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

[tigergorzow]

IS Losing Ground, Fighters and Funding: UK Defence Secretary

Britain will continue playing its leading role in the war on IS, Michael Fallon says

 

 17 February 2017

 

 

ERBIL— One of Islamic State (IS) headquarters in Iraq was struck by British forces, reported the Daily Express.

A 30-second video recording was released by the UK Ministry of Defence showing a flight of RAF Typhoons over the city of Mosul. The video shows the jets dropping bombs on what is reportedly an IS building located in northwest Mosul.

According to the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon “Daesh [IS] is losing ground, fighters and funding. Now we need to keep up the pressure on Mosul and Raqqa to deal Daesh [IS] a decisive blow.”

“Britain will continue playing its leading role providing vital intelligence, precision airstrikes and training Iraqi forces where they need it,” emphasized Fallon.

There are about 600 British troops in Iraq now.

Since the US invasion of Iraq, approximately 120,000 British troops and civilians served in the country.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/330950

Edited February 17, 2017 by tigergorzow

[tigergorzow]

Over 20 IS Militants Killed in Hawija, Southern Kirkuk

They had planned to attack Peshmerga positions

 

17 February 2017

 

KIRKUK— A group from the Islamic State (IS) militants was targeted early Friday by the warplanes of the anti-IS US-led global coalition near Hawija district, south of Kirkuk.

The militants had gathered in Sheikh Burhan village of Hawija district. They had been planning to carry out an offensive against the Peshmerga forces in southern Kirkuk.

The airstrikes resulted in the elimination of at least 20 extremists, according to military sources.

Militants from Hawija, the last IS-held area in Kirkuk, frequently direct attacks against Kirkuk. The officials of Kirkuk have repeatedly stated that the city remains unsafe as long as IS holds Hawija. The operation to liberate the district was slated to begin before Mosul, but later the battle was postponed.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/330908

[tigergorzow]

EU Calls On Iraq to Put Mosul Civilians Safety First 

17 February 2017

 

LEEDS — The European Union (EU)  on Friday called on the Iraqi authorities and military forces to put the protection of local civilians at the core of their military tactics in the city of Mosul. 

The EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Christos Stylianides said in a statement released on Friday that the EU calls on the Iraqi government and military to put the safety of local civilians as a main priority in the ongoing operation for liberating the city of Mosul despite the possible challenges that may arise from the planned recapturing of the western parts of the city, Kuwait News Agency reported. 

"As the offensive on western Mosul is to start soon, we call for the continued commitment to do everything possible to protect the hundreds of thousands of civilians and to help them access safe areas, including establishing safe evacuation routes," said the EU Commissioner for humanitarian aid Christos Stylianides in a statement.

The EU official further called for humanitarian access to be established as there is a strong need of lifesaving aid in the active conflict areas of Mosul. He explained that the EU is a leading doner in the international response for the Iraqi crisis with more than 159 million euros aided to the Iraqi government in 2016, aside from more than 266 tons of assistance including shelters, clean water, sanitation and hygiene kits. 

The Iraqi forces backed by the US-les coalition are currently awaiting an order to enter and start the offensive in the western parts of Mosul still held by the so-called Islamic State (IS). Hundreds of thousands of civilians are still trapped in west Mosul, leading to slow and careful planning of the military tactics in the areas.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/331004

[tigergorzow]

Fearing Revolt, IS Bans Friday Prayer in Tel Afar

The decision was made after IS lost seven local leaders in the district

17 February 2017

 

ERBIL — After seven Islamic State (IS) local leaders were killed in confrontations with the Iraqi forces in Tel Afar district of Nineveh province, the extremist organization banned Friday's collective prayers in the district.

Iraqi al-Sumaria news reported on Friday that another reason for forbidding prayers is that IS fears public gatherings may lead to revolts against the organization.  

Despite efforts to retake Tel Afar, the Sunni dominated district remains under the control of the IS militants who play a great role in destabilizing the neighboring areas.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/330973

[tigergorzow]

US Joint Chiefs Chairman in Turkey to Plan Raqqa Assault

Ankara insists on excluding Kurds from Raqqa operation

 17 February 2017

 

ISTANBUL — Joseph Dunford, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Turkey on Friday for discussions about the offensive to retake Raqqa, the Islamic State (IS) stronghold in northern Syria, al-Monitor said.

“If we want the Raqqa operation to be successful it should be carried out with Arab forces in the region,” said Isik, asserting that the US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces should not be involved in the fight.

The Donald Trump administration is likely to have a “more flexible” approach to Syria and was not insisting that the Kurds be involved, Isik said.

Turkey is trying to convince the US administration to abandon its fighting partner, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria against the IS before Trump announces his country's new strategy on it, according to Hurriet Daily News.

Trump has given a 30-day deadline to the Pentagon to draft a new anti-IS strategy, with the date set to expire on February 28.

Turkey says the US fighting partner, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), is an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and the US.

The Turkish army and the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) will join the US in the fight to drive IS out from Raqqa if the US ends the collaboration with the PYD, Ankara says.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/middle-east/330998

[tigergorzow]

ISIS admits death of senior leader Shaker Wahib for first time

February 17 2017 01:25 PM

Abu Waheeb

The ISIS terrorist group admitted for the first time the death of Shaker Wahib, aka Abu Waheeb, after the US-led Coalition announced his death nine months ago.

ISIS leadership did not give much attention to Abu Waheeb's death by declaring his death vaguely in a report concerning one of its former leaders.

In its weekly edition of al-Naba, ISIS noted that one of its famous leaders Abu Nazeer al-Iraqi was killed in a battle with Abu Waheeb.

Abu Waheeb's fame rose in 2013 when he appeared in a video that shows ISIS militants execute the drivers of a Syrian truck.

Abu Waheeb appeared in other videos in which he was leading ISIS operations while wearing special forces uniform before vanishing from the scene in 2016.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6156/ISIS-admits-death-of-senior-leader-Shaker-Wahib-for-first-time

[fancy]

29 minutes ago, tigergorzow said:

EU Calls On Iraq to Put Mosul Civilians Safety First 

17 February 2017

 

LEEDS — The European Union (EU)  on Friday called on the Iraqi authorities and military forces to put the protection of local civilians at the core of their military tactics in the city of Mosul. 

The EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Christos Stylianides said in a statement released on Friday that the EU calls on the Iraqi government and military to put the safety of local civilians as a main priority in the ongoing operation for liberating the city of Mosul despite the possible challenges that may arise from the planned recapturing of the western parts of the city, Kuwait News Agency reported. 

"As the offensive on western Mosul is to start soon, we call for the continued commitment to do everything possible to protect the hundreds of thousands of civilians and to help them access safe areas, including establishing safe evacuation routes," said the EU Commissioner for humanitarian aid Christos Stylianides in a statement.

The EU official further called for humanitarian access to be established as there is a strong need of lifesaving aid in the active conflict areas of Mosul. He explained that the EU is a leading doner in the international response for the Iraqi crisis with more than 159 million euros aided to the Iraqi government in 2016, aside from more than 266 tons of assistance including shelters, clean water, sanitation and hygiene kits. 

The Iraqi forces backed by the US-les coalition are currently awaiting an order to enter and start the offensive in the western parts of Mosul still held by the so-called Islamic State (IS). Hundreds of thousands of civilians are still trapped in west Mosul, leading to slow and careful planning of the military tactics in the areas.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/331004

Just heartbreaking.  Imagine the day when things will be so different for the Iraqi people after the RV, at least there's hope for those that can endure.

 

[tigergorzow]

ISIS Shria, security official in Anbar killed

February 17 2017 02:50 PM

Breaking

An ISIS Shria and security official was killed on Friday in Al-Qa'im town of Al Anbar governorate.

No further details were reported.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6159/ISIS-Shria-security-official-in-Anbar-killed

[nannab]

Hee hee  Keep picking them off one at a time!

[tigergorzow]

Official: Islamic State eastern Mosul cells spread panic through rumors

by Mohamed Mostafa Feb 17, 2017, 7:58 am

 

 

 

 

A ravaged marketplace in Mosul.

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militants are spreading panic among residents of the liberated eastern Mosul through rumors about suicide bombers, according to a local government official.

Hossam al-Abbar, a member of the Nineveh province council, said in statements on Thursday, quoted by Alsumaria News, that IS sleeper cells were diffusing rumors of suicide bombers lurking in the region so as to frighten civilians.

Abbar said security authorities already had information about the existence of such cells, urging civilians to disbelieve the rumors that bombers were going to target markets, mosques and schools.

Islamic State fighters have, however, already targeted marketplaces and schools in the eastern region since surviving members fled to the group’s western strongholds late January, when Iraqi government forces recaptured the region after three months of battles. The attacks, carried out by both gunmen and drones, left civilian and security casualties.

Security observers had also warned of dormant cells belonging to the group that may try to disturb security in the recaptured area after driving militants out. Government troops had combed several areas for search of IS vestiges at the liberated districts.

The Iraqi government is expected within the coming weeks to order a ground invasion of Islamic State’s strongholds in western Mosul, where Iraqi and international coalition generals predict a tougher battle ahead.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/official-islamic-state-eastern-mosul-cells-spread-panic-rumors/

Edited February 18, 2017 by tigergorzow

[tigergorzow]

Iraqis are drifting cars through the streets of Mosul to spite ISIS (Video Included)

http://www.theverge.com/2017/2/17/14649646/iraq-buzzfeed-news-riot-gear-drifting-isis

[yota691]

Adjust presses stolen «Daesh»

 

 

2/18/2017 0:00  BAGHDAD / MOSUL / morning  managed our heroine on Friday, from seizures of large presses stolen by organizing "Daesh" from the University of Almousel.oukalt media military cell of the Joint Special Operations Command said in a statement received "morning" a copy of it: " The Directorate of Military Intelligence in coordination with intelligence operations Nineveh seized huge presses stolen "Daesh gangs" estimated prices in thousands of dollars from the University of Mosul . "She added the cell that" presses seized in Karama neighborhood in Mosul and was handed over to the president of the university , " the to, the statement by the Media Authority popular crowd, on Friday, said a group of terrorists "Daesh" I tried to get closer towards the Elimination round coming from between the two provinces Mtaibijh area, and targeted a military points of car bombs, but the Champions Major General IX of the PDF crowd and the crowd clan , who is in the area wiped out most of the terrorists of this group with fled the rest fled.

[Officiallytook]

Feb 28th is upon us soon my friend s

[GregHi]

2 hours ago, Officiallytook said:

Feb 28th is upon us soon my friend s

What is suppose to happen on the 28th? I've been off this coaster ride for a month or longer.

[pokerplayer]

11 hours ago, tigergorzow said:

Official: Islamic State eastern Mosul cells spread panic through rumors

by Mohamed Mostafa Feb 17, 2017, 7:58 am

 

 

 

 

A ravaged marketplace in Mosul.

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militants are spreading panic among residents of the liberated eastern Mosul through rumors about suicide bombers, according to a local government official.

Hossam al-Abbar, a member of the Nineveh province council, said in statements on Thursday, quoted by Alsumaria News, that IS sleeper cells were diffusing rumors of suicide bombers lurking in the region so as to frighten civilians.

Abbar said security authorities already had information about the existence of such cells, urging civilians to disbelieve the rumors that bombers were going to target markets, mosques and schools.

Islamic State fighters have, however, already targeted marketplaces and schools in the eastern region since surviving members fled to the group’s western strongholds late January, when Iraqi government forces recaptured the region after three months of battles. The attacks, carried out by both gunmen and drones, left civilian and security casualties.

Security observers had also warned of dormant cells belonging to the group that may try to disturb security in the recaptured area after driving militants out. Government troops had combed several areas for search of IS vestiges at the liberated districts.

The Iraqi government is expected within the coming weeks to order a ground invasion of Islamic State’s strongholds in western Mosul, where Iraqi and international coalition generals predict a tougher battle ahead.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/official-islamic-state-eastern-mosul-cells-spread-panic-rumors/

Peckerwoods, there is no *low* in what they can and will do.

pp

[yota691]

In preparation for the start editing the West Coast operations of Mosul ... artillery pounded the Federal Police nests Daesh (Details)

 18-02-2017 11:40 AM

Hits: 575

 

East News -

 

 

Artillery pounded the Federal Police on Saturday, dens Daesh terrorist gangs in the right side of the city of Mosul in preparation for storming it.

 
He said the federal police captain Raed Shakir Jawdat said in a statement, that "the federal police pounded dozens of targets for elected Doaash prelude to start editing the West Coast operations of the city of Mosul.

[yota691]

Battle of Mosul beginnings and results 10

February 18, 2017 in the versions of the center 

These days the intervention of military confrontations between the fighters Daesh security and military forces in the Iraqi city of Mosul , the center left and right Bassahaliha five months after Abadi announced its beginning in October 17 2016 , with the first phase of which saw strong confrontations with members of the organization. 
The nature of the events and the acceleration in the northern city of Mosul threatens social and environmental political crises negatively reflected on the lives of the citizens in the city and his dream to live in dignity and regain his freedom and to start a new phase restore his confidence in himself and make it look with optimism for the coming days, but what we see and we touch the reality may not happen due to many problems and the facts and field actions and behaviors that began to emerge on the nature of the daily deal for both parties (and Daesh) security forces, which have raised the ire of residents in the city and moved them the repercussions of fear and apprehension of future events , but made them feel disappointed and clear on how to remedy the situation in the near future and the fact that the promises that launched Baghdad through a lot of official, political and military statements for many leaders representing government institutions. 
The nature of the events and the acceleration of the facts in dealing with the battle coming right coast can be summarized as follows:

1. Use elements Daesh aircraft weapon march in the face of security and military forces on the left coast region and the targeting of public places that has become a field and military phenomenon worry about the nature of the on the left coast area status; tantamount these aircraft a day fells many human and material losses in life and property of citizens and wounded sites the presence of military units.

2.astmrar infiltration using riverboat across the Tigris River to the military targets determined by the elements Daesh and engagement for several hours with members of the located in the vicinity of the bank of the Tigris River neighborhoods military forces, and without intervention of the international coalition aircraft and face and stopped to cross Daesh fighters managed attacking force from establishing title and stay in these neighborhoods for several days and spread terror and fear in the hearts of citizens and return the recent past.

3.astmrar mutual shelling by the Iraqi military forces and fighters Daesh; which causes heavy losses among private citizens that all the targeted objectives located within residential neighborhoods, thereby hindering citizens' daily movement and worries of his life and his presence and increases his ordeal in the face of the existing situation in the city of Mosul.

4.achtdad economic crisis and the scarcity of food and lack of medical supplies and poor preventive health measures in the areas of the right coast, where residents began to face a social catastrophe represented Baanaaj a lot of needy families a decent life-sustaining supplies of food, medicine and drinking water.

5.daf procedures and requirements and the security plans drawn up by the security leaders after the completion of the military tasks in the left coast area, where it began the theft and exposure of public money and private sectors and the acquisition of a lot of machinery and equipment for the departments of service and government institutions, control and smuggled out of the city by the calculated elements on operations military and security forces without any deterrent and became a citizen suffers the difficulty of preserving life and property and heightened fears the case and return to the past.

6.bdot targeting public places and checkpoints established by field security leaders on the left coast center by car bombs and explosive belts operations, here are citizens ask where security forces and organs and how you got these wheels were Tfajakhha in areas supposedly completed the control of the security and military terms.

7.alhdt the most prominent is the confrontation that took place on the outskirts of Tal Afar's Nineveh province, where elements of the popular crowd and its leaders, which targeted a large and fierce confrontation by Daesh fighters who have used for the first time a weapon shields and face the places and the headquarters of the popular crowd with tanks, mortars and Astmkint many places and caused heavy losses to their equipment and their fighters, and this is the form of a new turning point in shaping the next battle, and the nature and determine the methods and quality of weapons used, and the potential surprises.

The unity of the Iraqi Studies 
links for Research and Strategic Studies Center

[Officiallytook]

4 hours ago, GregHi said:

What is suppose to happen on the 28th? I've been off this coaster ride for a month or longer.

Trumps calling for a new plan to fight IS... only good news for us after that 

[pricestar8]

Iraqi Forces Repel ISIL's Massive Attack in Western Mosul, Kill 80 Terrorists, 20 Commanders

 

 

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iraqi army and popular forces thwarted a large-scale attack by the ISIL in the Western part of Mosul in Nineveh province, killing tens of terrorists in fierce clashes.

The ISIL launched a massive operation to break the siege of the city of Tal Afar and also open the Iraq-Syria border which was strongly confronted with the resistance of the Iraqi volunteer forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) and the terrorists sustained heavy losses.

"At least 100 ISIL terrorists, including 20 commanders, were killed in the battle," the Arabic-language al-Maloumeh news website quoted an unnamed security source as saying.

Meantime, tens of military vehicles of the ISIL terrorist group were also destroyed in the tough battle which lasted for over five hours.

Also the Hashd al-Shaabi backed by the Iraqi air force destroyed 14 bomb-laden vehicles and two ISIL drones.

In a relevant development on Thursday, more than a dozen members of the ISIL terrorist group were killed in a string of operations carried out by the Iraqi air force in the country’s Northern province of Nineveh.

An Iraqi Defense Ministry statement said 15 ISIL terrorists were killed after Iraqi aircraft struck militant outposts near Mosul, Al Sumariya reported.

The attacks destroyed an ISIL command center as well as several tunnels, on which the terrorist group has relied for years to mount surprise attacks.

The Iraqi Joint Operations Command also said a number of militant commanders were killed when a vehicle in which they were traveling was hit in an airstrike on the Eastern outskirts of Mosul.

Among those killed was the self-proclaimed ISIL governor of Mosul, identified as Haqqi Esmaeil Owaid also known as Abu Ahmed. Another man identified as Abu Maha, in charge of ISIL intelligence affairs, was also killed in the airstrike.

Additionally, three civilians lost their lives and four others were injured on Wednesday evening when an ISIL drone fired a rocket at the Nabi Younis market East of Mosul.

Iraqi army forces, backed by pro-government forces launched a joint operation last October to regain control of Mosul from ISIL terrorists.

 

[WISKY291]

Sounds like they are learning how to shoot. Good for them, also good news. ThanksYota!!

[Laid Back]

Well done Peshmerga and Coalition forces..... ISIS you can run but you can't hide

Go end of terrorism 

Go liberation of Mosul 

Go coalition forces

Go Peshmerga 

Go Freedom

Go RV

[new york kevin]

It would appear that they ain't running away at this time, but instead they be running to the fight. Oorah that.

[jeepguy]

almost like the  " old cowboy Indians " they circle the wagons and hang on , only too have the Indians  regroup with thousands more too converge on the scene again and wipe them all out !  only a matter of time , and that is running out  

[Boozer]

Great Job.. Move a little faster we need an RV  and SOON

[King Bean]

1 "commander" for every 4 "grunts" ?? That's probably to keep 'em from retreating like a bunch of school girls.