Iraqis move to retake Mosul from ISIS

[FillJackson]

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4ff55...ure-held-mosul

An Iraqi military spokesman says the long-awaited military operation to recapture the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State militants "has begun."
The spokesman for the Joint Military Command, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, says Iraqi forces retook several villages on the outskirts of the town of Makhmour, east of Mosul, on Thursday morning.
Rasool says the U.S.-led international coalition is providing air support. He wouldn't divulge more details.

Originally Posted by FillJackson
It tooks weeks to take Ramadi, a much easier target than Mosul. Other big Sunni towns remain in isis control.

20% of Ramadi is still under ISIS control.


ALSO today, the iraqi goverment said they may not BEGIN to attack Mosul until 2017. The US general is asking for us ground forces

This was from last month, looks like somebody push some pressure on the Iraqis or ISIS's grip is deteriorating faster than expected or both.

[FillJackson]

Iraq's armed forces started an offensive against Islamic State on Thursday in the region around Mosul with air cover from the U.S.-led coalition, pushing the militants out of several villages, according to a military statement read on state TV.

The offensive is the first phase of an operation that the Iraqi government aims to conclude this year with the capture of Mosul, the largest city in the north of the country.

"The first phase of the Fatah (Conquest) Operation has been launched at dawn to liberate Nineveh, raising the Iraqi flag in several villages," said the military statement.

Mosul, home to around 2 million people before it fell to Islamic State during a lightning offensive in 2014, is by far the biggest city ruled by the jihadist group in either Iraq or Syria. An Iraqi offensive to recapture it, backed by air strikes and advisers from a U.S.-led coalition, would be the biggest counterattack ever mounted against the group.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mi...-idUSKCN0WQ0IR

[FillJackson]

This is going to be a very long campaign. The Iraqi forces are 30 miles outside Mosul.

[rufuspaul]

Been hearing this for months now. One would think it would be pretty easy to oust the J.V. team.

[FillJackson]

Been hearing this for months now. One would think it would be pretty easy to oust the J.V. team.

What's your suggestion?

[DonDadda59]

Syrian troops are also moving against and ISIS stronghold in Palmyra. Looks like 2016 is going to be a bad year for the Islamic State in Iraq/Syria, most likely why they're ramping up their terror campaigns all over the World. It's a feral animal being backed into a corner.

[NumberSix]

We should honestly consider the use of WMDs against ISIS.

[Brunch@Five]

We should honestly consider the use of WMDs against ISIS.

why would you say that now that conventional forces seem to make good progress?

also, is US security so much in danger that you are seriously advocating the use of a weapon so devastating and completely indifferent to collateral damage which would also probably double anti-americanism all over the world?

[NumberSix]

why would you say that now that conventional forces seem to make good progress?

also, is US security so much in danger that you are seriously advocating the use of a weapon so devastating and completely indifferent to collateral damage which would also probably double anti-americanism all over the world?

How many people do you think ISIS has killed in the time that we've allowed them to run wild? If we would have just eliminated them at the start, do you think there'd be more death, destruction, refugees, etc... then there is now or less?

[Brunch@Five]

How many people do you think ISIS has killed in the time that we've allowed them to run wild? If we would have just eliminated them at the start, do you think there'd be more death, destruction, refugees, etc... then there is now or less?

Wow you cannot really think that WMDs are an effective weapon in hybrid warfare?
how would you have eliminated them at the start with a non-precision WMD? Where exactly should WMD have been used, on which target?
What military/strategic goals would the use of WMDs accomplish that regular bombing does not?

[FillJackson]

This makes more sense. It seemed way ahead of schedule
[QUOTE]The Iraqi army described Thursday

[UK2K]

What's your suggestion?

Drop leaflets over the city.

"There will be a battle soon. If you are a civilian, you need to leave"

Then, steamroll the city. Wouldn't be the first time we've done it that way.

[rufuspaul]

Obama stans will say that Bush created ISIS but Barry's legacy will be that he stood by and let them grow and expand and commit horrible acts against humanity, all the while downplaying their threat to the West.

[FillJackson]

Obama stans will say that Bush created ISIS but Barry's legacy will be that he stood by and let them grow and expand and commit horrible acts against humanity, all the while downplaying their threat to the West.

What specific actions should he have done. How many US troops would be required to carry them out?

[Dresta]

Yeah, they aren't retaking Mosul any time soon. Syrian army have been taking huge losses from IS around Palmyra.

What specific actions should he have done. How many US troops would be required to carry them out?

He could've not destabilised and deliberately weakened the Assad regime for a start. He could of not had the back of countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey, who stoked the violence, and helped supply the weapons (with US aid). That only requires not doing something, and it would have done a lot in itself.