Washington Free Beacon: Mosul Offensive Hindered by ISIS Violence, Desertions
Kurdish forces doubt ability of Iraqi army soldiers.
Iraqi army soldiers were forced to withdraw from their mission to capture three villages held by the Islamic State last week, spelling trouble for the force as it gears up capture Mosul, the terror group’s de facto capital in Iraq.
USA Today reported:
[Thursday’s mission] proved to be a slog because of heavy rains, tougher-than-expected resistance from the militants and reports of the low morale that has dogged the Iraqi military ever since the Islamic State swept into Iraq in 2014. The stalled operation underscored just how difficult it will be to dislodge the militants from Mosul. … By Saturday, the Iraqi soldiers were bogged down outside the strategic hilltop village ofNassrash, where suicide bombers killed at least seven soldiers. The next day, rain turned the area’s dirt roads into quagmires and cloud cover prevented coalition jets from providing effective support.
The Iraqi army’s mission began with the primary goal of stripping the villages of ISIS control before crossing the Tigris River to recapture the ISIS-held town of Qayyarah. The soldiers were backed by air support from the U.S.-led coalition, artillery fire from U.S. Marines, and logistical support from Kurdish fighters.
Read more ....
Previous Post: Iraqi Soldiers Flee In Their First Mosul Military Operation
Update #1: Iraq Army's Mosul offensive stalls in face of fierce fighting, desertions -- USA Today
Update #2: Front line view of Mosul offensive as Iraq appeals for help against ISIL -- Euronews
Update #3: Heavy Fighting, Desertions Hinder Iraqi Army’s Mosul Offensive -- Breitbart
WNU Editor: American troops to the rescue? .... Obama could decide on greater troop presence in Iraq soon: general (Reuters)
Update #4: This sums it up nicely .... Why the Iraqi Operation to Retake Mosul Is Such a Mess (Time).
Do I expect them to advance?
ReplyDeleteNot really.
I am a coward too.
Do I expect them to hold the line and keep pressure on?
YES!
Apart from being born in the wrong country the current Iraqi military aren't losers they are fighting for a country that has been defeated far too many times.
ReplyDeleteThey have no historical military victories or traditions on which to inspire their troops and know that they are facing a foe that include Iraq's disenfranchised army of the past, perhaps relatives.
They know they have been "trained" to go to their deaths by the same people who caused the creation of ISIS, and perhaps indirectly or maybe even directly armed the foe. At this point in time anything is believable.
Their only inspiration is most likely "why bother" an inspiration that should be adopted, by the way, by America's youth but won't be because of tradition.
Take the reports with a large serving of salt.
ReplyDeleteThese are Kurdish claims, from an Administration that is bankrupt, can't pay it's own soldiers, and is so desperate for money that they are cutting side deals with Turkey.
Again, another misleading headline, some Kurdish Colonel said he got some cellphones off of deserters..lol..yet the article mentions a "withdrawal" like I said last week. The title is misleading.
ReplyDelete