On November 4 several new neighborhoods in southeast Mosul
were entered. The towns and eastern Mosul neighborhoods of Tahrir,
Zahara, Malaeen,
Samah, Khazraa, Karakul, Quds, and Karama were all attacked. Forces had to withdraw
from Karama after heavy resistance by the Islamic State. There was on going fighting in Intisar
as well that was entered yesterday. The Golden Division later claimed that Aden,
Samah, Karkukli, Khadra, Ikhaa, Quds, Malaeen and the town
of Gogjali were
freed, although a resident told Reuters that one of those was still contested.
To the south the army continued
its push on Hamam al-Alil freeing two towns. To the west the Hashd liberated six villages.
During the days fighting another journalist was wounded.
As usual the government is suppressing its losses so occasional news reports
are the only source for casualties, and those are few and far between.
The United Nations said
that IS executed 230 people including 50 of its own members for desertion
in Mosul recently. It also noted that the group forced around 1,600 people from
Hamam al-Alil to Tal Afar to be used as human shields. Human
Rights Watch interviewed several people form towns southeast of Mosul who
had been forced out of their homes by the Islamic State when then government
offensive began. They talked about how entire villages were emptied and members
of the security forces were taken away and likely executed.
Whenever a new area is reached there is a general exodus of
people to get away from the fighting. the International Organization for
Migration reported 22,224 people had been displaced so far. Many people were
flowing out of eastern and southeastern Mosul now that the government forces
had reached those areas. A U.N. official for example, counted around 5,000
fleeing through Gogjali in the east.
SOURCES
Associated Press, "The Latest: 5 Iraqi soldiers killed as
Mosul battle rages on," 11/4/16
Bas News, "Iraqi Army Fully Liberates Shallalat District in
Northern Mosul," 11/1/16
BBC, “Mosul battle: Iraqi army fights its way into new
suburb,” 11/4/16
Benhaida, Sarah, “Elite Iraq forces advance into Mosul, face
tough resistance,” Agence France Presse, 11/4/16
Buratha News, "Recent development in the field, until 18:50
am Friday 04 11 2016," 11/4/16
Georgy, Michael, "Iraqi forces push deeper into eastern
Mosul," Reuters, 11/4/16
Human Rights Watch, “Iraq: Feared ISIS Use of ‘Human
Shields,’ Executions,” 11/4/16
Al Mada, "Army frees two villages south of Hamam al-Alil and
raised Iraqi flag over them," 11/4/16
Morris, Loveday and Booth, William, "Iraqi forces advance
into six new neighborhoods in east Mosul," Washington Post, 11/4/16
Rudaw, "Iraqi forces retake new district in Mosul as house to
house search for militants intensifies," 11/4/16
Xinhua, "Iraqi forces free more districts in eastern
Mosul," 11/4/16
No comments:
Post a Comment