Curfews adopted to counter IS shelling of recaptured Mosul areas

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi military forces have imposed a curfew at districts along the eastern bank of the Tigris River in Mosul to protect civilians from bombardment from the west by Islamic State militants.

Anadolu Agency quoted Saber al-Falahi, a brigadier-general at the army’s Counter-Terrorism Forces, as saying that directives had been made to the residents at districts parallel to the eastern bank of the Tigris River to stay home between 3 pm and 6 am (Iraq’s local time). He said the measure is aimed to protect the residents from projectiles launched by the extremist group, especially during night times when U.S.-led fighter jets become less active above those areas.

Falahi said Katyusha and mortar bombardments killed 13 civilians and wounded 48 last week at liberated areas.

Falahi told the agency the curfew was the only solution to protect civilians, adding that the only means to stop the bombardment are either to ensure an around-the-clock aerial patrols or to speed up with the invasion of the western section of the city, where IS still maintains a majority of territory.

Iraqi government forces, backed by PMUs and a U.S.-led international military coalition and popular militias, have been fighting Islamic State since mid October to retake Mosul. Operations have so far managed to recapture the whole eastern section of the city, and preparations are underway to invade the west, where military commanders predict a tougher battle.