Last two days various ISF sources have claimed 50-99% of Old
City is freed none of which are supported by latest government map of progress
in Old City. (Ninewa Media Cell)
Smoke hangs in sky from surprise attack by IS in liberated
Tanak neighborhood while civilians attempt to flee (Iraq Newspaper)
The Iraqi forces (ISF) predicted
that they would have all of Mosul liberated by June 25 the start of Eid.
Without having achieved that it made a series of exaggerated propaganda
releases. First, a lieutenant colonel from the Golden Division claimed
that 65-70% of the Old City was under government control. Then the Joint
Operations Command announced
that the Islamic State only held 1% of the district. That might have been a
mistranslation meaning only 1% of west Mosul, but you can never tell with Iraqi
statements. None of these claims were supported by the latest map released by
the government, which shows little progress over the last few days.
The ISF remained fighting over several neighborhoods, some
it claimed to have freed. To the north of the Old City, the Rapid Reaction
Division has been caught up trying to take the Republican
Hospital and a few other buildings in the medical complex of Shifa. That
area was said to be cleared three times before, and was originally entered at
the end of May. In the Old City, the Golden Division and Federal Police were
still attempting to seize Farouq
in the center of the district from two directions. Towards the south, the
Golden Division said it was anywhere from 25-50 meters away from the Nouri
Mosque, which the Islamic State just destroyed. There were continued clashes in
Khazraj and Bab al-Baid, both of which the ISF said it liberated, as well as
Ras al-Jadah, and Bab al-Jadid. The Joint Operations Command stated that IS was
down to just six neighborhoods, but the continued fighting would put the figure
at a few more than that. In the last week, the ISF were able to make two large
thrusts into the center of the Old City, after that however it has been tough going
with few advances since then.
The Islamic State has been counterattacking in liberated
areas of Mosul. Small groups of IS fighters attacked
the Tanak and Yarmouk neighborhoods
in the western section of west Mosul. It caused general confusion and panic
amongst the population, many of which attempted to flee. The Golden Division
arrived in the area, imposed a curfew and tried to get citizens to return to
their homes, while hunting down the insurgents. This came after a suicide bomber set off his device amongst displaced on June 24, and 5
suicide bombings hit both eastern and western sections of the city, along
with three car bombs being discovered
and dismantled in a market in the east on June 23. The security forces have been talking
about IS sleeper cells being in liberated parts of the city, and they now appear
to be coming to life.
Reuters
reported on people celebrating Eid, the end of Ramadan, in the liberated areas
of Mosul. While many children were seen playing and having fun, their parents
were being more reflective. Some were sad that they were displaced within the
city and had not returned to their homes. Others were afraid of IS elements in
the city, highlighted by the two days of attacks in freed parts of Mosul. Their
thoughts and actions reflected the conflicted circumstances people are
currently facing. Life is returning, but there are many difficulties from the
continued fighting, to IS terrorism, to destroyed homes, to people cleaning up
their neighborhoods. This will continue for the foreseeable future.
SOURCES
Agence France
Presse, “Two thirds of Mosul Old City retaken from IS: commander,” 6/25/17
Baghdad Post, “Security forces shell what is left of Mosul’s
Old City,” 6/25/17
Al Ghad Press, "Violent clashes between Daash and
anti-terrorism forces in Al-Tanak neighborhood and Taqeed market in
Mosul," 6/25/17
Iraq Newspapers, “Iraq Newspaper Reporter In Mosul: Daash
Terrorists Claim New Attacks In Bab al-Baid And Shifa,” 6/25/17
- “Iraqi Newspaper
Reporter In Mosul: Displacement Of Residents Of Al-Tanka District,” 6/25/17
- “Iraqi Newspaper Reporter In Mosul: Daash Terrorists Claim
To Take Control Of Al-Tanak And Yarmouk Districts,” 6/25/17
- “Iraqi Newspaper Reporter In Mosul: Fierce Battles In
Tanak Yarmouk and Rajam Al Hadeed And Slaughter Of Civilians In Mushat Market,”
6/25/17
Marjani, Alaa,
“Mosul celebrates first Eid without Islamic State in years,” Reuters, 6/25/17
NINA, "Army and
Popular Mobilization Forces Thwart 3 Car Bombs In Mosul's Left Side,"
6/24/17
Reuters, “Iraqi
forces say major Islamic State attack blocked outside old city of Mosul,”
6/25/17
Shafaaq News,
“Military spokesman: Daash controls only 1% of old Mosul,” 6/25/17
- “Security
commander announces control of vital street in Old Mosul: 800 m separate us
from announcing final victory,’ 6/25/17
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