by MEMRI
According to reports on several TV channels, the Iraqi forces have uncovered a network of tunnels dug by ISIS under the city of Fallujah. The tunnels, which in some cases reach a length of seven kilometers, are part of the ISIS fortifications and were used to store equipment, weapons, and IEDs, and as shelter from airstrikes. Reports on the tunnels were broadcast by the UAE channel Alaan TV on May 14 and by Russia Today on May 31.
Following are excerpts:
Alaan TV [UAE], posted on May 14, 2016
Reporter:
"There is a long and complex network of tunnels around the city of
Fallujah, and under the homes that were taken over by ISIS. The tunnels
are part of the fortifications on the outskirts of Fallujah, and they
were dug by ISIS militants in order to move around, and to take shelter
from the airstrikes and the attacks by the Iraqi forces."
Raji’ Barkat, Security Official in Fallujah:
"More than 2,000 meters of tunnels were dug and concealed [by ISIS].
They used the tunnels to move their fighters from one house to another,
out of fear of the planes and the military vehicles."
Reporter:
"In some places, these tunnels reach two meters in depth. ISIS also
used them as military operations command centers during the battles."
[...]
Russia Today TV, posted on May 31, 2016
Reporter:
"There has been much talk about the tunnels dug by ISIS in areas under
its control. We were surprised to find a long tunnel here, two km from
the entrance to Fallujah, inside a building and under a courtyard full
of trees.
"The Iraqi
forces discovered a very long network of tunnels, stretching from here
to other areas, and equipped with electricity. The Iraqi forces found
equipment, weapons and IEDs here. According to confirmed information,
some tunnels are over seven km long.
"According to
Iraqi forces in the area, this long tunnel is connected to another
network of tunnels, which reaches the Jordanian Hospital in northern
Fallujah. The tunnels were dug with a great deal of precision, and they
are equipped with electricity so they can be used at all times. Iraqi
forces destroyed some parts of the network of tunnels, out of fear that
ISIS fighters might use them again."
MEMRI
Source: http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/5500.htm
Follow Middle East and Terrorism on Twitter
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
No comments:
Post a Comment