ISIS Leaders Are Reportedly Cutting And Running From Mosul

The agency, known as OCHA, said it is expanding displacement camps to cope with the increasing numbers of those fleeing Mosul. “There is no food, no clean water, no gas for heating, no medicine and no services”.

US-backed army and police units advanced through populated western districts, fighting tough street battles, and announced they had captured Mosul’s southernmost bridge. The top American commander in Iraq said earlier this month he believed US -backed forces would recapture Islamic State’s two major strongholds – Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq – within the next six months. Those bridges have been heavily damaged by the Islamic State and by the U.S-led worldwide coalition against the militant Islamist group.

Closing the western route further traps the estimated 750,000 civilians estimated to be living in Mosul’s western areas.

As Iraqi forces make advances to recapture Mosul in northern Iraq, IS was increasingly using drones to drop improvised explosive devices.

The militant extremists overran the then second largest Iraqi city in June 2014.

TRT World’s Nicole Johnston spoke with some of those who fled the city.

The military offensive to oust ISIS from Mosul began on 17 October 2016. It took Iraqi security forces three months from 17 October previous year to capture east Mosul during which they lost 500 dead and 3,000 wounded according to General Joseph Votel of the US Central Command. Iraq declared eastern Mosul “fully liberated” in January, after three months of fierce fighting. They are also preparing to invade ISIS in Raqqa. U.S. soldiers are also participating in the battle.

As the Trump administration begins a review into its military commitment to fight IS, there have been reports that thousands more U.S. troops might be sent to Syria to help re-take Raqqa.

Taking those buildings would help Iraqi forces attack the militants in the nearby old city center and would be of symbolic significance in terms of restoring state authority over the city. Iraqi troops above inspect an IS tunnel used by fighters who have been ready to conduct suicide attacks against government soldiers.

The real situation in front line positions in and around west Mosul is unclear because the Iraqi government reports only successes and never mentions setbacks or defeats.

The video shows the trio that rescued the puppy – of indeterminate breed – at Ain al-Jahish village near Mosul explaining to the camera the bottles strapped to the back of the canine.