The Iraqi and Kurdish armies’ struggle to reconquer the city of Mosul is making swift progress, but the outnumbered and desperate ISIS forces are employing multiple brutal methods to try and maintain their hold on the city. The terrorist group is utilizing fleets of car bombs, as well as roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other traps designed to slow down the Iraqi-Kurdish advance and inflict high casualties on the attacking army. The car bombs are especially dangerous since they usually have armored plating that makes it difficult to disable them with small arms fire.

In addition, ISIS militants are hiding in a network of underground tunnels in Mosul and the surrounding towns designed to both protect them from attacks above-ground and allow them to launch surprise attacks on the advancing soldiers. The tunnels, dug underneath buildings so they cannot be spotted, contain food, water, shelter and electricity suggesting that they can hold militants for days at a time.

In other parts of Iraq, ISIS has begun battles in various towns and cities with the goal of distracting its enemies and forcing resources to be diverted away from Mosul. The town of Rutba and the city of Kirkuk have both come under attack over the past weekend. The terror group in addition is employing mass murders against civilians and potentially also human shields in its desperate attempt to halt the advance on Mosul.