Former human shields warn of a desperate situation in Islamic State-controlled areas of Mosul. Iraqi forces have yet to penetrate the older, urban parts of the city west of the Tigris River. There, ISIS/Daesh have brought in thousands of human shields to stave off attacks by Iraqi forces. The few who have managed to trickle out describe people sleeping in the streets, a lack of food, and shootings everywhere. The situation does not appear to be much better in the liberated neighborhoods on the eastern side. Civilians are fighting over aid deliveries, and some may be getting nothing at all.
In Mosul, Zohour was liberated, as were Adan, Ikha’a, and a water project. Other neighborhoods reported cleared of bombs are Intisar, Jadida, Mufti, Palestine, Salam, and Younis Sabaawi.
Iraqi troops have arrived in the Tal Afar region. Shi’ite militiamen had grouped around the city, preparing to capture it, even though they were ordered not to. Turkey, meanwhile, reiterated warnings that it will move to protect residents should militias enter the city.
Iraqi forces are still trying to extinguish the oil well fires in the Qayara district.
Arbaeen observances in Karbala appear to be going smoothly this weekend, but there was an attack on pilgrims in Baghdad.
At least 132 people were killed and 44 were wounded:
Four bombings in Baghdad left 10 dead and 34 wounded.
In Mosul, a suicide bomber killed four civilians and wounded four more. Bombs killed 30 people and wounded five more in Tahrir. In Baker, an explosion killed 20 people. Security forces killed a militant commander.
A policeman was killed in Qayara when he stepped on a mine near a burning oil well. Four militants were killed.
In Halabja, gunmen wounded a Peshmerga fighter who was on holiday. Five of the gunmen were killed.
At least 31 more militants were killed in Imam Gharbi than were previously reported.
In Rawa, an airstrike left 15 militants dead.
An airstrike on Hawija left seven militants dead.
Three suicide bombers were killed in Shirqat.
