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

[tigergorzow]

ISIS announces its first leader escape from Mosul

February 22 2017 01:49 PM

ISIS terrorists

ISIS organization has announced the first escape case of one of its leaders from western Mosul, a local source said on Wednesday.
 

ISIS media outlets have issued an order to kill leader of al-Ghezlani camp Abu Osama –who fled the fight in Mosul on Tuesday- on sight, the source added.
 

The source asserted that this order confirms the first desertion case of ISIS leaders from Mosul operations.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6348/ISIS-announces-its-first-leader-escape-from-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

Aerial bombardment destroys ISIS convoy in western Mosul

February 22 2017 01:08 PM

Iraqi jets destroyed ISIS convoy

Iraqi fighter jets on Wednesday destroyed an ISIS brigade convoy near Mosul International Airport, a local source said.

Fighter jets intensively bombarded ISIS posts near the airport of Mosul and damaged ten vehicles loaded with ammunition and militants that were on their way to the airport to reinforce ISIS defense lines, the source added in a press statement.

The convoy, according to initial information was from al-Mourabitoun brigade, included elite ISIS militants from Arab and foreign countries, the source confirmed.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6346/Aerial-bombardment-destroys-ISIS-convoy-in-western-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

ISIS rear defense posts in al-Ghezlani camp collapsed

February 22 2017 12:25 PM

ISIS defense line are crumbling

ISIS terrorists have lost their rear defense posts in al-Ghezlani camp in western Mosul, a local source said on Wednesday.

"The defense posts located behind the major defense lines of ISIS organization at al-Ghezlani collapsed at dawn Wednesday after being heavily shelled by the advancing Iraqi Forces, the source said noting that tens of ISIS militants deserted their posts to nearby neighborhoods.
 

The source asserted that ISIS executed nine of its militants over desertion, pointing that ISIS defense lines are dwindling and ready to crumble at any minute.

On 19th of February, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced the launch of a major military operation to retake the western bank of Mosul.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6344/ISIS-rear-defense-posts-in-al-Ghezlani-camp-collapsed

[tigergorzow]

ISIS drone attacks east Mosul, no casualties

February 22 2017 03:43 PM

Another collapsed building in Mosul

An apartment was partly destroyed after an ISIS drone targeted the neighborhood of Rashidiya, northeastern Mosul.

"No injuries have been reported," sources told Baghdad Post.

Local authorities announced earlier this morning they downed an ISIS drone in Musol's Forest area.

Iraqi government forces have launched a major campaign to retake the right bank from IS militants, having recaptured the left side late January.

Mosul is the second biggest Iraqi province and IS’s biggest bastion in Iraq, IS extremists took control over the city in June 2014 following the retreat of the Iraqi army.

Iraqi forces and IS have exchanged drone attacks over the past few weeks across the Tigris River that bisects Mosul.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6354/ISIS-drone-attacks-east-Mosul-no-casualties

[tigergorzow]

Sunni Women Tell of ISIS Detention, Torture

February 22 2017 05:08 PM

women raped by ISIS terrorists

Fighters from the ISIS terrorist group are arbitrarily detaining, ill-treating, torturing, and forcibly marrying Sunni Arab women and girls in areas under their control in Iraq, Human Rights Watch reported on Wednesday .

HRW recounted the story of Hanan, 26 , whose husband had already fled Hawijah, who was captured by ISIS along with other women when they were attempting to escape the town .

ISIS terrorists told her that her husband's flight made her an apostate and that she should marry the local terror leader .

When she refused, she was blindfolded, beaten with plastic cables, suspended by her arms for some time and then raped .

"The same guy raped me every day for the next month without a blindfold, always in front of my children," Hanan told Human Rights Watch .

The group said the issue was not given enough attention and that too little was being done to tackle the stigma that prevents many more victims from coming forward .

"Little is known about sexual abuse against Sunni Arab women living under ISIS rule," said Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at HRW .

"We hope that the international community and local authorities will do all they can to give this group of victims the support they need," she said .

ISIS terrorists believe the mass rape and sexual enslavement of women from the Yazidi minority - who are neither Arab nor Muslim - are legitimate as they are "polytheists". The accounts collected by Human Rights Watch often refer to ISIS accusing the women of apostasy, or abandoning their faith, before abusing them .

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6359/Sunni-Women-Tell-of-ISIS-Detention-Torture

[tigergorzow]

Turkey renews rejection over IMIS entering into Mosul

February 22 2017 02:44 PM

Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu renewed his country outright rejection against the penetration of Iran-backed IMIS into the war-torn region of Mosul.
 

"The interference of the 99% Shiite militants of IMIS would represent a grave danger, therefore they will be repelled from advancing into the region," Cavusoglu said in strongly worded remarks. 
 

"The interference of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) or the Peoples Protetion Units (YPG) would not be less dangerous as well," he added.
 

As the Mosul liberation operation to retake the city from ISIS progresses, challenges keep arising in Iraq, including the presence of Turkish troops in Bashiqa in northern Mosul.
 

“Involvement of Shia militias in the Mosul operation will not bring peace to the city. But it will increase problems.” Cavusoglu said in earlier statements.
 

Mosul is the second biggest Iraqi province in terms of population and area that hosts Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen, Muslims, Christians and Yazidis. ISIS extremists took control over the city in June 2014 following the retreat of the Iraqi army.
 

Turkish President Erdogan has warned of sectarian bloodshed if the Iraqi army relies on Shi'ite militia fighters to retake the largely Sunni Muslim city of Mosul. 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6351/Turkey-renews-rejection-over-IMIS-entering-into-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi Federal Police evacuate 480 residents from western Mosul

February 22 2017 11:35 AM

Federal Police

Iraqi Federal Police announced on Wednesday the evacuation of 480 residents from Yarmouk village in western Mosul.

" As many as 480 residents were evacuated from Yarmouk village and moved to the liberated villages in south the city," said a statement by Federal Police.

On 19^th of February, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced the launch of a military operation to retake the western bank of Mosul from ISIS terrorist group.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6340/Iraqi-Federal-Police-evacuate-480-residents-from-western-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

Mosul dares to paint colourful future after Isis rule -FT

February 22 2017 01:37 PM

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by: Erika Solomon/ Financial Times

 

“Salon for ladies” is the sole description on the door of a small shop in east Mosul. But a picture of a smiling woman makes it stand out along a street where the faces of models on posters are painted over, a legacy of Isis rule in Iraq’s second city, "Financial Times" reported.

Putting up the simple decoration was a daring step taken by Safa, the woman who runs the first beauty parlour to reopen in Mosul since Iraqi forces drove the militants out of the city’s east last month. And it is symbolic of residents’ tentative efforts to return to normality: the militants banned any faces from being represented in pictures.

For nearly three years, Mosul was captive to the austere interpretations of Islam imposed by Isis. Women were forced to wear black, shapeless cloaks and dark veils over their faces; men had to keep their beards long and their pants loose and short. Beauty salons were banned.

But since government forces recaptured Mosul’s eastern half in December, many in Iraq’s second city are cautiously pushing for a more hopeful — and colourful — future, despite their fears that militants still lurk in the city.

As Safa, 21, arranges a rainbow of nail polish bottles along the walls of her still bare salon, a rap on the door sparks excitement but also wariness about who or what may be outside.

“Salons could be a target. Suicide attackers, bombs? Who knows,” says Safa, who did not want to be identified further. “I won’t deny it: I’m more afraid now than I was before. I used to work in secret, now I’m out here for all the world to see.”

Short and slender, she makes up in gumption what she lacks in stature.

“It's the fifth day since I opened, and I’m not going to stop,” she says.

East Mosul is still healing from the scars of militant rule and the government’s gruelling, three-month battle to retake it. On street corners, buildings are reduced to rubble, while huge trash piles in blocked off side streets spew black slime on to the road. Bridges that crossed the Tigris to connect eastern and western halves of the city were blown apart.

But that is not what most worries those, like Safa, keen to restart their lives.

After Iraqi forces began their offensive on Isis-held west Mosul this week, security is again deteriorating in the east, putting the government into a dangerous balancing act as it battles to regain complete control of the city, the capital of Nineveh province.

In recent weeks suicide bombers have blown themselves up in bustling markets in the city’s east and Isis has sent drones to drop grenades on soldiers below.

“Twenty thousand security forces couldn’t cover all of Nineveh’s needs right now, and we only have 6,000,” says Zahed al-Khatouni, a lawmaker from the province, referring to the number of forces left to protect the province while the battle for west Mosul rages. “This has to change if we’re going to find long-term solutions for this city.”

When Isis stormed Mosul in 2014, it not only restricted how people dressed but also banned smoking and men and women mixing publicly.

For two years, Safa ran an underground salon from her parent’s home. Isis raided the house, she says, seizing her blow-dryers and make-up kits. But she sold a few pieces of jewellery, restocked her supplies and kept going.

“The women were afraid, but they came anyway,” she recalls. “I think they kept coming because my work is good. We had fun, we would sit and chat.”



Safa sold the last of her jewellery to open the new salon with two chairs, a mirror, and a table for waxing in the back. She refuses to justify the move as anything related to lofty ideals of liberation.

“It’s just that I’ve been doing hair since I was a kid, and I love it,” she says, shrugging away a few loose curls. “Someday I’ll have the most famous salon in Mosul.”

The year 2014 still weighs on her. Then, thousands of Iraqi forces fled in the face of a few hundred militants. Trust remains a missing component in the city.

“The army has treated us well,” she says. “ But how can we be sure they won’t abandon us again?”

Security forces have reason to be mistrustful, too.

In a nearby district, a suicide bomber detonated himself by a checkpoint, killing a commander and wounding several people. Security forces towed the dented Humvee away, crunching through shattered glass and past shuttered shops

But just up the street, near a pile of flesh and a severed foot, a few clothing stores stayed open. Ahmed, 28, shows off his wares to one undeterred customer. Many are brightly coloured shirts emblazoned with glittering, tantalisingly unfinished English sentences such as: “Free Your”.

“Sparkles, words, smiley faces, anything like that — that’s what people are buying, because all that was banned. Business isn’t good of course, but those who have money, that’s what they want,” Ahmed says. “That, and lots of colours.”

He is no exception, with skinny jeans and a brightly striped scarf, the tag still hanging from the side. His smile wavers as he contemplates the operations in west Mosul and the gore outside his shop.



“There are definitely sleeper cells and it really creates this anxiety. I won’t lie, any time I see a man with a long beard or a woman still wearing a face veil, I can feel my body tighten,” he says. “I feel now we have to wonder, do we really know our neighbours?”

Safa panicked when a woman cloaked in black tapped on her door this week.

“I shouted at her: ‘take off your veil now, now!’ She did, and I could see she was just a normal woman, and she was nervous too,” she says. “We both laughed. Then I did her hair.”

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6347/Mosul-dares-to-paint-colourful-future-after-Isis-rule-FT

Edited February 22, 2017 by tigergorzow

[tigergorzow]

51 minutes ago, tigergorzow said:

MOSUL — An additional 52,000 troops have joined the 10,000 in the battle to reclaim western Mosul from Islamic State (IS) militants.

"A total of 60,000 soldiers are taking part in the operation", Army Brigadier-General Mohsen al-Quraishi said.

DV,   Please ask yourself do you really think "The Complete Liberation Of Mosul" will last too much longer.   Based on the Intel from a previous article a few days ago only about 2000 ISIS fighters were left in Western Mosul.  

[tigergorzow]

Arab-Kurdish fighters enter ISIS-controlled Deir al-Zour province

February 22 2017 07:21 PM

SDF forces

 

A US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters has advanced into territory controlled by (ISIS) terrorists in Deir al-Zour province, eastern Syria, the BBC said.

Kurdish military sources said the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had captured some 15 villages from ISIS.

Unidentified air strikes killed 11 people in one IS-controlled village, though it was unclear if this was linked.

The SDF hopes to cut IS's supply lines from the oil-rich province to the group's stronghold of Raqqa, in the north.

Syrian government forces in Deir al-Zour have also been battling to drive ISIS out, which seizes most of the province as well as its capital of the same name.

The latest development comes just days before UN-brokered talks between the Syrian government and opposition in Geneva, Switzerland - the first such meeting in nearly a year resumes.

The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has played down hopes for the talks taking place on Thursday, which he says are aimed at exploring the possibility of a political settlement.

A nationwide ceasefire - which excludes ISIS - took effect in December after peace talks in Kazakhstan.

The deal was brokered by Russia and Iran, both allies of the Syrian government, as well as Turkey, which is supporting some rebel groups.

Kurdish military sources said on Tuesday it was the first time the SDF alliance, which includes the Kurdish YPG militia and Arab fighting groups, had crossed into Deir al-Zour province.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the operation as the SDF's biggest incursion yet into Deir al-Zour province.

It said air strikes on a petrol station and garage in one of the province's villages killed 11 people and wounded 35.

The province has been targeted in the past by US-led coalition planes, as well as by Russia.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6364/Arab-Kurdish-fighters-enter-ISIS-controlled-Deir-al-Zour-province

[tigergorzow]

Japan Contributes in Iraq's Humanitarian Crisis with $7 Million 

22 February 2017

 

 

ERBIL — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of $7 million from the Government of Japan, which will be used to provide vital food assistance to thousands of Iraqi families affected by the ongoing crisis in Mosul as well as the Syrian refugees living in camps in Iraq.

“Japan is keen on reaching out to people in need, especially for displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees living under harsh conditions due to the conflict in Mosul through this project to meet emergency food needs,” said Mr. Fumio Iwai, Ambassador of Japan to Iraq.

WFP will use this contribution to support almost 400,000 displaced Iraqis – including thousands affected by the ongoing conflict in Mosul – with monthly family food rations that contain staple foods such as wheat flour, chick peas, salt, oil and sugar. The contribution will also be used to assist 65,000 Syrian refugees for over one month through WFP’s electronic voucher programme, which provides refugees with $19 per person to buy foods of their choice from local shops.  

“This generous contribution from Japan will help put food on the tables of thousands of Iraqi and Syrian families whose lives were thrown into flux due to violent conflict,” said WFP Representative and Country Director Sally Haydock. “It also underlines the Government of Japan’s continued commitment towards alleviating the suffering of families in Iraq and across the region.”

Japan’s contribution for Iraq is part of a $85.2 million contribution that will enable WFP to provide vital food and nutrition assistance in 33 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/world/332107

[tigergorzow]

KRG Rejects al-Jazeera Report Against Peshmerga

The killed individual was a member of IS and not an IDP, KRG says 

 

22 February 2017

 

 

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has refuted a media report claiming that the Kurdish Peshmerga forces killed an Arab displaced individual around Mosul.

Al-Jazeera News Channel recently published a report claiming that the Peshmerga forces have killed a displaced civilian named Abdul Ghani Younis al-Jabouri, a report that was completely rejected by Kurdish authorities.

KRG’s Committee to Evaluate and Respond to International Reports said in a statement on Wednesday that Jabouri was gunned down during military confrontations with the Kurdish Peshmerga forces on the 21st of February 2015.

“After being injured, [Jabouri] tries revenge on the Peshmerga, but he came under attack and was killed by Peshmerga,” reads the statement.

According to the KRG, other “terrorists” were engaged in the same clashes, but they survived the battle. The Peshmerga attempted to capture Jabouri alive, but he refused to surrender.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/332091

[tigergorzow]

Al-Hashd al-Shaabi cut off main road between Mosul and Tal Afar

by Loaa Adel Feb 22, 2017, 5:54 pm

Whatsapp

 

 

 

 

Al-Hashd al-Shaabi militia spokesperson Ahmed al-Asadi. File photo.

 

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Al-Hashd al-Shaabi announced on Wednesday cutting off the main road linking between the city of Mosul and Tal Afar District, west of the city, while pointed out that its forces are participating in the battles to liberate western Mosul.

Spokesman for al-Hashd al-Shaabi, Ahmed al-Asadi, said in a speech during a press conference in Baghdad, “We don’t expect the battle to be neither easy nor short, and the blessings of our martyrs and casualties allow us to achieve victories.”

“Security forces cut off the main road linking between Tal Afar and the city of Mosul, while the 26th brigade arrived in the village of al-Sahaji to secure this road,” Asadi explained.

“The 26th brigade of al-Hashd al-Shaabi is participating in the battle to liberate western Mosul,” Asadi further added.

In 19 February 2016, Prime Minister and General Commander of Armed Forces Haider al-Abadi announced launching an offensive to liberate the western side of the city of Mosul.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/al-hashd-al-shaabi-cut-off-main-road-mosul-tal-afar/

[tigergorzow]

IS Issues Death Order for Runaway Commander

 

22 February 2017

 

MOSUL — The extremist Islamic State (IS) organization has ordered its militants to execute one of its deserting chiefs, Iraqi media reported on Wednesday.

According to the news reports, Abu Osama, the commander for Ghazlani Military Campus, in Mosul fled the IS ranks on Tuesday evening.

Iraqi media also reported that the IS militants in western Mosul announced on loudspeakers the order to execute Abu Osama on the spot and this implies a direct confession to the escape of the chief.

The offensive to retake the western part of Mosul from the IS militants began on Sunday. The eastern part of the second largest Iraqi city has already been secured from the extremists.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/332118

[tigergorzow]

Spain Sends 300 Military Personnel to Iraq

The Spanish personnel are training the Iraqi police

22 February 2017

 

 

 

LEEDS — Spanish troops are currently training 500 new Iraqi police officers in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, as part of the US-led coalition efforts against the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq, the US Central Command said on Wednesday.

The US Central Command declared in a statement on Twitter on Wednesday "security forces in Mosul are training an additional 500 police officers with the help of Spanish instructors."

In July last year, the Spanish Defense Minister, Pedro Morenes, announced that the US-led coalition has asked Madrid to increase its training of Iraqi troops as the country was then preparing to launch the operation for liberating the city of Mosul.

Spain has reportedly sent about 300 military personnel to Iraq, aiming to train and advise the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in their operation against IS in Mosul. Up to date, more than 900 Spanish military personnel have served in Iraq since the Operation Inherent Resolve began in 2014, Sputnik reported.

The operation led by the Iraqi forces backed by the US-led coalition which started in October last year is currently ongoing as the forces entered the second phase of the operation aiming to liberate the western half of Mosul after the full liberation of eastern half at the beginning of 2017.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/332132

[tigergorzow]

84 IS Members Arrested among Hawija IDPs

They are mainly Arabs, aged 14 and above

 

22 February 2017

 

KIRKUK — Some 84 members of the Islamic State (IS) organization have been arrested in the camps bordering the volatile Hawija district of Diyala province, police said.

Speaking to BasNews on Wednesday, Major Kawa Gharib, chief of Daquq police, said the people were arrested ten days ago by the Iraqi security service and Kurdish Peshmerga and Asayish (security) forces in Daquq administrative area, southern Kikrkuk.

Gahrib said they made news about the apprehension of these people public on Wednesday after the charges were proved.

The official added that almost all the people are Arabs, aged 14 and above who resorted to the IDP camps in Kirkuk with their families after the IS militants were defeated in some areas in Diyala province.

Iraqi forces are yet to launch an offensive to retake Hawija, a strategic IS spot, located between Kirkuk and Diyala provinces, from which the extremists launch attacks on the adjacent areas.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/332130

[tigergorzow]

KRG Refutes Reports on Peshmerga Preventing IDPs Return

 

Dindar Zebari says the measures are only to protect the IDPs' lives

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22 February 2017

 

 

ERBIL — Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government High Committee to Evaluate and Respond to International Reports stated that there are no orders to Kurdistan Peshmerga forces to block the return of the Yezidi and Christian IDPs to their homes in Nineveh province.

Dindar Zebari's statement came in response to recent reports by the American Fox News and The Investigative Project on Terrorism which alleged that the Kurdish forces prevent the Yezidis of Sinjar and the Assyrian Christians from Nineveh Plains from resettling in their areas.

According to the UN statistics, a number of the displaced inhabitants of Nineveh province have returned to their homes, Zebari said in a report, adding that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is constantly coordinating with UN for resettling the IDPs.

However, there are issues which make the resettlement process difficult, according to Zebari.

The Islamic State (IS) bombs all the areas under its control with the most sophisticated materials and this has led to a massive destruction in the areas of the IDPs which impedes their return.

The other reason, according to Zebari, is related to the security and health concerns.

"Currently it's almost impossible for the basic services to be re-established in the recently freed areas," the official added.

As for the Yezidi and Christian people's armed forces, Zebari said these minorities have no militia but 4,000 troops from these minorities have been embedded in Peshmerga corps since the outbreak of the IS war and have fought for liberating their areas.

Regarding the claims that Peshmerga also does not allow for any material be transferred to the liberated areas, Zebari said only those items as chemical muck and chemical material which could be used for improvising bombs are not allowed to get through.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/332111

[tigergorzow]

32 Coalition Airstrikes Conducted in Syria, Iraq This Week

 

22 February 2017

 

LEEDS — Thirty-two airstrikes were conducted by the US-led coalition air forces on the territory of Iraq and Syria against the so-called Islamic State (IS), the Operation Inherent Resolve said in a statement released on Wednesday

The US-led coalition against IS conducted 32 airstrikes consisting of overall 93 engagements in both Iraq and Syria on Tuesday, including nine airstrikes near Deir ez-Zor. 

The statement continued by saying that nine airstrikes have destroyed seven modular oil refineries, two oil rigs and a pump jack near Deir ez-Zor. Fourteen other airstrikes were conducted in Syria engaging with seven IS tactical units and destroying several fighting positions, bridges and vehicles near Raqqa and Palmyra. 

Meanwhile, in Iraq the US-led coalition conducted nine strikes consisting of 57 engagements, including tactical units, vehicles, weapons caches, command and control nodes, while also suppressing 13 mortar teams, among other targets near Mosul, Bayji, Rawah, Tal Afar and the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/middle-east/332138

[Artitech]

2 minutes ago, tigergorzow said:

32 Coalition Airstrikes Conducted in Syria, Iraq This Week

 

22 February 2017

 

 

LEEDS — Thirty-two airstrikes were conducted by the US-led coalition air forces on the territory of Iraq and Syria against the so-called Islamic State (IS), the Operation Inherent Resolve said in a statement released on Wednesday

The US-led coalition against IS conducted 32 airstrikes consisting of overall 93 engagements in both Iraq and Syria on Tuesday, including nine airstrikes near Deir ez-Zor. 

The statement continued by saying that nine airstrikes have destroyed seven modular oil refineries, two oil rigs and a pump jack near Deir ez-Zor. Fourteen other airstrikes were conducted in Syria engaging with seven IS tactical units and destroying several fighting positions, bridges and vehicles near Raqqa and Palmyra. 

Meanwhile, in Iraq the US-led coalition conducted nine strikes consisting of 57 engagements, including tactical units, vehicles, weapons caches, command and control nodes, while also suppressing 13 mortar teams, among other targets near Mosul, Bayji, Rawah, Tal Afar and the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/middle-east/332138

I wished I was young enough to be in this battle, keeping that TAC unit safe and base secure!! even though Im 64 I can still shoot! 

[tigergorzow]

Riyadh Jalal appointed as military coordinator over Mosul's left bank

February 22 2017 09:00 PM

Riyadh Jalal Tawfiq

 

Iraqi Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Haider al-Abadi has appointed Lieutenant General Riyadh Jalal as a military coordinator over Mosul's left bank, a well-informed source said on Wednesday.

Jalal will supervise all security departments in the left bank including defense, interior and national security.

The source also denied all reports claiming the appointment of Jalal as a military governor in the city. 

Riadh Jalal is the Army Ground Force Commander.
 

On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced Sunday the launch of a military operation to retake the western bank of Mosul from ISIS terrorist group.
 

“We announce the start of a new phase in the operation, we are coming to Nineveh to liberate the western side of Mosul,” Abadi said in a brief televised address.

Iraqi jets have dropped millions of leaflets in western Mosul, calling on residents to get ready to welcome the Iraqi troops as they continue the siege on the militants.

The latest operation to free the city from the terrorists began on October 17. After months of fighting, the coalition managed to secure the right bank of the city last month. The densely-populated west bank of Mosul is now the operation's target.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6371/Riyadh-Jalal-appointed-as-military-coordinator-over-Mosul-s-left-bank

[tigergorzow]

The refuge: Tehran hosts ISIS, Al-Qaeda leaders, sends them to Europe

February 22 2017 09:05 PM

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6372/The-refuge-Tehran-hosts-ISIS-Al-Qaeda-leaders-sends-them-to-Europe

[tigergorzow]

ISIS military leader of al Ba'aj district killed

February 22 2017 08:18 PM

Russian diplomat suddenly dies

An ISIS military leader of al-Ba'aj district of Nineveh governorate was killed on Wednesday, an Iraqi security source said.
 

Ammar al Yassin, aka Farman, was killed in an air raid carried out by US-led coalition warplanes.

The warplanes also killed another ISIS official, Ahmed Kheidr Ali, aka Abu Mostafa al Iraqi.

On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced Sunday the launch of a military operation to retake the western bank of Mosul from ISIS terrorist group.
 

“We announce the start of a new phase in the operation, we are coming to Nineveh to liberate the western side of Mosul,” Abadi said in a brief televised address.

Iraqi jets have dropped millions of leaflets in western Mosul, calling on residents to get ready to welcome the Iraqi troops as they continue the siege on the militants.

The latest operation to free the city from the terrorists began on October 17. After months of fighting, the coalition managed to secure the right bank of the city last month. The densely-populated west bank of Mosul is now the operation's target.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6367/ISIS-military-leader-of-al-Ba-aj-district-killed

[tigergorzow]

ISIS imposes curfew in Tal Afar district for 2nd time in row

February 22 2017 08:16 PM

ISIS

ISIS terrorist group imposed a curfew in Tal Afar district for the 2nd time in row this week, a local source in Nineveh governorate said on Wednesday.

This comes after five sound bombs exploded near the houses of a number of ISIS leaders in various areas in Tal Afar district. ISIS terrorists launched a wide search campaign in order to hunt the bombers, the source added on condition of anonymity.

Iraqi government forces have launched a major campaign to retake the right bank from ISIS militants, having recaptured the left side late January. 

Mosul is the second biggest Iraqi province and ISIS’s biggest bastion in Iraq, ISIS extremists took control over the city in June 2014 following the retreat of the Iraqi army. 

Iraqi forces and ISIS have exchanged drone attacks over the past few weeks across the Tigris River that bisects Mosul.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6366/ISIS-imposes-curfew-in-Tal-Afar-district-for-2nd-time-in-row

[tigergorzow]

As Iraqi forces advance on Mosul, displacement fears for 250 thousand people grow

February 22 2017 10:04 PM

Iraqi forces advance on Mosul

Mostapha Hassan

Iraqi forces are still advancing into southern Mosul to further entrench its positions for the recapture of the western part of the city, which is the last stronghold of the terror groups in the country.
 

Forces seemed optimistic on the 3^rd day of the offensive launched within the major operations launched on October 17 to recapture Mosul, second-biggest city of Iraq.
 

The forces involved in the offensive, including federal police, the Iraqi army, Rapid Response Forces, made rapid advances toward Mosul airport in the south.
 

Supported by artillery brigades and air force, the security forces retook Al-Bosaif, the main base of ISIS on the southern axis of Mosul, Abbas Al-Gaburi, a Rapid Response Forces Brigadier, told the Baghdad Post.
 

It was a clear victory in record time. And we entered house-to-house battles, he explained, adding:"Most of the terrorists were killed. And some of them wore explosive belts."
 

Traces of shrapnel appeared on walls and fronts of homes, including the one the forces as center for command.

A group of civilians, including boys, from the neighboring villages gathered, waving with flags to the forces that recaptured the city.
 

As they approached them, the forces ordered them to pull up their shirts to inspect them, fearing one of them may be wearing an explosive belt.
 

One of the boys on the scene informed the federal police of the hideouts of the extremists.
 

Many ISIS operatives were killed in the fighting on Monday, and there are tunnels discovered and military hardware seized.
 

The government forces advanced temporarily on Tuesday.
 

No operations will be carried today, and the forces will head north in the days to come, Al-Jaburi further noted.
 

Counter terror, the best in terms of training and armament, forces were seen advancing on the front line of the western parts of Mosul.
 

US secretary of defense James Mattis said Monday during his Iraq trip that he is confident the Iraqi forces will control the situation.
 

This comes despite warnings issued by experts and commanders that battle in western Mosul will be more bloody and violent than the former ones.
 

In press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi, James Mattis said the Jihadists will show the world who they are, just a handful of killers.
 

A CIA official puts the number of extremists in western Mosul at 2, 000 compared to 5,000 to 7,000 before the attack had been launched.
 

The anti-ISIS US-led coalition have conducted ten thousand airstrikes since 2014 and trained more than ten thousand of local troopers.
 

When the pace Iraqi forces' advancing on eastern Mosul slowed due to the fierce resistance from the terrorists, the coalition offered aerial support for the forces battling on the ground.
 

US General Chuck Corcoran said earlier this week that the air cover in Mosul is intensive so that jets appear in the sky as if they are ' layers of wedding cake'.

 

He added surveillance drones are flying low, fighter jets in the meddle, and spy planes, U-2 and others, go higher.

 

Civilians stranded on the western side of Mosul are said to be as many as 750 thousand, half of them are children, according to international watchdogs.

 

They face sharp shortage in food and medicine.

 

Son of our neighbors died of famine four days ago, a local resident called 'Abu-Ahmed told the AFP over the phone.
 

Many families have just been able to get a meal per day, mainly boiled potato or milk, since weeks, he added.
 

The UN voiced concern as 250 thousand residents may be forced from homes due to the heavy fighting in Mosul over the coming days and weeks.
 

Those civilians will be added to the 160 thousand who were impelled to leave their homes over the past four months when the battle broke out.

`http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6373/As-Iraqi-forces-advance-on-Mosul-displacement-fears-for-250-thousand-people-grow

[tigergorzow]

ISIS official of aerial resistance killed in Mosul

February 22 2017 10:20 PM

Breaking

An ISIS official of aerial resistance was killed on Wednesday in Mosul.

More details will be reported soon.

On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced Sunday the launch of a military operation to retake the western bank of Mosul from ISIS terrorist group.
 

“We announce the start of a new phase in the operation, we are coming to Nineveh to liberate the western side of Mosul,” Abadi said in a brief televised address.

Iraqi jets have dropped millions of leaflets in western Mosul, calling on residents to get ready to welcome the Iraqi troops as they continue the siege on the militants.

The latest operation to free the city from the terrorists began on October 17. After months of fighting, the coalition managed to secure the right bank of the city last month. The densely-populated west bank of Mosul is now the operation's target.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/6375/ISIS-official-of-aerial-resistance-killed-in-Mosul