Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

 Attack on Mosul Imminent:

Oil Set Ablaze in Trenches Around City, Iraqi Forces to Move in from Three Directions, With US Air Support

October 13, 2016 

Editor's Note:

The US-led coalition which fights the Islamic State in northern Iraq consists of US-led NATO forces, Iraqi Shi'i government forces, Iranian-backed Shi'i militias, and Kurdish Peshmerga forces. The coalition's continuous attacks have resulted in the killing of thousands of Iraqi Sunni Muslim Arabs and the eviction of thousands as a result of the destruction of their cities and villages.

Millions of Iraqi Sunni Muslim Arabs are expected to leave their cities and villages as the fighting intensifies towards an all-attack by the US-led coalition on Mosul. The end outcome is going to be evicting (ethnic cleansing of) Sunni Muslim Arabs from the upper Euphrates region of northwestern Iraq and northeastern Syria. 

The following news stories from the official US and Iraqi websites do not mention any civilian casualties, as all reported deaths are claimed to be for ISIS members, who were killed in air strikes and bombardment on cities! Needless to say that independent sources are hard to find or report from. Thus, the following is a documentation of the death and destruction, as reported basically in such official website. Other independent reporting will be presented whenever available.

 

ISIS set oil ablaze in trenches of Bashiqa and Khazer in Nineveh, October 13, 2016	Iraqi government forces surrounding Mosul, waiting the order to attack the Iraqi city, October 13, 2016

 

Iraqi government forces ready to attack Mosul from three directions

استعداداً لاقتحام الموصل...القوات الحكومية وميليشياتها الطائفية تتمركز في ثلاثة محاور تاريخ النشر : الخميس | 13-10-2016 | 15:27 http://yaqein.net/AR/details5802.htm وصلت تعزيزات عسكرية حكومية جديدة وكبيرة ، اليوم الخميس ، الى اطراف مدينة الموصل بمحافظة نينوى ، حيث تمركزت في ثلاثة محاور من المدينة ، استعدادا لاقتحامها قريبا . وقال رئيس اللجنة الأمنية في مجلس نينوى الحالي "محمد إبراهيم البياتي" في تصريح له  إن "قطعات كبيرة وتعزيزات وتحشيدات من الجيش وصلت إلى مشارف الموصل خلال الأيام الماضية ومستمرة حتى اليوم". وأضاف البياتي أن "هذه التعزيزات تركزت في ثلاثة محاور وهي محور الخازر شمال شرقي الموصل، ومحور سد الموصل في الجهة الشمالية للمدينة، وكذلك في المحور الجنوبي قرب قاعدة القيارة". وأوضح البياتي أن "جهاز مكافحة الإرهاب يتمركز في الخازر ، بينما تمركزت الفرقة 16 في سد الموصل، أما الشرطة الاتحادية فقد تمركزت في قاعدة القيارة، مبيناً أن ساعة الصفر لاقتحام المدينة ستعلن خلال وقت قريب". يقين نت ب ر

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The following are news stories from a pro-Iraqi government website (http://www.iraqinews.com/) :

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ISIS set oil ablaze in trenches of Bashiqa and Khazer in Nineveh

By Loaa Adel - Oct 13, 2016

(IraqiNews.com) Nineveh –

The Spokesman of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan in Nineveh Province, Gayath al-Sourji declared on Thursday, that the Islamic State (ISIS) burned crude oil in trenches in the axis of Bashiqa and Khazer, northeast of Nineveh, in order to hinder the advance of the aviation that targets the group’s headquarters and positions.

Sourji said in a press statement, “This morning, ISIS burned crude oil, after putting it inside trenches in the axes of Nineveh, and the smoke covered the area’s sky,” pointing out that, “Each trench is 3 meters wide and 2 meters deep, and was used by ISIS to repulse the attacks launched to liberate Nineveh.”

“Fire broke out in the axis of Bashiqa and Khazer, northeast of Nineveh,” Sourji explained. “ISIS burned the oil to hinder the air strikes that targets the headquarters of the group in the province,” he added.

Large parts of Nineveh Province are controlled by ISIS since June 2014, and since then the province is witnessing tough humanitarian and security situations.

65,000 Iraqi soldiers ready for Mosul liberation battle

By Amr Allam - Oct 12, 2016

(IraqiNews.com) Nineveh –

 Iraqi forces are preparing for a battle that is expected to take place in the coming few days to liberate the city of Mosul from the grip of the terrorist group, ISIS.

Iraqi media outlets mentioned that around 5,000 fighters belonging to ISIS occupy the city of 1.3 million besieged residents.

News websites reported that 65,000 Iraqi soldiers divided into 6 divisions are expected to participate in the imminent battle.

Around 10,000 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are expected to participate in the battles that will take place in northern and eastern axes of Nineveh plain.

Around 24,000 members of Nineveh Police and al-Hashd al-Shaabi Milita are ready to participate in the battle as support forces. Iraqi Air Force in coordination with the air force of the US-led coalition will provide air cover for the ground operation.

In a related development, al-Hashd al-Shaabi Milita Forces announced on Monday that 14 of its members were killed by 5 Katyusha rockets fired by ISIS militants at Camp Zilkan north of Mosul.

Media outlets revealed that only 76,000 tents have been set up to receive Mosul families, while at least 300,000 tents are supposed to be set up to receive the large number of families expected to flee the city at the start of the battle.

Turkey supports US plan to free Mosul (but warns of ethnic cleansing)

By Loaa Adel - Oct 10, 2016

(IraqiNews.com) Baghdad –

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım revealed on Sunday, that there is a US plan to liberate the city of Mosul under the leadership of Iraqi government from the ISIS grip, while called the government to keep the demography of the city.

Yıldırım said in a press statement, “There is a plan made by the US to free Mosul from the ISIS grip, and the plan will be executed under the leadership of the central government in Baghdad,” adding that, “Turkey is supporting the battle that will be carried out to free the city.”

“Mosul belongs to its residents. Do not let outsiders come in and ruin the original demography of the city (ethnic cleansing), which might lead to a new civil war,” Yıldırım explained.

Yesterday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi rejected any role for Turkish forces in the upcoming offensive on ISIS stronghold of Mosul, and emphasized thatTurkey is violating Iraq’s sovereignty.

Airstrike kills 8 ISIS militants, destroys Diwan al-Hisba headquarters in Mosul

By Loaa Adel - Oct 11, 2016

(IraqiNews.com) Nineveh –

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Nineveh Province revealed on Tuesday, that eight ISIS members were killed and the headquarters of Diwan al-Hisba was destroyed by a coalition air strike, in central Mosul.

The PUK spokesman in Mosul, Gayath Sourji, said in a press statement, “The international coalition aircraft carried out an air strike targeting the so-called ISIS Diwan al-Hisba in Hayy al-Tayaran area, in central Mosul.”

“The air strike destructed the headquarters completely, as well as killing eight members of ISIS,” Sourji added.

The ISIS took over the city of Mosul in 10 June 2014, before extending its terrorist activities to other areas in Iraq, and committing massacres, genocides and crimes against humanity.

Al-Hashd al-Shaabi: Our participation in Mosul offensive is confirmed

By Loaa Adel - Oct 9, 2016

(IraqiNews.com) Nineveh –

The Spokesman of al-Hashd al-Shaabi affirmed on Sunday that the liberation battle of Mosul will begin in few days, and renewed the organization’s rejection to the presence of any foreign troops in Iraq.

Al-Hashd al-Shaabi Spokesman, Ahmed al-Assadi, said in a press statement, “The General Commander of the Armed Forces announced, few months ago, at the Iraqi House of Representatives that al-Hashd al-Shaabi militia will be within the main participating forces in Mosul offensive, so it is a final decree.”

“Our troops are deployed and prepared, and our participation is now confirmed,” Assadi explained. “The Mosul offensive will start in few days,” he added.

Regarding the presence of Turkish troops in Iraq, Assasi said, “We refuse the presence of any foreign troops in Iraq,” adding that, “Iraq has well qualified armed forces, and our troops are capable to free its territories.”

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi vowed in June 2016, to achieve a notable victory against the Islamic State group in the city of Mosul.

Security forces repulse ISIS attack near Mosul, 6 militants killed

By Loaa Adel - Oct 8, 2016

(IraqiNews.com) Nineveh –

Nineveh Operations Command announced on Saturday, that the security forces repulses an attack launched by the Islamic State group, south of Mosul, and killed six members of the group, as well as destroying two booby-trapped vehicles.

Nineveh Operations Command said in a press statement, “Forces from the army’s 15th brigade managed, this morning, to repel an attack launched by the ISIS on Tlul al-Baj village, south of Mosul, and were able to kill six ISIS militants.”

“The security forces also destroyed two booby-trapped vehicles, and seized an armored vehicle belongs to the terror group,” the statement added.

The Islamic State group captured the city of Mosul, the center of Nineveh Province, in 10 June 2014, before extending its terrorist activity to other areas of Iraq.

Peshmerga artillery kills, wounds dozens of ISIS members near Kirkuk

By Loaa Adel - Oct 8, 2016

(IraqiNews.com) Kirkuk –

Prshmerga forces in Kirkuk Province announced on Saturday, that dozens of the ISIS members were either killed or wounded in an artillery shelling, in southern Kirkuk.

Commander of the Peshmerga’s 9th brigade, Brigadier Aras Mohamad, said in a press statement, “This morning, Peshmerga forces shelled a gathering of the ISIS members in Hassan Shallal village, west of Daquq district, killing and wounding dozens of the ISIS members.”

“Our forces conducted the artillery shelling after receiving information that one of the ISIS senior leaders will visit the village to attend the group’s meeting with the rest of the ISIS members,” Mohamed added.

Kirkuk is witnessing a surge of violence, after the ISIS members imposed their control over areas in Hawija district, Riyad, Abbasi and al-Zab, after capturing Mosul, the center of Nineveh Province.

US-led coalition airstrike kills 10 ISIS members near Mosul

By Loaa Adel - Oct 5, 2016

(IraqiNews.com) Nineveh –

Nineveh Operations Command announced on Wednesday, that ten ISIS members were killed in an air strike carried out by the international coalition air force in Qayyarah vicinity, south of Mouth.

The command said in a press statement, “Today, the international coalition aircraft bombarded a headquarters of ISIS in Kharaeb Jabr village in Qayyarah, killing ten ISIS members.”

“The bombardment also resulted in the destruction of the headquarters completely,” the statement added.

The Islamic State group captured the city of Mosul in 10 June 2014, before extending its terrorist activity to other areas in Iraq.

ISIS surrounds Mosul with oil tanks to prevent security forces’ advance

By Loaa Adel - Sep 22, 2016

(IraqiNews.com) Nineveh –

Mosul residents revealed that ISIS dug a trench around the city, in preparation for an expected attack from the Iraqi army and the US-led coalition forces, and surrounded the city with oil tanks, to be set on fire and halt the advance of the Iraqi army.

ISIS is also digging tunnels underneath Mosul to stop the army’s advance and shut down some neighborhoods, in addition to planting bombs and improvised explosive devices.

The attack on the city, which ISIS captured two years ago, is planned for next month. It would mark a major turning point in the fight against ISIS.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the US-led coalition General Joe Dunford said, “We assess today that the Iraqis will have in early October all the forces marshaled, trained, fielded, equipped that are necessary for operations in Mosul.”

Meanwhile, an Iraqi army official told media, “Suicide attacks are possible during the push into Mosul,” adding that, “ISIS are prepared to fight to the last man in order to keep control over Mosul and that the preparations they are making will make the clash challenging.”

“Besides challenging, it’s likely to take its toll on the civilian population of Mosul, which was around two million people at the time ISIS took over,” he added.

Earlier this week the Iraqi forces launched an offensive to liberate Sharqat from the ISIS control, which is seen as an important step before launching the liberation battles of Mosul.

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The following are news stories from the US Department of Defense website (http://www.defense.gov/News) :

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US-Led Coalition Strikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 12, 2016 —

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 11 strikes in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

-- Near Raqqah, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a vehicle bomb.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed 11 ISIL oil tanker trucks, six oil wellheads, three vehicles, a front-end loader and a crane.

-- Near Manbij, a strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Mara, four strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and a vehicle.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack and fighter aircraft conducted seven strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

-- Near Fallujah, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Mosul, four strikes destroyed two ISIL mortar systems, an ISIL-held building, a weapons cache, a supply cache and a tunnel.

-- Near Qayyarah, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and a staging area, and destroyed two command-and-control nodes.

Counter-ISIL Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 11, 2016 —

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Attack, bomber and fighter aircraft conducted eight strikes in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike damaged a supply route.

-- Near Hawl, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed three ISIL oil wellheads and an oil tanker truck and damaged two supply routes.

-- Near Manbij, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions and two vehicles.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted nine strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

-- Near Beiji, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions, two weapons caches, two bunkers and a tunnel entrance.

-- Near Haditha, a strike destroyed three ISIL vehicles.

-- Near Kisik, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL-held building, a fighting position, a heavy machine gun and three tunnels. A trench and another tunnel were damaged, and a second tactical unit was suppressed.

-- Near Mosul, four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit, a staging area, six headquarters buildings, two media centers, a vehicle bomb facility and a weapons facility, destroying two ISIL-held buildings, a command-and-control node, an anti-air artillery system and a weapons cache.

-- Near Sinjar, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions.

Counter-ISIL Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 10, 2016 —

Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Attack, bomber and fighter aircraft conducted eight strikes in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike damaged two supply routes.            

-- Near Shadaddi, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three fighting position and a vehicle.            

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes damaged four ISIL supply routes.         

-- Near Mara, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a fighting position. 

-- Near Palmyra, a strike destroyed an ISIL headquarters facility.

Strikes in Iraq

Rocket artillery and attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted eight strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

-- Near Mosul, four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and a staging area; destroyed a training camp, a mortar cache, a logistical node, a sniper position, a supply cache and a tunnel; and damaged another tunnel.      

-- Near Sinjar, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, two vehicles, a mortar system and a logistical node.      

-- Near Sultan Abdallah, a strike destroyed an ISIL mortar system.

Military Strikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 6, 2016 —

Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.  

Strikes in Syria

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted nine strikes in Syria:

-- Near Raqqah, three strikes destroyed nine ISIL oil tanker trucks, seven oil truck trailers, four oil pump jacks, an oil storage tank and a front-end loader.

-- Near Ayn Isa, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a front-end loader.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed an ISIL oil well head and damaged two supply routes.

-- Near Manbij, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units, destroying three fighting positions and two heavy machine guns. A mortar position was suppressed.

-- Near Mara, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft, as well as rocket artillery, conducted 18 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

-- Near Al Huwayjah, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

-- Near Baghdad, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Haditha, a strike engaged an ISIL staging area.

-- Near Hit, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL-held buildings, a vehicle and a weapons cache. A second ISIL-held building was damaged.

-- Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and destroyed three vehicles, a weapons cache, two supply caches, a command-and-control node, a mortar system and an anti-air artillery system.

-- Near Qayyarah, a strike destroyed an ISIL mortar system and a fighting position.

-- Near Ramadi, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two vehicles, two bunkers and a tunnel entrance.

-- Near Rawah, a strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

-- Near Sultan Abdallah, a strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

-- Near Tal Afar, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL-held buildings and a vehicle.

Additionally, due to a delayed strike assessment, two strikes conducted near Dayz Ar Zawr in Syria on Oct. 4 were not reported on the Oct. 5 strike release. The correct assessment reads:

Strikes in Syria

-- Near Dayz Ar Zawr, two strikes destroyed three ISIL oil well heads and an oil pump jack and damaged six supply routes.

Counter-ISIL Strikes in Syria, Iraq

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 5, 2016 —

Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 14 strikes in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, four strikes destroyed three ISIL oil-well heads, six supply routes and an oil pump jack.

-- Near Shadaddi, two strikes destroyed two ISIL front-end loaders.

-- Near Ayn Isa, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed four ISIL oil collection pools, three oil well heads and two vehicles.

-- Near Mara, five strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units, destroying three fighting positions and a mortar system. A heavy machine gun firing position was suppressed.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 14 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

-- Near Hit, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Kisik, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroying a vehicle, a tunnel and a weapons cache. A mortar firing position was suppressed.

-- Near Mosul, six strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three fighting positions, an oil tanker truck, an ISIL-held building, an explosives cache, a weapons cache, a command-and-control node and a vehicle. An oil tanker truck was damaged.

-- Near Qayyarah, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL-held building. A repeater tower power generator was damaged.

-- Near Ramadi, three strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroying a tractor, a vehicle, a vehicle bomb, a supply cache, a tunnel and an ISIL-held building. A second ISIL-held building was damaged. 

US Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

 SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 4, 2016 —

Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 16 strikes in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed three oil well heads and two oil tanker trucks.

-- Near Shadaddi, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a vehicle.

-- Near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed three ISIL oil-well heads, an oil storage tank and an oil drum cache.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed 11 ISIL petroleum, oil and lubricants equipment assets, nine oil tanker trucks and two oil-well heads.

-- Near Idlib, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

-- Near Manbij, a strike destroyed an ISIL machine gun.

-- Near Mara, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command-and-control node.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft, as well as rocket artillery, conducted 10 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

-- Near Hit, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed 11 vehicles, five ISIL-held buildings, four weapons caches, two vehicle bombs and a heavy machine gun.

-- Near Mosul, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units, two staging areas, a vehicle bomb-making factory, a weapons factory and a weapons logistics facility, destroying four vehicles, two weapons caches, two supply caches, a command-and-control node and two ISIL-held buildings.

-- Near Qayyarah, a strike destroyed two ISIL vehicles.

-- Near Ramadi, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

-- Near Sinjar, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a heavy machine gun.

-- Near Sultan Abdallah, a strike destroyed an ISIL repeater tower power supply system.

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