The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) captured their first
neighborhood in their new operation in Mosul. Saha 1 was taken
by the Golden Division. The ISF was also said to be in control of 40%
to 60% of
Zinjali depending upon the source, and there was still fighting in Shifa.
On May
28 the second day of the new offensive the ISF claimed they had 60% of
Zinjali. That was likely an exaggeration. The Iraqis originally said they were
going to liberate all three areas yesterday, but the fighting has been tough
and official predictions are always over optimistic.
The Hashd were making more progress in west Ninewa. Baaj was
surrounded
and a town to the west of it was freed.
Many Islamic State leadership elements were believed to have fled to Baaj when
the Mosul campaign started last year. They have probably moved on, but the town
is still considered an important IS area.
There has been a spate of assassinations
in east Mosul. An ISF officer announced that a man was killed in the Muthanna
district. In the last few days three other people have been murdered in the
north and east of east Mosul. No explanations was given for the cause of these
incidents, whether they were regular crime, revenge killings, or what.
The number of displaced coming out of Mosul remained
relatively the same over the past few days. From May 30 to 31 over 6,000 arrived
at Hamam al-Alil. Before that an average of 2,000-3,000 were fleeing. That
compared to the week before when over 10,000 were registered each day. At the
same time over 25,000 people have gone back to Mosul. The United Nations’ High
Commissioner for Refugees asked for $126
million in donations to support its work in Ninewa. So far its overall Iraq
operations is only 21% funded. For years now the U.N. in Iraq has not gotten
anywhere near the amount of money it needs. The group is nearly overwhelmed by
the amount of displaced in Ninewa, and the lack of money is only making that
worse.
SOURCES
Agence France Presse,
“Iraq forces announce gains in west Mosul,” 6/2/17
Bas News, “The
continuation of the battle against the most recent strongholds of Daash in
right bank of Mosul,” 6/2/17
- “UNHCR Needs $126
Million to Meet Critical Needs of Mosul IDPs,” 6/2/17
Baghdad Post,
“Assassinations’ rear ugly head in Mosul – source,” 6/2/17
- “Revealed: Forces
controlled 60% of Zanjili, 65% of Shifa in Mosul,” 6/2/17
Al Ghad Press, "Freed first Saha district
in West Mosul," 6/2/17
Al Jazeera, “Mosul
battle: At least 142 civilians killed in six days,” 6/2/17
Radio Sawa,
“Al-Nu’man: Da’ash lost 120 fighters in al-Hayat neighborhood in Mosul,” 6/2/17
Rudaw, “Iraqi forces
take new district in west Mosul,” 6/2/17
Al Sumaria, “Leader
in the crowd: Baaj besieged from all sides and the declaration of its
liberation is a matter of time,” 6/2/17
- “The popular crowd
announces the liberation of a border village west of Al-Baaj,” 6/2/17
UN High Commissioner
for Refugees, “Iraq Situation: UNHCR Flash Update – 1 June 2017,” 6/1/17
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
“Mosul Humanitarian Crisis, 01 June 2017,” 6/1/17
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