Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces have begun a decisive battle to take Mosul from ISIS forces. Early reports indicate that the advance has been quicker than expected and
villages surrounding the city have been overrun. Nearly 100,000 troops, which also include Sunni tribal fighters and Shiite militia are part of the two-pronged advance, coordinated by the US military which has several of its personnel on the ground. British military personnel are also part of the forces which are now within six miles of the city. The attack is being spearheaded by Iraqi special forces which have been trained by the US military. Mosul is the last stronghold of ISIS in Iraq and its fall would
be huge blow to the ruthless organization which attempted to
impose its brand of militant Islam. It was here that the leader
of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared formation of the caliphate
that would rule in the years to come. There are reports
that he is still hiding in the city while other say he has already
fled. The city is strategically important
as it is located on the trade
route to Syria and Turkey. It also
has significant oil fields in its vicinity
and its capture would deny ISIS
of oil revenue it earns from sales in
the black market. Securing this city
would bolster Iraq’s revenue and
boost its economy.
In 2014 when Mosul was captured
in a lightning strike by ISIS fighters it had a population of
around two million. This has now dwindled to around one
million. Many have fled and many have been either killed, reduced
to slaves of simply forced out. The civilian population
is now caught in the middle of an all-important battle. No significant
measures have been taken to ensure their well-being
and human rights groups have warned of a huge humanitarian
problem waiting to explode as the war gets underway.
There are reports that ISIS leaders have fled Mosul leaving its
defences to foreign fighters who roughly number around 5,000.
But the fight is expected to be long and deadly. Urban warfare
is never easy especially because of the presence of large civilian
populations. However, there is encouraging news of locals
organizing themselves to create a resistance within the city.
Winning the war is only half the problem. Putting a city of various
ethnic groups together, rebuilding infrastructure and effectively
governing it is a challenge for Baghdad and the international
community. Part of the reason why ISIS was able to
overrun the city was because local security forces, which were
disenchanted with the sectarian approach of the previous government,
simply went over to the other side. There is a level of
uncertainty that hangs over post-war Mosul but the need to rid
it of the ISIS is even greater.
