islamic state, which is the primary stronghold in Iraq as the primary stronghold of the organization in Syria is located in the city of Raqqa. According to estimates by Iraqi it believed that the Islamic state was to have about six thousand fighters in Mosul when the attack began in mid-October / October, including more than a thousand have been killed so far. And it faces the rest troop strength of 100 thousand troops composed of units of the Iraqi armed forces and special police forces and the forces of Kurdish and Shiite forces, the popular crowd. The United States is leading -alta deployed more than five thousand troops in Almarkh- international alliance provides air support and ground no matter how Iraqi and Kurdish forces, including to the shelling. And the imposition of the Sunni extremist organization hardline interpretation of Islamic law in Mosul by imposing a ban on cigarette and watching TV, listening to the radio and forcing men to wear beards and women to wear the niqab and runs the risk of violating the instructions being killed. A third of a million children are stuck in the West It alerted the organization "Save the Children" NGO British Sunday that about 350 thousand children are stuck in the western part of the city of Mosul, calling on the Iraqi forces and their allies to "do everything they can to protect them." He stressed the Director of the organization's office in Iraq Maurizio Krevaleriu on "the need to establish safe corridors as soon as possible for the evacuation of civilians." He said in a statement that about 350 thousand children and boys under the age of 18, "Stuck in the western part of Mosul, and the consequences of the bombing in the narrow and crowded streets populated may be the deadliest of all that we have known so far in this conflict." Families contacted the organization and explained that "the escape is not an option" because of the threat of the Islamic State fighters organize the implementation of fast executions, the lead sniper and anti-personnel mines. Krevaleriu "the children said in front of a horrific choice in the western part of Mosul: they have to choose between bombs and battles and hunger to have stayed, and executions and sniper fire if they tried to escape." "The Iraqi forces and their allies, including the United States and Britain, to do everything in their power to protect these children and their families," pointing out that they "began to suffer from lack of food, water and medicine."

[SgtFuryUSCZ]

Keep pounding 'em !    Stay on 'em guys !   Don't let 'em come up for air !  Smother the rat basturds ! 

Using women and children as shields is a clear sign of their cowardice....!

We're sorry about the collateral casualties of innocents.... but the world has no choice at this juncture.

 

Edited February 19, 2017 by SgtFuryUSCZ

[yota691]

First Published: 2017-02-19

The decisive battle broke out in western Mosul

Abadi has announced the beginning of military operations to restore the most important aspect of the city amid expectations of a long battle and fears of displacement of hundreds of thousands.

Middle East Online

Stationing of forces on the outskirts of the city for months BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Sunday launch of military operations to regain western Mosul organized Islamic state, it said in a statement issued by his press office. The statement, "We announce the start of a new page of coming operations O Nineveh for the Liberation of the right side of Mosul." He added, "Our troops launched to liberate citizens from terrorism because our mission Daesh human liberation by the earth." Abadi was announced January 24 that his troops retook from the organization Islamic state, east of Mosul, and the battle moved to the western side of the city. And the western side of Mosul, who called the city's population Coast right smaller in terms of area, but the population density compared to the eastern side more, and is traditionally a stronghold of the jihadists old. The spread of the Interior Ministry troops and federal police since November in locations on the southern outskirts of the Mosul airport, linking the southern neighborhoods of the city in the West Bank of the Tigris River. The Iraqi Defense Ministry Saturday that the air force dropped millions of leaflets on the west of Mosul to warn the population of the battle to expel the organization of the Islamic State fighters is about to begin and this at a time when troops began to move in the direction of the region. And is subject to the siege of militants in western Mosul, along with an estimated 650 thousand of civilians since their expulsion from the east. Her publications posted on the social networking sites of the Ministry of Defense said troops began to move towards the west of Mosul. The ministry said in a statement that "the Iraqi air force planes million publications received on the right side of the city of Mosul, guidance and recommendations include the citizens to prepare for the reception of Iraqi forces to liberate their areas and warn Aldoaash to lay down arms and surrender before they face their fate at the hands of our troops." The ministry said in a statement that other publications alerted state regulation fighters to the need to lay down their arms and surrender. And it will end effectively defeat the organization in Mosul, the Iraqi part of the "Caliphate", announced by the organization. Mosul is the largest city occupied by the organization in both Syria and Iraq, a stronghold in Iraq. And tenderness stronghold organization in Syria. The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq on Saturday that the attack may cause the displacement of up to 400 thousand civilians at a time when the population of western Mosul from a lack of food and fuel are suffering in addition to the closure of markets. The military coalition led by the United States had said earlier Saturday that his forces destroyed a building in the main medical complex in western Iraqi city of Mosul, who is suspected in that it includes a command center for the organization of the Islamic state. He questioned the organization of the Islamic state in this assertion and said in a statement on the Internet said the attack, which occurred on Friday, killing 18 people, mostly women and children, and wounded 47 people. Independent media from entering the western part of Mosul, or any area you can not under the control of the organization of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The alliance said the organization of the Islamic state was using the building five-storey center for command and control. The attack came in the wake of reports that militants mingling among civilians on the western side of Mosul and that they are storing weapons in hospitals, schools, mosques and churches as a way to avoid being targeted. A statement by the coalition "Alliance managed through intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts Daesh know that the building was not used for any medical purposes and that civilians do not use the site."

[The Englishman]

IRAQI FORCES ADVANCE TOWARDS MOSUL AIRPORT

Iraqi security forces advance towards the south of Mosul, Iraq February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily

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MOSUL – U.S.-backed Iraqi forces began moving on Sunday (February 19) towards Mosul's airport, as they seek to capture the entire city from Islamic State (ISIS).

The airport is the first target of a ground offensive to capture the western side of the city that remains under the control of the militants.

Iraqi federal police units are leading a northward charge on the Mosul districts that lie west of the Tigris River, aiming to capture the Mosul airport, located just south of the city, according to statements from the armed forces joint command.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on Sunday the formal start of a ground offensive on western Mosul.

Several villages and a local power distribution station in Lazzaqa were captured in the first hours of the offensive. Several militants including snipers were killed, the armed forces joint command statements said.

Rapid response units of the Iraqi federal police, which have secured many southeastern districts along the Tigris, have superior weapons: Humvees, tanks, missiles, surveillance drones controlled by computers in a high-tech van, and support from U.S.-led coalition air strikes.

Commanders expect the battle in the west of Mosul to be more difficult than in the east because tanks and armored vehicles cannot pass through its narrow streets and alleyways.

The militants are essentially under siege in western Mosul, along with an estimated 650,000 civilians, after U.S.-backed forces surrounding the city forced them from the east in the first phase of an offensive that concluded last month.

After more than 100 days of hard urban battle against ISIS militants, Iraqi forces announced the complete liberation of eastern Mosul on January 24.

The offensive to dislodge ISIS from Mosul, its last major city stronghold in Iraq, started in October. The hardline Sunni group declared in 2014 a self-styled caliphate that also spans parts of Syria.

(NRT/Reuters)

[yota691]

Iraq began to liberate western Mosul | Central World News

[Wiljor]

Good morning Yota, let's hope it's swift, accurate, and final, the liberation of Mosul imo is key to other major issues falling into place  

[bkeiller]

Iraq starts operation to drive ISIS out of west Mosul

 

By Faith Karimi, Hamdi Alkhshali and Basma Atassi, CNN

 

Updated 7:05 AM ET, Sun February 19, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Iraq starts operation to retake west Mosul 02:05

(CNN)Iraq has launched an operation to regain control of western Mosul from ISIS militants, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Sunday.

The Prime Minister described the operation, which comes after Iraq recaptured eastern Mosul, a "new dawn" in the liberation of Mosul. He urged Iraqi organizations to provide humanitarian services and support to the liberated area.

"Go forward with my blessing, heroic forces of Iraq," he said on state television.

The Iraqi air force dropped millions of leaflets over western Mosul late Saturday, warning residents of an offensive by ground forces on the ISIS-held part of the city. The area has been targeted only by airstrikes in the past.

 

Fighters of the Popular Mobilisation paramilitaries prepare defensive positions near the frontline village of Ayn al-Hisan, on the outskirts of Tal Afar west of Mosul, where Iraqi forces are preparing for the offensive retake the western side of Mosul from ISIS fighters, on February 18, 2017.

Iraqi forces have had control of the eastern part of the city, which is divided by the Tigris River, since January.

The offensive to retake Mosul's west bank has been one of the Iraqi force's toughest challenges.

The forces will not be able to attack across the river because all five bridges connecting the eastern and western parts of the city are heavily damaged, so the offensive is expected to come from the south and west.

 

A Google Earth satellite image taken before the operation captures Mosul's five bridges spanning the Tigris River.

Moreover, the older part of the city has warrens of alleys that are impassable to military vehicles.

Save the Children warned that "the impact of artillery and other explosive weaponry in those narrow, densely-populated streets is likely to be more deadly and indiscriminate than anything we have seen in the conflict so far".

ISIS over the past two years has dedicated much of its defensive preparations to this area.

The leaflets say Iraqi forces are already making advancements and are "providing guidance and recommendations" for citizens ahead of the offensive.

The leaflets also warn ISIS members to turn in their weapons and surrender "before they face their inevitable fate at the hands of our heroic forces."

 

 

 

Iraqi PM: Eastern Mosul liberated from ISIS 02:13

As many as 800,000 civilians live in western Mosul, according to the United Nations. It said UN humanitarian agencies will assist civilians caught in the fighting.

"The situation is distressing," said Lise Grande, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Iraq. "People, right now, are in trouble. We are hearing reports of parents struggling to feed their children and to heat their homes."

Iraqi fighter jets conducted airstrikes targeting ISIS headquarters and communications positions Friday and Saturday, according to the military.

The offensive to retake Mosul from ISIS's brutal rule began in October with a push by the Iraqi army, counter-terrorism forces, federal police and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

ISIS seized Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, in 2014. It is the militant group's last major stronghold in the country.