Iraqi Army Claims to Have Approached Mosul Airport

Iraqi army officials say that during their battles against the group known as the 'Islamic State' in southern Mosul, they have made further advances and reached just a few kilometers from the airport of this important city. Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jodet, a senior Iraqi army official in the Mosul operations, stated on November 6 that security forces have managed to take control of the center of Hammam al-Alil, located 15 kilometers from Mosul. However, it is unclear from the statements of this senior Iraqi army official whether the militants have been completely driven out of this area. General Jodet told Al-Hurra news network that 'special forces [of the army] are four kilometers from Mosul airport.' The special forces of the Iraqi army are among the most important components of the security units engaged with ISIS militants in Mosul, alongside soldiers from the army and the national police, Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and some local militias. The coalition forces led by the United States are also conducting air operations both offensively and for intelligence gathering in support of Iraqi forces. An Iraqi soldier shows a sword believed to have been used by ISIS forces for beheading. The Iraqi army states that Hammam al-Alil will be the last 'cleared' city before entering the heart of Mosul. General Najm al-Jabouri, commander of the Mosul battle, has told reporters that his forces have engaged with at least 70 ISIS militants in this area. However, the number of militants is not the main obstacle for Iraqi forces; rather, car bombs, explosive barriers, sniper attacks, and the use of civilians as human shields are among the most significant challenges in the Mosul operations. General Jabouri has also reiterated the issue of ISIS's use of civilians as human shields. Despite these challenges, reports indicate that the advance in this city has occurred at a faster pace than initially expected. The number of at least 30,000 displaced civilians over three weeks of fighting is also less than initial expectations. However, the main battles inside the city of Mosul have not yet begun, and the situation may change in the coming days. Mosul is one of the most important cities in the political and economic map of Iraq, along with its suburbs and surrounding areas, housing about two million Iraqi citizens. Moreover, this city is where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his self-proclaimed caliphate during a Friday prayer at its mosque in July 2014.