Iraqi Prime Minister Announces Operations in Western Mosul

Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, officially announced on February 19 that operations to retake Mosul from the group known as the "Islamic State" in the western part of the city have begun. The capture of western Mosul by the Iraqi army signifies the liberation of the city. In a televised speech, Mr. Abadi stated, "We announce a new phase of operations at this moment... [the operation] to liberate western Mosul." He added that "our forces have begun the liberation of citizens from the terror of ISIS." Hours before this speech, the Iraqi army had dropped leaflets in the western areas of Mosul, informing citizens and residents of the region still under ISIS control that operations would soon commence there. The Iraqi army, its allied militias, and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, with the help of a U.S.-led coalition, have captured the main eastern part of Mosul. Mosul, which was captured by ISIS during the height of its self-proclaimed caliphate in 2014, is the most significant city in Iraq that this extremist group took control of. The Iraqi army's operations to reclaim the city began at the end of October. In part of the leaflets distributed in the western part of the city, it is stated, "The armed forces belonging to you [the people of Iraq], relying on God, are advancing in the right direction." In another part, it is said, "Be ready to welcome the sons of the armed forces and cooperate with them... to reduce casualties and increase the speed of operations." In another leaflet, ISIS members are warned to "lay down their weapons and surrender." Estimates indicate that between 650,000 to 850,000 civilians, mixed with a number of ISIS militants, are present in western Mosul. The New York Times reported on February 19 that food, water, and fuel have become scarce in the city and are being sold at exorbitant prices. Simultaneously with the distribution of the Iraqi army's leaflets, the United Nations has called for the protection of civilians and prioritizing this issue. In February, General Stephen Townsend, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, expressed hope that the complete capture of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria, and the liberation of these two important cities from ISIS control, would be completed "within the next six months."