The Iraqi forces (ISF) continued to plow through northeast
Mosul. The 15th and 16th Divisions took Kafat 2 in the
north. The Golden Division took Andalus
next to the Mosul University. It was also clearing Nassir and Faisaliya nearby, and
the school
itself, as well as areas in the southeast along with the
Federal Police. The Mosul
Airport in the south was now in range of the ISF, and being shelled before
it is attacked. A spokesman for the Joint Operations Command claimed that the
government was now in control of 90% of the eastern half of the city, but it’s
more like 75%. General Abdul al-Asadi from the Golden Division predicted that all of the east
would fall in two days. Whatever the timeframe the battle has significantly
changed. No longer are the ISF slogging through the city and continuously
retaking the same areas. Now they are rapidly advancing across Mosul.
Mosul University was set on fire by the Islamic State as it retreated (AP)
There were several reports about Mosul University. The
campus was taken rather quickly. That was in part because there were no
civilians there so more air
strikes could be called in. It was a big loss for the Islamic State as it used the school
as a command and control center. It also produced weapons there, and even a
chemical lab was discovered.
Al Sumaria reported
that IS head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi demoted all the commanders in eastern Mosul
for their losses. The source went on to say that they were placed on the
frontlines as further punishment.
The humanitarian situation in east Mosul continues to be an
issue. The U.N. reported
that there are water and food shortages. The United Nations and a few other aid
groups are providing packages to residents, but that’s not on a regular basis. Preemptive
Love Coalition one of the few organizations working within Mosul challenged
others to start operating inside the city. Most of the NGOs are in Kurdistan in
part because it is safe, and second because the Iraqi government told them not
to set up in Mosul. They need to mobilize so that they can service as many
people as possible.
Reuters
was the latest to report on the back and forth life for the people of Mosul. In
some places people are starting to rebuild their lives. In Zuhur markets were
open and kids were playing soccer. In other areas people were fleeing, and some
were heading out of the city for Kurdistan. Once east Mosul is freed much of
this internal displacement will hopefully come to an end. Of course then the
assault on the western half will began, and a whole new movement of people will
start.
Finally, the United Nations provided a glimpse into the
casualties caused by the fighting. Since the Mosul campaign restarted at the
end of December almost 3,000 injured were sent to hospitals in Irbil. 47% of
those were civilians and 53% were members of the security forces. There is very
little news coming out of Iraq about casualties, especially about the ISF. The
U.N. is one of the few making any kinds of report on the losses.
SOURCES
Adel, Loaa, "Counter-Terrorism forces liberate Andalus
neighborhood in Mosul," Iraqi News, 1/15/17
ARA News, “Western aid groups urges NGOs to deliver direct
aid to people inside Mosul,” 1/15/17
Arraf, Jane, “Iraqi Troops Edge Deeper Into Mosul – With
Caution,” NPR, 1/15/17
Buratha News, “Asadi: We expect the completion of our tasks
on the left coast of Mosul in two days,” 1/15/17
- “Joint Operations: liberated 90 percent of left coast of
Mosul and the city’s airport under fire,” 1/15/17
- “Mosul operations commander announces details of last 17
hours in fight in Mosul,” 1/15/17
- “Recent developments in the field in the operation to
liberate Mosul until 14:40 pm Sunday, 15 01 2017,” 1/15/17
Coles, Isabel, “In parts of Mosul, a semblance of normality
despite war,” Reuters, 1/15/17
Al Forat, “Ninewa We Are Coming: the killing of tens of
terrorists and clearing several districts in Mosul,” 1/15/17
Mostafa, Mohamed, “4000 refugees left Mosul in 24 hours: aid
group,” Iraqi News, 1/15/17
- “Army combs Mosul University after driving out Islamic
State,” Iraqi News, 1/15/17
- “Iraqi Forces retake northern, eastern Mosul districts
from IS,” Iraqi News, 1/15/17
- “IS to vigilante killed in western Mosul civilians homes
burned in east,” Iraqi News, 1/15/17
- “Islamic State chief demotes eastern Mosul commanders over
combat failures,” Iraqi News, 1/15/17
Neuhof, Florian, “Mosul university: once ISIL’s weapons
factory, now a liberated ruin,” The National, 1/15/17
New Sabah, “The
combined forces control 905 of the left coast of the city of Mosul,” 1/15/17
- “Mousalaon activists are urging residents to support the security
forces and reveal Daash,” 1/15/17
Rudaw, “Mosul University: the last straw that broke the ISIS
back, major weapon factory lost,” 1/15/17
Shafaaq News, “Urgent..Iraq forces announce the full names
of liberated areas from the grip of Daesh,” 1/15/17
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
“Iraq: Humanitarian Bulletin, December 2016,” 1/15/17
Xinhua, “Iraqi forces make swift advance into IS stronghold
in Mosul,” 1/15/17
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