Inside Mosul: Satellite imagery reveals ISIS defences
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Satellite imagery of Mosul has revealed ISIS preparations in the city, including razing an entire area and erecting barriers in the city.
Around Mosul airport, ISIS appears to have cleared all structures and erected a string of barriers to the north, according to satellite imagery published by Stratfor. The geopolitical intelligence company theorized that the area had been cleared “to ensure clear visibility of approaching forces.”
Satellite imagery dated October 31 and published by Stratfor shows ISIS has cleared building north of Mosul airport and erected barriers (indicated with red circles). Image: Stratfor
Google maps imagery of the same area of Mosul. Image: Google Maps
The imagery published by Stratfor shows that ISIS has erected barriers across streets using concrete blocks and rubble, and built up earthen berms as part of its planned defence of the city.
In October, an Iraqi military expert Ihasan Qasson detailed to Rudaw some of ISIS’ fortifications in the city, including digging ditches.
“The group has already placed a great quantity of crude oil in many of the ditches, which they will set on fire to distract visibility for coalition warplanes targeting ISIS bases in the city," Qaisson said.
"There is also a circle-like ditch around parts of the city which the militant group will possibly use in addition to a tunnel to defend their positions," he added.