Five years later .. Nujaifi reveals the "real cause" of the fall of Mosul

[tigergorzow]

Iran Increasing Military Presence in Mosul

 

Basnews English

02/05/2017 - 01:49

Iraq

 

 

ERBIL — Seeking greater military presence in northern Iraq, Iran has established dozens of military and political premises in the liberated areas of western Mosul, informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat on Sunday.

The Iranian forces, part of the Quds Force of Revolutionary Guards, are said to be working under the wings of the Shi’ite militia groups of Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki “is currently working to form several tribal councils in Nineveh that are linked to him and directly supported by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei”, said Sheikh Muzahim Huwet, the spokesperson for the Arab tribes in Nineveh.

“They seek to win the largest number of parliamentary seats in Mosul and also the majority of seats at the governorate’s council, in order to factionalize the Sunni Arabs, to Shi’itize Mosul and fight the Kurdistan Region,” Huwet added.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/347142

[tigergorzow]

Coalition Jets Conducted 15 Anti-IS Strikes in Iraq, Syria on Monday

 

Mira Rojkan

03/05/2017 - 01:32

Middle East

 

 

 

 

LEEDS — Warplanes belonging to the US-led international coalition on Monday, May 2nd, carried out 15 airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets across Syria and Iraq, razing strategic positions on both sides of the border.

According to a press release by the Operation Inherent Resolve, three strikes were conducted near Deir ez-Zor, east of Syria, destroying 12 IS fuel tankers, oil wellheads and pumps.

Other raids dismantled IS military positions as well as other targets near the towns of Abu Kamal, Tabqa and the groups de facto capital Raqqa.

In neighboring Iraq, the coalition airstrikes were mainly focused on IS targets in and around Mosul in the north of the country, which, according to the statement, resulted in destroying two mortar systems, a front-end loader, an artillery system, a fighting position, a vehicle borne improvised explosives device (VBIED) factory, and a medium machine gun.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/middle-east/347434

[tigergorzow]

IS Once Again Attacks Civilians in Mosul with Chemical Weapons

 

Mira Rojkan

03/05/2017 - 01:42

Iraq

 

 

 

LEEDS — The so-called Islamic State (IS) once again used chemical weapons against civilians and Iraqi forces in the southwest part of Mosul on Sunday. 

According to a local source who spoke to Sputnik, the IS militants in southwestern Mosul used a chemical weapon in the form of mustard gas bombs, which were dropped on the al-Saura quarter. 

The source explained that as a result of the chemical attack two middle-aged people suffered from the poisonous gas and were taken to hospital in the capital city of the Kurdistan Region, Erbil. 

The IS militants have used chemical weapons in the past, making the attack on Sunday the eighth chemical attack on civilians. One of the previous seven attacks was another attack on al-Saura, which took place on the 22nd of April and took the lives of six people and injured 12 others. 

Attacks of this kind aimed at preventing the advancement of the Iraqi forces in their ongoing operation against IS in Mosul. The Iraqi government, backed by the US-led coalition, launched an operation against the extremist group in October last year. By the beginning of 2017 the Iraqi forces managed to retake the entire eastern part of Mosul and focus on liberating the remaining western parts of the city. 

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/347435

[tigergorzow]

Anonymous Attackers Step up Targeting IS Militants in Tel Afar

 

Shoguna B. Sobir

03/05/2017 - 02:00

Iraq

 

 

 

 

ISTANBUL — An unidentified suicide bomber killed nine Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq on Tuesday.

The suicide bomber targeted IS militants dining at a restaurant in the town of Tel Afar, located about 75 km west of Mosul.

Also on Tuesday, an unidentified sniper killed an IS militant overseeing the group’s defense lines.

“IS official, called Abu Yusuf, in charge of one of the group’s important defense lines in the vicinity of Tel Afar, was killed by a sniper shot coming from the side of a checkpoint of the paramilitary troops,” said one anonymous source, as reported by Iraqi News. 

“Abu Yusuf is one of the main leaders of IS in Tel Afar. He was nominated for the position of the military emir,” the source continued.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/347437

[tigergorzow]

Islamic State member in charge of main defense line in Tal Afar killed by sniper

 

by Nehal Mostafa May 2, 2017, 12:30 pm

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A sniper. Representational photo.

 

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militant in charge of one of the group’s defense lines was killed by a sniper in the vicinity of Tal Afar town, west of Mosul, a local source in Nineveh province said.

Speaking to AlSumaria News on Tuesday, the source said, “IS official, called Abu Yusuf, in charge of one of the group’s important defense lines in the vicinity of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, was killed by a sniper shot coming from the side of a checkpoint of the paramilitary troops.”

“Abu Yusuf is one of the main leaders of IS in Tal Afar. He was nominated for the position of the military emir,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added.

Tal Afar is one of the important strongholds still held by IS in Nineveh.

The group has sustained severe losses in personnel and ground since an offensive was launched in mid October to retake Mosul, the second-largest Iraqi city and the militants’ last urban stronghold in the country.

The number of Islamic State fighters remaining in Mosul are estimated by Iraqi troops at 200 to 300, mostly foreigners, down from nearly 6,000 when the offensive started.

Eastern Mosul was recaptured from IS in January, after a US-backed offensive was launched in October. A new offensive started in February to retake the west.

 

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/islamic-state-member-charge-main-defense-line-tal-afar-killed-sniper/

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi police say killed more than 850 IS militants in Mosul since February

 

by Mohamed Mostafa May 2, 2017, 2:30 pm

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A sniper of the Iraqi Federal Police takes his position at a destroyed builiding near Islamic State fighters’ positions at Bab al Jadid district in the old city of Mosul, Iraq, March 27, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal

 

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) The Iraqi Federal Police command said Tuesday it killed more than 850 Islamic State militants since government forces launched an operation on February 19th to retake the western side of Mosul.

Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat said his forces killed more than 850 IS members and destroyed more than 500 booby-trapped cars and motorbikes belonging to the group, managing to retake a total of 274 square kilometers of territory.

As part of police operations, 265.000 civilians were evacuated from battlefields, while 30.000 were repatriated to their home regions, according to Jawdat.

Reporting on combat developments for Tuesday, Jawday said his forces killed 24 Islamic State members, including three senior leaders, in separate offensives in western Mosul.

Forces killed Abu Ayoub, a senior supply official for the group, in a strike that targeted him boarding his motorbike near Mosul’s “fifth bridge”. Another chase managed to bring down Abu Abdullah al-Naqel at al-Refaie district.

 

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17 Tamuz (July 17th) district in western Mosul (google maps)

A third offensive targeted an IS hideout behind al-Sahaba Mosque in the 17 Tamuz (July 17th) and al-Hawi districts, leaving 21 members dead, including one identified as Nafea Abdullah.

Islamic State members currently control nearly 30 percent of territory in western Mosul, according to Iraqi generals. Government forces recaptured eastern Mosul in January.

 

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraqi-police-say-killed-850-militants-mosul-since-february/

[tigergorzow]

More than 30 Islamic State militants killed in western Mosul

 

by Nehal Mostafa May 2, 2017, 3:51 pm

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Iraqi security forces.

 

 

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State members were killed as Iraqi troops targeted regions held by the militants in the west of Mosul, according to the army’s elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS).

“CTS and Rapid Response troops arrived at Halila village and began targeting IS militants in districts of 17 Tamuz, Mesherfa, al-Najjar and al-Refaie, in western Mosul,” Ali Mohsen, of the army, told BasNews on Tuesday.

“More than 30 militants were killed, arms and stores of weapons were destroyed,” he added.

Security forces were able to gain control on wide parts in al-Zanjili district, Mohsen said in previous statements on Monday.

Islamic State is claimed to be in control of nearly 30 percent of territory in western Mosul, according to Iraqi generals.

The number of IS fighters remaining in Mosul are estimated by Iraqi troops at 200 to 300, mostly foreigners, down from nearly 6,000 when the offensive started.

Over four million persons were displaced inside the country since emergence of IS in 2014.

Iraqi troops, backed by U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, took over eastern Mosul from Islamic State in January, after three months of battles. A new offensive was launched in February to retake the western side.

 

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/30-islamic-state-militants-killed-western-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

Nine Islamic State members killed by suicide bomber in western Mosul

 

by Mohamed Mostafa May 2, 2017, 5:06 pm

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Representational photo.

 

Tal Afar (IraqiNews.com) Nine Islamic State militants were killed Tuesday when a suicide bomber attacked a gathering of group fighters in western Mosul, a security source was quoted saying.

The attacker targeted the militants while staying at a restaurant at Islamic State’s stronghold town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, Almaalomah website quoted the source saying.

Islamic State militants have been losing personnel and ground since Iraqi government forces, backed a U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, launched an offensive in October to retake the city. Forces recaptured the eastern side of the city in January and commanders said they currently control 70 percent of the western region.

Occasional reports have been made about anonymous attacks targeting IS members inside and outside Mosul.

 

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Tal Afar, west of Mosul (google maps).

Earlier on Tuesday, an Islamic State militant in charge of one of the group’s defense lines was killed by a sniper in the vicinity of Tal Afar town, west of Mosul, a local source in Nineveh province said.

Speaking to AlSumaria News on Tuesday, the source said, “IS official, called Abu Yusuf, in charge of one of the group’s important defense lines in the vicinity of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, was killed by a sniper shot coming from the side of a checkpoint of the paramilitary troops.”

“Abu Yusuf is one of the main leaders of IS in Tal Afar. He was nominated for the position of the military emir,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added.

 

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/nine-islamic-state-members-killed-suicide-bomber-western-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

At least 1,000 civilians forcibly disappeared from Mosul, Anbar since start of operations: Observatory

 

by Nehal Mostafa May 2, 2017, 5:52 pm

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Civilians leave the city to escape from clashes during a battle with Islamic State militants, in al-Zirai district in Mosul, Iraq, January 18, 2017. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

 

(IraqiNews.com) More than 1,000 civilians forcibly disappeared during operations launched in Mosul city and Anbar province, the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights (IOHR) has said.

In a report issued on Tuesday the observatory said it received “several reports from Anbar and Mosul over forced disappearance of people aging between 15-60 years old during military operations. However, the relatives of the victims did not file complaints as they did not know their whereabouts or to preserve their lives in some cases.”

In Nineveh, where fierce clashes are taking place between the Iraqi troops, backed by the international troops, and the Islamic State militants, in the western regions, more than 100 civilians disappeared in late April.

“160 displaced young men disappeared last week while fleeing Hatra, northwest of Mosul. Their destiny has been unknown yet,” Ali al-Ahmadi, an official in Hatra, told IOHR.

“Gunmen from the al-Hashd al-Ashaeri [tribal mobilization] in Mosul were behind the abduction for political purposes,” he said.

The report quoted other sources as saying that the kidnapped could be from villages near Hatra and that they were abducted while fleeing to Tal Abta camp. However, the sources indicated tribal and political conflicts that could have pressured some parties to use power and weapon against whom they believe are opponents from the civilians.

In Anbar, the report tackled the abduction of 902 civilians in 2016 from al-Razaza district by gunmen, Mohamed al-Karbouli, member of the parliamentary committee of defense and security, told the observatory.

Two women and three men in Amriyat al-Fallujah camp, located west of Baghdad, said they have sons, siblings and husbands who were kidnapped while fleeing Fallujah almost a year ago when the operations started to liberate the city.

A woman from Anbar said her three sons were kidnapped by gunmen from the road between Fallujah and Amriyat al-Fallujah.

The observatory urged the Iraqi government to declare the outcome of interrogations that should have been previously released by investigations committees.

 

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/least-1000-civilians-forcibly-disappeared-mosul-anbar-since-start-operations-observatory/

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi women take up arms to protect village from ISIL

By

Al-Masdar News

-

02/05/2017

1

BEIRUT, LEBANON (5:45 A.M.) – Women living in Haji Ali, a village in northern Iraq located 60 kilometres (37,2 miles) south from Mosul, have taken up arms to protect the area from self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIL/ISIS) militants, as seen in footage filmed on Monday.

Since the IS controlled-villages are only two kilometres (1.24 miles) away, women have learnt how to use weapons and have started guarding their families’ houses at night.

People fear that IS could sneak into the village via the Tigris river overnight, and are complaining that locals don’t have enough weapons to defend themselves with. The men taking a break from the frontline keep carrying weapons once they are home, as they believe the region is not safe.

 

Haji Ali is composed of 9 smaller villages and a refugee camp which is home to around 28,000 people.

According to its residents, the 9 villages altogether are inhabited by 40,000 people. The militia operating in the area is the sunni Hashid Ashayare, which is formed of around 600 men.

 

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iraqi-women-take-arms-protect-village-isil/

Edited May 3, 2017 by tigergorzow

[Boozer]

women can be vicious, when you mess with there , Children. house and man

[429]

[nannab]

22 hours ago, Boozer said:

women can be vicious, when you mess with there , Children. house and man

 

That's right  Boozer DON'T MESS WITH THE MOTHER as my son and his friends would say.

 

Thanks much Tiger for the up to the minute articles. 

[ChuckFinley]

Thanks Tiger.  

[yota691]

Iraqi forces liberated new areas north of Mosul

 

 

May 04, 2017

Iraq - Alanadol- announced Iraqi police commander, Thursday, editor of Nineveh gas plant and two villages north of the western side of the city of Mosul in the north of the control of the "Islamic state" hours after the start of the military operation.

He said the federal police chief, Raed Shakir Jawdat team in a statement that "the rapid reaction mechanism cuts and band federal police advancing from the north-west axis in the direction Ahalilh area Heramat within the western side of the connector."

He added Jawdat that "those forces liberated the village Hassouna and Nineveh gas plant."

For his part, Captain Durgham Hussein said the rapid reaction forces, "the Iraqi forces in the ninth Armored Division controls the right side water project in the container area northwest of Mosul, the Church and the project feeds half of the west side neighborhoods with water."

Hussein added, "Iraqi forces were able to control the village Mushayrifa northwest of Mosul, known in the village Ahamdon."

In turn, an Iraqi military source said today that the process of breaking into the north-west side of the conductor began three axes.

Captain Jabbar Hassan said that "rapid progress in the center of the federal police after a heavy bombardment of sites Daesh in Ahalilh area," he said, adding that "the federal police forces preparing to storm Ahalilh area which is one of the strategic areas."

Hassan said that "Air Alehih Iraqi Air Force as well as to the International Air Alliance are involved in the process."

Iraqi forces managed during the military campaign began in October / October 2016, from the restoration of the eastern half of the city, and then began on February 19 / last February west side battles.

Iraqi forces were able to restore parts of western Mosul, amid the decline of the combat capabilities of the organization because of the besieged areas under his control from all sides and the targeting of Iraqi air strikes and the international coalition bases, according to the Iraqi leadership's statements.

[deniscanada]

Looks like big gains today

 

https://twitter.com/iraqi_day

[Synopsis]

10 minutes ago, deniscanada said:

Looks like big gains today

 

https://twitter.com/iraqi_day

 

Thank You, DenisCanada!

 

Earlier it was reported there were only 200 to 300 ISIS militants remaining in West Mosul. After that 45 were taken out and a few here and a few there have also been exterminated. There may be as few as 100 to 200 ISIS militants remaining in West Mosul. With these few militants remaining, the areas outside of Old Mosul should be taken fairly quickly. The key mosque in Old Mosul was supposedly announced as haven been retaken earlier so the green and red areas in Old Mosul may not be accurate.

 

I'm thinking the announcement that Mosul is fully taken could be literally on the horizon barring issues with booby trap clearing, land mines, etc.

 

Go Moola Nova!

[Wiljor]

Thanks Syn, looks like the battle of Mosul is reaching its final days and Iraqi's can begin a life of freedom. Let's hope us here in DV can also reap some benefits 

[Synopsis]

22 minutes ago, Wiljor said:

Thanks Syn, looks like the battle of Mosul is reaching its final days and Iraqi's can begin a life of freedom. Let's hope us here in DV can also reap some benefits 

 

Oh, Yeah, Wiljor! I'm right there with you! 

 

Go Moola Nova!

 

[ChuckFinley]

Just getting  in . Thanks Synopsis and Wiljor. Things are looking good for this to wrap up in May.  

[Wiljor]

3 minutes ago, ChuckFinley said:

Just getting  in . Thanks Synopsis and Wiljor. Things are looking good for this to wrap up in May.  

 

Wishing it so Chuck. 🌴👍

[Synopsis]

6 minutes ago, ChuckFinley said:

Just getting  in . Thanks Synopsis and Wiljor. Things are looking good for this to wrap up in May.  

 

Yeah, ChuckFinley, I so look forward to seeing this in the RV mirror!

 

Go Moola Nova!

[ChuckFinley]

Would be nice seeing this in my rear view mirror, that would be a Porsche rear view mirror.  

[Synopsis]

18 minutes ago, ChuckFinley said:

Would be nice seeing this in my rear view mirror, that would be a Porsche rear view mirror.  

 

 

or Lamborghini or Bugatti or Ferrari or, well, fill in the (      )!

 

Yeah, Baby!

 

 

Go Moola Nova!

[ChuckFinley]

1 minute ago, Synopsis said:

 

 

or Lamborghini or Bugatti or Ferrari or, well, fill in the (      )!

 

Yeah, Baby!

 

 

Go Moola Nova!

A Ferrari California.