Civilians slow down advancement of Iraqi forces in Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Iraqi security forces on Sunday announced the liberation of another neighborhood in the Islamic State (IS) stronghold of Mosul.

The commander of the Nineveh operation, Lieutenant-General Abdulameer Rasheed, released a statement about the recent advance of Iraqi forces in Mosul.

“Anti-Terrorism Forces fully liberated the Karkukly neighborhood and entered the neighborhoods of Bakr and Aden in Mosul,” Rasheed revealed.

Additionally, Lieutenant-General of the Anti-Terrorism Forces Abdul Wahab al-Saadi told the state television the presence of civilians inside the city of Mosul hindered the progress of Iraqi security forces from entering the city.

“The presence of IS extremists among the civilians limits the use of air power, missiles, and artillery against insurgent positions inside the city,” Saadi explained.  

Moreover, Saadi stated 90 percent of the civilians in Mosul had stayed in their homes so far, adding that “this was the reason behind the slow advancement of the Iraqi security forces into the city.”

“The priority of the Iraqi forces is to protect the civilians currently remaining in the city as the IS extremists try to use them as human shields,” the Lieutenant-General said.

Kurdistan Region Peshmerga and Iraqi forces launched the military operation of retaking Mosul from IS on Oct. 17.

Since then, both forces have captured large swaths of territories from the extremist group, forcing them to retreat.

On Saturday, Iraqi military warplanes dropped millions of leaflets and newspapers in the sky above Mosul.

The leaflets were meant to update people in the city about the current victories of the security forces around the area. 

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany