Mosul update

[tigergorzow]

Army kills 17 IS members, storm two districts, western Mosul.

 

by Nehal Mostafa Apr 12, 2017, 2:39 pm

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Iraqi army forces in Mosul. File photo.

 

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Seventeen Islamic State members were killed on Wednesday in west of Mosul, the Iraqi army’s elite Counter-Terrorism Forces (ICTF) declared.

“The forces raided al-Abar area killing 17 IS members,” Major Ali Mohsen, of ICTF, told BasNews. “Security troops arrested six IS female members of different Arab nationalities, working for the so-called hisbah (vigilantism) office in the region.”

“Troops liberated around 40 percent of Al-Abar region,” he said adding that battles are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, Abdul-Ghani al-Assadi, commander of the army’s elite Counter-Terrorism Forces, said that the special forces stormed two districts of al-Abar and al-Tanak in western Mosul to drive IS out.

On Monday, Assadi said the forces completed “two thirds” of missions assigned to them as part of the Mosul liberation campaign, taking over 28 districts out of 38 on their targets list.

Iraqi government forces announced earlier on Wednesday resumption of military operations in Central Mosul, after being suspended for few days.

Federal Police Chief Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat said on Monday that its troops brought down 60 percent of IS defenses around the Old City.

Eastern Mosul was recaptured in January after three months of fighting. Another offensive was launched mid February to retake the western region.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/army-kills-17-members-storm-two-districts-western-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

Airstrike kills 15 IS militants, western Mosul

 

by Nehal Mostafa Apr 12, 2017, 3:57 pm

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Smoke rises after an airstrike, during the battle against Islamic State militants, at the district of al-Mamoun in Mosul, Iraq, March 1, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani – RTS10XG7

 

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Fifteen Islamic State militants were killed in an airstrike in al-Hadar region in Nineveh, western Mosul, according to Iraqi government.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell said on Wednesday that “an airstrike targeted a gathering of IS militants in al-Shaihan village, al-Hadar area, depending on federal investigations and information.”

“The raid left 15 IS militants including three leaders killed including security and administrative officials of the so-called Wilayat al-Jazeera. Others were injured as they were intending to launch attack at several areas,” the statement added.

The army’s elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) declared storming two districts of al-Abar and al-Tanak in western Mosul. 17 IS members were killed, while six female members of different Arab nationalities were wounded.

Iraqi government forces announced earlier on Wednesday resumption of military operations in Central Mosul, after being suspended for few days.

Eastern Mosul was recaptured in January after an offensive was launched in October by the Iraqi forces and the U.S.-led coalition. Another offensive was launched in mid-February to retake the west.

Battles in the west are believed to be much more difficult due to the density of residential areas and the high number of civilians who the commanders believe are used as human shields by IS members.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/airstrike-kills-15-militants-western-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

Al-Hashd al-Shaabi arrests 12 suicide bombers coming from Mosul

 

by Loaa Adel Apr 12, 2017, 4:12 pm

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Soldiers of al-Hashd al-Shaabi.

 

Tikrit (IraqiNews.com) Al-Hashd al-Shaabi Media Directorate announced, on Wednesday, arresting 12 suicide bombers, who sneaked from the city of Mosul to the city of Tikrit.

The media directorate said in a statement that forces from al-Hashd al-Shaabi’s 41st brigade carried out a proactive operation, based on intelligence information, in the areas of Zweirija and Wadi al-Yabes, on borders between Tikrit and Ramadi.

The operation resulted in arresting 12 terrorists of the Islamic State, the statement explained.

The terrorists were coming from al-Hadar area in Mosul, and wearing explosive belts, the statement further added.

Members of the Islamic State are frequently trying to sneak into Salahuddin, to violate the security situation in the province, while security forces are trying to repulse their attacks and kill many of them.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/al-hashd-al-shaabi-arrests-12-suicide-bombers-coming-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

MOD: Airstrike kills 20 IS terrorists in western Mosul

 

by Loaa Adel Apr 12, 2017, 7:43 pm

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Iraqi Army Aviation.

 

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced, on Wednesday, killing 20 terrorists of the Islamic State group, and destroying a 23mm cannon by an air strike carried out by the Army Aviation, in western Mosul.

The ministry said in a brief statement that the Army Aviation carried out an air strike on al-Sabuniyah area, in western Mosul, killing 20 Islamic State’s militants, as well as destroying a 23mm Cannon.

Noteworthy, joint security forces are carrying out extensive military operations to recapture western Mosul from the Islamic State terrorist group, after liberating the eastern side of the city last January.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/mod-airstrike-kills-20-terrorists-western-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

Coalition airstrike kills, wounds 6 IS elite leaders of Wilayat Baghdad and Wilayat al-Janub

 

by Loaa Adel Apr 12, 2017, 9:04 pm

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Representational photo.

 

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi Intelligence Service announced, on Wednesday, that six elite leaders of the Islamic State were either killed or wounded by a US-led coalition air strike, while pointed out that these members are occupying important media positions in the so-called Wilayat Baghdad and Wilayat al-Janub.

The intelligence Service released a statement saying that the international coalition air force, based on accurate information obtained from Iraqi National Intelligence Service, conducted an air strike, targeting a vehicle carrying a number of the Islamic State members.

The air strike resulted in the killing of the terrorist Abu Hajar al-Ghareri, the media official of the so-called Wilayat al-Janub, media official of al-Hamza axis the terrorist Abu Ibrahim and the terrorist Abu al-Khattab, as well as wounding two other members, the statement added.

Furthermore, the air strike also resulted in the injury of Mohanad Abbas, also known as Abu Saif, the media official of the so-called Wilayat Baghdad.

The Intelligence Service did not reveal the location that was bombarded by the international coalition aircraft.

Noteworthy, US-led coalition is conducting air strikes, since more than two years, on the Islamic State headquarters and hideouts in Iraq and Syria.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/coalition-airstrike-kills-wounds-6-elite-leaders-wilayat-baghdad-wilayat-al-janub/

[tigergorzow]

More than 40 ISIL terrorists killed by Iraqi airstrike in west Mosul

By

News Desk

-

12/04/2017

 

BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:00 A.M.) – More than 40 Islamic State (ISIL) terrorists were killed by the Iraqi Air Force in the western countryside of Mosul, local activists reported on Tuesday evening.

According to the reports, the Iraqi Air Force targeted the Islamic State’s gathering points around the Tanak and Thuwra areas of western Mosul, killing 40+ terrorists in the process of this powerful aerial assault.

In addition to the airstrike, the Iraqi Armed Forces managed to liberate more territory inside of Mosul, inching them closer to the strategic Al-Nouri Mosque.

The Al-Nouri Mosque is not only one of the largest religious sites in the city, but it is also the same place where the Islamic State’s leader, Ibrahim Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, delivered his last speech inside of Mosul.

 

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/40-isil-terrorists-killed-iraqi-airstrike-west-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

In Picture: IS Leader in Charge of Smuggling Killed in Syria

The militant is said to be an Uzbek national 

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Basnews English

12/04/2017 - 16:03

Middle East

 

 

ERBIL — The US-led coalition has killed an Uzbek national who was a leader of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, said Kurdistan Region’s Counter-Terrorism Directorate (CTD).

Geiratzon Ozimovie, known as Abdulrahman Uzbeki, was killed in a coalition operation carried out on April 6th.

The IS leader was responsible for the financial and smuggling affairs of the extremist group, according to the CTD.

No further information on the exact location of the operation and the extent of the damage is available.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/middle-east/342627

 

[tigergorzow]

IS Orders Cropping Against 33 Fleeing Militants

• 
   

Basnews English

12/04/2017 - 14:34

Iraq

 

 

 

The militants risk losing their remaining ear if they continue escaping

ERBIL— Some 33 Islamic State (IS) militants who fled the battlefields in western Mosul were punished and each one of them lost one of their ears, according to some media reports.

An IS commander issued the order against the fleeing IS militants who were already arrested and imprisoned in western Mosul.

A hospital in Mosul executed the order and one of the ears of each victim was cut off.

According to the reports, the militants were also threatened that if they continue deserting the battlegrounds, their remaining ear will also be clipped.

As the war against the Islamic jihadists intensifies, the IS militants continue fleeing the frontlines, some under the cover of IDPs and some in women clothing.  

Reports indicate that the militants in Mosul are declining in manpower and face a food and ammunition shortage as their supply routes are cordoned off by the Iraqi forces.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/342605

[ChuckFinley]

Can not get enough of these guys.  

[tigergorzow]

[WATCH]: IS Weapons Cache Discovered in West Mosul

The cache contained nearly 700 mortars

• 
   

Basnews English

12/04/2017 - 10:12

Iraq

 

 

 

MOSUL — While the fight against the Islamic State (IS) in Mosul is continuing to retake the entire city from the IS extremists, a weapons cache was found which contained a large number of mortars and other types of ammunition.

The cache which was discovered by the Iraqi army in west Mosul contained around 700 mortars.

An officer from the Iraqi army told Kurdistan24 that they couldn't use the ammunition fearing of being rigged with explosives, therefore, they destroy them.

 

Media

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/342512

[tigergorzow]

IS Controls Less Than Seven Percent of Iraq: Official

About three years ago, the group controlled 40 percent of the country

• 
   

Shoguna B. Sobir

12/04/2017 - 12:09

Iraq

 

ERBIL — The Islamic State (IS) currently controls less than 7 percent of Iraq, according to the latest statement by an Iraqi military spokesperson.
That is a significant reduction from the 40 percent the group controlled three years ago.

"As of March 31 [of 2017], they only held 6.8 percent of the Iraqi territory," said Brigadier General Yahya Rasool, the spokesperson of the Joint Operations Command coordinating the anti-IS operation.

Other officials, both Iraqi and foreign, have other estimates of the extent of the IS-held territories. However, regardless of the disagreements about the numbers, the IS-controlled territories have been steadily reducing over the past two years.

The spokesperson for the US-led coalition said on Tuesday that they will continue supporting Iraq even after Mosul's liberation.

"Once that task is accomplished, the coalition will be here to support our Iraqi partners as they eliminate ISIL from every corner of Iraq," Colonel John Dorrian said, using an acronym for the jihadist group.

"Though the fighting is going to be very hard ... this enemy is completely surrounded. They aren't going anywhere - they will be defeated and the people of Mosul will be free," he said.

The Islamic State militants still control Hawijah, Tal Afar and some other areas close to the Syrian border in Iraq. The battle to recapture the city of Mosul has resulted in much loss for the terrorist group and is still ongoing.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/342554

[tigergorzow]

34 Iraqi Military Personnel Killed in Mosul in Last 18 Days

Basnews English

12/04/2017 - 23:21

Iraq

 

 

 

 

MOSUL — Thirty-four Iraqi troops died over the past 18 days, during the encounters with the so-called Islamic State (IS) in western Mosul, a senior army officer said on Wednesday.

Colonel Salman Okashat from the army's elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces, told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that 34 Iraqi Forces personnel from all ranks of the army have died during the operations to recapture the districts of Yarmouk and Matahen, which the forces recaptured recently.

Okashat further said that 76 other security members were wounded during the battles, and are now aiming to take over three other districts in the same scope of the operations, Iraqi News reported.

At the end of March, the US Central Command said 284 Iraqi troops were killed since the beginning of the operation in western Mosul, whereas 490 Iraqi troops were killed during the operations in eastern Mosul. However the Iraqi forces dismissed those numbers, saying they were exaggerated and not accurate.

Iraqi government troops, backed by the US-led coalition and other Iraqi paramilitary forces, recaptured eastern Mosul in the beginning of this year after three months of fighting, and launched the next offensive in February aiming to retake the remaining western parts of the city from the IS militants.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/342691

[tigergorzow]

UK Mideast Minister: Erbil and Baghdad Should Coordinate for Running Mosul

Ellwood stated his country supports Kurdistan for resolving its issues 

• 
   

Basnews English

12/04/2017 - 14:46

Kurdistan

 

 

ERBIL— Heading a delegation of advisors, UK Minister for the Middle East and Northern Africa, Tobias Ellwood, discussed with Kurdistan Region senior officials the issues related to the phase after eliminating the Islamic jihadists from Mosul. 

According to separate statements issued by Kurdistan Region Presidency and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Ellwood on Wednesday visited Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani in his office in Pirman (Erbil vicinity) and KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil. 

The UK delegation, which also included UK Ambassador to Iraq Frank Baker, stressed that after securing Mosul from the Islamic state (IS) organization, Nineveh province should be jointly supervised by Erbil and Baghdad administrations and all the components of Nineveh should have a part in running their areas. 

Ellwood also voiced his country's willingness to support the efforts for resolving Kurdistan Region's internal issues as well as KRG's disputes with Baghdad. 

According to the statements, the delegation also valued the role of Peshmerga in the war against IS and made reference to the "positive" role of KRG and Kurdish people for hosting nearly 2.5 million IDPs and refugees. 

The UK continues supporting the Peshmerga forces, the statements cited the delegation as saying.  

During the meeting, PM Barzani stated that KRG is ready to offer assistance and coordination for governing Mosul after the IS war. 

At the same time, he blamed Baghdad administration for not supporting his government in the battle against terrorism as well as hosting the IDPs, calling on the international community to offer more assistance to Kurdistan. 

Barzani also spoke about the "serious dialogues" that the political parties in Kurdistan are engaged in for identifying the future status of their region through an independence referendum. 

KRG PM reiterated that regardless if  Kurdistan is destined to declare independence from Baghdad or stay within Baghdad's authority, it hopes for "the best relations with Baghdad." 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/342608

[tigergorzow]

 

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ScienceOfDiscontent‏ @SciOfDiscontent 21m21 minutes ago

 

Map of the situation in west #Mosul between #ISIS and #Iraq forces on 12 April 2017 pic.twitter.com/vg8ZeMlpAY

https://twitter.com/hashtag/mosul

[tigergorzow]

 

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Emmanuel‏ @EmmanuelGMay 34m34 minutes ago

 

West #Mosul : after taking 2 days ago Al Yarmuk + Al-Abar districts, #ISF advance now in Al Tanak area v @iraqi_day

pic.twitter.com/kCQhL48Yed

 

https://twitter.com/hashtag/mosul

[ChuckFinley]

Tiger, thanks for the updates.  

[CaptainBVI]

Tiger,

Thank you for your tireless efforts in keeping us informed.

I look forward to sitting down for a cocktail after this so you can tell me how you find all this information.

Go RV!

[tigergorzow]

26 minutes ago, CaptainBVI said:

Tiger,

Thank you for your tireless efforts in keeping us informed.

I look forward to sitting down for a cocktail after this so you can tell me how you find all this information.

Go RV!

CaptainBVI,  Ditto my good friend.  The POST-RV PARTY is going to be great....😆  A lot of Cocktails & Umbrella drinks for all....😊

[tigergorzow]

1 hour ago, ChuckFinley said:

Tiger, thanks for the updates.  

CF,  My pleasure indeed....😆

GO RV / RI

[yota691]

Surround «Aldoaash» from four sides

4/13/2017 0:00    Our troops confiscated a thousand rockets Mosul / Sunrise Maher  Joint Special Operations Command announced the success of our troops in the encirclement of the remaining elements of the "Daesh" on the right side of the four sides. Operations said yesterday: "anti - terrorism forces broke the defenses of the enemy lines and penetrated deep into the random Tanak neighborhood."  Correspondent "morning" as quoted by the leading device Ali Mohsen confirmed that the anti - terrorism forces stormed the second neighborhood wells, and was able to provide during the killing of about 17 Daashaa , including a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt in the western axis of the coast itself.  In turn, he told the commander of Nineveh operations Maj . Gen. Najim al - Jubouri, email us, that " the international coalition aircraft carried out Saturday night accurate air strikes on terrorist hideouts" Daesh "in the alleys of the old city center coast right preparation for the storm , which led to the killing of 26 Daashaa , including leading figures."  The Federal Police team leader Raed Shakir Jawdat he pointed to the "morning" that "his forces found a large Amass missiles in the new door area within the Old City contains (1000) Katyusha and rocket (8000) valve collision and (100) bag chemicals used in the manufacture of packaging. "

[Synopsis]

Here is a map dated yesterday for the IDF and ISIS held areas of Mosul. Of the remaining area in Mosul ISIS holds, it appears that 60% of this area or so is populated and the nominal remaining 40% is hilly and uninhabited. So, after a certain point, the ISIS mop up could occur astronomically fast.

https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-iraqi-city-of-mosul-on-april-12-2017-map-update/

Go Moola Nova!

[ChuckFinley]

3 hours ago, Synopsis said:

Here is a map dated yesterday for the IDF and ISIS held areas of Mosul. Of the remaining area in Mosul ISIS holds, it appears that 60% of this area or so is populated and the nominal remaining 40% is hilly and uninhabited. So, after a certain point, the ISIS mop up could occur astronomically fast.

https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-iraqi-city-of-mosul-on-april-12-2017-map-update/

Go Moola Nova!

Synopsis, great map. I like the fact that you can zoom in to get a better feel for the terrain.  

[Synopsis]

27 minutes ago, ChuckFinley said:

Synopsis, great map. I like the fact that you can zoom in to get a better feel for the terrain.  

Me, too, ChuckFinley! Glad you like the map!

[bkeiller]

http://www.kitabat.com/ar/page/14/04/2017/97687/غارات-أقل-وتقدم-بطيء-بأسلحة-خفيفة-استراتيجية-جديدة-لاكمال-تحرير-الموصل.html

 

Friday , April 14, 2017

Advanced Iraqi forces, over the past few days, slightly in the western side battles for the city of Mosul, through the liberation of three neighborhoods of Morocco, Yarmouk and mills, while the region is still the most difficult, the old Mosul, under the control of "Daesh", despite the lapse of more than two weeks to encircle .  What is happening, according to a member of parliament and a military expert, it is an application for "difficult and complex new strategy" based on the reduction of air strikes, and progress slowly in residential neighborhoods, and the use of light weapons, in order to avoid civilian deaths and the destruction of infrastructure, especially in the wake of the massacre in theneighborhood "New Mosul" , but "Daesh" managed to take advantage of the change fighting strategy by targeting forces snipers and rocket shelling. Civilians and infrastructure  new strategy, adopted by the Iraqi forces, is the slow progress in the neighborhoods of the center of the west side of the city, fighting and light weapons; in order to avoid casualties among civilians, according to Ali Mutaiona, a member of the Security and Defense Committee in the Iraqi parliament.  Mutaiona said that "Iraqi forces have adopted this new strategy for progress in the western side of the city neighborhoods, after the killing of civilians in the new neighborhood of Mosul , " west of the city, home to some 1.5 million people, mostly Sunnis.  Mystery still surrounds the death of dozens of civilians inside their homes in this neighborhood, on March / last March 17, where the international coalition said it had launched an air strike in this neighborhood on the same day at the request of the Iraqi government, which was denied by Baghdad, accusing "Daesh" at the same time the implementation of the bombing has caused this "massacre."  Iraqi MP said that "Iraqi forces are currently using light weapons, through penetration into residential neighborhoods; to protect civilians and infrastructure .. The new strategy has achieved its objectives over the last few days."  He guessed Mutaiona that " the western side of the connector battles may end within weeks .. progress , albeit slow , it is a disease, Iraqi forces will be able to resolve the fighting in the western side during a period not exceeding weeks."  The western side of Mosul , smaller than its eastern side area, where 40% of the total area of the city, but the population density of the largest, since the United Nations estimates the number of its residents by about 800 thousand people, displaced them 285 thousand, according to the announcement by the International Organization last Tuesday. Snipers  in an attempt to slow the progression of the attacking forces in the largest and last bastion of him in Iraq, uses "Daesh" many methods, most notably the snipers and shelling missile and suicide car bombs, especially after reducing the use of aerial bombing by the Air Alliance International and Aviation Iraqi, according to Khalil al - Naimi, an officer a retired colonel of the Iraqi army.  Al - Nuaimi added that "over the last few days managed to " Daesh "to take advantage of the change that has occurred on the western side of the connector battles, Fmhor federal police completely turned off, and the focus of the leadership of the band ninth of the army almost turned off, except the focus of counter - terrorism forces, which rely on street fighting claw its way, a difficult and complex strategy. "  He continued explaining that "Daesh began relying entirely in the fighting on the snipers and shelling missile sites Iraqi forces gathered, has quite a few The organization number of foreign hunters, and eliminate them, under the new strategy , which reduced air strikes, it takes longer time."  Iraqi forces are still more than two weeks old besieging the Mosul area, the center of the west side, which includes many neighborhoods of high population density and narrow streets and complex military vehicles can not enter; what makes the soldiers exposed to the snipers "Daesh".  Attack on Tal Afar ,  and unlike the western side of the connector battles, it is preparing "popular crowd" to launch a massive attack using various weapons, and with support from the Iraqi air; to break into Tal Afar spend 60 kilometers west of the city of Mosul.  Said Kamal al - Saadi, a leader of the "popular crowd", that "spend Talfr quite different from the western side of the connector neighborhoods .. There are open spaces within the judiciary, and the number of civilians in which a few sites, organize" Daesh "diagnosed by us, but at the same time , we expect fierce battles. "  Saadi said that " the majority of factions of the popular crowd will participate in the liberation of Tall Afar .. We have full information about the size of preparations" Daesh "in the vicinity and within the district of Tal Afar .. elements of the organization does not intend to withdraw from the judiciary, so it will be a tough battle."  According to local and international reports on human rights that civilians in Mosul and its environs live humanitarian conditions very poor; due to the siege imposed months ago, the scarcity of food and potable water, as well as the lack of semi - basic services.

[tigergorzow]

US general: Progress by Iraqi forces in Mosul despite complicated battle

April 14 2017 04:31 PM

US general: Progress by Iraqi forces in Mosul despite complicated battle

 

 

Iraqi forces are making progress in their offensive to expel ISIS from Mosul but face a "very complicated" urban battle as the militants hide in mosques, homes and hospitals, a US general told Reuters.
 

Government forces have retaken much of Iraq's second-largest city since January but have been trying since then to dislodge the Sunni Muslim militants from the densely populated Old City in western Mosul, their last Iraqi stronghold.

"Iraqi security forces continue to progress as they liberate the western side of Mosul," US Army Major General Joseph Martin, head of ground forces for the US-led coalition fighting ISIS, said by telephone.

He declined to say whether the militants would be defeated rather within weeks or months, saying: "It's hard to tell because the terrain changes literally every day."

Martin said Iraqi forces had surrounded ISIS positions but it was not always possible to move vehicles into all parts of the Old City with its narrow streets.

"Some days like yesterday (there was) significant amount of progress, other days there is not much progress but progress nevertheless," he said.

 Iraqi officers have said snipers have slowed them down in western Mosul in the biggest ground operation in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

 "It's very complicated," Martin said. "The terrain literally changes from neighborhood to neighborhood ... the nature of the enemy, how the population reacts."

 He also said coalition forces continued to provide air support for Iraqi forces despite an explosion that followed an air strike that was believed to have killed scores of civilians on March 17.

 The U.S. military has said a U.S.-led coalition strike had hit an ISIS-held area where residents and officials say as many as 200 civilians may have been killed.

 "Nothing has changed in terms of air support. It's been consistent," he said.

 He declined to discuss any involvement of the coalition in the explosion but said ISIS was "very creative in exploiting the human element" by using hospitals, schools, churches, homes and mosques as hideouts or weapons caches.

"It's clear that their (ISIS) competence, their cohesion and their effectiveness continues to wane over time," he said.

 But he said the militants would fight to the end and there were no signs they would run out of ammunition anytime soon after preparing for the battle for two and half years.

 "Don't underestimate the ammunition," he said. "But the outcome is very, very clear. They are going lose and the Iraqis will win."

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/9343/US-general-Progress-by-Iraqi-forces-in-Mosul-despite-complicated-battle