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Trend Update: Iraqi Forces & ISIS Battle for Western Mosul, February 2017

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , on February 20, 2017 by paulthepoke

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.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/19/nato-says-civilians-at-extreme-risk-as-west-mosul-offensive-begins

http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/20022017

http://isis.liveuamap.com/

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.

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-02-15/un-warns-of-catastrophic-dam-failure-in-syria-battle

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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Trend Update: Iraqi Forces Control East Mosul, January 2017

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , on January 18, 2017 by paulthepoke

January 18, 2017: The Iraqi Counter Terrorism Commander claims the Iraqi government is in control of Mosul east of the Tigris River. It has been three months since the beginning of the Mosul Offensive to free ancient Nineveh from ISIS. The Iraqi army has claimed liberation for the eastern side of the city.

The United Nations estimates 125,000 people have left the area due to the war. However, the number of casualties has not been stated.

There are five bridges that join the two sides of Mosul. Iraqi government forces claim to be in control of all of the bridges. ISIS remains in complete control of the west side of the city. The next step in the conflict will be to eradicate ISIS from all of ancient Nineveh/Mosul. The west side of Mosul has long been considered the more difficult challenge.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/key-dates-battle-mosul-143203614.html

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!

Chapter 3 of Nahum describes a war torn Nineveh. The war is taking its toll on the city. Read the description from a citizen of the city. A health care worker was interviewed and the following excerpts are noted.

“The bodies of ISIS fighters are still lying in the streets and no-one has moved them. The rotting bodies could start an outbreak of disease.

“There is no power. No water. People are drinking from the wells here. This water is unsafe. The well water is contaminated with metals and acids.

“There are infectious diseases, skin diseases caused by dirty water. Children are not washing. A child should be clean so they can be healthy. We want them to be healthy. Families are doing what they can.

“But they’re getting skin diseases from polluted water, the environment and food. People have well water reaching their houses and children play near the water.

“They saw killings and beheadings on what ISIS call their ‘broadcasts’…It drained children emotionally.”

Caution, this link has very graphic pictures.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2646413/iraqi-army-finally-retakes-eastern-mosul-from-isis-but-the-rotting-corpses-of-terror-fanatics-littering-the-streets-threaten-local-kids-with-grisly-diseases-and-infections/

Nahum 2:9 Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! For there is no limit to the treasure, wealth from every kind of desirable object.

This is exactly what ISIS has done to the ancient city of Nineveh from the time they took possession in 2014.

ISIS completely obliterated the shrine of the prophet Jonah in 2014.  News agencies are now able to report on the destruction created by ISIS.

“They have stolen every artifact they could transport out of Iraq to make some (money) and have destroyed whatever they couldn’t take,” stated Zuhair al-Jbouri of the National Mobilization Forces.

http://www.voanews.com/a/iraqi-forces-say-is-destroyed-historic-tomb-of-jonah-in-mosul/3681118.html

For pictures and video, click on the link from Kurdistan 24 News.

http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/9dd9acc1-7200-4c61-b7d5-c43bdbb2e25c/VIDEO–The-ruined-shrine-of-Prophet-Jonah-in-Mosul

And don’t forget, a failing Mosul Dam sits 30-40 miles north of ancient Nineveh.

Nahum 2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved.

 

https://paulthepoke.com/category/mosulnineveh/

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Trend Update: Mosul Dam Collapse, Clock is Ticking, December 2016

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , on December 30, 2016 by paulthepoke

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.

The prophet Nahum describes the judgment of ancient Nineveh or 21st century Mosul, Iraq. It comes with a flood after a long history of bloodshed.

Fears of the Mosul Dam collapse are on the rise again. Scientists and engineers are expressing great concern for the future of the dam. Iraqi politicians are not as concerned. They say these concerns are overblown.

The Italian engineering firm Trevi continues to repair the Mosul Dam. They have been on the job for six months providing logistical work and planning. Scientific experts state Trevi has approximately 18 months to complete the work. Or the dam runs a high risk of catastrophic failure. The primary problem is the foundation of the dam continues to sink. The dam was built on gypsum.

“I don’t know if it’s a race against time, but we have the know-how and the technology to make the dam safe for the time being,” per an anonymous Trevi spokesman.

Trevi has a $300 million contract to complete repairs for the dam on the Tigris River. Trevi is also training locals on maintenance techniques. The World Bank is providing the money for the project. Trevi states more money is necessary to complete the task.

That is the contractor company line to the current situation.

Enter Nadhir al-Ansari. He is a professor of water resources and environmental engineering at Lulea University in Sweden and a published expert on the Mosul Dam. Al-Ansari has a different opinion.

“No matter how much grouting and maintenance the company will do, it may expand the life span of the dam, but it is just going to delay the disaster. It is just a matter of time. It will be worse than throwing a nuclear bomb on Iraq.”

On the lake side of the dam, sinkholes are increasing in size and number. The size of the sinkholes are 60 feet and larger.

Azzam al-Wash is an Iraqi environmentalist. He does not have much confidence in the repair work on the Mosul Dam.

“This is akin to putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound and pretending that everything is going to be all right,” Azzam al-Wash.

A 26% collapse of the dam would be a disaster. Here are the results of the latest studies released.

“This simulation … results in a very high wave of water, up to 25 meters (about 75 feet) high…arriving at Mosul after 100 minutes. The capital Baghdad is reached after 3.5 days with a maximum water height of 8 meters (about 24 feet) and a mean of around 2 meters (about 6 feet). Floodwater will destroy the infrastructure of all the cities along the Tigris banks, including Tikrit, until the water eventually stops 700km south of the dam.”

Then there is the Iraqi Government take on the dam situation.

Iraqi minister of water resources Mohsin Al-Shammari told media outlets, “The danger is not imminent, it’s far off. The danger is 1 in 1,000…The danger for Mosul Dam is no greater than that of other dams.”

Spokesman Mahdi Rasheed of the Iraqi minister of water resources stated, “It stressed multiple times that the situation in Mosul Dam is nothing to worry about. The Mosul Dam is working very naturally, and grouting and additional construction and repairs are constant.”

A solution would be to build a second dam. That would cost $2 billion. Iraqi leaders are suspicious and do not want outside assistance. They fear long term western occupation.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/11/mosul-dam-collapse-worse-nuclear-bomb-161116082852394.html

Great idea Saddam…

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/11/08/trend-update-mosul-dam-november-2016/

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/03/10/trend-update-ninevehmosul-dam-march-2016/

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Trend Update: Mosul Dam, November 2016

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , on November 8, 2016 by paulthepoke

The prophet Nahum describes the destruction of ancient Nineveh or what is 21st century Mosul, Iraq. It comes with a flood. The key verses are stated below.

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.

The Mosul Dam was built by Saddam Hussein in 1986 on soluble gypsum. Translation, the dam is built on a shifting, poor foundation. The Mosul Dam has been called the most dangerous dam in the world. It is located 35 miles north of Mosul, Iraq. The dam manages the Tigris River in Iraq. The dam holds an estimated 11-12 billion cubic meters of water. This equates to approximately 3,170,064,624,000 US Fluid Gallons. Translation, 3.1 trillion gallons of water! http://www.asknumbers.com/CubicMeterToGallon.aspx

As of March 2016, the dam was in serious trouble. Currently (November 2016), an Italian company is completing work and maintenance on the dam. Trevi is being paid 217 million pounds to improve the situation. They have 450 staff employees working on the project. Trevi is being protected by the Italian military. Trevi is injecting grout and cement into the foundation of the dam.

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/world-view/trevi-continues-dam-repairs-despite-mosul-battle/10012949.article

Tobias von Lossow is a specialist on water projects in the Middle East at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. He states, “Maybe the Mosul Dam is not the most dangerous in the world but it certainly is in a very disastrous condition. The risk of a breach is very high. Not only is it leaking but some of the gates on one side of the dam are not working, placing great pressure on the other side of the structure.”

A major issue is ISIS controls areas where gravel and materials are located for grout and cement.

ISIS previously managed to take control of the Mosul Dam in June 2014. Currently, the Mosul Dam is managed by the Kurdish peshmerga. The issue is ISIS took the maintenance equipment and supplies. The Kurds are busy fighting back ISIS to maintain control of the dam. ISIS clearly wants to destroy the dam. They have stated this as a goal and they are trying.

October 20, 2016: Peshmerga have destroyed an ISIS vehicle laden with explosives near Mosul Dam. Report is from Turkish news source http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/20102016

ISIS has used the control of dams as a weapon to flood areas of Iraq.

Keep in mind, ISIS control two dams on the Euphrates River in Syria. One is the Tabqa Dam, Syria’s largest dam. The second is the Baath Dam. These two dams control water to northern Iraq. ISIS is reported to hold prisoners at the dams as human shields.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/fears-dam-collapse-remain-raging-battles-1410255276

An estimated 45-70 foot wall of water could flood the river valley if the dam breaks. This could potentially kill millions and displace 150 million more per estimates.

The city of Mosul would be underwater within four hours of a dam break. Within 77 hours, Baghdad would be targeted.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2016/mar/10/the-mosul-dam-is-crumbling-if-it-bursts-it-would-be-a-disaster-on-a-biblical-scale

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Trend Update: Turkey, Pro Kurd Politicians Arrested, November 2016

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Ezekiel 38-39, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 6, 2016 by paulthepoke

November 4, 2016: President Recep Erdogan of Turkey has shut down social media. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp are examples. WhatsApp was instrumental in the coup attempt this past summer.

Pro-Kurdish political figures have been arrested and detained. Violence in Pro-Kurd areas is increasing as result.

Economic conditions are deteriorating in Turkey. President Erdogan has reportedly sold U.S. Treasuries. The Turkish Lira is dropping in value and is at its lowest level historically. The stock market continues to decline. The ten year bond is yielding 10.37% and rising.

Remember, the United States has nuclear weapons at the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey.

Erdogan’s actions and posturing continue to be aggressive.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-04/erdogan-s-crackdown-has-turkey-on-edge-as-kurdish-leaders-jailed

https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/greece/turkey-seizes-pro-turkish-members-of-parliament-cuts-social-media/

For Scripture linking Meshech, Tubal, Beth Togarmah, and Gomer to modern day Turkey.

https://paulthepoke.com/2015/12/09/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-december-9-2015/

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Trend Update: Turkey Tanks on Iraqi Border, November 2016

Posted in Ezekiel 38-39, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 2, 2016 by paulthepoke

November 1, 2016: Turkey is moving military equipment to the Iraqi border. President Erdogan has again pursued a more aggressive role. Tanks and armored vehicles have been deployed to the border town of Silopi, Turkey. Pictures of the convoy have been released by the Turkish military. The defense minister states they will cross into Iraq if necessary without Iraq’s consent. Erdogan has not shown himself to bluff.

In response, the Iraqi government has sent out a tweet. In the event of a Turkey invasion, the tweet states Turkey will face the full force of the Iraqi army. Iraq will defend its land from a Turk invasion.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, “We’re not after war, but if Turkey wants war, we are ready for it.”

Welcome to warfare in the 21st century.

https://twitter.com/pmu_english/status/793450970554339329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Iraq has ties and support of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. A Turkish invasion from the north could draw Iran into the conflict from the east.

President Erdogan believes Mosul, Iraq or ancient Nineveh belongs to the Turks. Erdogan and Turkey are Sunni Muslims. The Iraqi liberating forces in and around Mosul, Iraq are Shiite. Turkey feels obligated to help their Sunni brothers in Mosul.

Back on October 18, 2016: Turkey has been providing air support in the Mosul Offensive against ISIS. “Our air forces took part in the coalition forces’ air operations in Mosul,” Turkey Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

“Military advisors” from Turkey have been on the ground near Mosul, Iraq.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ankara-joins-air-operation-take-mosul-iraqis-protest-against-turkish-role-1106417056

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-11-01/iraq-threatens-turkey-war-after-erdogan-deploys-tanks-iraqi-border

All of this is occurring as Iraqi Special Forces and troops are entering Mosul to eradicate ISIS. Elite Iraqi troops are on the east side of the Mosul city limits. This is when the door to door fighting in neighborhoods begins. Casualties are expected to increase.

The southern front of the operation remains approximately 20 miles from the city.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/11/01/iraqi-forces-descend-on-eastern-outskirts-mosul-encounter-isis-missiles.html

The prophet Nahum lays out the prophecy concerning the destruction of ancient Nineveh or what is 21st century Mosul, Iraq. Destruction comes with a flood. The key verses are stated below.

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.

The book was written around 660 BC. Nineveh is the city and people in focus in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was once the largest city in the known world. Today in the early 21st century it is home to 1.3 to 1.5 million people per Wikipedia and the United Nations.

The Tigris River valley below the Mosul Dam is home to approximately 150 million people.

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/03/10/trend-update-ninevehmosul-dam-march-2016/

For Scripture linking Meshech, Tubal, Beth Togarmah, and Gomer to modern day Turkey.

https://paulthepoke.com/2015/12/09/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-december-9-2015/

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Trend Update: Mosul Offensive Begins? October 2016

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on October 15, 2016 by paulthepoke

Nahum 2:4 The chariots race madly in the streets, they rush wildly in the squares, their appearance is like torches, they dash to and fro like lightning flashes.

Nahum lays out the prophecy concerning the destruction of Nineveh. The book was written around 660 BC. What does this have to do with anything? Mosul, Iraq is the modern day town of ancient Nineveh. As of early October 2016, Mosul is controlled by ISIS.

Nineveh is the city and people in focus in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was once the largest city in the known world. Today in the early 21st century it is home to 1.3 million people (Wikipedia).

As of October 15, 2016, the Mosul Offensive to retake Mosul from ISIS apparently has begun. Pictures and tweets are emerging on the internet (search Mosul Offensive on Twitter). Reports of United States air strikes are noted.

The following groups have military personnel in the immediate area of Mosul, Iraq. The list includes at least the following: Kurdish Peshmerga, Turkey, Russia, Iraq, United States, ISIS, Iran, and Hezbollah. How in the world is anyone going to determine the battle lines? Political alliances and religious affiliations are clearly blurred. Obviously, there are concerns of the fighting escalating and spreading.

God is not messing around in His description. Nahum 3:5-6 “Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of hosts, “And I will lift up your skirts over your face, and show to the nations your nakedness and to the kingdoms your disgrace. I will throw filth on you and make you vile, and set you up as a spectacle.” The translation is politically correct. In other words…I will strip you completely naked. I will throw crap on you and put you on a pedestal for all the world to see.

Keep in mind, Mosul is on the Tigris River.

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.

Thirty-five (35) miles north of Mosul is the Mosul Dam. The Mosul Dam was built by Saddam Hussein in 1986 on soluble gypsum. The foundation of the dam is in a constant state of repair and maintenance. This dam has been in serious trouble since March 2016.

An estimated 45-70 foot wall of water could flood the river valley if the dam breaks. This could potentially kill up to 150 million people and displace millions more per estimates.

The city of Mosul could be underwater within four hours of a dam break. Within 77 hours, Baghdad could be targeted by flood waters.

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/03/10/trend-update-ninevehmosul-dam-march-2016/

Encouragement is offered to read the Book of Nahum. The prophet is a short read of three chapters and will only take 5-10 minutes. We all have the time.

The short version of the story is this. There will be war, fighting, significant destruction, and massive death. 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!

In the end, Mosul/Nineveh will be washed away with a massive flood.

It is October 15, 2016…

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