Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Mosul Campaign Day 106, Jan 30, 2017


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


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