Iraqi Troops Advance in Mosul, IDC Struggling

Mosul – Iraqi Special Forces continue to advance in Mosul despite suicide bombs and booby-trapped cars. Similarly, Counter Terrorism forces carried on to clear the al-Arbajiya and al-Qadisiya al-Thaniya districts.

General Abdulamir Rashid Yarullah, head of the army’s Nineveh Operations Command said that the troops liberated the villages of al-Nomaniyah and al-Nimrud and the ruins of Nimrud were recaptured.

“Troops from the Ninth Armored Division liberated Nimrud town completely and hoisted the Iraqi flag above its buildings,” said Yarullah in a statement.

He said Iraqi troops have inflicted heavy losses of militants and equipment upon ISIS during the operation to retake the town.

According to Yarullah, Iraqi air force targeted two terrorists’ locations which killed and injured over 12 militants.

Lieutenant-General Abdul Wahab al-Saidi of the Counter Terrorism Service told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that his forces had completely taken over al-Arbajiya and al-Qadisiya al-Thaniya districts and were halfway through clearing the adjacent al-Baker district.

“The clearing is continuing and in the coming hours, God willing, this quarter will be completely cleared,” Saidi added.

Displacement and Migration Minister Jassem Mohammed al-Jaff that with the military operation advancing in Mosul, more than 500,000 people have been forced to flee their homes so far.

During a press conference with Lise Grande, the United Nations’ humanitarian coordinator for Iraq, Jaff said the rate of daily displacing reached 1853 persons. He added that ultimately by the end of the Mosul battle, 700,000 people are likely to need shelter, food, water or medical support.

The minister pointed out that his ministry awaits funds from the ministry of finance and currently has 33 million Iraqi dinar in budget.

The Norwegian Refugee Council said on Sunday tens of thousands of people “lack access to water, food, electricity and basic health services” in areas recaptured by the army in Mosul and surrounding towns and villages.

Officials at the Displacement and Migration Ministry warned of a disaster as winter season arrives and with heavy rains expected to fall.

Director General Shaker Yassin told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that over 52,000 internally displaced citizens from Mosul and surrounding areas has arrived at the camps. He added that the camps established recently don’t have the required conditions which could threaten the lives of the citizens if not solved quickly.

Meanwhile, displaced citizens are struggling especially with temperatures decreasing at night. Teacher Amina Isa, 35, said that the camps have tragic situations with no heating.

“My children almost died because of the cold last night. We have no heating and no one to care for us. All what we received were a few cans of beans. There are no hot meals and our tents are completely empty of anything,” Isa said.

She also added that the security forces treated them badly with some saying they belong to ISIS. She wondered about the role of the government and concluded saying they are facing dangers due since the government failed to protect them and the country.

Iraqi Troops Advance in Mosul, IDC Struggling