ISIL on Run in Eastern Mosul, Pentagon Spokesman Says

Iraqi security forces practice tactical formation movements at the Besmaya Range Complex in Iraq, Jan. 20, 2017. Besmaya is one of four Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve locations dedicated to building partner capacity. CJTF-OIR is the global coalition to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Iraq and Syria Army photo by Sgt. Joshua Wooten (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

ISIL on Run in Eastern Mosul, Pentagon Spokesman Says

By Terri Moon Cronk

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2017 — Iraqi security forces are finishing clearing operations in eastern Mosul while Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant fighters have ceased fighting and are on the run, Pentagon Press Operations Director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said today.

Speaking with reporters, Davis said ISIL fighters are moving to Mosul’s north bank of the Tigris River to cross the waterway by boat to reach western Mosul.

“I can tell you it’s a great day not to be a member of the ISIL navy,” the spokesman said. “We destroyed another 10 boats on the Tigris River today for 143 boats total. Our message to ISIL is: ‘We will not allow you to get away to the other side of the river and set up shop there.’”

Operation Desert Leopard

Another significant Iraqi security force operation underway in the region is Operation Desert Leopard, Davis said, where the Iraqis are working very methodically by starting in Ramadi and going up the Euphrates River Valley to Haditha, while clearing the area.

“It’s been a good operation that’s driving ISIL back,” he said.

In Yemen, the United States conducted airstrikes from Jan. 20 to 22 in al-Bayda against al-Qa-da in the Arabian Peninsula operatives, killing five al-Qaida members in three days, Davis said.

“AQAP remains a significant threat to the region and the United States,” he said.

“Al-Qaida’s presence has a destabilizing effect on Yemen [in addition to] its using the unrest there to provide a haven from which to plan future attacks against the United States and other interests,” the spokesman said.

“We will continue to degrade, disrupt and destroy al-Qaida and its remnants, and we remain committed to defeating AQAP and denying it safe havens regardless of its locations,” Davis said.

The strikes conducted by the United States continue to diminish AQAP’s presence in the region, the spokesman said.