The military operation to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul on terror organization Islamic State (IS) has begun. The liberation is crucial in the fight against IS, but will also lead to hundreds of thousands of refugees.
Terror Group IS is losing ground. IS yesterday was ideologically and symbolically important stronghold abandon Dabiq in northern Syria. Syrian rebels captured the town with the help of Turkish tanks, artillery, fighter jets and commands. According to IS-trailers Dabiq would be the scene of an apocalyptic battle between Muslims and "infidels."
Also in Iraq, the fighters of the IS increasingly on the defensive. After the cities of Fallujah, Ramadi and Tikrit targeting the Iraqi army and the international coalition now on the liberation of Mosul.
Last stronghold
Convoys of tanks and other heavy military equipment away from the south, east and north toward Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq and the last stronghold of the IS jihadists in Iraq. Ambulances, trucks with fuel and fresh water, bulldozers and police vehicles join the crowded military traffic. Checkpoints are furnished.
Iraqi Shiite soldiers, commandos, militias and Sunni Arab and Kurdish troops take up positions in the hills, roads and front lines around the city.
Lampoon
The Iraqi air force scattered over the weekend tens of thousands of leaflets over the town with uplifting lyrics like "It's time for victory" and "Time for a clean Iraq without IS or another dark faith. The gain estimated 1 million inhabitants in the four-page pamphlet even when the battle begins all sorts of tips for their safety.
Although Americans contradicting messages from Turkey and Iraq, the long-awaited offensive to retake Mosul has begun, the mobilization and troop movements appear around the city pointing out that the operation can start anytime. Soldiers and militiamen waiting for the go-ahead from the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi 'which will officially announce the operation, "said Brett McGurk, President Obama's special envoy for the international coalition against IS.
Bombarded
In preparation for the offensive are fortifications of IS on the outskirts of the city bombarded with artillery and bombing from the air.
The IS-fighters make their final preparations to defend their "capital" in Iraq. Mosul come reports that prisoners have been set free and are forced to dig trenches and do other dwandarbeid. Buses with women and children of IS members and wounded would have to leave the city. 'Traitors' suspected to collaborate be slain with the "enemies of IS' it.
Read the whole article on http://www.ad.nl/buitenland/militaire-operatie-mosul-officieel-van-start~ae8e940c/
By Editors AD: Photo: EPA
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties