U.S. Soldiers Occupy Edgy Mosul

The U.S. Army sent 2,500 soldiers to occupy Mosul on Tuesday, with little resistance except scattered small-arms fire. Troops took over key government buildings, medical clinics, a television station and power plants.

Mosul, Iraq’s third-largest city, is home to several ethnic groups, including Arabs and Kurds, who share it uneasily. U.S. Marines had been holding parts of the city, including the airfield, awaiting the Army’s arrival. Last week, 17 Iraqis were killed in confrontations with U.S. forces in Mosul, local hospital officials said.

“If people would stop shooting at each other, then the place would be all right,” said Maj. Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. “The bottom line is, if we provide security in Mosul, it will blossom on its own.”

Over eight hours Tuesday, the division’s 2nd Brigade flew in 1,500 soldiers and sent 1,000 more overland, bringing the number of troops in the northern city to at least 3,500, said Col. Joseph Anderson.

Iraqis waved at U.S. forces, then went about their business as the troops spread out. On Thursday, the troops plan to open an information area in the center of Mosul to begin humanitarian assistance and start restoring services.

Americans came under small-arms fire at the airfield but said they suffered no injuries. They chased the assailants by helicopter, but it was unclear if they caught the gunmen.