Lessons Learned IN MOSUL

· by Unipath · in Features
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Iraqi commanders reveal how they succeeded in urban warfare against Daesh
terrorists

UNIPATH STAFF  |  PHOTOS BY iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service

Gen. Alkenani

As the second largest Iraqi city, Mosul is home to some of the world’s most ancient sites. Iraqis
refer to it as the city of two springs for its beautiful green foliage, fertile soil and unique climate.
The city sleeps on the banks of the eternal Tigris River, which divides the city into east and west
sides. Because Mosul has always been prosperous, it has been a common target for external
invasions and attacks throughout history. Still, its recent destruction at the hands of Daesh far
exceeded all previous catastrophes: Daesh burned churches and mosques, destroyed ancient sites
and purged indigenous residents in a despicable attempt to eradicate Mosul’s identity.

The battle to liberate Mosul has a special meaning for Iraqis. It will restore dignity to their
Armed Forces and sovereignty to their nation, while  — most importantly — eliminating the seat
of Daesh’s self-declared caliphate. The major challenge of this battle is that approximately 2
million citizens remain trapped inside the city. Furthermore, Iraqi Soldiers aim to protect the
city’s infrastructure and historic sites despite Daesh’s attempts to destroy them. These challenges
have complicated the battle for Mosul, forcing Soldiers to fight in close quarters — sometimes
fighting from room to room within houses. Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) troops have played
a significant role in this epic battle. Unipath spoke with Staff Gen. Talib Shaghati Alkenani, the
commander of CTS, as well as a group of senior CTS leaders to learn more about this historic
battle. Gen. Alkenani was our first stop.

Unipath: In a speech before sending CTS forces into Mosul, you asked them to treat
civilians with respect. You said they should not fire a shot before positively identifying a
target. What was the significance of this advice?
Gen. Alkenani: CTS fighters are distinguished by their high-level training, commitment to the
rules of engagement and control of the battlespace. Therefore, I find it important to advise CTS
fighters to use their best judgment. They must respect civilians because these are our countrymen
who have found themselves under the rule of terror. By following this advice, CTS troops have
become a source of pride for Mosul residents. Social media and satellite TV repeatedly air
eyewitness interviews praising CTS’ professionalism and respectful treatment of civilians.

Unipath: What is your assessment of CTS performance in Mosul liberation operations?

Gen. Alkenani: I am very proud of the progress CTS forces have made in this honorable battle.
They truly set an example of what it means to be a noble fighter, wielding tremendous
capabilities yet treating civilians humanely. Mosul residents speak constantly about their respect
for the CTS troops in their neighborhoods, telling reporters stories of the CTS sharing food with
hungry children. The media has followed these fighters as they traveled and manned strategic
areas or engaged in intense combat. In all these scenarios, CTS fighters wore sharp, crisp
uniforms and full combat gear, indicating a high level of professionalism. In addition, they hit
their targets precisely, aiming to avoid collateral damage.

Unipath: The density of people and buildings in east Mosul made combat uniquely
challenging for CTS forces. How did you defeat Daesh there with minimum damage to
local infrastructure?

Gen. Alkenani: Coalition forces have provided CTS with specialized training in urban warfare.
In addition, CTS used a selection process for fighters in accordance with international special
forces standards. We hire only qualified individuals; this has helped us adhere to rules of
engagement and avoid excessive use of heavy weapons in the city. We prohibit our Soldiers from
raising machine guns above their heads or shooting indiscriminately.

Unipath: How did you secure peace and stability in east Mosul so quickly?

Gen. Alkenani: We learned from our experience in the Baghdad area that Daesh employs
sleeper cells to destabilize recently liberated areas by conducting suicide attacks and placing
improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on roadsides. The terrorists know it is difficult to identify
these cells, which makes it nearly impossible for security forces to guarantee residents’ safety.
As a result, the populace loses confidence in their security forces.

For that reason, we work to pre-empt terror attacks in newly liberated areas. Working closely
with our partners in the coalition forces, we came up with the idea of establishing a command
and control center in east Mosul that has proven highly successful. The purpose of these
headquarters is to oversee all security forces operations and the provision of essential services.
Each government and security entity operating in east Mosul has representatives in this office,
which prevents terrorists from impersonating security forces to carry out horrific attacks. Thanks
to the high level of coordination among agencies, we have managed to detain many terrorists and
facilitate a smooth transition from east to west Mosul. When CTS forces advanced to the western
half of the city, the transition was seamless and did not create a power vacuum in east Mosul.

Unipath: Some contemptible voices accuse coalition forces of aiding Daesh. What is your
response to those accusations?

Gen. Alkenani: This unbalanced narrative is a clear attempt to shake Iraqis’ trust in their friends
in the coalition. Coalition forces came to Iraq at the request of our government, and they are
committed to supporting Iraq as indicated in the security agreements signed by our nations.
Accusations like the one you mention are nothing more than cheap rumors peddled by regional
entities that do not wish to see Iraq as a strong and sovereign nation, and thus plant seeds of
doubt about our achievements on the ground. Coalition warplanes have dropped bombs and
rockets to destroy Daesh positions. We in the CTS greatly appreciate our partners’ huge and
unique role in supporting our forces’ efforts to liberate cities from Daesh.
Unipath: Can you tell us about the coalition forces’ role in the battle for Mosul?

Gen. Alkenani: They have played a very significant role in providing round-the-clock air
support to find and destroy Daesh positions and supply lines. In addition, their reconnaissance
and intelligence support has detected enemy movement, specifically Daesh’s attempts to herd
civilians into abandoned homes and use them as human shields. Finally, the coalition has
provided military advisors who have worked diligently to improve our fighters’ capabilities and
the speed of communication between downrange forces and coalition forces. In particular, these
advisors helped us to defeat the enemy’s unmanned aircraft system.

Unipath: What role will CTS forces play after the complete liberation of Mosul?

Gen. Alkenani: Our forces gain more experience every day, and our capability improves
tremendously. We will take on a larger role in tracking and capturing terrorists and organized
criminals. CTS was founded as an unconventional force with a specific mission; however, the
vicious Daesh attack on our homeland has left us no choice but to change tactics to defend the
nation. Other countries in the region have closely monitored our progress and learned from our
model. It is our vision to be a strategic deterrent force that protects national security.

Our next guest is Lt. Gen. Abd al-Wahab al-Saidi, who commanded  the battle for west Mosul.

Unipath: As the commander of the battle for west Mosul, what are your main priorities?

Lt. Gen. al-Saidi

Lt. Gen. al-Saidi: As directed by the commander in chief, our highest priority is protecting
civilian lives, property and infrastructure.

Unipath: How do you compare the battles for east and west Mosul?

Lt. Gen. al-Saidi: There is big difference in the terrain, demographics and size of the
battlespace. The people in east Mosul are very different from those in west Mosul. Even Daesh
fighters in east Mosul are different from those in the west. West Mosul contains a much higher
percentage of foreign fighters. Daesh deployed local fighters to the front line in east Mosul, since
they lack the morale and combat experience of foreign fighters.
For that reason, these local fighters couldn’t resist our advance in east Mosul. We caught them
by surprise by entering the city sooner than they anticipated, and it was easy to take the area once
we overcame their suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (SVBIEDs). With these
devices, they hoped to slow us down and allow their foreign fighters and leadership to cross the
river to west Mosul. But with their families securely entrenched in west Mosul, foreign fighters
did not depend on the front line forces in east Mosul. This allowed us to gain ground quickly in
that part of the city.

Unipath: Do you mean that Daesh considered the west Mosul battle more decisive? 

Lt. Gen. al-Saidi: Of course, they also bragged about the battle for east Mosul at first. I think
their leadership is trying to mislead them to believe that they have a plan and will win. We
witnessed the same scenario in Fallujah. They tried to keep their forces cohesive in east Mosul,
but after their first and second lines of defense collapsed, and after the battle of al-Khouser
River, they gave up and began to focus on west Mosul.
A CTS unit secures safe passage for internally displaced people in west Mosul’s al-Ma’moun
neighborhood.

Unipath: The media reported that the second CTS division rescued 53 trapped citizens
from a collapsed home after Daesh detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
(VBIED) nearby. Can you tell us about this incident?
Lt. Gen. al-Saidi: There have been many missions to rescue trapped citizens from wreckage, but
this was a unique case because the survivors told us the story of how Daesh forced them into the
house in the al-Samoud neighborhood before detonating the VBIED. Coalition forces reported
the incident to a CTS field commander on March 7, 2017. After confirming the location of the
attack with help from our reconnaissance team, we secured the area and conducted the rescue
mission at first light on March 8.

This humanitarian rescue was the result of partnership and teamwork. The terrorists’ plan was to
detonate the house and accuse us of killing the civilians. Instead, their despicable plan was
uncovered as innocent civilians told us how Daesh had forced them to gather inside the house as
snipers fired from its rooftop and detonated the nearby VBIED. This anecdote illustrates Daesh’s
ruthlessness and viciousness.

Unipath: Why would Daesh herd the city’s residents into harm’s way?

Lt. Gen. al-Saidi: We first observed this behavior in west Mosul; they had never done this
before. On the run and at risk of losing everything, Daesh aims to destroy Mosul’s infrastructure
and kill as many people as possible before succumbing to our forces. We’ve conducted
numerous missions to rescue civilians in harm’s way. In one case, we conducted a night mission
to save more than 300 citizens inside a house containing massive amounts of explosive material.

Unipath: What made the battle for Mosul different from the battles for Fallujah and Bayji?
A CTS Soldier holds the Iraqi flag while making the victory sign in a west Mosul neighborhood.

Lt. Gen. al-Saidi: Of course, every battle has its own unique elements. The battle for Bayji was
difficult, because it took place in the strategically important, highly connected area between
Mosul, Salah al-Din, Ramadi and Hawija. The battle for Fallujah, meanwhile, influenced Daesh
morale because of the city’s symbolic value as the seat of numerous battles and historical events.
The battle for Mosul was different for several reasons. The most important is that its area and
population size are much larger than Bayji and Fallujah. Mosul had more than 1.8 million
citizens, while Fallujah had just 120,000. For that reason, Mosul is also considered the seat of the
so-called caliphate, so the liberation of Mosul marks the fall of the “caliphate.”

Unipath: Daesh used tactics like car bombs to impede liberation forces. How did you
overcome these challenges?

Lt. Gen. al-Saidi: When fighting in a city, we measure the battle in meters. That is, we could
fight all day to move only 50 meters forward. But such a small gain could lead to the liberation
of a whole neighborhood, allowing us subsequently to advance a full mile without any obstacles.

In coordination with our partners in the international coalition, we focus on the details of the
area. After we define the area to which we hope to advance, we strike predetermined targets to
cut off the main road Daesh uses for SVBIED attacks. Coalition aircraft fire rockets at key
crossroads to deny car bombs access. This allows us to focus on specific objectives without
being distracted by side goals. In addition, it gives coalition aircraft and the Iraqi Air Force a
greater chance of neutralizing VBIEDs.

Unipath: Describe the role of the international coalition in the battle to liberate Mosul.

Lt. Gen. al-Saidi: The coalition has played a remarkable role. It has extended beyond air support
to include logistical support, the provision of special engineering equipment, and reconnaissance
and intelligence. With help from the coalition, we impeded enemy movement and destroyed their
defensive positions. By conducting precision airstrikes against bomb factories and arms caches,
the coalition helped liberate the city in record time with minimal civilian casualties. No matter
the battle or weather conditions, the coalition never ceased its support. I’d like to thank these
Soldiers, officers and commanders for their support in Iraq’s fight against terrorism.

Our last stop was the front line in west Mosul, where Staff Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil Arzouqi and
Col. Arkan Jalal spoke to Unipath about their Soldiers’ heroism and sacrifice.

Unipath: Can you talk about how Soldiers’ fighting capabilities developed during the battle
for Mosul?
CTS fighters take part in special exercises before heading to west Mosul.

Brig. Gen. Haider: Our counterterrorism forces have gained substantial expertise and learned
new fighting techniques; they are distinguished by their readiness for fast-paced battles. We have
experienced unconventional fighting and have fought from room to room inside populated
houses. In those situations, any mistake could lead to disaster, yet we managed to successfully
distinguish terrorists from civilians and earn the trust and confidence of our people.

Unipath: What has been the role of coalition forces in this development?

Col. Arkan: Without a doubt, coalition forces played a very important role, especially in our
expansion of operations. Our friends in the coalition contributed hugely to training our units in
the use of heavy artillery and anti-armor weapons, since our forces had not used these weapons
in the recent past.

Unipath: Have you noticed changes in Daesh tactics in Mosul?

Brig. Gen. Haider: In west Mosul, Daesh uses reconnaissance “quadcopters” to direct car
bombs toward main roads and command centers. At first, the enemy’s use of aircraft was a
challenge for our forces, but with the support and cooperation of our partners in the coalition, we
overcame these obstacles.

Col. Arkan: Daesh did not change tactics much; it has consistently employed guerrilla tactics
common among insurgent groups. What was different in Mosul, however, was the density of the
population and buildings. That creates challenges relating to the rules of engagement and
adherence to international treaties to protect civilians. I want to assure you, however, that we
have full control over the battlespace and are committed to rules to protect our people.

Unipath: How did you help citizens leave the city safely before the battle?

Col. Arkan: We control the flow of internally displaced people [IDPs], and our plan was to
encourage citizens to remain in their homes. We used loudspeakers and distributed publications
to reassure them of their safety. In addition, we secured food for them and provided health clinics
and fuel for local generators to provide electricity. We have pushed ourselves to provide for our
citizens’ needs, which has minimized displacement. Many families have managed to remain in
their homes, while for others we were able to secure safe passage from Daesh’s clutches.

Brig. Gen. Haider: We launched attacks from two directions: The 2nd Special Operations
Forces controlled the eastern road, while the 1st and 3rd Special Operations Forces controlled the
western road. These attacks achieved their goals in Ghazlani Camp, Wadi Hajar, Tel al-Rayyan
and the al-Ma’moun neighborhood, but as we penetrated the city’s older neighborhoods, our
progress slowed. There, we were faced with waves of IDPs, whom Daesh used as cover for
suicide bombers targeting our units. At the same time, Daesh snipers attacked civilians
attempting to flee.

Our operations were important primarily from a humanitarian perspective, but also from an
operational perspective. Our top priority was securing safe passage and humanitarian relief for
civilians trapped in the city, and we worked hard to protect civilians from suicide bombers
attempting to blend among them.
Herein lay the difficulty of our mission: We had to balance the safety of civilians with the risk
that Daesh fighters might disguise themselves as IDPs to conduct sniper or suicide bomb attacks.
Our work required constant vigilance: We watched everyone who arrived and communicated
with each other about suspicious movements. Our troops were totally committed to the rules of
engagement, especially pursuing suicide bombers who hid among civilians. In fact, our men
managed to kill many of these terrorists before they could blow themselves up near civilians.

Unipath: You’ve lauded Gen. Talib Shaghati Alkenani, the head of CTS, for his role in
building Iraq’s counterterrorism capacity. Can you tell us more about the impact he has
had?

Col. Arkan: Gen. Alkenani is considered the spiritual father of Iraq’s counterterrorism forces.
CTS’ advanced capabilities and impressive performance fully reflect his vision. Our secret is not
in the quality of our training or equipment, but rather in the cohesion and morale of our units,
which is the work of Gen. Alkenani. This is what history will record about this great leader.
History will recognize the strength of this strategic force and the great achievements of Gen.
Alkenani, which have become a source of pride and glory for all Iraqis.

Brig. Gen. Haider: If Gen. Alkenani had not been our leader, CTS simply would not exist. I
consider him a role model of leadership. He loves our troops as though they are his sons, which
is a feeling we share. The strength, steadfastness and professionalism of our counterterrorism
forces were derived from the personality of Gen. Alkenani.

Unipath: What lessons did the Special Operations Forces learn that could benefit the rest of
Iraq’s Armed Forces?

Brig. Gen. Haider: By fighting battles to deter criminal gangs, these brave knights have taught
the region an important lesson about the need to form unconventional forces to ensure security
and stability. When these Soldiers boldly killed terrorists at Baghdad’s Church of Our Lady of
Deliverance in 2010, they astonished the world with their precision and skill. At the same time,
we are very proud of our Soldiers’ humanitarian approach to such unconventional situations.
They have dealt respectfully and kindly with displaced populations in liberated areas, as
evidenced by numerous IDPs’ stories applauding counterterrorism forces. The most important
lesson we have learned is about the need to confront terrorism by refuting its lies and hypocrisy
online via social media.

Col. Arkan: The most important lesson we learned was the need to sustain momentum during
combat. Confronting the criminal tactics of this enemy requires a special level of determination.
Without the high morale we gained from basic training, we would be unable to defeat Daesh. It
is through their indomitable fighting spirit that our Soldiers have managed to win decisively.
Daesh tried to impede our progress with suicide bombers — and to be sure, we lost several
martyrs to these attacks — but that only increased our determination to defeat these terror gangs.
By exposing the crimes of terrorism, we have enabled the armies of the region to confront
extremism themselves by taking advantage of our experience.
The other key lesson we’ve learned was about dealing with civilians in combat zones. There is
no other force in the world as well trained to carry out large-scale military operations against an
enemy in an urban environment. Defeating enemies holed up inside cities — without
simultaneously destroying the city itself — is a process comparable to performing complicated
eye surgery.