Iraqi Forces Take Control of Tigris River
Iraqi security forces on Monday have taken control of the southernmost bridge on the Tigris River that is critical in the campaign to regain Mosul from Islamic State fighters. The bridge is actually the fourth to have been liberated, enabling government troops to occupy the west bank of the river.
The operation to disable the bridge began in December to shorten ISIS' supply lines and stop its movements in sending reinforcements to west Mosul. The bridge is severely damaged on both ends but the U.S.-led international coalition did not destroy the structure so it can be repaired easily once the city has been liberated.
Col. Falah al-Wabdan of the interior ministry's Rapid Response unit talked to AFP about the importance of securing the fourth bridge. "It is very important because if we take it, engineering units... will be able to throw a bridge across from the left bank so we can move supplies and ammunition from the battle field," he said.
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The U.S. military has trained Iraqi engineers to build a ribbon bridge over the Euphrates River while under heavy fire. A similar improvised bridge planned for the Tigris will allow the transport of light and heavy equipment and thus, establish an important supply route linked to the recaptured east bank.
Now that the recovery of Iraq's second largest city is making progress, the Pentagon on Monday presented to President Donald Trump a new plan to speed up the war against ISIS. The White House didn't reveal details of the plan, but USA Today's sources said there are no changes in strategy.
The Pentagon will still rely on local ground forces rather than sending in large numbers of troops. It also recommended more bombings and ground operations. Trump, during his campaign, criticized the previous administration for its failure to defeat ISIS.
