- Title: Iraqi forces gaining momentum in Mosul - U.S. coalition chief
- Date: 4th January 2017
- Summary: NORTH OF MOSUL, IRAQ (JANUARY 4, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF U.S. BLACKHAWK HELICOPTERS AT COALITION OUTPOST U.S. SOLDIERS IN HELICOPTER WEAPON ON HELICOPTER / VIEW OF NORTHERN MOSUL U.S. SOLDIER IN HELICOPTER AERIAL OF DAMAGED BUILDINGS SOLDIERS WALKING FROM HELICOPTERS U.S. SOLDIERS AT COALITION OUTPOST SOLDIERS AND HUMVEES SOLDIERS STANDING IN FORMATION VARIOUS OF COMMANDER OF THE U.S.-LED COALITION FIGHTING ISLAMIC STATE, LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEVE TOWNSEND, SPEAKING TO SOLDIERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMANDER OF THE U.S.-LED COALITION FIGHTING ISLAMIC STATE, LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEVE TOWNSEND, SAYING: "For about two months, they ran for the most part a huddle-less offence, and what we saw is that there wasn't enough synchronization between each of the different attacking axes and forces. The Iraqis also noted this and so that was sort of the big change after the commanders' conference. Right before Christmas was a decision to huddle a lot more frequently, so they're doing that more. After every few plays they're having a huddle and talking about the next series of plays." SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMANDER OF THE U.S.-LED COALITION FIGHTING ISLAMIC STATE, LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEVE TOWNSEND, SAYING: "We're seeing progress: before where we were seeing progress mostly on one main axis and halting progress on the others, now we're actually seeing forward movement on all of the axes in eastern Mosul." SOLDIERS GATHERED (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMANDER OF THE U.S.-LED COALITION FIGHTING ISLAMIC STATE, LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEVE TOWNSEND, SAYING: "They had a high casualty rate when they first made their entry into the city. They have progressively gotten better, and they have learned and those lessons are being shared across the force. Now their casualty rates are a fraction of what they were. They were daunting in the first few weeks here in the city back in October, early November and I was greatly concerned then. Much less concerned now. They seem to have adapted." SOLDIERS IN FORMATION (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMANDER OF THE U.S.-LED COALITION FIGHTING ISLAMIC STATE, LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEVE TOWNSEND, SAYING: "I am sure there are some senior (Islamic State) leaders in Mosul still. We would have leaders here controlling this very important battle for them, they do too. As far as Baghadadi is, I have no idea where Baghdadi is. If you get a hint on where Baghdadi is, please let me know so I can kill him." SOLDIERS GATHERED AT THE OUTPOST VARIOUS OF HELICOPTERS FLYING OVER THE AREA HELICOPTER LANDING VARIOUS OF VIEWS FROM HELICOPTER VARIOUS OF OTHER HELICOPTERS FLYING VIEW FROM LANDING HELICOPTER SOLDIERS STANDING NEAR HELICOPTER
- Embargoed: 19th January 2017 18:13
- Keywords: Iraq Mosul United States Islamic State
- Location: NORTH OF MOSUL, IRAQ
- City: NORTH OF MOSUL, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA0015XO25HJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Iraqi army and security forces are working better together in their battle against Islamic State militants and are gaining momentum in the Mosul campaign, the commander of the U.S.-led coalition backing them said on Wednesday (January 4).
During a helicopter tour over recently recaptured areas, U.S. Army Lieutenant-General Steve Townsend said coordination had been largely absent in the first two months of the campaign, when Iraqi forces made slow progress after breaching the city.
Elite counter-terrorism troops entered Mosul from the east and seized a quarter of the city but troops on other fronts stalled, leading to a military pause last month.
Since resuming the offensive last week, the counter-terrorism service, rapid response division and federal police have retaken several eastern districts - despite fierce resistance - and joined flanks in areas that had been vulnerable to attack.
Townsend said Iraqi commanders, with guidance from the coalition, decided two weeks ago that the various pro-government forces would have to coordinate much more closely.
"For about two months ... what we saw is that there wasn't enough synchronization between each of the different attacking axes and forces," he told Reuters after visiting with U.S. troops and talking to Iraqi commanders at a coalition outpost north of Mosul.
"Right before Christmas was a decision to huddle a lot more frequently, so they're doing that more."
Townsend said the top Iraqi commanders now all come together every few days - something the U.S. military does daily wherever it operates.
"We're seeing progress: before where we were seeing progress mostly on one main axis and halting progress on the others, now we're actually seeing forward movement on all of the axes in eastern Mosul," he said.
An Iraqi victory in Mosul would probably spell the end for Islamic State's self-styled caliphate, which leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared 2-1/2 years ago from the Mosul's main mosque.
Townsend said Iraqi forces were doing a better job of defending against suicide car bombs. That had helped stem casualties.
"They (casualties) were daunting in the first few weeks here in the city back in October, early November," said Townsend.
In recent days, the militants have displayed tactics to which they are likely to resort if they lose the city, killing dozens with bombs in Baghdad and attacking security forces elsewhere.
Though vastly outnumbered in Mosul, they have embedded themselves among residents and use the urban terrain to manoeuvre, launch attacks and avoid detection.
Townsend described Islamic State as a "resilient" enemy but said the group appeared increasingly unable to coordinate across different areas it controlled inside Mosul.
He said some senior Islamic State commanders are still directing the battle from inside Mosul but could not confirm whether that included Baghdadi, for whom Washington has offered a $25 million bounty.
Townsend heads Operation Inherent Resolve, a coalition of military forces from a range of Western and Arab countries that has been bombing Islamic State positions in Iraq and neighbouring Syria since 2014. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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