The Islamic State launched more attacks upon liberated east
Mosul. 24 IS fighters who
crossed the Tigris River into southeast Mosul at night were stopped by members
of the Golden Division, and were eventually killed after a gun battle. Mortar fire killed 1
civilian and wounded 2 more. The government has been forming local Hashd groups
to help secure the city. A commander of one such unit told Voice
of America that the insurgents were attempting river attacks almost every
night. The same report quoted a soldier who said drone strikes were wounding up
to 20 people per day. Surveillance drones were also constantly flying over the
city trying to sport targets for mortar fire. There is still the threat of
sleeper cells as well. East Mosul remains insecure as a result of these
constant attacks.
Adding to the problem is unprofessionalism by some Iraqi
forces (ISF). Shafaaq
News for instance reported that men in military uniforms and riding in a
military vehicle robbed a car store in east Mosul. Army and Federal Police have
also been accused of looting and burning homes, and committing some abuses in
the city as well.
The insurgents launched another large attack in the Tal Afar
district west of Mosul. The town of Tal Abta was assaulted again,
with 11 car bombs reportedly destroyed.
IS continued to destroy property in areas under its control.
It blew up the Federal Court of Appeal building
in west Mosul, and 15
houses belonging to police officers in the town of Badush. The Islamists
have carried out a mini-scorched earth policy since the start of the Battle for
Mosul in October. February
12 the militants launched a three-pronged attack the Hashd claimed was the
biggest they had seen so far. They said that IS fighters were trying to flee to
Syria. They were actually probably trying to break the siege of Baaj where many
of their commanders are holding up.
A commander from the Golden Division General Abdul Wahab
al-Saadi claimed
that the attack on west Mosul was just waiting for good weather. The general
stated that rainy and cold weather was holding up the operation, which would
have started already if conditions had been better.
Reuters
had a good report on the economic impact of Islamic State rule on Ninewa. It
talked with farmers who had their business destroyed under two years of IS
control. They believe it could take years to rebuild their farms. They need
seeds, fertilizer, fuel, electricity, equipment, irrigation, etc. all to
rebuild. There are also damaged fields and IEDs to deal with. The government
and the United Nations have started programs to try to help Ninewa’s agriculture,
but it appears it will be a long process for the province to return to being
the breadbasket of the country.
SOURCES
Adel,
Loaa, "IS detonates houses of 15 former policemen, arrests 10 civilians in
Mosul," Iraqi News, 2/14/17
-
"Security forces kill 24 IS members after sneaking into eastern
Mosul," Iraqi News, 2/14/17
Buratha News, “Recent developments in the field during
Ninewa We Are Coming operation until 15:00 Tuesday 14 02 2017,” 2/14/17
Al Forat, “Anti-terrorism forces wait for improved weather
to attack west Mosul,” 2/14/17
Iraq Oil Report, “Inside Mosul: Feb. 13, 2017,” 2/14/17
Al
Maalomah, "The death of one civilian and wounding two others in Daesh
shelling East Mosul," 2/14/17
-
"Talabawi: the popular crowd repelled a great Daesh attack on Tal Abta and
destroyed 11 car bombs,' 2/14/17
Mostafa, Mohamed, “Exclusive: After Islamic State defeat,
broken Iraqi farmers weigh heavy losses,” Iraqi News, 2/14/17
Murdock, Heather, “Mosul Illusion Shattered After Militant
Attacks,” Voice of America, 2/13/17
New Sabah, “Anti-Terrorism forces repel a Daesh attack
across the river to the southeast of Mosul,” 2/14/17
Shafaaq
News, "Gunmen disguised in military uniforms rob a car shop owner in east
Mosul," 2/14/17
-
"Urgent..Daesh blow up the Federal Court building in Mosul," 2/14/17
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