While Iraqi officials continue to say they are confident that ISIS’ defense is collapsing in Mosul, fighters on the ground tell a much different story, with ISIS snipers and mortar attacks continuing to loom large as ground troops slowly advance in the city’s western side.
ISIS snipers have proven remarkably successful at slowing the advances of Iraqi ground troops, particularly those which had limited training in preparation for urban combat. This has meant house to house fighting at a snail’s pace, which is why the eastern Mosul offensive took some three months.
Iraqi political leaders have said they believe they’ll have west Mosul wrapped up by the end of the month, though that would be surprising alacrity given that this side of the river is more populous, and had a larger ISIS defense force starting out.
Hope that ISIS morale will eventually break and send the defenders fleeing from western Mosul is similarly unlikely, as Shi’ite militias have blocked off the escape routes into Syria, likely guaranteeing that ISIS forces have to fight to the finish.
Not for long will the advance be stalled. Trump will not tolerate any indications that victory will not be achieved for America. He would leave himself open to criticism if he did allow it.
The time has come for this site to show what it’s name implies. Everybody is now going to have the opportunity of either basking in the glow of victory in Iraq as a beginning, or choosing to be a part of our common cause.
Trump has promised to show you the way to make Americans great again. Most of you are now suitable disenfranchized by your government into making you ready. Now you have a president that is going to lead the way.
There was never any serious doubt that Trump was thinking of military force to accomplish his promises.