Following up on: "Before the Flood" or "Mosul Dam: Bigger Problem Then ISIS" the New YorkerFish in a barrel/Sitting Ducks
Mosul residents said on Wednesday that an airstrike had disabled the city’s last functioning bridge across the Tigris River, forcing residents to cross the waterway in boatsThe residents said the airstrike happened at dawn on Monday. Iraqi and officials from the US-led coalition battling ISIL were not available to comment.Activists from inside Mosul published pictures on Tuesday night of the metal bridge, known as the Old Bridge, showing its twisted girders sinking into the water as boats ferried residents from both banks. The bridge, which was built during the reign of King Ghazi in the 1930s, is considered one of the city’s iconic landmarks. Until recently, Mosul had five bridges spanning the Tigris River, which runs through the centre of the northern city. One was disabled in the weeks before the offensive to retake the city began on October 17, while the other four have since been bombed in airstrikes.
If the intention is to drown a city.... Bombing the bridges would be a good way to go
So far, most of the fighting in Mosul has taken place on the Tigris River’s eastern bank. Iraqi forces are expected to use pontoon bridges when they reach the river as they have done in previous military operations in other areas.
And drown an army too? Surely slowing up the Iraqi army's ability to retake all of Mosul, no? NYT's
The damage is expected to further complicate life inside Mosul. A resident said people waiting by the banks to be ferried across ran for cover every time they heard a plane buzzing overheard, fearing further airstrikes.
What ever the case bombing the bridges did nothing to help the people of Mosul. Rich rebuilding contracts will be necessary..
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