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

[tigergorzow]

Latest Figures on Peshmerga Casualties in Anti-IS Battle

 

Sardar Sattar

17/05/2017 - 03:03

Kurdistan

 

 

 

LODZ — Over 11,500 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters were killed or injured in the war against the Islamic State (IS) in the Kurdistan Region and northern Iraq, said Masrour Barzani, the Chancellor of Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC).

The exact number of Killed Peshmerga fighters, According to Barzani, is 1,707 whereas 9,997 others have sustained injuries.

Barzani revealed the casualty figures during his speech at The Heritage Foundation in Washington on Tuesday.

The senior Kurdish official also thanked the US and coalition forces for their assistance to the Kurdistan Region and Peshmerga forces, however, he reiterated his call for a greater support.

“We always have high expectations [from the US]. We hope the Kurds will be rewarded for their sacrifices,” Barzani added.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/350923

[tigergorzow]

Kurdish MP Attacked by Shabak Mobilisation Forces

 

Basnews English

17/05/2017 - 03:38

Kurdistan

 

 

 

ERBIL — Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament, Salim Shabaki, was attacked by the militia armed men of the Shabak Mobilisation Forces — also known as Hashd Shabaki — in an area of the Mosul Plains.

The lawmaker stated that he was stopped in a checkpoint on Tuesday and physically attacked by the militias.

He did not elaborate on the reason behind the attack, but said that he will file a lawsuit against the Shabak Mobilisation Forces in the court.

Hashd al-Shabaki is an offshoot of the Shi’ite militia Hashd al-Shaabi which operations as part of the Iraqi defence system after parliament approved the group.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/350925

[tigergorzow]

Iraq says battle for Mosul nearly won as forces close in on Old City

16 May 2017 13:00 CEST

MOSUL, IRAQ - APRIL 06: An Iraqi army tank waits in a street during fighting against Islamic State in west Mosul on April 6, 2017 in Mosul, Iraq. Iraqi forces backed by U.S and British air support have entered their sixth month of fighting as they continue the battle to retake the country's second largest city from Islamic state who have held it since 2014. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

 

Iraqi forces have dislodged Islamic State from all but 12 square km of Mosul, a military spokesman said on Tuesday, after planes dropped leaflets into the city telling civilians the battle was nearly won.

Seven months into the US-backed campaign, the militants now control only a few districts in the western half of Mosul including the Old City, where Islamic State is expected to make its last stand.

The Iraqi government is pushing to declare victory by the holy month of Ramadan, expected to begin on 27 May, even if pockets of resistance remain in the Old City, according to military commanders.

A spokesman for the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces said the enemy was completely surrounded in the city and its fighters and resources were being destroyed.

“The enemy is on the brink of total defeat in Mosul,” US Air Force Colonel John Dorrian told a news conference in Baghdad.

With the help of advisers and air strikes by the coalition, Iraqi forces have made rapid gains since opening a new front in the northwest of Mosul earlier this month, closing in on the Old City.

The Old City’s warren of densely packed houses and alleys is the most complex battleground and home to the al-Nuri mosque from which Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria in 2014.

“We reassure everyone that … in a very short time, God willing, we will declare the liberation and clearing of west Mosul and raise the Iraqi flag over … the Old City,” said spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Rasool.”

Outnumbered, the militants have snipers embedded among the hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in west Mosul. Many people have been killed by militants or heavy bombardments.

The leaflet dropped over Mosul also ordered civilians to immediately stop using any vehicle to avoid being mistaken for militants who have fought back against Iraqi forces with suicide car bombs and motorcycle bombs.

“Our airforce and Iraqi military planes will strike any vehicle that moves on the streets of these districts from the evening of 15 May until their liberation,” read a copy of the leaflet seen by Reuters. “The decisive hour has approached”.

 

https://komnews.org/iraq-says-battle-mosul-nearly-won-forces-close-old-city/?utm_content=buffer0d7fd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[tigergorzow]

Trending Iraq News‏ @Iraqolizer 14m14 minutes ago

Reports keep emerging that US-backed forces are executing #ISIS fighters in #Mosul

http://iraq.trendolizer.com/2017/05/reports-keep-emerging-that-us-backed-forces-are-executing-isis-fighters-in-mosul.html …pic.twitter.com/tyOdS5al0L

 

 

 

6:19 PM - 16 May 2017

Edited May 17, 2017 by tigergorzow

[yota691]

Federal raise the flag on the minaret of the mosque and the mufti power station in the neighborhood of July 17

History of edits:: 2017/5/16 22:36 • 302 times readable

[Where - Baghdad] 
raised the federal police forces, on Tuesday, the Iraqi flag on the minaret of the mosque and the mufti power station in the 17th district - July.

The commander of the Federal tapes team Raed Shakir Jawdat told all of Iraq [where] that "federal police forces raised the Iraqi flag on the minaret of the mosque Mufti and the power station in the neighborhood of July 17 , " he said, adding that "drones targeting a convoy of wheels transporting dozens of Aldoaash fleeing from the neighborhood economists and destroy them completely. " 
He pointed out that "cuts federal police stationed at the door of the brick and the door of a new Farouk pay heavy retaining its weapons and medium machine guns for engagement with drain Aldoaash defensive abilities in the surrounding Al - Nouri Mosque in the region."

[Synopsis]

Here is a recent map posted:

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/GeromanAT/status/864864028593717249

[Synopsis]

Another map for today. Modest gains but maybe setting up for the Grand Finale in West Mosul! The next two or three days could be very, very interesting!

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/IraqiSecurity/status/864890035564425216

[deniscanada]

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi forces push into ISIS-held positions in Mosul's 17 Tammoz

May 17 2017 09:36 PM

Iraqi forces

 

Iraqi forces have pushed deep into 17 Tammoz district in Mosul's right bank within an offensive to retake all ISIS-held areas, a security source told The Baghdad Post on Wednesday. 

"The ninth division of armored forces has pushed into 17 Tammoz area, the last ISIS stronghold, from many fronts," the source said.

He added that the forces had secured safe passages for civilians to flee the areas of bloody clashes. 

On February 19th, the Iraqi army declared an offensive code-named 'We Are Coming, Nineveh' to recapture areas in the right bank of Mosul. 

The US-led coalition gives air covering for the Iraqi forces. 

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/10717/Iraqi-forces-push-into-ISIS-held-positions-in-Mosul-s-17-Tammoz

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi forces retake 80% of Mosul's Eqtisadieen, 17 Tamouz districts

May 17 2017 07:29 PM

80% of Eqtisadieen, 17 Tamouz district of Mosul regained - Source

 

 

Iraqi security forces have recaptured 80 percent of al-Eqtisadieen and 17 Tamouz districts in the right bank of Mosul from ISIS terrorists, a well-informed source told the Baghdad Post on Wednesday.
 

The source said the Iraqi forces had also defused bombs manufactured in ISIS' largest explosions workshop in 17 Tamouz district.
 

Meanwhile, experts confirmed the military operations had slowed down because of the nature of the urban geography of the Old City district.

The Iraqi Air Forces avoid usage of heavy weapons in order to save the lives of civilians in the densely-populated district, they said.

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

Earlier in May, spokesman of Iraqi security force Brigadier Yehia al-Zubaidi said that Iraqi security forces had recaptured at least 90% of the city. 

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/10705/Iraqi-forces-retake-80-of-Mosul-s-Eqtisadieen-17-Tamouz-districts

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi forces kill 30 ISIS terrorists in Mosul

May 17 2017 02:44 PM

ISIS terrorists killed by the Iraqi forces

 

Iraqi Rapid Response Forces have killed more than 30 of ISIS terrorists in a storming operation on al-Eqtisadieen and 17 Tamouz (17 July) neighborhoods in the right bank of Mosul, Major-General Thamer al-Husseini, commander of Iraqi Rapid Response Forces, announced on Wednesday.

In a statement, al-Husseini said that forces continued advancement after storming al-Eqtisadieen and 17 Tamouz neighborhoods.  

He stated that ISIS had attempted to stop the advancement of the Iraqi forces by using booby-trapped bikes and human shields.   

Security forces, backed by International Coalition air raids and logistic support of the US army, have retaken eastern Mosul and a large part of its western part after six months of battles. These forces are focusing now on controlling the Old City.   

It is estimated that there are a few of ISIS terrorists left in the second largest city of Iraq. It is expected that they will desperately defend the last pocket of the city that has been once their main stronghold in Iraq.
 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/10686/Iraqi-forces-kill-30-ISIS-terrorists-in-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

IMIS militias cut off ISIS main supply line in west Mosul's Qayrawan

May 17 2017 01:12 PM

IMIS

 

The Iranian Militias in Iraq and Syria (IMIS) cut off Tilkessab route-west Mosul's Qayrawan, where it is the main supply line for ISIS in north Qayrawan, IMIS directorate for information said in a statement on Wednesday.

IMIS is a terror militia which seeks to enforce demographic changes in the country based on sectarian motives.

The terror group is manipulating the deteriorating situation in the country to carry out its vicious plots with the aid of Iran regime. 

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/10680/IMIS-militias-cut-off-ISIS-main-supply-line-in-west-Mosul-s-Qayrawan

[tigergorzow]

Exclusive: Parts regained from ISIS in Mosul explained on map

May 17 2017 10:26 PM

Iraqi snipers

 

An updated version of Mosul map showing the latest developments in the battle to recapture ISIS-held areas in right bank of Mosul, has been obtained by The Baghdad Post on Wednesday.

On the map, the spots marked in green represent the previously ISIS-held areas that have been liberated.  

As the map shows, the white spots represent the parts of the war-torn city where ISIS is still controlling.

In Mosul, there are areas still witnessing clashes between the Iraqi forces, backed by international coalition, and ISIS terrorists. They are marked in orange on the map.




On Wednesday, Iraqi security forces have recaptured 80 percent of al-Eqtisadieen and 17 Tamouz districts in the right bank of Mosul from ISIS terrorists, a well-informed source told The Baghdad Post.

The Iranian Militias in Iraq and Syria (IMIS) cut off Tilkessab route-west Mosul's Qayrawan, where it is the main supply line for ISIS in north Qayrawan, IMIS directorate for information said in a statement.

In a statement, the Center said it renews its commitment to neutrality when covering stories of the battles and the other issues. Our aim is nothing but the truth, the statement concluded. 

Publishing the maps relating to the progress of the Iraqi forces in Mosul is done after contacts with multiple military sources and local officials, it added.

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/10719/Exclusive-Parts-regained-from-ISIS-in-Mosul-explained-on-map

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi forces regain al-Refaie district in Mosul

May 17 2017 07:20 PM

Breaking

 

 

Iraqi forces recaptured on Wednesday al-Refaie neighborhood in the right bank of Mosul city in Nineveh governorate.
 

The forces also raised the Iraqi flag on the district's buildings.

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.

More details will be reported soon.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/10704/Iraqi-forces-regain-al-Refaie-district-in-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

Nineveh tribes warn against Iran's expansion in western Mosul

May 17 2017 05:44 PM

IMIS militants

 

 

Nineveh tribes have warned from Iranian expansion in western Mosul under the pretext of fighting ISIS terrorists and supporting IMIS militias.

The tribes also warned against the sectarian ramifications that will emerge from these behaviors and urged the US-led Coalition to intervene to put an end to Iran's expansion in Iraq.
 

In a statement, Nineveh Tribal Council said that its members refuse the Iranian expansion via its IMIS militia that aim to control areas positioned between Baghdad and Erbil in western Nineveh.
 

The council also accused IMIS of violating coordination and memorandum of understandings between Baghdad, Erbil and the US-led Coalition.
 

What happens now in Iraq serves only Iranian schemes that aim to construct a road that connects western Mosul with the Syrian borders in coordination with Bashar al-Assad's regime and Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the statement said.
 

In its statement, the council warned Iranian military commanders who are leading IMIS militias from fanning the flames of sectarianism and supporting Khamenei's intervention in Iraq.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/10695/Nineveh-tribes-warn-against-Iran-s-expansion-in-western-Mosul

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi security forces launch three-axis operation in Diyala - commander

May 17 2017 12:48 PM

Lieutenant-General Mazhar al-Ezzawi

 

Lieutenant-General Mazhar al-Ezzawi, Tigris operations commander, announced on Wednesday launching a large-scale military operation of main three axes in northern Diyala Governorate, a statement has revealed.

Al-Ezzawi said in a press statement that security forces of the Iraqi army, police and tribes, backed by the Iraqi air force, launched Wednesday morning wide-range military operations.

He added that these operations were launched in Injana and Serha districts, located within Tilal Himreen in northern Diyala Governorate, to track ISIS terror cells.  
    
The operations depend on intelligence in tracking targets, Tigris operations commander noted. 

He also stated that these operations come as part of the command's strategy to destroy the terrorist group's pockets and havens in Diyala.    

Iraqi security forces started a new offensive last February 19, through which a lot of areas and neighborhoods have been freed from the clutches of ISIS terrorists.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/10678/Iraqi-security-forces-launch-three-axis-operation-in-Diyala-commander

[ChuckFinley]

They are moving pretty fast through the these areas. The Old City may be a little tougher.   

[tigergorzow]

Hashd Militias Should Withdraw or Face Peshmerga's Unilateral Action: MP

 

The Shi'ite paramilitaries have advanced into some Kurdish areas

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Basnews English

17/05/2017 - 21:48

News

 

 

 

 

ERBIL— Should Shi'ite paramilitaries of Hashd al-Shaabi continue with their presence and advance into the mainly Kurdish districts of disputed area, Kurdistan Region will expedite its Peshmerga forces to those areas, said a Kurdish MP.

Speaking to BasNews on Wednesday, Shakhawan Abdulla said Hashd forces'  "know if they continue [with entering Kurdish areas], we also will act unilaterally and for liberating the communities under IS control will move Peshmerga forces."

Abdulla, who is a member of the security and defense commission to the Iraqi House of Representatives, also noted that the issue has become critical.

After Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani's concerns over this issue were reported to Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi sent a message that the militias' advancement is not "inimical," the MP stated.

He added it was after that message that the Shi'ite forces stopped and did not enter the Kurdish villages and the center of Qayrawan district of Nineveh province.

According to Abdulla, the Hashd forces were not supposed to be part of the liberation process of several areas as Gr Uzer, Tal Banat and Tal Qasab, yet, they entered those areas.

Hashd paramilitaries should withdraw from the Kurdish areas and be replaced by Peshmerga forces as their presence isn't in the interest of the people of these areas.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/351166

[tigergorzow]

Iraqi forces continue advance towards ISIL stronghold: video

By

News Desk

-

17/05/2017

0

BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:15 P.M.) – Fighters of the paramilitary ‘Hashd al-Shaabi’, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU), continued their operations to expel self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIS/ISIL) miltants from the town al-Qairawan 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Mosul, Wednesday.

 

The campaign in al-Qairawan is part of a larger operation to seize control of various towns and villages surrounding the embattled city of Mosul from IS fighters.

 

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iraqi-forces-continue-advance-towards-isil-stronghold-video/

[tigergorzow]

VIDEO: Hero Iraqi driver uses bulldozer to block ISIS suicide bomber

By

Zen Adra

-

17/05/2017

2

An Iraqi bulldozer driver working with the Iraqi forces fighting ISIS in Mosul used his vehicle to block off an ISIS suicide bomber, thus saving the lives of his comrades.

The heroic act, which was filmed by a camera placed in the driver’s cabin, occurred in the western parts of the ISIS stronghold, where fierce battles are currently being fought in bid to oust the terror group from its bastion.

The driver chose to block off the road to prevent the VBIED from infiltrating into the Iraqi troops. Moments after the suicide bomber was stopped, the VBIED exploded. The driver survived the blast and sustained minor injuries.

 

The self-proclaimed Islamic State is steadily losing ground as the Iraqi coalition recaptures more districts and neighborhoods in the northern city.

Concerns remain as the terror group continues to use thousands of civilians as human shields to curb the advance of Iraqi forces.

 

 

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-hero-iraqi-driver-uses-bulldozer-block-isis-suicide-bomber/

[DWS112]

«Daesh» planted mines in Mosul to prevent families from fleeing 

May 17, 2017

 

The commander of the Iraqi Federal Police and witnesses said on Wednesday, he said that the organization «Islamic State» fighters (Daesh) planting mines near the doors of houses in Mosul to prevent civilians from leaving while entering Iraqi forces crackdown on militants last stage seven months after the fighting began.

Forces and militants in the besieged area of the city are dwindling. Militants have increasingly used hundreds of thousands of civilians who are still residing in the area under their control, as human shields do not even target or perhaps to distort what the Iraqi leaders imminent victory.

With the support of the coalition led by the US, Iraqi forces have made rapid gains since it opened a new front in the north-west of Mosul this month, and successfully directed by militants from all over the city with the exception of about 12 square kilometers. But the extremists are still in control of the old city, where it is expected to spin in the latest confrontations with high population density, which can not pass through armored vehicles, which will be forced Iraqi forces to advance on foot narrow streets.

 

He said military commanders that Iraqi forces seek to declare victory by the month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on 27 May, this is likely even if there remained pockets of resistance in the old city.

 

The team Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi told state television that the counter-terrorism under his leadership progressing continuously in the areas of Rifai and Najjar.

He added: «God willing in the coming hours we will complete the task assigned to them». He said the militants were deployed to 30, a car bomb targeting his forces in Mosul in the past two days.

Al-Asadi added that «Daesh» Health fighters in the neighborhood of their hands handcuffed civilians and used them as human shields to move from one place to another. He continued: «We see them moving their weapons among civilians, but did not draw any blow to them. We saw them disappear between the houses and left civilians who have fled toward our troops ».

Hundreds of civilians were killed and at least under the bombing of the coalition that the United States and the Iraqi Air Force led through Mosul campaign forces, while the remaining grass and eat the grain of wheat boiled with running out of food.

Civilians fear the bombs if they opened the doors of their homes and flee through the same holes that made fighters of the militant group in the interior doors to move in the city without being targeted from the air.

The number of fleeing Mosul since hostilities escalated again this month. The Iraqi government said that about 10 thousand people have been displaced from the city yesterday to join almost 700 thousand have left Mosul since the beginning of the campaign in October (last October).

Two civilians were killed when they returned to the neighborhood of agrarian reform days of the restoration of Iraqi forces him when a mine exploded after it was «Daesh» planted to prevent them from leaving their home.

 

[10 YEARS LATER]

1 minute ago, tigergorzow said:

VIDEO: Hero Iraqi driver uses bulldozer to block ISIS suicide bomber

By

Zen Adra

-

17/05/2017

2

 

 

An Iraqi bulldozer driver working with the Iraqi forces fighting ISIS in Mosul used his vehicle to block off an ISIS suicide bomber, thus saving the lives of his comrades.

The heroic act, which was filmed by a camera placed in the driver’s cabin, occurred in the western parts of the ISIS stronghold, where fierce battles are currently being fought in bid to oust the terror group from its bastion.

The driver chose to block off the road to prevent the VBIED from infiltrating into the Iraqi troops. Moments after the suicide bomber was stopped, the VBIED exploded. The driver survived the blast and sustained minor injuries.

 

The self-proclaimed Islamic State is steadily losing ground as the Iraqi coalition recaptures more districts and neighborhoods in the northern city.

Concerns remain as the terror group continues to use thousands of civilians as human shields to curb the advance of Iraqi forces.

 

 

 

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-hero-iraqi-driver-uses-bulldozer-block-isis-suicide-bomber/

That's ONE BRAVE Dozer driver. !!!!!! What a video. !!!!   THANKS TIGER !!!!!!!!

[tigergorzow]

Islamic State mining Mosul to stop families fleeing as Iraqi forces advance

 

by Nehal Mostafa May 17, 2017, 4:40 pm

Whatsapp

 

 

 

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A displaced Iraqi woman looks through the window of a vehicle during a battle between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants in western Mosul, Iraq May 17, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani

 

Mosul (Reuters) Islamic State militants are planting bombs near front doors in Mosul to prevent civilians leaving, a federal police commander and witnesses said on Wednesday, as Iraqi forces make their final push against the jihadists after seven months of fighting.

Trapped in a shrinking area of the city, the militants are increasingly using the several hundred thousand civilians under their control as human shields to avoid being targeted or perhaps tarnish what Iraqi leaders describe as imminent victory.

Backed by a U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi forces have made rapid gains since opening a new front in northwest Mosul this month and have now dislodged Islamic State from all but about 12 square km (5 square miles) of the city.

The militants, however, still control the Old City, where they are expected to make their last stand in the densely populated, narrow streets that are impassible for armored vehicles, forcing Iraqi forces to advance on foot.

The Iraqi government is pushing to declare victory by the holy month of Ramadan – expected to begin on May 27 – even if pockets of resistance remain in the Old City, according to military commanders.

Lieutenant-General Abdul Ghani al-Assadi told state TV his elite Counter Terrorism Services (CTS) were advancing steadily in the Rifaie and Najjar districts, aiming to reach the western bank of Tigris river and complete the Old City’s encirclement.

“God willing the coming hours we will complete our assigned task,” he said on Wednesday.

The militants had deployed 30 suicide car bombs against his troops in Mosul over the past two days, he said.

In the Siha district, Assadi said, Islamic State had chained civilians by the hands and used them as human shields to move around. “We saw them moving with their weapons in the midst of the civilians but we did not strike them,” he said.

The civilians were unchained and released once the militants reached cover, Assadi said.

Hundreds if not more civilians have been killed under bombardment by the U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi airforce during the Mosul campaign and the rest are eating weeds and boiled wheat grain to survive as food runs out.

Fearful of triggering bombs if they open the front door, civilians are fleeing through the same holes Islamic State knocked through interior walls to move around the city without being targeted from the sky.

The number of people fleeing Mosul has surged since the re-intensification of hostilities this month.

Nearly 10,000 people were displaced from the city on Tuesday, according to Iraqi government figures, joining an exodus of nearly 700,000 who have left Mosul since the start of the campaign last October.

Two civilians were killed when they returned to the Islah al-Ziraei district days after it was retaken by Iraqi forces when they accidentally triggered a bomb that Islamic State had planted to prevent them leaving their home.

 

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/islamic-state-mining-mosul-stop-families-fleeing-iraqi-forces-advance/

[tigergorzow]

1 minute ago, 10 YEARS LATER said:

That's ONE BRAVE Dozer driver. !!!!!! What a video. !!!!   THANKS TIGER !!!!!!!!

10YL,  Anytime my friend.....

 

GO Liberation Of Mosul

[tigergorzow]

Mobilization forces  complete 70% of operations to clear IS hideouts west of Mosul

 

by Mohamed Mostafa May 17, 2017, 4:56 pm

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Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces)

 

Qairawan (Mosul ) Pro-Iraqi government paramilitary troops have completed 70 percent of a first phase of operations designed to clear regions west of Mosul and near the Syrian borders from Islamic State militants.

Abu Mahdi al-Mohandess, deputy commander of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units), said Wednesday that  al-Hashd forces achieved 70 percent of its targets during the first phase of operations to recapture al-Qairawan region, west of Mosul, from IS militants.

He said that PMUs first brigade repelled an attack by IS on Wednesday which left four attackers dead and their vehicle burned in the northern section of Qairawan.

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An offensive to clear Qairawan and neighboring Baaj from IS launched nearly a week ago backed by fighter jets from the Iraqi army and the U.S.-led coalition, managing to retake and besiege more than 30 villages and severing IS supply lines from Syria.

Iraqi government forces have become close to retaking the western section of Mosul and declaring the full recapture of the city that fell in IS grip in 2014. The eastern section was retaken in January.

On Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Yahia Rasoul, spokesperson of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, said Iraqi troops became in control over 89.5 percent of territory at western Mosul, having killed more than 16000 militants since the launch of Mosul operations in October. Other commanders had predicted to recapture the city before the end of this month.

Iraqi government forces are eyeing the ancient, densely structured and populated Old City, the place where Islamic State’s supreme leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the establishment of an “Islamic Caliphate” in 2014. Troops besieged the area for weeks from the south, but turned to the northwestern axis to invade the city earlier this month. IS fighters are believed to have been holding hundreds of thousands at that area as human shields.

 

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/mobilization-forces-complete-70-operations-clear-hideouts-west-mosul/