Iraqi security forces have started entering sections of Mosul amid denials by the US military that its forces have withdrawn from the northern Iraqi city. Clashes between anti-US fighters and interim government forces erupted in the centre of Mosul, with the two sides exchanging automatic gunfire and rockets. They were particularly heavy close to the police headquarters in the Zanjali area. As the clashes intensified, local mosques were heard broadcasting a call to "resistance against occupation forces".
| In a reasonable world the mosques would be rubble now. |
The national guard had deployed its personnel in several districts in Mosul mid-morning, as well as alongside the river Tigris and in the west of the city, the reporter said. Two police stations were retaken in the centre and the north, and members of the national guard were seen patrolling several districts armed with anti-tank missiles and assault rifles. The national guard also set up roadblocks in key areas of the city, which came under attack from armed groups. At 1:30pm, a roadblock in the Al-Qadisiya section of the city came under heavy gunfire and witnesses reported at least one national guard member killed. Meanwhile, a convoy of 12 armoured US vehicles started to patrol in the centre and the north for the first time since the recent bout of fighting broke out. Anti-US fighters, who had deployed in force on Thursday, taking up positions in front of public buildings, had disappeared from the streets. However, they were still seen moving around in cars at break-neck speed.
| Gotta be pretty fast cars to outrun tank rounds... |
The US military acknowledged it had been involved in intense fighting with the fighters, who said they were trying to draw resources from the assault on Falluja. But the military said in a statement that US troops had not withdrawn. "Three days ago, a number of groups ranging in size from 15-50 AIF insurgents moved through the city conducting attacks on police stations, Iraqi government facilities and other fixed sites," it said. "During this time the fighting was intense, but ... many of the insurgents were defeated. Sporadic fighting followed on Friday and Saturday," it added. "Only a small number of terrorists are operating in the city ... and resistance is sporadic." |