| Tango01 | 09 Jan 2017 11:35 a.m. PST |
…River in Mosul. "The Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service said forces advancing from eastern Mosul in the battle against the Islamic State have reached the Tigris River, which splits the city from east to west. ICTS on Sunday said forces control the eastern side of Mosul's Fourth Bridge, which is near the middle of the city and near the Mosul Airport. Iraqi military officials said forces control more than 70 percent of Mosul's eastern section. More than 100,000 Mosul residents have fled since the Iraqi offensive to recapture the city began on Oct. 17…"
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| Mako11 | 09 Jan 2017 11:42 a.m. PST |
Wow, now they're having to crow about "seizing" the foot of one side of a bridge, and not the entire bridge itself? Pathetic. I hear the Western side of the river is where things will get really hot. Thus far, they've been on holiday in the most lightly defended portion of the city by many accounts. |
 Legion 4   | 09 Jan 2017 4:12 p.m. PST |
Well … at least they didn't lose any part of the bridge. And no US/Coalition forces have died recently … |
| Bangorstu | 10 Jan 2017 12:13 a.m. PST |
Mako, I think when you've done a tour in Mosul, you get to be judgemental. |
| Legion 4 | 10 Jan 2017 5:02 p.m. PST |
Mako ! You're going to Mosul ? Bring me back a T-shirt !!!!! |
| Mako11 | 10 Jan 2017 5:59 p.m. PST |
In America, we have a little thing called freedom of speech, which permits me to voice my opinion, even without actually visiting/serving in Mosul. You should consider enacting a similar law in your country, Bangor. And, yes, labeling the "seizing" control of one end of a bridge as a "success" is pathetic, over the top, hyperbole to many, I suspect. |
| Steve Wilcox | 10 Jan 2017 8:26 p.m. PST |
So no T-shirts then? :( Just kidding! :) |
| Bangorstu | 11 Jan 2017 7:39 a.m. PST |
Mako – you can, of course say what you want. And what you say, speaks volumes about you. |
| Legion 4 | 11 Jan 2017 7:55 a.m. PST |
So no T-shirts then? :( Damn !!!!  Mako – you can, of course say what you want.And what you say, speaks volumes about you.
Not really, he like you or I, etc., can have an opinion about the Iraqi military effectiveness, etc. The Iraqis are getting better, with a lot of US/UK, etc., support and training, etc., … They have a very tough mission, trying to eliminate Daesh from Mosul. And not use all the firepower available because, and justifiably so, wanting to limit CD. With all the non-combatants still in the city. And some being used as human shields/hostages, etc., … However, in all situations from the Iran-Iraq War (and even during the '48 Arab-Israeli War) thru now. From my perspective they only are marginally better than they have been previously. And not all of it's units are even at that level. It has nothing to do with race, religion, etc. IMO, it has to do with military capabilities and effectiveness. Like many in that region, they for whatever reasons, are not as combat capable has other nations, primarily in the West/NATO. That is just my opinion, and not be yours or others. But again, we are all entitled to opinions. Regardless of who agrees or not, yes ? |
| Murvihill | 11 Jan 2017 1:58 p.m. PST |
If you seize one side of a bridge the enemy can't use it anymore. Isn't that something worth noting? |
| Legion 4 | 11 Jan 2017 5:09 p.m. PST |
Well it's better than losing a bridge … |
| Bangorstu | 12 Jan 2017 4:53 a.m. PST |
Certainly the Iraqis are making shorter work of Mosul – against stronger opposition – than the Syrian Army did Aleppo…. |
| Legion 4 | 12 Jan 2017 9:47 a.m. PST |
We'll have to wait and see in the end … Last report I heard it may be 3 months or more to liberate Mosul. But regardless, it is not a race. And hopefully not too many civilians are killed in this operation. |
| Bangorstu | 12 Jan 2017 10:57 a.m. PST |
Legion – indeed the Iraqis are being more careful than the Syrians were – though they do have the advanatge of better air forces to help them. The Syrians did take years though…and that was against a divided opposition. |
| Legion 4 | 12 Jan 2017 5:42 p.m. PST |
Yes, I'm aware of that … And, IMO, Mosul and Aleppo are not the really the same situation. |
| PMC317 | 24 Jan 2017 9:42 a.m. PST |
The Syrians took years primarily because their army collapsed, leaving them with two reliable units and a mix of militias and foreign 'volunteers', fighting on a large and confused front in a multi-actor civil war. In Iraq, the Iraqi 'Golden Division' bears the brunt of the Mosul fighting and is widely considered the most effective of the Iraqi Army units as it is highly trained and professional… but is taking enormous casualties and will, eventually, be degraded to the point of uselessness. The Iraqis are being more careful primarily because they have to be; they don't have the political or military luxury of besieging or mass aerial bombardment. It's showing in their casualty figures, too. |
| 15mm and 28mm Fanatik | 24 Jan 2017 11:29 a.m. PST |
When you're fighting in built-up areas against dogged resistance, gains are measured in yards and progress will be slow. Even the best armies will be tested in such an environment. |
| Legion 4 | 24 Jan 2017 4:32 p.m. PST |
MOUT is the worse environment to fight in. And if it is an insurgency … make that the Very worse … |
adds a tower to his 15mm trainyard.