On the second day of the Mosul operation, the Iraqi army is on the offensive against ISIS gangs from three directions. By the end of the day, they are planning to have advanced 20 kms towards the city from the south east. The Iraqi army has also surrounded the base in Bashiqa where Turkish troops are deployed.

Ninova Assembly Member Henin Qedo informed the press on the operation and said the Iraqi forces were advancing towards Mosul from three directions. Qedo relayed the following: “The 9th Armored Brigade of Iraq is attacking from the Guwer front and the Iraqi Federal Police are attacking from Salamiye and Hemdaniye. The first part is on the main road between Guwer and Mosul and the second is on the Tigris River banks towards Salamiye, while the third is in Hemdaniye.”

Qedo said the main goal of the forces advancin from Hemdaniye is to also advance by the southern banks of the Tigris River.

INTENSE CLASHES ON TWO FRONTS

In a statement to the Southern Kurdistan news agencies, Mosul Operation Military Spokesperson Yahya Resul confirmed the 3-part operation. Resul said they planned to have advanced 20 kms towards Mosul from the south east.

Resul said the clashes during the day were intense and that the forces moving from Guwer and Giyara were in violent clashes while ISIS gangs attempted to stop the advance of Iraqi forces. Resul confirmed there were casualties but said it was still too early to give exact numbers. Independent sources also confirm that the first part moving from the Guwer front has entered Nemrut town.

56 OIL RIGS UNDER CONTROL

Iraqi state’s official broadcaster Iraqiye TV reported that many bodies belonging to ISIS gangs were left in the areas under army and federal police control. During the day, 30 gang members were reported dead and one emir was reported killed in Hud village by the federal police.

56 of the oil rigs set on fire by ISIS to slow the operation down have come under Iraqi control.

ADVANCE ON THE EASTERN FRONT

The Peshmerga and the Shia militia forces, Hashd Shaabi, continue their advance on the eastern front in the operation dubbed “We Are Coming Ninova” by Iraqi Prime Minister Haydar Ebadi. Forces in clashes by the Bartella town continue their advance.

TURKISH ARMY ACTS AS A SHIELD FOR ISIS

While there are advances on all fronts, reports say there are no advances in Bashiqa where the Turkish troops are deployed. While the operation launched by Iraqi and Kurdistani forces to liberate Mosul from ISIS gangs continues in several fronts with all intensity, the presence of the Turkish army in Bashiqa creates a natural shield for ISIS.

Hashd Shaabi Spokesperson Yusuf Al Kelabi announced that the Iraqi army forces had advanced swiftly in the Bashiqa region today and now have the area under control. Kelabi said the Turkish army’s base had been surrounded to limit any and all activity by the Turkish forces, expressing that the Turkish soldiers would be targeted if they attempted anything.