Haider al-Abadi; mission accomplished
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi congratulated his troops for liberating Mosul from the bloody hands of ISIS in a press conference today, according to the Associated Press;
“Praise be to God, we managed to liberate (Mosul) and proved the others were wrong, the people of Mosul supported and stood with our security forces against terrorism,” al-Abadi said.
His remarks came on the third anniversary of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s sermon at the al-Nuri Mosque, from where he declared an Islamic caliphate on IS-held lands in Syria and Iraq.
Also during the press conference, al-Abadi added that he has given instructions to rebuild and stabilize areas of the city already freed from the militant group.
ABC News reports that Iraq’s special forces commander, Lt. Gen. Sami al-Aridi, says that there are about three hundred ISIS fighters holed up in Mosul;
Iraqi forces moved to besiege the Old City before launching their attack in order to prevent IS fighters from fleeing to neighboring Syria, but al-Aridi said hundreds of militants still managed to escape from the Old City alone.
“They just shave their beards and walk out,” al-Aridi said. “Just yesterday we captured two among a group of women and children.”
According to Iraqi News, the commander also said that about 90% of the remaining ISIS fighters are foreigners and about a third are suicide bombers. The Federal police are depending on snipers to finish the job.
Category: Terror War
So which is it? Liberated or not?
Earlier today I heard that ISIS holds less than 600 square yards (?). Not sure how they arrived at that or if it’s even accurate.
Not quite?
From today’s Early Bird:
http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/with-fight-for-mosul-in-final-stage-militants-strike-back
“MOSUL, Iraq — With the fight for Mosul in its final stage Monday, Islamic State militants sent female suicide bombers hidden among fleeing civilians, while Iraqi forces and the U.S.-led coalition unleashed punishing airstrikes and artillery fire that set dozens of buildings ablaze. “
If the photos I’ve been seeing are even vaguely accurate, most of Mosul is rubble and unstable buildings are everywhere. Most of the city will have to be rebuilt when Daesh is done in.
If there’s a small area where ISIS is holding out and the Iraqis know where it is, they should take their time and make sure the bad guys are all dealt with appropriately.
Baghdad Bob would be more credible…
300 fighters with 100 being SVEST guys holed up in 150 meter area + 3XMOAB = Game over. Put a few snipers around the perimeter just to be sure.
Thing has a blast radius of what, a mile? One should do the trick, two is ample.
Three would just be showing off. And I’m fine with that.
Paraphrasing General Curtis LeMay:
‘Bomb ’em until the rubble bounces’
Thanks, Mick, was scratching my head trying to remember that quote. He also opined, “If you kill enough of them, they stop fighting.”
So now they return to asymetrical warfare instead of trying to hold territory.
If they are all dead, they fight poorly, asymmetric or not.