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

[tigergorzow]

Exclusive: Map reveals latest developments in battle for Mosul

April 26 2017 12:18 AM

Exclusive: Map reveals latest developments in battle for Mosul

 

 

A map showing the latest development in the battle aiming to regain the right bank of Mosul city from ISIS was obtained by  The Baghdad Post on Tuesday.
 

The areas in green illustrate the completely regained ones, areas in orange show the areas currently witnessing clashes while the areas in white are still controlled by ISIS terrorist group.

Earlier, Security forces have liberated Ain Sadid, Tal Hilal, western and eastern Oulaieba and al-elwani villages in south western Mosul.

Also, Iraqi security forces have liberated al-Tank neighborhood in the right bank of Mosul, We Are Coming, Nineveh commander said on Tuesday.

Counter-terrorism services forces managed to liberate al-Tank neighborhood after inflicting heavy casualties to ISIS terrorists, according to Gen. Abd al-Amir Rashid Yarallah.
 

Iraqi Forces launched a major offensive on 19th of February to retake the western part of Mosul after declaring total control of the eastern part of the city on 24th of January as part of the military operations to liberate the city that started on 17th of October 2016.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/9804/Exclusive-Map-reveals-latest-developments-in-battle-for-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

ISIS kidnap Messi, hold him hostage for 2 years

April 25 2017 11:23 PM

ISIS kidnap Messi, hold him hostage for 2 years

 

A toddler was kidnapped by ISIS and held captive for two years - because his father named him Messi after his footballing hero, the Express reported on Tuesday.

The three-year-old Kurdish Yazidi boy was seized by the jihadis, along with his mother and sister, from their home in Sinjar, northern Iraq in 2014.

 While in captivity, ISIS extremists targeted the family with random demands, despite knowing the family had no money.

 Since his rescue, Messi, who is now five, has been living at a refugee camp in Dohuk, in Iraqi Kurdistan.

 His father said enraged fanatics had ordered his wife to change the boy’s “infidel” name to Hassan.

 The trauma of his years in captivity has had a profound effect on the child, with reports suggesting he barely speaks and now brandishes a toy gun where he once preferred playing football.

 According to reports, he also shakes his head when referred to as Messi, apparently still afraid of reprisals from militants who despised the infamous name.

 Thousands of Yazidi women and children were captured and held as slaves by ISIS militants when the terror group attacked Sinjar in August 2014.

 While almost 3,000 people are believed to have been rescued, many more remain in captivity.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/9797/ISIS-kidnap-Messi-hold-him-hostage-for-2-years

[tigergorzow]

15 ISIS terrorists killed, arms warehouse destroyed in Anbar air strike

April 25 2017 08:52 PM

Breaking

US-led coalition launched an air strike on Tuesday that targeted Anah district in Anbar governorate in western Iraq, Commander of Iraqi 7th Infantry Division Noman al Zawbaie said.
 

A total of 15 ISIS terrorists were killed while a booby-trapped armored vehicle, weapons warehouse and a house that was hosting the terrorists were destroyed during the air raid.

Iraqi Forces launched a major offensive on 19th of February to retake the western part of Mosul after declaring total control of the eastern part of the city on 24th of January as part of the military operations to liberate the city that started on 17th of October 2016.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/9791/15-ISIS-terrorists-killed-arms-warehouse-destroyed-in-Anbar-air-strike

[tigergorzow]

Security forces liberate 5 villages in Mosul

April 25 2017 02:26 PM

Breaking

Security forces have liberated Ain Sadid, Tal Hilal, western and eastern Oulaieba and al-elwani villages in south western Mosul on Tuesday.
 

These efforts come as part of an offensive launched on 19^th of February by US-backed Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed sectarian IMIS Shiite militias to oust ISIS terrorists from Mosul their last major stronghold in Iraq.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/9777/Security-forces-liberate-5-villages-in-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

IMIS starts offensive to take parts in southern Mosul from ISIS

April 25 2017 12:14 PM

IMIS terrorists

IMIS militia, a terror group sponsored by Iran, has launched an offensive to retake the ISIS-held areas in southern Mosul, military media cell declared Tuesday.

The terror militia launched an offensive dubbed' Mohammed, Messenger of God' to retake al-Hadar neighborhood and other parts south of Mosul.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/9768/IMIS-starts-offensive-to-take-parts-in-southern-Mosul-from-ISIS

[tigergorzow]

Security forces liberate al-Tank neighborhood in right bank of Mosul

April 25 2017 01:48 PM

Iraqi security forces

Iraqi security forces have liberated al-Tank neighborhood in the right bank of Mosul, We Are Coming, Nineveh commander said on Tuesday.
 

Counter-terrorism services forces managed to liberate al-Tank neighborhood after inflicting heavy casualties to ISIS terrorists, according to Gen. Abd al-Amir Rashid Yarallah.
 

This comes as the US-backed Iraqi forces supported by Iranian-backed sectarian IMIS Shiite militias launched an offensive on 19^th of February to oust ISIS terrorists from Mosul their last major stronghold in Iraq.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/9774/Security-forces-liberate-al-Tank-neighborhood-in-right-bank-of-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

Security forces liberate 5 villages in Mosul

April 25 2017 02:26 PM

Breaking

Security forces have liberated Ain Sadid, Tal Hilal, western and eastern Oulaieba and al-elwani villages in south western Mosul on Tuesday.
 

These efforts come as part of an offensive launched on 19^th of February by US-backed Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed sectarian IMIS Shiite militias to oust ISIS terrorists from Mosul their last major stronghold in Iraq.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/9777/Security-forces-liberate-5-villages-in-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

ISIS targets left bank of Mosul with mortar shells

April 25 2017 03:11 PM

Breaking

ISIS terrorists have targeted liberated al-Faysaleya neighborhood in the left bank of Mosul from their territories in the right bank of Mosul, a security source said on Tuesday.
 

ISIS terrorists have recently increased attacks on civilians as they are losing more ground in Mosul their last major stronghold in Iraq.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/9780/ISIS-targets-left-bank-of-Mosul-with-mortar-shells

[tigergorzow]

ISIS abducts civilians in several locations in right bank of Mosul

April 25 2017 01:23 PM

ISIS terrorists holding civilians hostages in Mosul

ISIS terrorists are currently detaining many civilians at the Republican Hospital near the third bridge of Mosul, a well informed source on Tuesday told The Baghdad Post.
 

The terrorists also detain civilians at 17^th of Tamuz neighborhood in the right bank of Mosul, the source added.
 

The source urged the security forces and US-led Coalition to halt their random shelling at the neighborhoods of Mosul lest they kill civilians held by ISIS by mistake.
 

The US-backed Iraqi forces supported by Iranian-backed sectarian IMIS Shiite militias have launched an offensive on 19^th of February to oust ISIS terrorists from Mosul their last major stronghold in Iraq.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/9771/ISIS-abducts-civilians-in-several-locations-in-right-bank-of-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi Forces Liberate 12 Villages South of Mosul

Basnews English

25/04/2017 - 22:35

Iraq

 

 

 

MOSUL — Iraqi government forces managed on Tuesday to liberate 12 villages from Islamic State (IS) in south of Mosul, north of the country, Iraqi War Media Cell said.

According to an official statement, the remarkable territorial gains were made during a major military operation aiming at recapturing Hazar subdistrict of Mosul.

The ground troops were covered by the Iraqi air power which intently raided IS military positions in the area, causing great damage to the extremist group.

Following the full liberation of eastern part of Mosul earlier in January, the Iraqi army launched a large-scale offensive to regain control of the western half of the city. After more than two months, most of the Mosul districts are declared free of IS with the noose being tightened around the decreasing number of jihadists resisting in few neighborhoods.

Mosul operation was launched on 17th October 2016 with the US-led coalition providing aerial support to the Iraqi forces.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/345788

[tigergorzow]

IS Kills Scores of Jovial Women and Children in Mosul

The militants deceived  the cheerful victims 

 

Basnews English

25/04/2017 - 21:51

Iraq

 

ERBIL— A big number of women and children in Mosul's Old City were shot dead by the Islamic State (IS) militants on Monday, according to Iraqi War Media Cell.

The source reported that the victims were deceived by the IS jihadists who put on Iraqi army uniforms and intended to verify the residents' allegiance to IS via their reaction to Iraqi forces.

Hearing the jubilation and noting the joy of the people in appreciation for the Iraqi forces, the militants opened fire on the targets. 

The very narrow lanes and the vulnerable residents who are used as human shields by IS in the Old City of Mosul have slowed down the progress of the Iraqi forces. 

However, five months since the launch of Mosul operation, the extremist organization has lost a huge number of its fighters who are under a severe siege by the Iraqi forces.  

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/345774

[tigergorzow]

Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada cuts off IS supply line between al-Baa’j and al-Hadher

 

by Loaa Adel Apr 25, 2017, 7:13 pm

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Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada militia.

 

Baa’j (IraqiNews.com) Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada announced, on Tuesday, cutting off the Islamic State’s supply line between al-Baa’j and al-Hadher Districts in Nineveh Province, while discovered a cache containing weapons and equipment north of al-Hadher District.

Kata’ib said in a statement that its forces cut off the Islamic State’s supply line between al-Baa’j and al-Hadher Districts, and detonated seven booby-trapped vehicles in al-Musalten Village, as well as killing seven IS militants during the battles.

Leaders of the Islamic State are deploying security detachments to prevent the families from fleeing towards the areas held by al-Hashd al-Shaabi forces, the statement explained.

Forces from Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada militia managed to storm into al-Musalten village, south of al-Hadher District and started to liberate it, while also discovered a cache of weapons and equipment, containing 120 mm mortar shells, north of the district, the statement added.

Earlier today, al-Hashd al-Shaabi forces announced launching an offensive to liberate al-Hadher District, and the surrounding areas, south of Mosul.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/kataib-sayyid-al-shuhada-cuts-off-supply-line-al-baaj-al-hadher/

[tigergorzow]

Officer: Uzbeks, Uighurs among remaining foreign militants in Mosul’s Old City

 

by Mohamed Mostafa Apr 24, 2017, 5:28 pm

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Islamic State’s members. File photo.

 

 

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Foreign fighters fighting for the Islamic State in Mosul’s Old City include Uzbek, Uighur and members from French-speaking countries, according to an Iraqi army officer.

Lit. Col. Abdul-Salam al-Jubouri told Anadolu Agency that the most outstanding combat groups fighting for the Islamic State in the strategic area include are most notably “the Uzbek battalion”, the “Uighur battalion” and the “Tarek ibn Ziyad battalion”, the latter comprising French-speaking members.

Those are fighting besides tens of local Iraqi fighters, according to al-Jubouri. He added that those foreign fighters fight ferociously due to the siege imposed on them by government forces.

 

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Bab al-Jadid neighborhood in the Old City, Mosul

Iraqi government forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, took over eastern Mosul in January after three months of battles. Another offensive launched in mid February to retake the western side of the city.

The U.S. State Department said last week Iraqi troops were in control over 4000 kilometers of the city.

Coalition officials had estimated the number of remaining IS militants in Mosul by less than 1000. The group has lost dozens of its foreign and local leaders since the start of western Mosul operations.

The conflict in Mosul has so far displaced more than half a million civilians, according to the United Nations and the Iraqi government.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/officer-uzbek-uighur-among-remaining-foreign-militants-mosuls-old-city/

[tigergorzow]

Military media: IS militants, dressed as police, killed cheering civilians in Mosul

 

by Mohamed Mostafa Apr 25, 2017, 4:48 pm

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Islamic State militants.

 

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militants disguised as Iraqi police members killed welcoming civilians in western Mosul’s Old City, Iraqi military media said on Tuesday, repeating blame for the extremist group for civilian deaths during battles running in the city since October.

The Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell said Islamic State members dressed as Federal Police personnel opened fire Monday at a number of civilians in the Old City who cheered their arrival. It said the deaths, which took place at areas under IS control, included children and women.

The media outlet did not specify the number of casualties or the exact location of the incident, but Iraqi generals have accused IS of using civilians as human shields and fabricating reports about security forces’ involvement in civilian casualties, Last month, the Pentagon said it was going to investigate reports that its fighter jets killed more than 200 civilians in Mosul al-Jadida district.

 

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Mosul (google maps)

Iraqi government troops, backed by a U.S.-led international military coalition, recaptured eastern Mosul in January, and launched another campaign in February to retake the western region. Iraqi commanders recently claimed the recapture of 70 percent of the western region, saying IS was only controlling less than seven percent of Iraqi territory.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/military-media-militants-dressed-police-killed-cheering-civilians-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi forces using siege and stealth to evict Islamic State from Mosul

 

by Mohamed Mostafa Apr 25, 2017, 9:41 am

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FILE PHOTO – Federal police members fire a rocket at Islamic State fighters’ positions during a battle at Jada district in western Mosul. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal

 

Mosul (Reuters) Iraqi forces are using siege and stealth tactics to drive Islamic State militants out of Mosul’s Old City, an Iraqi general said, as his forces sought to minimize casualties among hundreds of thousands of people trapped in the cramped, historic neighborhood.

Explosions from two car bombs could be heard nearby as Lieutenant General Abdul Ghani al-Assadi spoke to Reuters at his command post on Monday, and a Reuters correspondent saw thick smoke rising from the blasts.

“Most houses in the Old City are very old and its streets and alleyways are very narrow,” Assadi, a commander of Iraqi counter-terrorism units in Mosul, said. “So to avoid civilian losses we are using siege, but that does not mean we will not enter the Old City.”

Assadi said his units were refraining from engaging enemy forces in positions where the militants were holding civilians as human shields.

“Using very careful methods and considerations, we will liberate our people from Daesh,” he added, referring to an Arab acronym of Islamic State.

Government forces have surrounded the militants in the northwestern quarter including the Old City, home to the Grand al-Nuri mosque where their leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared a “caliphate” over parts of Iraq and Syria.

The ultra-hardline Sunni Muslim fighters are countering the offensive using booby traps, suicide motorcycle attacks, sniper and mortar fire, occasionally shells filled with toxic gas.

With food and water supplies becoming scarcer in neighborhoods of Mosul still under IS control, up to half a million people are believed to be trapped there, including 400,000 in the Old City alone, according to United Nations estimate.

Lise Grande, the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, told Reuters last week fighting in the Old City could lead to “a humanitarian catastrophe, perhaps the worst” in the three-year war to evict Islamic State from Iraq.

International aid organizations have estimated the civilian and military death toll at several thousand since the U.S.-backed offensive by government forces to retake Mosul began in October. More than 330,000 people have been displaced so far, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq, was captured by Islamic State in mid-2014, but government forces have retaken most of it, including the half that lies east of the Tigris River.

Assadi said the battle should end “very soon, God willing” but declined to indicate a time frame. “This is a guerrilla war not a conventional one so we cannot estimate how long it will take; Daesh is fighting house to house.”

The Iraqi military estimate the number of Islamic State fighters who remain in Mosul at 200 to 300, mostly foreigners, compared with about 6,000 when the offensive started.

The militants “don’t let themselves get captured,” said Assadi. “They came to die and the majority of them are now in hell.”

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraqi-forces-using-siege-stealth-evict-islamic-state-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi troops launch operations to free al-Hadar region, southern Mosul

 

by Nehal Mostafa Apr 25, 2017, 10:06 am

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Forces from al-Hashd al-Shaabi militia.

 

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Pro-Iraqi government troops of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Public Mobilization Units) have received several families fleeing east of Hadar region as operations started to free the region and the surrounding areas from Islamic State militants.

In statements on Tuesday, the troops media service declared liberating Hilala hill, north of Hadar, as well as Ain Sadid and al-Olwani villages in the south. Booby trapped vehicles were exploded at al-Salal village, near al-Hajaniya village, in the south, and near Heweidar village, at the outskirts of the region. A store of weapons was found in the north.

Iraqi troops, supported by PMUs, have launched military operations to drive IS fighters out of Hadar, located south of Mosul, DPA quoted the Iraqi official TV on Tuesday.

Number of remaining IS militants in Mosul was previously estimated by the U.S.-led coalition at less than 1000.

In February, Iraqi troops, backed by the international coalition and paramilitary troops, started an offensive to retake western Mosul from IS. Eastern Mosul was recaptured in January after three months of battles.

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.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraqi-troops-launch-operations-free-al-hadar-region-southern-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

Family of Iraqi “Messi” recounts Islamic State’s dislike of his “infidel” name

 

by Mohamed Mostafa Apr 25, 2017, 11:13 am

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Messi, or Hassan, stands at a refugee camp in Dohuk

 

Dohuk (IraqiNews.com) At a refugee camp in Dohuk, a five-year-old Kurdish Yazidi kid almost never takes off his FC Barcelona shirt, which bears the name and number of Lionel Messi, FIFA’s five-time world’s best footballer.

But the child’s name did not appeal to his Islamic State captors, who ordered his family to change his “infidel” name, as they described it. His father, an ardent fan of the Catalan team, had given him the exact name of Argentinian superstar.

Islamic State militants kidnapped Messi, his mother and his sister in 2014, when the extremist group invaded the Sinjar region, the Yazidi habitat west of the Nineveh province icin Iraq and the stage of heinous massacres that inflicted the religious minority.

 

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Messi, or Hassan, playing football at a refugee camp in Dohuk

His father told Kurdistan 24 website that Islamic State militants deemed his name “infidel”. His mother was quoted by Iraq Today website saying that IS members refused to let her and her children go without ransom, adding that being totally broke, the militants ordered her to change Messi’s name to Hassan, a Muslim name.

Captivity has left its marks on Messi. After spending most of his days playing with a football, he now brandishes a toy gun. Psychological pressures resulting from years of captivity have rendered the boy almost speechless. He nods in disapproval when called with his problematic name, apparently still afraid from the militants who chided his family for it.

 

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Messi, a five-year-old Yazidi, carrying a toy gun.

Thousands of Yazidi Kurds fled Sanjar, a Mosul region on the borders with Syria, to nearby mountain areas following its fall to Islamic State militants in August 2014. The extremist group massacred, enslaved and tortured thousands of that community.

Data from March revealed that 2915 Yazidis were rescued from Islamic State captivity, including nearly 1500 children, while more than 3500 were still in the extremist group’s hold, including more than 1700 women.

The Kurdish-speaking community came to the spotlight when Islamic State militants, taking over large parts of Iraq, victimized its members, committing massacres and subjecting them to forced conversions, sexual slavery and other reported atrocities.

http://www.iraqinews.com/features/family-iraqi-messi-recount-islamic-states-dislike-infidel-name/

[tigergorzow]

Federal Police free 260,000 civilians in Mosul’s Old City

 

by Nehal Mostafa Apr 25, 2017, 12:37 pm2 Comments

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Displaced families from Mosul

 

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Federal Police Command has announced liberating 260,000 civilians from Islamic State’s grip in Mosul’s Old City.

“The troops were able to free 260,000 civilians and 4,500 families held by IS in the Old City,” Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, Federal Police chief, said in statements on Tuesday. “They were used by IS militants as human shields.”

Jawdat also indicated re-operating stations of water, electricity and wastewater. “The forces also contributed to opening of police stations, clinics and schools at the freed regions.”

The Old City is home to the Grand Nuri al-Kabir Mosque, at which Islamic State’s supreme leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi gave a famouns sermon in 2014 announcing the establishment of the group’s rule in Iraq and Syria.

Meanwhile, Nineveh Police Command declared liberating two Christian girls, who were held by IS in western Mosul.

Nineveh police chief, Brig. Gen. Wathiq al-Hamadani said in statements that the forces freed “two Christian girls who were held by IS in al-Tanak district in western Mosul.”

Earlier on the day, the army’s elite Counter-Terrorism Service entirely liberated the district, hours after the Joint Operations Command said on Monday it had taken over 70 percent of western Mosul.

An offensive was launched, by Iraqi troops backed by the allied international coalition led by U.S., in February to liberate western Mosul. The eastern side was freed in January after three months of fighting.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/federal-police-free-260000-civilians-mosuls-old-city/

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi commander: Remaining ISIS fighters in Mosul are mostly foreigners

By

Paul Antonopoulos

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25/04/2017

 

BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:34 A.M.) – Foreign militants fighting for ISIS in Mosul’s Old City include Uzbek, Uighur and members from French-speaking countries, IraqiNews quoted an Iraqi army officer as saying.

Lieutenant Colonel Abdul-Salam al-Jubouri said that the majority of the remaining ISIS fighters come from “the Uzbek battalion”, the “Uighur battalion” and the “Tarek ibn Ziyad battalion”, the latter comprising French-speaking members.

He revealed that the remaining foreign fighters are putting in a ferocious fight because of the difficult conditions imposed on them by government forces.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iraqi-commander-remaining-isis-fighters-mosul-mostly-foreigners/

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi Army liberates key district in western Mosul

By

Leith Fadel

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25/04/2017

 

BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:40 P.M.) – The Iraqi Army, alongside the Federal Police, liberated another important part of western Mosul, forcing the Islamic State (ISIL) forces to retreat to their last bastion inside the city.

According to Iraqi activists, the army and their allies liberated the Tanak District of western Mosul today, killing and wounding several Islamic State terrorists in the process.

With Tanak under their control, the Iraqi Armed Forces now control 65 percent of Mosul, leaving only a small portion of the city still in the possession of the Islamic State terrorists.

The Iraqi Army launched their western Mosul offensive in late February this year; since then, they have captured a large portion of the city from the Islamic State, while their allies from the Popular Mobilization Units (Hashd Al-Sha’abi) concentrate on the western countryside of the provincial capital.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iraqi-army-liberates-key-district-western-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units launch important offensive in southwest Mosul

By

Leith Fadel

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25/04/2017

 

BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:05 P.M.) – Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (Hashd Al-Sha’abi) launched an important offensive in the southwestern countryside of Mosul on Tuesday, targeting the Islamic State’s (ISIL) last positions around Al-Hadhir.

According to Iraqi activist Haider Al-Sumeiri, the Popular Mobilization Units have already liberated the villages of Alwani, Musultan, ‘Ain Al-Sadid, Tal Halalah, Dubeysah, and Khanifis.

Once the Popular Mobilization Units reach Al-Hadhir, the Islamic State terrorists in this part of Mosul should be all but finished off, which only means bad news for their comrades left in Tal ‘Afar.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iraqs-popular-mobilization-units-launch-important-offensive-southwest-mosul/

[tigergorzow]

Residents return to west Mosul as Iraqi forces advance (Video in link)

Iraqi forces are slowly retaking neighbourhoods from ISIL control in western Mosul, which has encouraged some residents to return home.

 

 

Iraqi forces are slowly retaking neighbourhoods from ISIL control in western Mosul, which has encouraged some residents to return home.

Fighting remains intense as the Iraqi army tries to regain the western part of the city, currently under the armed group's control.

 

http://www.aljazeera.com/video/news/2017/04/residents-return-west-mosul-iraqi-forces-advance-170424052025319.html

[danielchu]

[danielchu]

#Iraq Counter Terrorism preparing to storm Al-Maamel & Industrial area (Red), 500 #ISIS militants killed in Al-Tanak(black) #Mosul pic.twitter.com/Ttwwj01XOz

[yota691]

Tue Apr 25, 2017 4:27 Commander: Iraqi City of Mosul to Be Fully Liberated from ISIL Within One Month

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TEHRAN (FNA)- One of the unit commanders of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces announced that Mosul will be fully liberated within one month.

Commander Ali Hasim Huseyni told Sputnik Turkiye that the operation of the Iraqi government forces and Popular Mobilization Forces is still going on in the city and that they were able to liberate 75 percent of the city's territory from ISIL, which is now under government control.

"At the moment, fierce fighting is going on in the Western part of Mosul, in the districts of Sehra and Fehra. For the last two days, the Iraqi police have liberated two more districts from Daesh and [now control them]. The Mosul operation has entered its final stage, as 75 percent of the territory of the city has already been liberated from terrorists. The remaining  territory will be taken within a maximum of one month. As soon as the Western part of the city is cleaned of terrorists, [we'll] be able to say that the operation is over," Huseyni said.

The commander added that one of the major aids and assistants to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIL, was recently killed in the clashes with Iraqi police. They have also obtained information that al-Baghdadi himself had fled the city, but they still haven't been able to verify this information.

According to Huseyni, 600,000 civilians were forced to flee Mosul as ISIL continues using them as human shields.

"The civilians are living in unbearable conditions, many are fleeing from Mosul. Even though the Iraqi government is providing certain support to the refugees, in is not enough to satisfy all the needs. We call on the international community to provide humanitarian aid to all those in need," he underlined.