Ep 4. The Battle for Mosul

In the fourth episode of Hunting ISIS season 1 titled “The Battle for Mosul,” the team travels to Iraq to follow the battle as Iraqi forces try to retake the city of Mosul from ISIS. The episode starts with the team discussing the current situation in the Middle East and how the problem of ISIS has only worsened over the years.

The episode then takes us to Mosul, where we see the Iraqi army, Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and Shia militia groups fighting to push ISIS out of the city. The team is embedded with the Iraqi army and we get a firsthand look at the skills and strategies that they are using to try and drive ISIS out of the city. We see the crucial role that air support plays in the fight and how the Iraqi army is using drones, helicopters, and fighter jets to target ISIS positions.

One of the key themes that is explored in the episode is the importance of cooperation between the different groups fighting against ISIS. We see how the Iraqi army and the Kurdish Peshmerga forces are working together to take back the city, despite their historical rivalries. We also see how the Shia militias are playing a crucial role in the fight, but also how their presence is causing tension with other groups on the ground.

The episode also explores the human cost of the battle for Mosul. We see the impact that the fighting is having on civilians, many of whom have been forced to flee their homes and are now living in camps set up by the government. We also hear the stories of some of the soldiers on the ground, many of whom have lost friends and family in the fight against ISIS.

Throughout the episode, we get a sense of the scale of the challenge facing the forces trying to retake Mosul. We see how ISIS has used the city’s narrow streets and alleyways to their advantage and how they have rigged many of the buildings and roads with explosives. We also hear about the challenges of dealing with ISIS fighters who are using civilian populations as human shields.

Overall, the episode provides a gripping and insightful look at the battle for Mosul and the complex political, social, and military dynamics at play in the fight against ISIS.