Iraqi troops fighting against the Islamic State retook the nation’s main government offices at Mosul today. The Iraqi army staged a surprise attack overnight on Mosul, storming government buildings and taking them over. Many of the government buildings are reported to be mostly destroyed. However, despite the destruction, this win is considered a strategic and symbolic victory for the Iraqi government. The area was the last of Islamic State’s strongest territories.
Beyond government buildings, the Iraqi army took over Mosul’s museum as well as the main branch of Iraqi’s central bank. The bank had been looted by the Islamic State when they were able to gain authority over it back in 2014. Additionally, the Iraqi forces took over the courthouse which had been used to deliver harsh sentences to citizens partly in line with Sharia law. These sentences included execution by stoning and being thrown off rooftops, while less severe penalties included people having their hands chopped off.
The Iraqi Army began new efforts in capturing the Western part of Mosul on Sunday. The new efforts followed after bad weather had significantly slowed down the forces of these programs. After this pursuit, Iraqi forces also took over the al-Hurriya (Freedom) Bridge located over the River Tigris. The bridge was the second of five bridges to be captured by Iraqi forces since it began its takeover in October last year.
The efforts are in line with the Iraqi army continuing to have more of Iraq under its control. This successful attack could enable Iraqi forces to go on and take over the city which is still highly-populated by Islamic State militants. Civilians are leaving the old city by the thousands, perhaps well aware that it could become a battlefield between Iraqi forces and the Islamic State in times to come.
Iraqi forces have, in the past, been able to capture Eastern Mosul as well. The army put the Mosul Airport under its control and through efforts from October last year to January this year, the army was able to have Eastern Mosul fully under government control.
However, civilians are still greatly at risk, especially in Mosul which is a highly-populated area. The city’s narrow streets and high population density could cause innocent civilians to be caught in between the two different flanks. This could cause significant damage to their property. Private lives could also be lost in the process. The UN estimates that a population of 800,000 people still resides in West Mosul. A report further released by the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says an estimated 42,000 of those living in this area were displaced over the course of last week.
The report also cited that clean drinking water is in short supply within the city. Further, a report from UN’s refugee agency shows that many of the civilians are suffering post-war trauma. This is particularly true for children, who have demonstrated traumatic signs such as fear of leaving their parents and excessive crying within refugee camps.
The Islamic State’s defeat is expected soon.
