The Mosul operation increased in intensity on the fourth
day. The Kurds opened up a new front to the north of the city and the elite Golden
Division carried out its first attack as well. Several villages were freed,
while the Islamic State appeared to be putting up a much harder fight than they
did initially.
First, there were some new reports of progress and violence
from October 19. The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) took 10 towns. Five large
Islamic State counter attacks involving multiple car bombs were reported. There
was also a story
that rockets knocked out an Iraqi tank. In Mosul the Islamists destroyed the
Ninewa Governorate building and the Nationality and Passport Directorate along
with several of the group’s own offices. It also hanged
three people. IS might be embarking on a scorched earth campaign in parts of
Mosul to leave nothing behind after it is expelled.
On October 20 the Peshmerga re-started their operations on a
new
front to the north of Mosul. Peshmerga moved towards the town of Bashiqa. Members
of the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), an Iranian-Kurdish dissident group were
seen taking part in the new offensive. The day before U.S. and English Special
Forces were seen amongst the Peshmerga. Some called in air strikes to support
the new attack. Nine towns were reported free during the day.
The Kurds thrust to the east was stopped, and the elite Golden
Division took their place attacking Bartella. That town was declared freed,
but fighting
was still going on in certain regions. In the east and south of Mosul another
seven towns were reported freed by the ISF.
The new thrusts by the combined forces led to some tough
counter attacks by the Islamic State. Seven large ones were reported with over
two dozen car bombs being used. 4 reporters were injured in two
such actions. A U.S. soldier also died
of his wounds from an IED. Another 24 Peshmerga were killed, 133 wounded, and
two soldiers. As usual Baghdad and Irbil are not officially reporting their
losses so the totals are probably much higher.
There was more news about the civilian toll of the Mosul
operation. The United Nations said that around
1,900 people had fled Mosul since the start of the campaign and been
registered. 900 had gone to Syria. The International Organization for Migration
had a higher figure of 5,640
since October 17.
Finally, in France there was an international meeting
of twenty countries looking for support for post-IS Mosul. Holland pledge $1.1
million in aid as a result.
SOURCES
Associated Press, “World diplomats seek post-battle plan for
ISIS bastion Mosul,” 10/20/16
Bas
News, "Four News Crews Injured While Covering Anti-IS Operations North of
Mosul," 10/20/16
-
"IS Executes 16 People in Southern Mosul," 10/19/16
-
"IS Explodes Administrative Buildings in Mosul," 10/19/16
- "Peshmerga Liberates a Christian Village in Northern
Mosul," 10/20/16
eKurd, "Kurdish forces launch second massive offensive
against IS near Iraq's Mosul," 10/20/16
Iraqi News, "Iraqi forces liberate more areas in Mosul,
besiege Mishraq Company," 10/20/16
- "Mosul offensive: Peshmerga forces recapture Imam
Reda village and Khorsabad road," 10/20/16
Kalin, Stephen and Dehghanpisheh, Babak, “Mosul offensive
going faster than planned, Iraqi PM says,” Reuters, 10/21/16
Kesling, Ben and El-Ghobashy, Tamer, “Iraq Captures Key Town
Near Mosul,” Wall Street Journal, 10/20/16
Al
Mada, "Daesh executed three Peshmerga detainees central Mosul,"
10/20/16
Morris, Loveday and Fahim, Kareem, "Iraq's U.S.-trained
counterterrorism troops join attack on Mosul," Washington Post, 10/20/16
Rudaw, “LIVE UPDATES MOSL BATTLE: Day 3,” 10/19/16
- "LIVE UPDATES MOSUL BATTLE: Day 4," 10/20/16
Wedeman, Ben, Dewan, Angela and McKirdy, Euan, "Mosul:
Most intense day of fighting since offensive began," CNN, 10/20/16,
World Bulletin, “Kurds in fresh push against ISIL near
Mosul,” 10/20/16
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