Militants from the Islamic State group blocked all mobile phone networks in the largest Iraqi city they control, Mosul, accusing informants in the city of tipping off coalition forces to their whereabouts, residents told The Associated Press yesterday.
Residents described a scene of “chaos” and “paralysis” in the city Thursday, a day after the militants announced their decision on their Mosul-based radio network.
Businesses were at a standstill as residents tried to understand what was happening, they said. Some are still able to access the Internet, which operates under a different network.
All residents spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
The militants seized the city in June during their lightning advance across northern Iraq, after the Iraqi military virtually crumbled when confronted by the group. The US began launching airstrikes on Aug. 8 and has conducted at least 22 strikes around the city of Mosul alone.
