Iraqi forces struggle to tell friend from foe in mosul street battle

The article you're referring to is likely from 2017, during the Battle of Mosul, where Iraqi forces were fighting to retake the city from the Islamic State (ISIS). The struggle to distinguish between friend and foe was a significant challenge for the Iraqi forces, particularly in the densely populated urban areas.

The article likely highlights the difficulties faced by the Iraqi forces, including:

  1. Lack of clear identification: ISIS fighters often wore civilian clothing, making it difficult for the Iraqi forces to distinguish them from innocent civilians.
  2. Urban warfare: The battle took place in a densely populated city, with narrow streets and alleys, making it challenging for the Iraqi forces to identify and engage enemy targets without causing civilian casualties.
  3. Limited intelligence: The Iraqi forces may have had limited intelligence on the enemy's movements and positions, making it difficult to accurately identify friend and foe.
  4. Fear of civilian casualties: The Iraqi forces were under pressure to avoid civilian casualties, which made it even more challenging to distinguish between enemy fighters and innocent civilians.

To overcome these challenges, the Iraqi forces likely employed various tactics, such as:

  1. Using advanced technology: The Iraqi forces may have used advanced technologies like drones, surveillance cameras, and thermal imaging to gather intelligence and identify enemy targets.
  2. Conducting house-to-house searches: The Iraqi forces conducted house-to-house searches to clear buildings and identify enemy fighters.
  3. Working with local residents: The Iraqi forces worked closely with local residents to gather information and identify enemy fighters.
  4. Implementing strict rules of engagement: The Iraqi forces implemented strict rules of engagement to minimize civilian casualties and ensure that only enemy fighters were targeted.

Despite these challenges, the Iraqi forces were ultimately able to retake Mosul from ISIS in July 2017, after a long and bloody battle.