Oct 17, 2016

https://www.theguardian.com/world/l...ttle-iraq-isis-islamic-state-peshmerga-latest

For those that don't know, Mosul is the last stronghold ISIS controls in Iraq. A successful operation for the Iraqi Security Force and Kurds here would successfully push ISIS out of Iraq. The battle of Mosul is expected to be long and deadly though. There's an estimated 3,000-5,000 ISIS forces inside the city. They've been preparing for this assault for months and have really dug into the city. Streets are covered in IED's and boobytraps. To top it off there's an estimated 1 million civilians still inside the city. The result of this assault could be one of the largest displacements of people in modern history.

 

Oct 17, 2016

"To top it off there's an estimated 1 million civilians still inside the city."

 

Oct 17, 2016

ISIS won't allow them to leave. Using them as human shields to make it harder for U.S. led coalition to bombard certain areas.

 

Oct 17, 2016

It was a f---ing disgrace and sus as f--- when ISIS took over the city of Mosul. Actually, I dont want to sound like an arrogant a------, but I was travelling to the Kurdish Iraq that summer when it just happened. People there were saying that the Iraqi army just ran away withdrawing their weapons and uniforms, even though they were way more numerous than the ISIS forces. Everything was confusing and suspicious and a s--- ton of arabs were fleeing to Kurdistan from Mosul.

 

Oct 18, 2016

I'll be cheerleading for Saladin on the Mosul border

 

Oct 20, 2016

Subbed. Hopefully this thread can get updated as the battle goes on. The Iraqi forces can't afford to stuff this up.

 

Oct 20, 2016

According to the pentagon, the Iraqi army is ahead of schedule.

 

Oct 24, 2016

Kurds are reportedly 5 miles outside the city of Mosul. They are slowly advancing taking small villages on the outskirts of the city. ISIS is reportedly counter-attacking liberated villages and executing villagers that celebrate for being liberated.

 

Oct 24, 2016

Don't forget kids: The Salafi Arabs (from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar etc.) are responsible for the weapons in the hands of ISIS and other Jihadist groups.

 

Oct 24, 2016

Why the f--- would anyone still live in Iraq? It's not like the war just started, they had like 15 years to flee

 

Oct 24, 2016

Didn't they get them from fleeing Iraqi troops

 

Oct 24, 2016

Some of them, yes. But guns don't last forever, and it's not like they attacked the Iraqi army with sand and stones.

 

Oct 24, 2016

So where are the salafis getting the guns from

 

Oct 24, 2016

They're getting them from God himself. Where the f--- do you think they're getting them from? They're getting them from other countries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_industry#World.27s_largest_arms_exporters

 

Oct 24, 2016

Yeah but clearly not officially? The "top 10" in those gun export lists are fighting IS or been/being attacked by them and I don't think sandals from saudi and qatar are outsmarting world governments

 

Oct 24, 2016

once weapons and equipment are introduced to a war zone they're out of the West's control. Any time we arm militias or sell humvees to an army there's a big possibility they'll be captured or sold to "the bad guys"

 

Oct 27, 2016

According to a U.S. General, 800-900 ISIS fighter have been killed in the battle for Mosul so far. They expect the fighting to intensify the closer they get to the city. U.S. estimates 3,000-5,000 ISIS fighters are defending the Mosul stronghold with an additional 1,500-2,000 located on the outskirts of the city.

 

Oct 27, 2016

Would be embarrassing if ISIS wins this battle. They are outnumbered af.

This is the negative Nancy in me but I keep imagining it'll be like the Vietnam War all over again when USA lost to the Viet Cong. IS has the home-field advantage and have set up booby-traps all over Mosul, as well as underground trenches dug up. Plus they can easily be disguised as civilians which is dangerous.

 

Oct 27, 2016

ISIS won't win, they've already accepted that. They're already preparing to retreat into the desert and regroup like they've done in the past. They're just trying to inflict as much damage as possible right now and as for the Iraqis and Kurds, it's just a matter of how long it will take to drive the millitants out of the city.

Also, to be clear, a majority of the ground force are Iraqi/Kurdish fighters. This isn't foreign territory to them, this is their home land they are fighting on. U.S. has some special forces on the ground but primarily just for assistance in organizing the assault. The U.S. is assisting the most with air power, supplies and training.

 

Oct 28, 2016

According to the UN, ISIS has executed 232 people in and around Mosul. They are taking in tens of thousands of civilians as well and holding them as human shields.