Iraqi Forces Seek Help by Restoring Mosul Cellphone Service

 

Islamic State cut off coverage, and Iraqi forces trying to recapture the city hope to get tips from residents

ENLARGE

A woman who escaped from Mosul called a relative last month after reaching safety with Iraqi forces. PHOTO: ERIN TRIEB FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

By

BEN KESLING and

ALI A. NABHAN

Nov. 1, 2016 4:06 p.m. ET

ERBIL, Iraq—Islamic State cut off cellular service to Mosul two years ago. Now Iraqi forces trying to recapture the city are trucking in portable cellphone towers—and encouraging residents to take advantage of restored coverage to call with useful intelligence.

Semi trucks carrying the towers roll in just behind front-line Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga units. Technicians are also repairing existing towers that were damaged by the militants.

The moves have restored cell service to most of Iraq’s second-largest city

“We are getting more phone calls, even though it’s still dangerous for people inside,” said Peshmerga Capt. Ghazi Rashid Hasan, who declined to give details citing operational security concerns.

Iraqi special forces entered Mosul’s city limits on Tuesday. Troops involved in the offensive said people in the city have called to provide important glimpses of militant tactics and positions.

ENLARGE

Islamic State blew up some cellphone towers and cut power to others after taking control of Mosul in 2014, according to Iraqi soldiers. The militants threatened to kill anyone caught with phones or SIM cards.

During the years of Islamic State rule, some Mosul residents risked the wrath of the jihadist fighters and sneaked off to the outskirts of town, where they could get enough reception to secretly make calls, either to inform on the militants’ positions and tactics or simply to connect with friends and family.

Since the Mosul offensive began more than two weeks ago and cell towers were brought closer to the city, it has become safer and easier to call out.

People are calling on their own, and Iraqi forces are trying to solicit calls.

“We dropped leaflets with instructions and phone numbers to call and give information,” said Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, an army spokesman, referring to the thousands of leaflets dropped by planes over the city in the days leading up to the assault.

Some cellphone companies are helping the effort by providing inexpensive service packages. Kurdish cellular phone company Korek Telecom just kicked off a new rate plan for people in Mosul: five hours of talk time for about 50 cents, according to a spokesman. Calls normally cost about six cents a minute. Typically people in Mosul get their accounts topped up by friends or family outside the city, who just need to know the phone number in order to add credits.

Near Faziliya, a village east of Mosul that was recaptured from Islamic State just days ago, Humvees and armored vehicles pass a new cellphone tower, just out of Islamic State mortar range.

Iraqi and Kurdish forces have made restoring cellphone service a priority in other campaigns to recapture territory from Islamic State. In November, as Kurdish troops descended on the militant-held city of Sinjar, a portable cell tower rolled along behind.

“It’s happened for the past two years actually,” said Capt. Hasan. “Whenever we have control of an area, they come in and fix the towers.”

Write to Ben Kesling at benjamin.kesling@wsj.com

http://www.wsj.com/articles/iraqis-seek-help-in-mosul-by-restoring-cell-phone-service-1478030760

Advertisement

Fox news- Twitter

 

 

Fox NewsVerified account‏@FoxNews

First mass in years held in Iraqi church after ISIS driven out of town http://fxn.ws/2fBjTh7  #FOXNewsWorld

US State Department: the process of liberalization of Mosul precedes schedule

 

ARAB WORLD 01/11/2016 22:13 (Updated 22:17 11/01/2016) Copy the link 0 17 0 0 Announced the official US State Department spokesman, John Kirby, said on Tuesday that the process of liberalization of Mosul, gunmen from the grip of the “Daesh” terrorist underway quickly precedes schedule. WASHINGTON – Sputnik Kirby said at a news conference today: “Iraqi forces are moving fast run-up schedule in both Mosul and beyond.” However, Kirby refused to give an answer to a question about the GPS is currently occupied by the Iraqi army, pointing out that such a question should be directed to the US Department of Defense. © REUTERS / STRINGER Iraqi army fighting a war in the streets of Mosul Kirby also said that the US State Department does not have data on the number of civilian casualties, through the implementation of the process of liberalization of Mosul. He said: “I do not know about the arrival of any messages to us or credible allegations about civilian casualties as a result of the Iraqi security forces or the international coalition, during the liberation of Mosul campaign.” At the same time, Kirby advised directing this question to the Ministry of Defense, which “pursue these things as it is required, more carefully than it is up in the Foreign Ministry.” The spokesman stressed that the United States take more precautions necessary to avoid civilian casualties measures. Kirby pointed out that if the United States considered that there are victims among the peaceful population, began to investigate this matter, stressing that “when people should be held accountable for something they commit, we do by referring them to justice.” This will continue to edit the city of Mosul operation in northern Iraq from terrorists “Daesh”, who seized them in 2014, since October / October of last 17, with the participation of Iraqi forces and the crowd and popular forces and Kurdish Peshmerga, as well as the air forces of the international coalition led by the United States.

إقرأ المزيد: https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c

Mcguirk: edit Mosul Daesh a matter of time

 

November 1, 2016

---

The US envoy to the international coalition to fight al-Islamic state Daesh Brett Mcguirk

Participate

Print

He praised the American envoy to the international coalition to fight al-Islamic state Daesh Brett Mcguirk Tuesday the progress made by Iraqi forces in the battle to liberate Mosul.

Mcguirk said in an interview with “Radio Sawa” The Iraqi soldiers are sacrificing their lives for the victory in the battle.

He added that the liberation of Mosul has become “a matter of time,” calling on the other hand to be cautious of the nature of the enemy and the battlefield.

He stressed US support for the Iraqi and Kurdish forces and all forces fighting Daesh in Mosul.

The command said Iraqi joint operations in a statement that Iraqi forces have also gained access to the Mufti, a new area on the left coast of the city, within the south-eastern axis.

Source: Radio Sawa “

https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ar&u=http://www.faceiraq.net/inews.php%3Fid%3D5199116&usg=ALkJrhjF1pk8J9B0uhSrZIlHfIDWTmdAyQ

 

Urgent F-16 kill 116 Daashaa some of them inside a popular hotel in Mosul

 

History of edits:: 11.01.2016 21:17 • 66 visits readable

[Oan- Baghdad]
planes bombed the Air Force F – 16, several locations for terrorist gangs Daesh, in the city of Mosul, killing more than 100 , some of whom were present inside a popular hotel.

A statement by the cell – Harbi media received by all of Iraq [where] a copy of it, “based on the information accurate military intelligence directorate face hawks air F – 16 air strikes gangs Daesh terrorist managed to DC nests of terrorism in Mosul.”
He pointed to ” the killing of 29 terrorists and injuring 25 others in the forest area, killing 10 terrorists and injuring 15 others in the so – called headquarters of the Office of the soldiers / Nineveh., and killed 10 terrorists employed bodyguards in a warehouse of weapons and ammunition and the destruction of the entire site. ”
He was also” destroy air defense site for guerrilla terrorist Daesh completely destroyed and we bring losses later . ” the
statement said the bombing” killed 67 terrorists of different nationalities and wounded another in the preparation of their pool in the hotel [Oberoi] ” , which is the largest hotel on the banks of the Tigris in Mosul.

http://www.alliraqnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=51924

Parliamentary Finance suggest the adoption of 2017 budget law later this month

 

He favored the parliamentary finance committee member Ahmed Sarhan approve the 2017 end of the month the budget law.

Ahmed said, “The 2017 budget was read a first reading and is now in the Finance Committee for the purpose of study and we will start studying the law and prepare a final version of him.”

He added, “and then taking proposals to the House of Representatives to prepare the final version of the law and present it to a vote.”

He continued saying, “There are no comments on the 2017 budget law because it is considered balancing compelling because of the war with Daesh,” noting that “the military institutions in need of funding and we believe the end of this month will be voted on.

It is noteworthy that, the House of Representatives ended on 24 October last, the first reading of the draft next year’s budget law of 2017

http://economy-news.net/content.php?id=5648

Cabinet applied [footprint] the distribution of salaries and excludes non-deserving of the protection network [Extended]

 

History of edits:: 11.01.2016 20:27 • 32 visits readable

[Oan- Baghdad] The
Cabinet decided, in its regular, on Tuesday, the application of the distribution of salaries of civil servants using the device [footprint] hand.

A statement by the prime minister received by all of Iraq [where] a copy of it, that ” the Council of Ministers held its meeting today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Haider al – Abadi, who introduced the briefer of the Council on the progress of coming operations battles O Nineveh and victories achieved and the situation in the fighting axes after his visit yesterday to breakers processes and areas the liberated villages in Mosul. ”
the Park Council of Ministers , ” the victories achieved by our heroine in the breakers operations praising the fighting spirit and high importance of supporting all forces and battles and put aside their differences to achieve a final victory over the terrorist gangs. ”
He said Abadi , according to the statement,” the morale of our fighters heroes is very high and the enemy refracted and undefeated going on all axes distinct pace and processes , “adding that” victory became imminent and there is a great welcome by the villages and towns liberated in Mosul to our armed forces. ”
the Council of Ministers discussed” the subject of books and educational curricula and guidance that have a priority to be provided to students. ”
and took Council of Ministers’ decision to oblige the governor and the provincial council and the heads of administrative units and directors of departments to co – exist in the liberated areas , which is released in Nineveh province. ”
He continued,” as has been approved by the Ministry of Finance funded by the Ministry of youth and Sports to deliver power by the Ministry of Electricity to Karbala international Stadium . ” the
Council of Ministers vote” to convert the payment of salaries of civil servants , including allowances and benefits to the electronic system and the creation of bio – diagnostics system [footprint] to verify the presence of the civilian staff, and is applied to the electronic payment system in the two ministries in 2016, are completed in 2017. ”
the voice the Council also “to exclude non – eligible beneficiaries of the social protection network and guide them allocated aid to poor depending on the method of targeting contained in Article 6 of the Law on social protection.”

http://www.alliraqnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=51921

 

Baghdad Intl’ Exhibition kicks off by Iranian companies

 

Baghdad, Nov 1, IRNA – The 43rd Baghdad International Exhibition kicked off on Tuesday with Iranian companies participating in it.

Director General for Iraq exhibitions Hashem Muhammad Hatem said in the inauguration ceremony that given heavy fighting raged by terrorists in Iraq, presence of foreign firms in the fair is noticeable.
He added that more than 400 companies from 12 different countries have participated in the 43rd international Exhibition in Baghdad.
Minister of Planning and Acting Minister of Commerce in Iraq Salman al-Jameeli also said in the inaugural ceremony that holding the exhibition in Baghdad indicates that Iraq is firmly decided to demolish terrorists.
Ministers of power, industry, mine as well as heads of the parliamentary committees of investment independence and economy, accompanied by businessmen and industrialists, attended the opening ceremony.
More than 30 Iranian companies also put their goods and services on show in the fair.
The fair will be underway for 10 days.
1391**1420

http://www8.irna.ir/en/News/82290739/

Families (Daesh) fleeing Mosul “terrified” of the areas of confrontation and the organization intends to destroy gripping parents

 

 

Iraqi forces stormed proceed Mosul

 

Author: TG
Editor: BK 11/01/2016 19:36 Number ofViews: 60

 

Long-Presse / Nineveh

According to a local source from inside Mosul, on Tuesday, that the families of militants (Daesh) began to leave their homes near areas of progress the Iraqi security forces, in a state of “panic and tension” after the withdrawal of the majority of the militants organize them, noting that the organization intends to collect archives identity of the people and destroyed , threatening to liquidate those who do not comply with it, while a military source confirmed the stops provide security forces toward Mosul due to severe dust storm hit which led to a lack of vision.

The source said, in an interview to the (long-Presse), “The families of the militants organize Daesh in Mosul began to leave their homes near areas offer the security of Iraq, east of the city forces, particularly the neighborhoods of dignity, Jerusalem, Aden, permitting, victory, Sumer, Dumez, Palestine , unity Charter, Industrial Zone, humpback, Arab, pillow, Baoizh, Cairo, university, flowers, banks and the farmer. “

The source, who requested anonymity, that “the evacuation began at 11 in the morning, and up to three in the afternoon, and was characterized by erratic and tension,” adding that “it was clear from the curses and insults which addressed these terrorist families of the people welcoming progress the security forces. “

He said local security source, that “the organization told the people of Mosul that the teams will collect their belongings probative of destruction, threatening those who do not comply with the order to liquidate him directly,” noting that “militants regulation, especially local withdrew from the confrontation with the security forces areas, leaving small detachments of snipers and suicide bombers where, as mayors to deploy detachments of two people riding a motorcycle and carrying a light machine guns in areas far from the front lines. “

Meanwhile, a military source said, “The Almottaghvlh troops near Mosul moves temporarily halted due to bad weather,” attributing it to “severe dust storm that hit the city which led to a lack of vision.”

It is noteworthy that the security forces involved in the process of “coming, Nineveh,” making steady progress in its quest for the Liberation of Mosul, where he managed the day Tuesday, (the first of November 2016), to break into letting neighborhood, the first left-coast districts of the eastern axis of the city, (405 km north of Baghdad).

 https://almadapress.com/ar/news/79065/%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B4-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%84–%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85

The opening of the 43rd session of the Baghdad International Fair in the presence of an official

 

History of edits:: 11.01.2016 14:42 • 72 visits readable

{Baghdad: Euphrates News} representative of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was opened by Minister of Trade and agency Salman Jumaili, Tuesday, 43 events session of the Baghdad International Fair.

According to a ministry statement, the agency {Euphrates News} received a copy ofit today, ” The opening of the exhibition was attended by the ministers of electricity Qassim Fahdawi and Industry and Minerals Agency Mohamed Xiaa Sudanese head of the board of investment Sami al – Araji , the head of the economy and investment parliamentary Ahmed Kanani and a number of deputies and members of thediplomatic corps accredited in Baghdad , as well as a large audience filled the main hall of the Baghdad international Fair. ”

Jumaily said in a speech such as the Prime Minister Haider al – Abadi said that” theopening ceremony of the forty – third session of the Baghdad international Fair coincided with the liberalization of Nineveh operations dear underlines our determination in the face of terrorism and thwarted once in Iraq, on the other side tocontinue construction, reconstruction and attract businesses and investors and toestablish economic forums which we aim and communicate with the world ,including develop our dialogue and meets our needs in many aspects and gives our country is also the ability to cope with the financial circumstances through prudent economic policy based on a clear vision in accordance with the ambitious plans for the future . ” .

“the events 43rd session of the Baghdad international Fair this broad participation of states and local businesses but represent a motive morally important to synchronize with the major battles for liberation waged by the security forces of courage in all its formations and its different forms to eliminate once and terrorism and to start thesecond page of preparation for stability and reconstruction for the rehabilitation ofthese cities and help its people to overcome the problems of the previous stage ,which is what we seek today by calling on all countries and companies Arab and international contribution to the reconstruction of these cities and the establishment of economic projects in conjunction with the Iraqi private sector. ”

He said Jumaili that” the Ministry of Commerce is keen on drawing plans within thestage the transition from a totalitarian system to a market system and is also keen on providing a favorable ground for all countries and companies wishing to enter into economic and investment projects We have paid great attention to theestablishment of cities Exhibition specialized in all regions of the country and gave the private sector a great moral support through it onto a lot of infrastructure rehabilitation projects infrastructure and interaction with international expertise ,”.anthy

http://alforatnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=131325