The Iraqis have moved their forces for a new assault on west
Mosul. Elements of the Golden Division have shifted to the
Badush district northwest of the city to link up with the 9th
Division and the Hashd’s Al-Abbas Division that have been there for a few weeks
now. They seized
the western gate to Mosul, and are planning to attack four neighborhoods from that
direction. The Defense Ministry estimated
that just 35% of the city remained under Islamic State control. The plan for
the battle remains the same. The Golden Division oversees freeing of most the
city, while the police are holding down Islamic State fighters in the Old City.
The 9th Division and Hashd were supposed to have opened a northwest
front in Mosul weeks ago, but halted outside of the city instead. They are
finally joining the fight in the city.
Intense fighting continued in the Old City. The insurgents
counter attacked
and temporarily seized two positions. The commander of the 5th
Federal Police Division was relieved
as a result.
The Hashd are still moving towards the Syrian border. Five
villages were liberated as a result. Asaib Ahl Al-Haq spokesman Jawad Talabawi told the
press that after this operation was finished the Hashd would take Tal Afar.
That’s still undecided as officials have said only the army and police would be
allowed in the town, while also stating that the Hashd would be given the task.
Turkey has complained that the Hashd are a threat to the Turkmen population of
the village, and Baghdad has held off on attacking Tal Afar as a result. That
has greatly frustrated the Hashd who have surrounded the town for months, and
was what led them to head towards Syria. That raised some controversy as well
as an army division was supposed to be included, but was not, and Prime
Minister Abadi did not acknowledge the taking of Hatra, while he always notes
victories.
Speaking of Hatra, several officials from the town complained
that 100-250 men from Hatra were detained by tribal Hashd forces as they were
heading towards Hamam al-Alil, the main checkpoint for displaced in Ninewa. The
Hashd claimed they were connected to the Islamic State.
SOURCES
Ahmed, Hunar, “Iraqi army nearing Nour Mosque in Mosul,
where ISIS declared ‘caliphate,’” Rudaw, 4/30/17
Baghdad Post, "Security forces regain 3
villages west of Tal Abta in Mosul," 4/30/17
Bas News, “Iraqi
Army Opening a New Battlefront in Mosul to Retake Remaining Districts,” 4/30/17
Iraq News Network,
“Popular crowd: Abadi will allow our forces to liberate Tal Afar,” 4/30/17
Al Maalomah, "Freed two villages northwest
of Hatra," 4/30/17
- "The popular crowd frees Um Shrak village
northwest of Hatra," 4/30/17
- "The popular crowd frees Um al-Shatum
village, southwest of Mosul," 4/30/17
Mostafa, Mohamed, “Iraqi army says new front opened in
western Mosul eyeing 4 districts,” Iraqi News, 4/30/17
Mostafa, Nehal,
“Around 100 civilians abducted while fleeing Mosul town,” Iraqi News, 4/30/17
- “Defense Ministry:
35% of western Mosul still controlled by Islamic State,” Iraqi News, 4/30/17
- "Paramilitary troops launch offensive to
liberate villages northwest of Hatra," Iraqi News, 4/30/17
Rasheed, Ahmed,
“Iraqi commander says to complete capture of Mosul in May,” Reuters, 4/30/17
Shafaaq News, "Urgent: Gate of conquest in
the hands of Iraqi forces," 4/30/17
Al Taghier TV,
“Joint Operations relieve the commander of the Fifth Division of the Federal
Police from his post,” 4/29/17
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