The Retake of Mosul- The Real Battle Begins

Iraq led forces are locked in close combat with ISIL forces as they close in on the city of Mosul from the outskirts. The closest is from the East.  With Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga forces advancing from the North, and Shia Militia approaching from the West, the end is sure in sight for ISIL since it took over the city 2 years ago.ISIL however, is not giving up easily in this fight. Weapons such as war machines, artilleries, suicide bombing have all been employed in retaliation to the advance of Iraqi-led forces. As the fighting intensifies, ISIL forces have gone ahead to burn sulphur plants, tires and oil wells to cloud the air with plumes of smoke to prevent a proper view of the city and possible air strikes from coalition forces. At least 15 Iraqi forces have been killed and dozens wounded since the war began.Prime minister of Iraq has advised the fighters to “surrender or die.” People have been urged to stay indoors to prevent being killed. As the battle intensifies, one complicating factor is the fate of civilians trapped inside Mosul. Those who are lucky enough to escape the war would be relocated to a nearby displaced camp according to General Haider of the Iraqi forces.Families outside the fighting area are seen holding up white flags, indicating their non-resistance to Iraqi forces.Early last month since the offset of the war against ISIL, the Iraqi and allied forces are making progress in taking the city over from ISIL’s hold, but not without casualties in its trail.