Mercenaries, I Will Be King Chapter 1509 - 1234: Hulmatu’s Sudden Collapse (Part 3)

Song Heping instructed them not to bomb.

The reason is simple: while eliminating personnel could weaken the 1515 ard forces, sparing these people also has another advantage.

But this advantage is sothing Song Heping cannot explicitly state.

And that is — nurturing troublemakers to bolster one's own position.

If the 1515 ard forces are entirely wiped out at once, the cooperation with the Aricans would end as well.

Things might even turn sour, and the military contract previously promised might be annulled.

Allowing 1515 to continue existing in the Northwest Region, as long as Mosul and Titrick, these two key nodes, are secured, along with cooperation from major towns like Dagula and Sulaimaniyah in the north, control over the Northwest Region would be firmly in hand, and there's no need to fear any disturbance from the 1515 ard forces.

Appropriate disturbance would make both the Illigo Governnt and the Aricans reliant on him, providing ample reason for controlling multiple cities in the Northwest Region — otherwise, let the Aricans or the Iliko Governnt Army take over.

It's likely the Aricans wouldn't be foolish enough to let the governnt army take over under unstable conditions, which might lead to 1515's resurgence, resulting in losing territory again.

This is Song Heping's inner thought.

But this matter must not be disclosed.

Whether it is moral or not is another issue, but if Samir knew of such thoughts, he would likely have objections.

The temporary command center was set up in the forr city hall of Hulmatu; the building is still sturdy and didn't collapse despite the bombing.

Inside, various communication antennas stick out like a hedgehog's quills, equipnt buzzes, and operators' conversations overlap, giving a sense of life.

As Song Heping stepped in, Samir ca forward, with fatigue from sleepless nights etched on his face, but his eyes were filled with excitent.

"Boss, preliminary battle results are in!"

Samir handed over the tablet in his hand, "The city clearance wiped out about eight hundred; adding the earlier field kills and drone strikes, conservatively estimated, the Basmo Group lost more than four thousand! Captured three thousand one. Seized weapons and ammunition are still being counted, and the quantity is not small. Our casualties… are well-controlled, mainly at the cost of the first encounter."

"What about Basmo? Any confirmation on their whereabouts?"

Song Heping was more concerned about this big fish.

"Confird, heading along Highway 7 towards Titrick, with about a thousand to fifteen hundred people, not many vehicles. Drones are tailing them constantly, should we…"

Samir made a slashing gesture.

Song Heping shook his head, and moved to the large electronic sandbox: "Let him go. Tell Salem to keep a close watch on the Haditha direction, preventing reinforcents from Titrick or remaining Basmo forces from going rogue and heading south. Also, notify Abu You that Mosul must stabilize quickly, restore order, and control the surrounding traffic lines. As for Titrick…"

His finger pointed to the city sandwiched between Hulmatu and Mosul on the sandbox: "It's already a turtle in a jar."

On the sandbox, Hulmatu and Mosul were marked with conspicuous blue flags, representing their control.

Titrick, that isolated city, looked like a walnut clamped by two iron pliers.

"Boss, there's one more thing…"

Samir hesitated, but then leaned in to speak softly, "Word from the Green Zone, Colonel Kote is very 'shocked' about us taking Mosul, believes it exceeded the original plan, and is quite angry."

Song Heping's lips curled into a cold smile, full of mockery: "Shocked? Besides cursing in his office in the Green Zone, what else could he do? Complain to Buckdadi? Cry that Buckdadi wasn't forceful enough? That we took Mosul? Let him! Just let him be shocked."

After a pause, he added: "Draft the official report to the Illigo Governnt by the rules, emphasizing that we cut off the 1515 east-west link to consolidate counter-terrorism results, making it a battlefield decision. We must at least leave so fig leaf for our 'allies'."