Trend Update: Iraqi Forces & ISIS Battle for Western Mosul, February 2017
Nahum 3:1 Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage; her prey never departs.
Nahum 3:3 Horsemen charging, swords flashing, spears gleaming, many slain, a mass of corpses, and countless dead bodies. They stumble over the dead bodies!
February 19, 2017: The battle to take the western half of Mosul has begun. After a one month pause in the offensive, Iraqi forces have crossed the Tigris River into western Mosul. Iraqi forces have announced to ISIS, “We are coming.”
“The army’s 9th armored brigade liberated the villages of al-Husseiniyah, Sheikh Yunis and al-Harakiyat in western Mosul, and raised Iraqi flag over their buildings, after inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.”
“Al-Hashd al-Shaabi’s Abbas Brigade and the 36th regiment of the army’s 9th armored brigade also liberated Tal Kaisoum village, and arrived in the outskirts of Atshana Mountains,” Lt. Gn. Abdel Amir Yarallah, Commander of operations.
http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/security-forces-liberate-4-villages-western-mosul/
Retaking the western half of the city is considered to be far more complicated. Bridges leading into the western side have been taken out by bombing. Streets are smaller and narrower. As a result, tanks will have difficulty. There is an estimated 3,000 ISIS fighters in western Mosul.
Western Mosul has a more dense population. Approximately 650,000 citizens are located in this area. Provisions are a consideration. Food, water, and electricity are already pinched and expected to tighten as the conflict progresses.
“Some residents of the right hand do not have bread and water. Even lack of fuel has forced them to burn their household furniture to warm themselves.”
“Ten days ago we were given three kilos of flour… One egg sells for 1,500 IQD ($1.25),” said an eyewitness.
http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/20022017
Keep in mind, repairs continue on the Mosul Dam approximately 35 miles north of the city. The UN is making preparations for an international response team in the event the dam breaks. The UN estimates up to 20 million people could be impacted if the dam goes.
Roughly 2,700 years ago, the prophet Nahum had this to say about the future of ancient Nineveh or modern day Mosul, Iraq.
Nahum 1:8 But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
Nahum 2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved.
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