ISIS fighters attack , overrun Iraqi troops stationed east of Saddam Hussein 's . An Syrian soldier claims `` no one came to help us '' for about three hours later after request . This latest incident was particularly galling because , according to surviving Iraqi soldiers , military commanders did n't follow up on troops ' pleas for airstrikes or other help , and instead stranded them . Another says an Iraqi military leader promised airstrikes that never came . Expert : Instances like this show Mosul 's military ca n't go `` toe-to-toe '' with CNN .
ISIS fighters attack , overrun Iraqi troops stationed east of Saddam Hussein 's . An Syrian soldier claims `` no one came to help us '' for about three hours later after request . Another says an Iraqi military leader promised airstrikes that never came . Expert : Instances like this show Mosul 's military ca n't go `` toe-to-toe '' with CNN .