Mosul Campaign Day 260 Jul 3 2017

Iraqi government is not coordinating their media releases. Ninewa Media Center (bottom) shows much more of the Old City in west Mosul to be cleared compared to the War Media Cell (top)

Golden Division evacuating civilians from Old City west Mosul (The National)

There were more advances in the Old City in west Mosul by the Iraqi forces (ISF). The Golden Division seized Ras al-Koor in the center of the district, the Federal Police took Bab al-Sarai, and was advancing on Khalid Ibn al-Waleed and Nujafi, while the Rapid Reaction Division reached Khalid Bin al-Waleed Street. Katunya was attacked by the 16^th Division and a garage was taken in Sargkhana although both were supposedly freed. Depending upon the source the ISF has 200-250 meters to reach the Tigris River. A general from the Golden Division predicted that the fighting would be over in a week. On the other hand, Federal Police chief General Raed Shakir Jawadat claimed his units had finished their mission and were waiting for Prime Minister Haider Abadi to announce victory over the Islamic State. The Joint Operations Command corrected him saying that the Federal Police were still in combat and had not taken all their objectives. Roughly 40% of the Old City remains in Islamic State control. The end is near however, which means Iraqi releases are over anxious to proclaim victory.

Another example of that problems was the recent death count for IS fighters. The Golden Division said that 900 IS members had been killed in the Old City. The number of insurgents has been all over the place depending upon the source. On May 18 General Najm al-Jabouri commander of Ninewa Operations had 750 elements in all of Mosul. May 24, the Ninewa government put the figure much lower at 350. Coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon had the highest estimate at 1,000 on June 2, while the Federal Police put the number at 500 that same day. The point is 900 seems far too high, and is likely an exaggeration. Given the fact that the Iraqis earlier claimed to have killed 16,500 IS elements in Mosul, more than all estimated IS members in Syria and Iraq combined, these kinds of statements are far from reliable.

The Iraqis reported that the Islamic State was turning to female suicide bombers in Mosul. 2 girls, aged 14 and 12 hit ISF lines on July 3, along with 5-7 more that same day. The women were hiding amongst people trying to flee the combat zone to get close to their targets. Because of their gender the Iraqi forces don’t search them, which is another reason why they are being deployed.

Civil defense forces uncovered 74 bodies in the rubble of Zinjali in central west Mosul. Most of them were shot and executed by the militants. They were most likely killed attempting to escape or were accused of cooperating with the security forces. IS has been carrying out mass executions since the start of the Mosul battle.

A member of the Ninewa Council was the latest to proclaim that the ISF will free Tal Afar, not the Hashd. A councilman told the press that the Golden Division and army would be given the job, while the Hashd will remain outside. An army division has already attacked the district. When Mosul is over it will be joined by the Golden Division. This has been tremendously frustrating for the Hashd who thought Tal Afar would be their role in the Mosul campaign. Instead they have been relegated to taking vast rural areas of west Ninewa. Baghdad has not allowed them to enter Tal Afar because of objections by Ankara who threatened military intervention if they did. 

An explanation was finally given for why the number of displaced in Ninewa recently took a huge jump. On June 25, there were 435,216 registered displaced (IDPs). That suddenly rose to 819,534 on June 28, and stood at 821,178 on July 1. The International Organization for Migration let it be known this was due to new data being included, not a specific event. The new displaced number added to the returns means roughly 1 million people have lost their homes in total during the Mosul battle. This has been a huge strain on humanitarian agencies and the government who have struggled to care for this huge population.

People continued to come out of the city. The United Nations had 1,400 on July 1 from the Old City. At the same time, people are going back, but at a lower rate because of the wave of IS attacks in liberated areas. That has given caution to IDPs who now fear security may not be stable enough to make the trip.

SOURCES

Associated Press, “The Latest: Officer says Iraq troops faced 7 female bombers,” 7/3/17

Bas News, “Iraqi Forces Control 97% of West Mosul, 350 IS Militants Remaining,” 5/24/17

Duparcq, Emmanuel and al-Rubaye, Ahmad, “Tougher fighting, more suicide attacks as IS hits back in Mosul,” Agence France Presse, 7/3/17

George, Susannah and Rosa, Andrea, “With fight for Mosul in final stage, militants strike back,” Associated Press, 7/3/17

International Organization for Migration, “Displacement Tracking Matrix Emergency Tracking Mosul Operations Data Snapshot: 02 July 2017,” 7/2/17

Iraq Newspaper, “Iraqi Newspaper Reporter In Mosul: The Death of An Iranian Leader Jalal Malik Mohammadi,” 7/3/17

Iraqi News Network, “Iraqi forces announce the liberation of Wadi Al-Sarai in Mosul,” 7/3/17

Al Masalah, “Nineveh Council: Counter Terrorism and the army will liberate Tal Afar,” 7/3/17

McKay, Hollie, “ISIS gunned down pregnant women, babies, former Navy SEAL recalls,” Fox News, 7/3/17

Mostafa, Mohamed, “Iraqi command to target Tal Afar after Mosul, officials say 750 fighters remain in city,” Iraqi News, 5/18/17

- “Iraqi forces bring down IS defenses in more Mosul Old City areas,” Iraqi News, 7/3/17

- “UPDATED: Iraqi troops take over more areas in Mosul’s Old City,” Iraqi News, 7/3/17

- “UPDATED: Police: 500 IS fighters trapped in Mosul’s Old City, chief vigilante killed,” Iraqi News, 6/2/17

NINA, "The Federal Police Liberate Khatounia Area, Free 2 Yazidi Young," 6/28/17

Al Noor News, "74 bodies were recovered from the streets of Zanjili west Mosul, mostly women and children," 7/3/17

Radio Sawa, “Counterterrorism forces: 200 meters separate us from the Tigris,” 7/3/17

Rojkan, Mira, “Iraqi Forces Kill at Least 79 IS Militants in Mosul’s Old City,” Bas News, 3/7/17

- “Iraqi Security Forces Recapture al-Jamhuri Hospital in Western Mosul,” Bas News, 7/3/17

Al Sumaria, “Pentagon: 1,000 armed men currently in Mosul,” 6/2/17

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, “Iraq Situation: UNHCR Flash Update – 3 July 2017,” 7/3/17

Wardana, “The storming of the strongest defensive base by Daash in old Mosul,” 7/3/17

Wattan News Agency, “The arrival of the Rapid Reaction Forces to Khalid Bin Waleed Street in the old city of Mosul,” 7/3/17