Iraq's war against IS terrorism | Updates and Discussions

[Hindustani78]

On a metal shelf in his workshop, a British Bren machinegun from the 1960s stands next to a U.S. manufactured M16 assault rifle, both repaired by him for use by the peshmerga.

A row of Soviet-era DShK heavy machine guns, known as Dushkas in the Middle East, and RPG-7 rocket propelled grenade launchers - many battle-scarred with bullet holes - await his attention as he uses rudimentary tools to manufacture a steel part to replace a broken Dushka cocking lever.

Among those who benefit from his services are peshmerga special forces' soldiers who prefer to replace the firing pins on their assault rifles with those he manufactures.

"Our parts and the materials we use are even better than those used by weapons manufacturers. If theirs can withstand 5,000 bullets, ours can take 10,000."



Mohammed Fadil repairs weapons for Kurdish Peshmerga forces fighting against Islamic State militants, in his shop outside of Erbil, Iraq November 6, 2016. Picture taken November 6, 2016. REUTERS/Marius Bosch

 

[Hindustani78]

Mosul: Iraqi Kurdish forces have retaken Bashiqa, one of the last towns east of Mosul to be held by the Islamic State group, a top security official said on Tuesday.

The town is under "complete control", Jabbar Yawar, the secretary general of the Kurdish regional ministry responsible for the peshmerga security forces, told AFP by telephone.

AFP

First Published: Tuesday, November 8, 2016 - 15:04

 

[f1000n]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1057390214382480

seems like it's either use airpower to destroy the terrorists or save the infrastructure but lose soldiers due to cqb surprise attacks.

American Apaches should provide more intense support as their payload of weaponry still minimizes damage to the infrastructure. Air support intensity is still light compared to the intensity they'd deploy if they had US troops on the ground (Based on cjtf-oir daily reports).

 

[Hindustani78]

IRAQ (Nov. 3, 2016) U.S. Navy Sailors with the Expeditionary Medical Unit - Gulf, treat a simulated casualty during a coalition base response drill at Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq. Readiness drills provide Coalition forces with opportunities to assess their preparation and response time as they work to advise and assist the Iraqi security forces during Operation Inherent Resolve. Coalition forces operate out of the Qayyarah West Airfield where they advise and assist the Iraqi security forces as they fight to retake territory from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Daniel Johnson/Released)

 

[Malik Alashter]

Dozens of shia children were kidnapped, put in camps to brainwash them and turn them into killers and suicide bombers.

Shia women were raped and then killed or burnt. All captured shia men were executed.

Hundreds of yazidi slaves were kept in tel afar as well

This battle will be for liberation and revenge. All those who supported IS will regret it.

I want to see actions no hopes those isis supporters suppose to pay heavily for their crimes.

 

[Hurshid Celebi]

16 US soldiers killed, 27 wounded since start of Mosul op – military source
Published time: 8 Nov, 2016 18:04Edited time: 8 Nov, 2016 20:33

The ongoing operation in Mosul, Iraq, is taking its toll on US troops, with 16 killed and 27 wounded, according to a military source in Moscow cited by TASS. The US Department of Defense has told RT America it is only aware of one casualty.
“During the first two weeks of the ground operation to capture Mosul, 16 American servicemen lost their lives, 27 more sustained various wounds,” the source told TASS. The majority of the losses were due to “land mine explosions, artillery and mortar shelling.”

In certain cases, however, poor coordination between ground troops and air support was reportedly to blame for those killed or injured. “Two special operations soldiers died following airstrikes by US B-52H jets on Mosul suburbs,” the source said.

Read more

US special forces come to Mosul frontline – media
RT contacted the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF–OIR) for comment, which in response stated that it only has information on one casualty.

“We are unaware of these reports but can confirm that one US Service member was killed Thursday, Oct. 20. Chief Petty Officer Jason Finan was advising the Peshmerga behind the forward line of troops when he was killed by an IED blast,” CJTF–OIR's public affairs office said in an e-mail to RT.

The operation to retake Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) capital in the country, started on October 17.

Tens of thousands of Iraqi soldiers, police, special forces and various militias are taking part in the advance on the stronghold. Their mission is being supported by the US-led international coalition.

On the day of the start of Mosul offensive, Pentagon spokesperson Peter Cook confirmed US soldiers would take part in the operation.“They're in a support role," Cook stated, stressing that the units were supposed to be “behind the forward line of [Iraqi] troops."

Yet last week the US army newspaper Stars and Stripes reported that “US special operators were at the front line on the edge of Mosul.” According to the outlet, the troops wore uniforms of a US-trained Golden Division to “blend” with the local forces, but asked not to be filmed.

Prior to the Mosul offensive, estimates by the Debka Files (an Israeli news outlet affiliated with the country’s intelligence), claimed the US has in fact assigned 12,500 servicemen for the operation, including hundreds of special forces.

Read more

1,700 US Army troops deploying to Iraq to ‘advise & assist’ local forces
According to the Washington Post’s figures, the US currently maintains some 6,000 troops in Iraq, who are said to be mostly advisers helping to train the country’s army and police. The official US numbers put the presence at over 4,500.

Speaking to RT on the reports of the casualties among the US military in Mosul, Daoud Khairallah, professor of international law at Georgetown University, said Washington will eventually have to come clean on the matter.

“If it is true, the US would have to reveal the truth sooner or later. It might cover it up for a couple of days until the election passes, but eventually it will have to come up with the facts," Khairallah noted.

He went on to say that in such a case "the US government will have a lot of explaining to do."

Since the goal of US troops is to support the advancing Kurdish and Iraqi fighters, there is a chance that American soldiers may be killed, political analyst specializing in the Kurdistan region and Iraq, Shwan Zulal, told RT.

"I would not be surprised if there is more casualties," the expert said, especially "given the way ISIS is counterattacking" using tunnels in the city.

READ MORE: Vietnam War-style US 'advisers' rather than 'boots on the ground' in Iraq, Syria is pure politics

Commenting on the US labelling their troops behind the frontlines advisors, Zulala said that "in [a] situation when ISIS manage to sneak through the frontline there will be direct contact with ISIS and obviously the rule of engagement will be engaging ISIS."

According to retired US Army General Paul Vallely, while US special units accompany the local forces on the ground, they clearly risk death and injury as a result.

"As I was an adviser in Vietnam it's very high risk sometimes to be out with these units and of course if these units come under attack by ISIS forces and others there is going to be casualties, there is no doubt about it," Vallely said.



@Neptune Bro ? Confirmed ?

RIP Alper Kocaman

 

[HAIDER]

Feel sorry for Mosul people who been used as human shield by ISIS. ..Once forces enter residential area, casualties will be much more high...............................because ISIS is composed of foreign fighter, there mothers don t live in Mosul.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1057390214382480

seems like it's either use airpower to destroy the terrorists or save the infrastructure but lose soldiers due to cqb surprise attacks.

American Apaches should provide more intense support as their payload of weaponry still minimizes damage to the infrastructure. Air support intensity is still light compared to the intensity they'd deploy if they had US troops on the ground (Based on cjtf-oir daily reports).

Iraq army need huge air support , specially UAV over every moving company inside Mosul street.

 

[Hurshid Celebi]

Iraq army need huge air support

There is no respected Iraqi Army.
The only leader of real Iraqi Forces is Atheel al-Nujaifi.

 

[HAIDER]

There is no respected Iraqi Army.
The only leader of real Iraqi Forces is Atheel al-Nujaifi.

It will take time for them to transformed into regular trained army in few years. But eventually once they done cleaning Mosul next destination will be Syria . Now I wonder why Turkey is hesitant to go after ISIS, even an active base near Mosul. Now every country need a special unit to fight urban warfare. Pakistan learn these tactics after losing thousands of soldier , mainly due to avoiding collateral damage.

 

[Hurshid Celebi]

Turkey is pragmatic. Some of us dies as martyrs for our state and 1000s are born.

We don't want a hostile USA ruled terror PKK state at our boarders.

We always respected Kurds and supplied weapons to Molla Mustafa Barzani in the 60's.

Kurds are our brothers and sisters, as Selahaddin Eyyubi the protector against Crusaders was.

 

[HAIDER]

Turkey is pragmatic. Some of us dies as martyrs for our state and 1000s are born.

We don't want a hostile USA ruled terror PKK state at our boarders.

We always respected Kurds and supplied weapons to Molla Mustafa Barzani in the 60's.

Kurds are our brothers and sisters, as Selahaddin Eyyubi the protector against Crusaders was.

Kurd factor is very confusing for outsider like me. Iran, Turkey, Iraqi all hate there politicians but call them on negotiating table. when they come on table, they pizzed off the host...............what is the basic problem with them to come up with fruitful dialogue ..............they know it well , a independent Kurdish land is out of question ..non of three countries are even ready to listen this idea....

 

[Hurshid Celebi]

basic problem

Please analyse that NATO - USA chart of new design of the globe for Western sake and locals tears ;

DIVIDE and RULE - that's the reason the locals and TURKEY won't accept

 

[f1000n]

There is no respected Iraqi Army.
The only leader of real Iraqi Forces is Atheel al-Nujaifi.

Gulen is good too, I'd say have him replace Erdogan.

 

[Malik Alashter]

There is no respected Turkish Army.
The only leader of real Turkish Forces is Gulin.

 

[Hindustani78]

Reuters / Tuesday, November 08, 2016
Members of an Iraqi special forces police unit fire a rocket toward Islamic State militants on the south of Mosul. REUTERS/Stringer

Reuters / Tuesday, November 08, 2016
Smoke rises during clashes in the town of Bashiqa, east of Mosul, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Reuters / Monday, November 07, 2016
U.S. military vehicles are seen in the town of Bashiqa, east of Mosul, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari