Mosul Campaign Day 58, Dec 13, 2016

The Iraqi forces (ISF) continued clearing old areas of east Mosul. The Golden Division took the two-part neighborhood of Falah. There was continued fighting in Muthanna as well. Both had been freed before however. General Abdul Wahab al-Saedi of the Division told the press there are only six districts left to free all of the eastern half of the city. The ISF are only in about 40% of that section however and many neighborhoods remain contested so there is still a long fight ahead to achieve that goal.

The southern front may finally be moving. The Mosul airport was shelled and the town of Albu Saif was attacked. The forces in the south have not made any substantial movement in almost a month and some units were transferred to east Mosul. Now things may finally be progressing again, which would help take pressure off those forces already in the city.

In the west the Hashd continued to clear towns. Five villages were taken during the day. The Hashd are still talking about moving west towards the Syrian border to try to cut off the Islamic State’s supply lines. With no sign that the ISF will free Tal Afar anytime soon however the Hashd will have to stay in the district.

SOURCES

Al Alam, "EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Iraq Hashd al-Shaabi Forces Retake 2 Key Villages from ISIS," 12/13/16

Adel, Loaa, "Counter-Terrorism forces free 2 neighborhoods in Mosul," Iraqi News, 12/13/16

Bas News, “Iraqi Army Stages “Tactical” Pause in Operations in East of Mosul: Report,” 12/13/16

- "Iraqi Forces Retake Two More Neighborhoods Eastern Mosul," 12/6/16

Iraq Oil Report, "Inside Mosul, Dec. 13, 2016," 12/13/16

Al Masalah, "Popular Crowd frees three villages west of Mosul," 12/13/16

Mostafa, Mohamed, “Commander: six districts left to recapture eastern Mosul,” Iraqi News, 12/13/16

Rasheed, Ahmed and Hameed, Saif, “Iraqi Shi’ite forces aim to clear border strip with Syria,” Reuters, 12/13/16