The Iraqi Air Force has dropped 7 million leaflets on the city of Mosul in preparation for an offensive to take back the city from the Islamic State, warning the residents to prepare for “zero hour.”
The leaflet is a cartoon depicting a large arrow pointing at a clock, outlining a series of Iraqi military victories leading up to the designated time of the coming attack on Mosul, reports the Los Angeles Times. “Mosul: The Hour of Victory” is in large letters across the top, and the Iraqi flag is emblazoned on the back of the pamphlet.
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Residents of Mosul are warned to stay away from ISIS headquarters in the text on the bottom right of the pamphlet, and to work with coalition forces when they arrive in the city. The large number of civilians in Mosul is expected to complicate the attack, which will rely heavily on air support.
Iraqi soldiers shoved the boxes and boxes of pamphlets out the door of a C-130 flying high over Mosul last week, distributing them over 16 cities and towns. The wind rips the boxes apart, allowing the leaflets to float down harmlessly. A local news outlet later reported ISIS quickly moved to destroy the pamphlets, and said any resident found with one of them would be lashed 20 times.
Its common for coalition forces to drop leaflets aimed at undermining ISIS propaganda, sometimes urging residents to stand up against ISIS or reminding them to take personal documents with them if they flee.
One set of leaflets warned oil truck drivers of an impending airstrike: “Warning: airstrikes are coming. Oil trucks will be destroyed. Get away from your oil trucks immediately. Do not risk your life.”
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