Any updates on the situation in Mosul? Need some answers for a friend ASAP please
 

I've got a friend heading over to Mosul, Iraq to help with the NYC Medics Global Disaster Relief effort there and they will be booking their tickets this weekend for their trip in May. So basically he has a couple days to decide if he's going or not. Any clarity on the current situation in or around Mosul would be great so I can just give him a risk assessment as to his chances of being rolled up or the viable threat he faces being there as a unarmed civilian. They have an Iraqi Special Forces "unit" (according to the memo) as personal security for their building, with an American Security advisor and team leader for that element. Their building is 3km from the front lines according to the memo he received, but they still have come under mortar fire within the past 2 months and some stray bullets have been heard near the building. Can their security be trusted? Also, if anyone has real-time info as to what is going on, feel free to PM me or respond to this ASAP. I greatly appreciate it!

https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...l-warning.html

Does NYC Medics rate any protection, outside the wire, in that AO?

From their site,, It looks like they already have personal in Mosul. What is the feed-back?



PS: Prayers out..

They have not rated their protection outside the wire or even their own security element. It was very limited in regards to any information regarding that in their memo. They do have people there right now and have been for an unknown period of time, but I told him to get in touch with them to find out from the people that have been there the month before.

Just wanted to mention that there are no "front lines" in Iraq. As far as "Can their security be trusted?" - one thing I learned from Columbia to Iraq to Fayetteville, keep your back towards the wall and never let anyone get between you and the exit.

I 100% agree.

As a former Contract Manager (COR) for Iraq, I would HIGHLY recommend that your friend goes in completely understanding his political status. The (Non functioning) US Embassy in Baghdad has historically done very little to look after NGO's, contractors, and US Citizens outside of the Green Zone. You only have to look back as far as 2015 when ISIS stood up and left hundreds of US Contractors stranded on an airfield in Northern Iraq to their own means of exfil. Eventually the Iraqi's moved them out, however the USG did much less than expected.

IMHO, this is a very bad assignment for your friend to take on. US heads are worth much more than the medical care they may provide right now. Prayers out, but I hope he has a rock solid plan. Iraq SF providing security?

"Do you want to get kidnapped? Because this is how you get kidnapped." - Tm SGT prior to my first deployment to Africa.

I appreciate the info regarding the Embassy because that was going to be another one of my questions. Thanks for the info

I was actually wondering if there are any good companies out there that provide detailed topographical maps of Iraq to include Mosul for an E&E plan. That would definitely be worth having.

This, /\ /\ /\ whether it be assisted, or unassisted (which is probably the case). But ya GOTTA have one, if time allows to implement...

Two (2) ways too move....
 

East towards Erbil and South towards Balad. Both are walking distance...

I'd head East to Erbil, a shorter distance by vehicle and or foot. Plus, you can catch a flight out of Erbil.

Most of the info you seek is open-source, you just need a "seasoned" intel person to explain it. NOT a schooled trained, highly educated (institutionalized) MoFo.;)

Stay safe,

Guy

Thanks for the tip. I appreciate it and I'll look into more of that open source information!

If the ticket is into Baghdad...turn it down!:cool:

Would you care to share the latest update?

This thread suddenly becomes relevant to me as I am preparing to do a stint with the Samaritan's Purse field hospital in Northern Iraq

Not much has changed in regards to ISIS still being present, but what I've read up on is that there's been consistent sniper/mortar/booby trap/suicide bomber attacks within the western part of the city and according to some report, "Old City" has an estimated 400,000 civilians trapped because ISIS is using them as human shields. If you're helping with that field hospital, school up on your infant medicine because there have been ALOT of infants showing up malnourished and sick. Not a good situation at all. Even a report about a possible chemical attack that was used on Iraqi Forces, but they had no casualties.... so maybe you want to bring some MOPP gear with you.