Iraq News
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Iraqi forces issue safety instructions to Mosul residents ahead of battle

By Hassan Obeidi in Baghdad

Iraqi forces drive in military vehicles in Iraq's eastern Salaheddine province, south of Hawijah, on October 10th, as they clear the area in preparation for the push to retake the northern city of Mosul, the last 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' held city in Iraq. [Mahmoud al-Samarrai/AFP]

Iraqi forces drive in military vehicles in Iraq's eastern Salaheddine province, south of Hawijah, on October 10th, as they clear the area in preparation for the push to retake the northern city of Mosul, the last 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' held city in Iraq. [Mahmoud al-Samarrai/AFP]

Iraqi authorities have issued detailed safety instructions to the people of Mosul before the launch of operations to liberate the city from the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL).

The set of 32 recommendations, issued by the Ninawa Operations Command issued on Tuesday (October 11th), included safety guidelines and instructions on avoiding ISIL sites and gatherings, staying at home, protecting public and private properties and supporting Iraqi security forces.

The command called on residents to "avoid gathering during airstrikes and after them for at least 30 minutes", to use vehicles and mobile phones "only when absolutely necessary", and to remain at home as much as they can.

Residents should "stay in the lower floors of buildings; remain near walls and away from the centre of the rooms; avoid using elevators and not stand on rooftops", according to the instructions.

They recommended "not approaching military forces by more than 25 metres, nor doing any swift or surprise movements".

They also urged residents to provide security forces with "any useful information on ISIL pockets" and hold any liberated territory, and advised them against spreading rumours coming from ISIL.

Instructions called on residents to put X-shaped masking tape over the windows to stop the glass from being shattered by the vibrations of nearby bombs and rocket attacks.

It asked them to disconnect gas cylinders and remove them from the house; and to keep back-up lighting and a battery-operated radio to follow the instructions the command radio will air during the battle.

"Bombardment will never deliberately target civilians," the command said.

Protecting civilians

"The instructions, which have been carefully developed to protect civilian lives, have been delivered in two ways," Ninawa operations commander Maj. Gen. Najm Edin al-Jubury told Diyaruna.

"They are repeatedly broadcast on the Mosul radio station on 98.7 FM frequency, and leaflets are also dropped over the city," he said.

"We want to make sure they are followed to the letter," he said, adding, "All that concerns us is that citizens stay away from ISIL elements and positions and follow our instructions."

Further instructions will be issued once the ground forces move in on the city centre, al-Jubury added, calling on residents to stay tuned to the radio for those instructions.

"We want to tell the people of Mosul 'We are looking after you and we will give our blood in order to put a smile back on your faces and fully liberate your city'," he said.

Speaking with Diyaruna over Skype, 37-year-old Mosul resident Khalid Obaid, who asked to use a pseudonym out of fear for his safety, said they are impatiently waiting for the arrival of the first Iraqi troops, "but concerns over civilian deaths are pivotal in this battle, as ISIL wants to use us as human shields ".

"We have started securing our homes against explosions and gunfire and we hope it will suffice," Obaid said.

"We have followed all the instructions detailed in the Iraqi forces' announcement," he added, expressing his hope that communications will be restored in the city so that residents will be able to speak to the liberating forces about ISIL movements.

"ISIL is confused and scared, as is evident from its movements and its attempts to set up new bases," said Mosul resident Abu Saadi, 40, who also asked to use a pseudonym.

"The problem right now is that ISIL has been holing up within residential neighbourhoods, exposing families to the risk of death as a result of bombings," he told Diyaruna.

The start of the attack is "the moment everybody is waiting for," he said.

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May Allah grant you victory, O, you, the grandchildren of Ali, Commander of the Faithful and Master of Humankind!

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