The Battle of Mosul: A Pivotal Turning Point in the Fight Against ISIS

The Battle of Mosul: A Pivotal Turning Point in the Fight Against ISIS

The Battle of Mosul, waged from October 2016 to July 2017, stands as one of the most significant conflicts in the recent history of the Middle East. It marked a turning point in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS),resulting in the liberation of Iraq’s second-largest city from the clutches of the extremist group. However, this victory came at a high cost, with extensive destruction and a devastating human toll.

Setting the Scene: Mosul Under ISIS Control

In June 2014, ISIS captured Mosul in a lightning offensive, shocking the world and highlighting the group’s military prowess (for the region). The city, its historical and cultural significance, became a strategic stronghold for ISIS, serving as its de facto capital in Iraq. The group's brutal rule terrorized the population, with executions, enslavement, and the destruction of cultural heritage becoming commonplace. All of this in the shadow of the Mosul dam, which due to its poor construction had been failing for years, receiving patch after patch from engineers… Only to now be maintained by a terrorist organization.

The Coalition Strikes Back

The Iraqi government, backed by a U.S.-led international coalition, launched the operation to retake Mosul in October 2016. The battle involved a diverse range of forces, including the Iraqi Army, Kurdish Peshmerga, and various Shia militias. The coalition provided air support, artillery, and special forces assistance. The offensive began with the encirclement of the city, followed by a push into the eastern districts. The fighting was intense, with ISIS employing a range of tactics, including suicide bombers, snipers, and booby traps. The coalition's airpower played a crucial role in degrading ISIS defenses and providing cover for advancing ground forces.

The battle for Mosul’s western half, launched in February2017, proved even more challenging. The densely populated old city, with its narrow streets and ancient buildings, favored ISIS’s defensive tactics. The coalition faced accusations of causing civilian casualties due to the heavy use of airstrikes in this urban environment. The Iraqi forces, however, demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, likely learned from their long partnership with U.S. led coalition forces. They cleared buildings one by one, engaging in close-quarters combat and facing the constant threat of suicide attacks. The coalition’s special forces played a vital role in targeting ISIS leaders and disrupting their command and control structures.

Victory and Aftermath

In July 2017, after nearly nine months of fierce fighting, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory in Mosul. The city lay in ruins, with thousands of civilians killed or injured. The humanitarian crisis was immense, with hundreds of thousands displaced and in need of urgent assistance. The liberation of Mosul was a major blow to ISIS, signaling the beginning of the end for its self-proclaimed caliphate. However, the battle also left deep scars on the city and Its people. The reconstruction efforts remain ongoing, and the trauma of the conflict continues to affect many residents.

Key Takeaways from the Battle of Mosul:

Urban Warfare’s Complexity: The Battle of Mosul underscored the immense challenges of fighting in densely populated urban areas. ISIS’s use of human shields, booby traps, and tunnels made the advance slower and more costly in an environment that already eats through troops.

Civilian Casualties: The heavy reliance on airstrikes and artillery in the urban environment led to a significant number of civilian casualties, raising concerns about the proportionality of force used by the coalition, made even more difficult to account for given the tactics of the enemy.

The Role of Special Forces: Special forces played a crucial role in targeting ISIS leadership, gathering intelligence, and coordinating airstrikes, highlighting their importance in modern warfare.

The Importance of Local Forces: The Iraqi forces, despite facing setbacks and challenges, ultimately proved capable of defeating ISIS in their own territory. This underscored the need for empowering local forces in counterinsurgency efforts.

The Humanitarian Cost of War: The Battle of Mosul resulted in a massive humanitarian crisis, with widespread displacement and destruction. The rebuilding process remains a long-term challenge.

The Battle of Mosul will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the fight against ISIS, marking a significant turning point in the conflict. However, the battle also served as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges of urban warfare, the human cost of conflict, and the enduring task of rebuilding communities shattered by violence. All of this under threat of the dam’s collapse wiping multiple cities off of the map, which is an odd concern to have when fighting terrorists. With the rapidly escalating conflicts in the region today, one does wonder what the end game really is.