The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) were moving ahead to capture
the last remaining area of west Mosul under Islamic State control. The Tamuz
17, Harmat 3, Idamat al-Tamas, and Hawi Kanisa
neighborhoods were all freed
by the Golden, Rapid Reaction Division, and 16th Divisions. The last
one for the second
time. The ISF were still pushing into Iqtisadin as well. The army chief of
staff is talking
about freeing all of Mosul before Ramadan, which is in two weeks. Some Ninewa
officials are skeptical of that timeline believing that the Old City section will
be a tough fight taking another month. Whatever the timeframe the Islamic State
on its last leg in the city.
A Ninewa official told New Sabah that the Islamic
State is preparing for their last stand in the Old City in west Mosul. The
group was reportedly looting people’s food, and telling them to leave behind
the old and wounded because they can’t take care of them.
The Hashd are moving on the town of Qayrawa in western
Ninewa. The operation started yesterday and resulted in 21
towns being taken. On May 13, another six were seized.
After Qayrawa these forces will move on Baaj, and then the Syrian border.
Months ago, the Hashd surrounded the town of Tal Afar west of Mosul. They were
not allowed to take the town however, because of complaints by Turkey. That led
to growing frustration. Finally, the government gave them the task of sweeping
through western Ninewa to occupy them.
The new push on northwest Mosul is causing a huge number of
people to flee the city. From May
9-10 around 11,000 arrived at Hamam al-Alil. That was topped by 20,000 more
on May
11. The Norwegian Refugee Council said this was the highest amount of
people coming out of the city since the start of the year. The displaced (IDPs)
told aid agencies that people were starving in IS controlled areas. Health
groups taking care of the displaced have noted growing malnutrition for at
least two months now. The situation is also complicated because many people want
to move to east Mosul after they register with the government. That’s been
impossible because of flooding of the Tigris, which has shut down the bridges. The
United Nations opened a new camp south of Mosul, but with the new outflow that
will likely be filled quickly. Many do not like living in the camps because of
the restrictions on their movement and lack of work. That’s a major reason why
IDPs now want to get to east Mosul instead.
SOURCES
Agence France
Presse, “Number of civilians fleeing Mosul swells: aid group,” 5/13/17
Anadolu Agency,
“Iraq: Pro-gov’t forces take 5 border villages,” 5/13/17
Baghdad Post, "Iraqi forces recapture 3 new
districts in Mosul's right bank," 5/13/17
- "Security forces making progress in
northern, western axes of Mosul," 5/11/17
Al Mada, “Liberation
of Mosul Old City without a clear senior despite the optimism of the
leadership,” 5/13/17
Mostafa, Nehal, "one more district recaptured, civilians
wounded in western Mosul," Iraqi News, 5/13/17
New Sabah, “The
insurgents are forced to live in family houses of its supporters,” 5/13/17
NINA, “PMF Liberate
21 Villages, Kills 77 Terrorist in the First Day of Mohammed Rasool Allah II
Operations,” 5/12/17
Rojkan, Mira, “Iraqi Forces Regain Further Ground in Western
Mosul,” Bas News, 5/13/17
Rudaw, “Hashd
al-Shaabi controls road into Shingal, Iraqi forces take districts in Mosul,”
5/13/17
- “Repairs spur
construction market in Mosul,” 5/13/17
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, “As 1000s flee Mosul,
UNHCR opens 12th new camp for displaced,” 5/12/17
- “Iraq Situation:
UNHCR Flash Update – 11 May 2017,” 5/11/17
Xinhua, “Iraqi forces fight IS in western Mosul,
paramilitary units push to border areas with Syria,” 5/13/17
- “Iraqi
paramilitary forces free 6 IS-held villages amid new push in west of Mosul,”
5/13/17
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