Mosul update

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

Iraqi Federal Police Arrests 5 IS Supporters In Mosul

20/03/2017 - 21:29

Iraq

LEEDS — Security forces arrested five civilians on charges of supporting the so-called Islamic State (IS), while issuing permits for people who wish to leave the city of Mosul, a police officer said on Monday.

Captain Amir Wathiq said in a statement on Monday that the federal police in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul arrested five civilians on charges of supporting the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq. The detained Iraqi civilians were living in the recently liberated areas of Mosul, despite their support for the IS extremist group.

According to Wathiq's statement, the forces were issuing permits, at the time of their arrest, for people who wished to leave the city of Mosul, and flee to the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad or the Kurdistan Region in Northern Iraq.

The city of Mosul along with other areas of Iraq continue witnessing extensive military operations conducted by the government forces backed by the US-led coalition against IS in Iraq. The Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi launched in February a massive offensive against the IS militants in western Mosul, after the Iraqi forces liberated the entire eastern part of the city in the beginning of this year.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/337846

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

ISIS terrorists in Mosul turn themselves in to Iraqi forces

March 20 2017 07:17 PM

ISIS terrorists

Large numbers of ISIS terrorists have turned themselves in to Iraqi forces stationed in the right bank of Mosul city as most of their leaders fled battlefield.

In exclusive statements, sources told the Baghdad Post that Iraqi forces advance towards Mosul's right bank.

Command of Joint Operations evacuated thousands of trapped families in ISIS-controlled areas after these areas were successfully recaptured.

On February 19, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of the operation on state TV, saying government forces were moving to "liberate the people of Mosul from ISIS oppression and terrorism forever", using the Arabic acronym for ISIS

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/8404/ISIS-terrorists-in-Mosul-turn-themselves-in-to-Iraqi-forces

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

Ministry: Airstrikes, troops kill 67 IS fighters west of Mosul

by Mohamed Mostafa Mar 20, 2017, 3:30 pm

Iraqis forces advance as they battle with Islamic State militants in western Mosul, Iraq March 13, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Airstrikes by Iraqi fighter jets and offensives by infatry divisions killed 67 Islamic State militants west of Mosul on Monday, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Airstrikes targeted IS locations in Al-Mazraa, Tal al-Banat and Toula Bash in Tal Afar and Sinjar, according to the ministry. The strike killed 47 militants and also destroyed five booby-trapped vehicles belonging to the group.

Tal Afar and Sinjar regions, west of Mosul (google maps)

Infantry divisions also killed 20 IS members in Tal Afar, according the ministry.

Iraqi government troops launched a major offensive in February to retake western Mosul from Islamic State militants. The troops recaptured the eastern side of IS’s largest stronghold in Iraq in January.

Earlier on Monday, the Iraqi Air Force said in a statement it killed 2200 Islamic State fighters since operations launched to retake western Mosul.

Iraqi government forces have made remarkable victories over IS in western Mosul, retaking major government facilities, Mosul’s Airport and a major military camp. They are currently setting eyes on recapturing the Old City, which hosts the Grand Nuri Mosque where IS supreme leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate in Iraq.

Iraqi security commanders have claimed retaking a half of the western side of the city.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/ministry-airstrikes-troops-kill-67-fighters-west-mosul/

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

Iraqi forces apparently relying on inside rebels to fight IS in western Mosul

by Mohamed Mostafa Mar 20, 2017, 12:31 pm

Iraqi rapid response members move from house to house through a hole in a wall to avoid being hit by Islamic State snipers in western Mosul, Iraq March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra – RTS124MA

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi government forces are possibly relying on locals to bring down Islamic State militants inside western Mosul’s Old City, as statements from a senior security commander reveal.

Federal Police chief, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, said in statements on Monday that his forces, fighting militants in densely-populated and-structured Old City, was relying on drones as well as “internal revolutionary detachments” to “hunt Daesh(Islamic State) militants and destroy its defenses without causing harm to civilians or public and private property.”

Iraqi government troops launched a major offensive in February to retake western Mosul from Islamic State militants. The troops recaptured the eastern side of IS’s largest stronghold in Iraq in January.

Iraqi generals have viewed the Old City as vital for realizing victory against IS in the western side, but also admitted it was very difficult to advance through with military vehicles. Bad weather over the past few days has further hardened the troops’ mission, prompting the commanders to rely on drones and artillery strikes to bring down militants shielding themselves in the middle of civilians.

Since operations launched in October 2016 to retake Mosul, occasional news reports spoke about attacks and assassinations of IS members by unknown assailants at areas under the extremist group’s control, arousing doubts about whether some indignant civilians started to voluntarily take arms against militants.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraqi-forces-apparently-relying-inside-rebels-fight-western-mosul/

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

Gunmen kill 3 Islamic State members in western Mosul

by Mohamed Mostafa Mar 20, 2017, 1:54 pm

Islamic State in Mosul.

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Unknown individuals attacked a vehicle driven by Islamic State militants in western Mosul and killed all on board, an Iraqi security official said Monday.

Anadolu Agency quoted Cap. Abdul-Karim al-Lami, from the Interior Ministry’s intelligence unit, saying the attackers shot at the militants’ pickup truck in al-Najjar area, killing all on board and setting fire to the vehicle before fleeing away.

According to Lami, Islamic State members, boarding more than 12 vehicles, arrived to the scene of the attack, cordoning the area off and carrying the corpses away. He added that the militants searched civilians’ homes and arrested 32 young men, taking them to an unknown destination.

Iraqi government troops launched a major offensive in February to retake western Mosul from Islamic State militants. The troops recaptured the eastern side of IS’s largest stronghold in Iraq in January.

Federal Police chief, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, said in statements on Monday that his forces, fighting militants in western Mosul’s densely-populated and-structured Old City, was relying on drones as well as “internal revolutionary detachments” to “hunt Daesh(Islamic State) militants and destroy its defenses without causing harm to civilians or public and private property.”

Since operations launched in October 2016 to retake Mosul, occasional news reports spoke about attacks and assassinations of IS members by unknown assailants at areas under the extremist group’s control, arousing doubts about whether some indignant civilians started to voluntarily take arms against militants.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/gunmen-kill-3-islamic-state-members-western-mosul/

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

Scores of civilians hide under rubble as western Mosul battles heighten

by Mohamed Mostafa Mar 20, 2017, 2:25 pm

An Iraqi man walks past a destroyed tomb of the Prophet Jonah (Nabi Younes) in the eastern side of Mosul, Iraq March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Scores of civilians are sheltering under debris of houses at a district in western Mosul as battles between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants.

Anadoly Agency quoted Maj. Feras al-Rasafi, from the Federal Police service, saying Monday that tens of civilians remain alive but under the debris of a house destroyed by battles in central Mosul’s Old City.

“Five civilian families, including children, women, men and elders, have been sheltering inside a basement at a residential house in al-Maydan,” Anadolu quoted the officer saying.

“The house has, however, collapsed completely when the area became under aerial and artillery bombardment targeting the group’s militants, leading the basement’s exit to be blocked and them stranded inside,” Rasafi added.

“The troops, for 30 hours, have been hearing calls for help by those stranded under the debris, but they cannot reach them as they do not have the means to lift the wreckage and rescue the families. That is a civil defense job,” he said.

According to Rasafi, IS snipers were still deployed in the area and preventing forces from advancing. “Battles are so difficult, and advances are made on foot from one alley to another since the streets are too narrow and ramified.”

The Iraqi security command and the allied U.S.-led coalition have reiterated that preserving civilians lives was a top priority during the battles for Mosul. They accuse IS militants of using civilians as human shields, and have slowed down offensives at several stages due to anxiety not to cause civilian casualties.

Iraqi government troops recaptured eastern Mosul in January and launched another campaign in February to retake the west. The conflict at Iraq’s second largest city has displaced at least 355.000 since October, according to the Iraqi government.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/tens-hiding-rubble-western-mosul-battles-heighten/

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

Security forces storm Najifi Street in central Mosul

by Loaa Adel Mar 20, 2017, 6:26 pm

Iraqi Counter-Terrorism forces.

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) An officer in the elite Counter-Terrorism forces announced on Monday, that security forces stormed into al-Najifi Street, in central Mosul.

Major Ali Mohsen said in a press statement that troops of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) stormed into al-Najifi Street, in central Mosul.

Violent battles are currently taking place between security forces and members of the Islamic State terrorist group in the street, Mohsen added.

Nineveh Province is witnessing extensive military operations, after Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced launching an offensive to liberate the western side of the city of Mosul, in addition to capturing the last stronghold of the Islamic State in the city.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/security-forces-storm-najifi-street-central-mosul/

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

Al-Hashd al-Shaabi liberates residential complex near Badush Plant, Mosul

by Loaa Adel Mar 20, 2017, 7:22 pm

Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units)

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) media office announced on Monday, that its security forces liberated the residential complex near Badush Plant, north the western side of the city of Mosul.

According to a statement released by the media office, forces from al-Hashd al-Shaabi’s 26th brigade liberated the residential complex near Badush Plant, northwest of Mosul.

Google Maps view of Badush Cement Plant.

The city of Mosul is witnessing extensive military operations since 17 October last year, to liberate it from the Islamic State’s control.

The operations resulted in the full liberation of eastern Mosul, in addition to some areas of the western side of the city.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/al-hashd-al-shaabi-liberates-residential-complex-near-badush-plant-mosul/

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

Iraqi air force claims killing 2200 IS members in western Mosul

by Mohamed Mostafa Mar 20, 2017, 9:55 am

F16 fighter jets.

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi fighter jets have killed 2200 Islamic State members in air raids since operations sat out to clear western Mosul from militants, the Iraqi air force said in a statement on Monday.

Those were killed in 600 combat strikes launched by the force since the campaign launched mid February to retake western Mosul, according to the statement made by a spokesperson, Col. Mohamed al-Fartousi.

The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants alongside the Iraqi government had, however, estimated the total of militants remaining in Mosul by 2000.

The strikes destroyed 150 havens, 28 booby-trapped vehicles, 59 vehicles and ten booby-trapped house, according to Fartousi.

A total of 4000 air raids have been carried out since operations to retake Mosul launched in October 2016.

Iraqi government troops recaptured eastern Mosul in January and are working to retake the western side of the city, making a remarkable progress by recapturing major government facilities, the city’s airport and a major military base. They are currently pushing deeper against IS in central Mosul’s Old City.

Iraqi U.S.-led coalition generals had predicted the campaign to realize final victory in western Mosul within six months from the start of operations, reiterating that the extremist group’s powers had been waning in face of continuous strikes and security advances.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraqi-air-force-claims-killing-2200-members-600-raids/

Edited March 20, 2017 by tigergorzow

Wiljor · March 20, 2017

Thanks tiger for the continued updates brother :twothumbs:

The systematic destruction of IS is almost upon us in Iraq and I sure they are beginning to see success just around the corner :goodnews:

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

1 minute ago, Wiljor said:

Thanks tiger for the continued updates brother

The systematic destruction of IS is almost upon us in Iraq and I sure they are beginning to see success just around the corner

Wiljor, The entire plan of action is awaiting "Liberation Of Mosul" and then we are off to the races IMHO.....

ChuckFinley · March 20, 2017

Thanks Tiger, Wiljor taking a break from the sun and surface.

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

DV, The Liberation Of Mosul is moving along and soon we will see all of the dominoes fall in place...

Edited March 20, 2017 by tigergorzow

ChuckFinley · March 20, 2017

I am counting on those dominoes falling and falling big time. :bagofmoney: . Man, those dominoes look like bags of cash. :twothumbs:

Desertmedic69 · March 20, 2017

Aahhh Telafar. Miss that place. Twas one of the best bases in Iraq. Mosul not so much. But q west was great too... Come on boys! Let's kill those ISIS d-bags!!

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

ISIS forces residents of Bab al-Beid in Mosul to leave their houses

March 20 2017 05:55 PM

Breaking

ISIS terrorists had forced the residents of Bab al-Beid district in the right bank of Mosul to leave their houses and to head to other areas where ISIS is still controlling, a source told The Baghdad Post on Monday.

This comes as the Iraqi forces, in collaboration with US-led coalition, are continuing offensive against the terror group of ISIS to retake the rest of Mosul.

On February 19, prime minister Hiader Al-Abadi declared the start of a major offensive to wipe the terror group, which once controlled the city as part of its self-styled caliphate

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/8399/ISIS-forces-residents-of-Bab-al-Beid-in-Mosul-to-leave-their-houses

drj · March 20, 2017

37 minutes ago, tigergorzow said:

DV, The Liberation Of Mosul is moving along and soon we will see all of the dominoes fall in place...

The liberation has to be CLOSE! Thanks for the updates tigergorzow!

Edited March 20, 2017 by drj

ChuckFinley · March 20, 2017

2 minutes ago, drj said:

The liberation has to be CLOSE! Thanks for the updates tigergorzow!

Have to agree. They are taking a beating and giving up ground right and left.

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

7 minutes ago, drj said:

The liberation has to be CLOSE! Thanks for the updates tigergorzow!

drj, No problemo... Yes you are correct "Liberation Of Mosul" is upon us 4 sho....

Edited March 20, 2017 by tigergorzow

tigergorzow · March 20, 2017

IS Kidnaps 9 Iraqi Troops in Mosul

Basnews English

20/03/2017 - 22:53

Iraq

MOSUL — Islamic State (IS) militants on Monday kidnapped nine Iraqi soldiers in Mosul as military confrontations between the sides is further escalating, said a source form the Iraqi Interior Minister.

One colonel is among the kidnapped, the source who wished to remain anonymous, told the Iraqi media.

The troops fell into the hands of the IS militants in the west of Mosul, where the Iraqi army pushes deeper into the IS-held areas after liberating the entire neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/337864

Wiljor · March 20, 2017

1 hour ago, ChuckFinley said:

Thanks Tiger, Wiljor taking a break from the sun and surface.

Not at all Chuck, we are in high season down here and the northern sun seekers are keeping us very busy as of late. Working 6-7 days in a week brother 😰🏝