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Iraqi Government Forces Advance Slowly, Steadily Into Mosul

By Edward Yeranian November 05, 2016

Iraqi government forces traded artillery fire Saturday with Islamic State militants as they attempted to advance into areas of eastern Mosul. Government media reported the troops had entered at least five eastern districts of the city within the past 48 hours and that bitter fighting was continuing.

Iraqi commander General Sami Aridi told state media his forces were continuing to advance. He said his forces had moved into the Mosul districts of Zahra, Karama and Tahrir and were trying to push farther into adjacent areas, but that the battle was still going on.

Commander Qassim Jassam of the Iraqi military's 9th Division said the Islamic State militants were mounting bitter resistance. He contended that IS fighters were being defeated in the Intisar district but had slowed the government advance with at least six car bombs, several suicide bombs and a variety of booby-trapped objects. He said the group was committing atrocious war crimes.

The Texas-based private security firm Stratfor released a series of satellite images taken earlier this week that showed IS defenses inside Mosul. A variety of obstacles, including cement barriers, trenches and other rubble, could be seen blocking routes into the city center.

On the western side of the Tigris River, which divides the city, satellite images revealed that IS had created a no-man's land near a strategic former military base and outside the city's main airport. Buildings that might have been used for cover by advancing Iraqi forces had been destroyed.

Government forces trying to reach Mosul from the south of the city reportedly captured the village of Hamam al-Alil, six kilometers outside the city, according to Iraqi state TV. Shi'ite volunteer militiamen, known as "al-Hushd," were reported to have captured four villages west of Mosul, near the town of Tel Afar.

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, who visited the Iraqi army's front lines near Bartella on Saturday, insisted that a decisive victory was close at hand. He said IS would be defeated and all of Mosul would be liberated very soon. He said the military's Anti-Terrorism Brigade was the first to enter the city, but claimed that units were advancing on all fronts.

On the western side of the Tigris River, which divides the city, satellite images revealed that IS had created a no-man's land near a strategic former military base and outside the city's main airport. Buildings that might have been used for cover by advancing Iraqi forces had been destroyed.

Government forces trying to reach Mosul from the south of the city reportedly captured the village of Hamam al-Alil, six kilometers outside the city, according to Iraqi state TV. Shi'ite volunteer militiamen, known as "al-Hushd," were reported to have captured four villages west of Mosul, near the town of Tel Afar.

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, who visited the Iraqi army's front lines near Bartella on Saturday, insisted that a decisive victory was close at hand. He said IS would be defeated and all of Mosul would be liberated very soon. He said the military's Anti-Terrorism Brigade was the first to enter the city, but claimed that units were advancing on all fronts.