The Islamic State continued harassing actions, while trying
to maintain its control over west Mosul. The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF)
imposed a curfew
on the neighborhoods in east Mosul along the Tigris River because of constant
shelling by IS. During the day mortars and a drone attack took the lives of
three people and wounded another 16. The group reportedly
banned its members from leaving Mosul for Syria and imposed a new monthly tax
on cab drivers to raise money. It also carried out an assault
in the Tal Afar district. The group is on its heels, but it is still putting up
a fight. The question is whether it will go down to the last man in west Mosul
or will it be like the east with a tough initial defense that when penetrated
will quickly collapse.
The ISF was still preparing for the next phase of the Battle
of Mosul. Iraqi planes dropped millions of leaflets
over west Mosul telling people to prepare for their coming liberation. General
Najim Jabouri said that engineers were building
pontoon bridges, which will be used to cross the Tigris River, while paving the
areas that will be used as on ramps. Some information about the role of the Hashd
in the coming operation was also released. The Al Abbas Division, which is
loyal to Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani may not be deployed inside the city itself,
but rather work with an army brigade to seize
the road from Mosul to Tal Afar to the west. Prime Minister Haidar Abadi said
that no Hashd would enter Mosul in attempt to deal with fears of locals that
they would commit abuses. Ex-Ninewa Governor Atheel Nujafi’s Hashd al-Watani
was allowed in as it assisted the 16th Division to take some
northeast neighborhoods, but they have just been told to leave because an
arrest warrant was issued for Nujafi. The Shiite Hashd units were ecstatic to
announce that their forces would take part in the western assault, but the
premier may be sticking to his promise to not permit their entry.
More and more people are returning to their homes in Ninewa.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ situation
report said that some 4,300 people from three camps had departed from
January 25 to 28. Civilians were looking to re-unite with their families and
their homes.
Iraq’s parliament declared the Ninewa Plains a disaster
area. It consists of the Hamdaniya, Sheikhan, and Tal Keif areas, which are to
the north and south of Mosul. 80% of the buildings and infrastructure there are
damaged or destroyed. The damage from the fighting has kept many people from
going back to those areas.
Finally, the Supreme Judicial Council decided to re-open the
Ninewa Federal Court. It will have offices in Hamdaniya, and help with the
reconstruction process in the province.
SOUCES
Buratha
News, "Recent developments in the field of liberating Mosul until 20:10 pm
Monday 30 12 2017," 1/30/17
Face Iraq, “Military preparations
completed to storm the area west of Mosul to free it from Daesh,” 1/30/17
-
"Military sources: the martyrdom and wounding of 18 civilians by Daesh
artillery fire on eastern Mosul neighborhoods," 1/30/17
Al
Forat, "21 terrorists killed and the destruction of 6 vehicles, including
car bombs in Tal Afar," 1/30/17
Mostafa, Mohamed, “Curfews adopted to counter IS shelling of
recaptured Mosul areas,” Iraqi News, 1/30/17
- “IS block fighters’ escape routes to Syria, impose new
taxes on Mosul residents,” Iraqi News, 1/30/17
-
"PMUs kill 35 Islamic State fighters west of Mosul," Iraqi News,
1/30/17
New Sabah, “Joint Operations is preparing smart and
sophisticated weapons to liberate the right bank of the city of Mosul,” 1/30/17
Shafaaq News, “Army riveting pontoon bridges over the Tigris
in preparation for storming West Mosul,” 1/30/17
- “Iraqi aircraft drop leaflets on West Mosul: Get ready for
the battle,” 1/30/17
- “The military buildup of force preparing to storm western
Mosul,” 1/30/17
- “Re-opening the Nineveh Court,” 1/30/17
-
"Wounding two civilians bombed by Daesh south-east Mosul," 1/30/17
Al
Sumaria, "Daesh killed three members of one family in shelling north
Mosul," 1/30/17
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, “Iraq Situation: Flash
Update – 30 January 2017,” 1/30/17
No comments:
Post a Comment