Latest map of west Mosul shows that the Iraqi forces are
clearing up neighborhoods along Tigris River (Ninewa Media Cell)
The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) are taking the last
neighborhoods of west Mosul. On May 20, Tamuz 17 was declared
fully cleared by the Federal Police. The ISF said it freed the neighborhood twice before.
Similarly Iqtisadin was liberated
for the third
time.
Rabia
was a new area taken from the insurgents as well. The next day there was
continued fighting
in Najar and Bab al-Sinjar was attacked by the Golden Division. The security
forces and Ninewa officials agree there are only a few parts of west Mosul left
under Islamic State control, but they disagree about which ones. The Golden Division
and Federal
Police told the press only four areas were left. They named the Old City,
Shifa, and Siha, but had different neighborhoods for the fourth either Bab
al-Sinjar or Zinjali. A member of the Ninewa security committee had the figure
at 7 neighborhoods,
but didn’t name them. Whatever the exact number is there are only a few left,
and the battle for the city is near its end.
On May 20, the Golden Division announced
that its operations were finished in the Mosul campaign. It has been in the
lead since the start of the battle in October 2016. The next day the unit was
still fighting
in two neighborhoods however. A spokesman stated that after Najar was taken it
would be finished. It would be very surprising if the division didn’t attack
the Old City, which will be the last and probably one of the hardest
neighborhoods to take. The Golden Division is by far the most capable of all
the forces taking part in the campaign, and has honed its skills in urban
warfare over the years. One of the reasons why the Old City has not been taken
yet is the fact that the Federal Police were given much of the task and had the
least experience in fighting in cities.
The Hashd were still moving into western Mosul, and raising
more criticisms as well. According
Badr’s Hadi Amiri the Hashd took 6 villages in the Qayrawan district. Their
presence in the Sinjar area has been harshly attacked by the Kurds. A
parliamentarian on the security committee told the Hashd
that they would not be allowed to move further, and that the Peshmerga would
take the remaining Yazidi towns from the insurgents. A Peshmerga commander
demanded that the Hashd withdraw as well. This was in response to a Hashd
commander saying that it would continue to move westward, and that Sinjar was
part of Iraq and trying to “occupy” it was a “red line.” The Kurdistan
Democratic Party (KDP) controlled Sinjar before 2014, but abandoned it when the
Islamic State approached, which led to the massacre of the local Yazidi
residents. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) moved in from Syria and saved
many of the locals, and have remained there since. Many Yazidis resent the
treatment by the KDP and now want to forge their own independent security
forces and political parties. Needless to say, the KDP is greatly frustrates, and
would like to re-assert its authority over the district. The arrival of the
Hashd only causes more problems as they are claiming they will free the
remaining Yazidi villages, and are trying to assert the central government’s
control. The rhetoric on both sides has been heating up as a result, and there
could be a military confrontation if things continue along this course.
The Iraq President was at a World Economic Forum and called
on investors to help rebuild Mosul. He said that battle for the city was almost
complete, and that a lot of work and money would be needed for reconstruction
afterward. Iraq is running a large budget deficit since world oil prices
declined and doesn’t have the funds to rebuild Mosul let alone Ninewa. It is
hoping that the U.S. and U.N. will take up most of the bill, but that’s
unlikely to happen as well. Appealing to investors is a third avenue it has to
follow if this task is to be completed.
Qatar joined Kuwait as two of the few regional countries
providing aid to Ninewa. Qatar Charity was funding
a displaced (IDP) camp in Ninewa. It also distributed 21,000 food packages to 7
IDP camps. The Kuwait Relief Society handed
out food to towns in Sulaymaniya where IDPs from Ninewa had settled. Iraq’s
Prime Minister Haidar Abadi called on the region to help rebuild the country
after the Islamic State was defeated. Much of the Middle East talks about
supporting Iraq’s Sunnis, and the premier was calling on them to put their
money where their mouth was. Few responded. An exception was Kuwait that has
been quietly supporting aid efforts inside and out of Mosul. Qatar now appears
to be joining. Much more is needed, and it will be interesting to see if any
provide funds for rebuilding, which will be the major challenge in coming days
after Mosul is taken.
SOURCES
AIN, “The popular
crowd frees five villages to the north and south of Qayrawan,” 5/21/17
Baghdad Post, “Counter-terrorism forces announce regaining
its axis in Mosul right bank,” 5/20/17
- “Iraq’s special forces shrink ISIS stronghold in western
Mosul,” 5/21/17
- “Iraqi forces purge Aiqtisadliyn, 17 Tamuz neighborhoods
from terrorists,” 5/20/17
- "Iraqi forces recapture 3 new districts
in Mosul's right bank," 5/13/17
Bas News, "20 IS Militants Killed Near Old Bridge in
West Mosul," 5/21/17
- “Federal Police
Announces New Plan to Storm IS Strongholds in West Mosul,” 5/21/17
- “Hashd Not a Party
in Liberating Rest of Yezidi Areas: MP,” 5/20/17
Buratha News,
“Al-Amiri announces the liberation of six villages west of Mosul,” 5/21/17
Kuwait News Agency,
“Kuwait continues relief support for relocated Iraqis,” 5/19/17
Al Maalomah,
“Nineveh: Only seven small neighborhoods are to be liberated in West Mosul,”
5/21/17
Al Mada, “Anti-terrorism forces continue to advance amid
booby-trapped houses in western Mosul,” 5/21/17
Mostafa, Mohamed, “Official: Iraqi forces control 97% of
western Mosul,” Iraqi News, 5/21/17
Mostafa, Nehal,
“Four more villages liberated in Qairawan, west of Mosul,” Iraqi News, 5/21/17
- "Thousands of civilians displaced as
Iraqi troops resume advance in western Mosul," Iraqi News, 5/14/17
New Sabah, "Freed Iqtisadin and Tamuz 17 in
West Mosul," 5/17/17
Press TV, "Iraqi govt. forces retake
control of two key districts in west Mosul," 5/20/17
Qasim, Ahmed and al-Amir,
Hussein, "Daesh attacks kill 17 Iraqi soldiers in Mosul," Anadolu
Agency, 5/21/17
Qatar Charity,
“Qatar Charity Continues its Relief to the People of Mosul,” 5/18/17
Roberts, Rachel,
“Iraqi special forces declare ‘game over’ for Isis in Mosul as western
districts retaken,” Independent, 5/20/17
Rockett, Karen,
“Battle for Mosul could be over and see ISIS kicked out in ‘next few days,’”
Mirror 5/20/17
Rudaw, "Iraqi forces fight to break through
ISIS' last four defenses in Mosul," 5/21/17
Shafaaq News, "Federal Police announces the
clearing of two neighborhoods and the restoration of 80 areas in the right bank
of Mosul," 5/20/17
- “Rabia freed in Mosul,” 5/20/17
Al Sumaria, “The
Counter-Terrorism Command announces the completion of its operations in the
center of West Mosul,” 5/20/17
- "Ninewa Operations announces liberation
of Al-Rabie neighborhood in West Mosul," 5/20/17
Xinhua, “Iraqi forces recapture 2 IS-held neighborhoods in
western Mosul,” 5/21/17
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