Iraq's war against IS terrorism | Updates and Discussions

[Saif al-Arab]

We must draw differences between such policies, when speaking of Maliki vs Abadi policies we are talking about the strategic level. The executions that happen on a small scale are operational level and will not be reason for IS support given that they specifically target the enemy, not random civillians as many IS apologists try to tell. The ERU unit which recently was shown in a documentary torturing/executing IS elements is lead by a Sunni, I think you saw the video. All of this is no issue, the military is closely aligned to the US military and they will be working together for the next decade to come. They've also grown and will continue to grow under partial supervision of the US, in one way this safeguards them from the political corruption given that there's a powerful external force keeping overwatch on the development.

That cannot be said for all other branches of the system, corruption I would like to point out remains very high. The state is weak, I don't think there was much corruption under Saddam. As for the land grabbing Kurds, we agree on this. Nationalism wise, I unfortunately don't find too many in Iraq who share my belief; my belief was common in the 80's and early 90's, then religion made its entry into people's ideology.

As you said, it seems to be going well on the military level which is what i'm most interested in. I'm aware that it requires a combined effort on all fronts to achieve lasting victory and progression of the country. But what can you do when your top leaders are trash?

One should take a look at Hoshyar Zebari's tweets on Twitter, he was a minister in Iraq for over 10 years or something? You can clearly see his pro Kurd, Iraq hatred in his tweets. Such trash should be dealt with as during the old days. Abadi has done good but remains a weak leader, I know that there's a danger in wanting a strong leader given that they often turn out to be dictators.

https://twitter.com/x/status/880501009566633985

Which is alpha and omega actually. A combined effort that is. As long as that is lacking no everlasting progress can occur. If it occurs it will always be sporadic and prone to destruction due to the weak fundament.

I don't even consider tiny "KRG" as Iraq. The only thing that matters is the disputed territories if we are talking about land. "KRG" is nothing more than a burden for Iraq. The only thing that needs to be guaranteed is future downstream water flow from al-Furat and Dijlah which also involves Turkey.

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/iraq/2015-08-23/rivers-babylon

http://www.thetower.org/article/iraq-has-another-big-problem-water-and-is-thirsty-for-answers/

http://jpinyu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/The-Water-Crisis-in-Syria-and-Iraq.pdf

Another catastrophic problem for Iraq's society, economy and future is the role of Iran which every Iraqi patriot is well aware of and understands is a major threat.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/15/world/middleeast/iran-iraq-iranian-power.html

BTW the video that I talked about will have consequences for the perpetrators according to the Iraqi army itself. Remains to be seen but I am happy that the people in power (at least some of them) can see that this was not the way to go.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/14369/Iraq-investigating-Mosul-cliff-killing-video

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/n...laims-of-horrific-cliff-top-killing-by-troops

BTW, don't worry, I won't waste my time discussing internal Iraqi and Arab affairs with Iranians or other foreigners here so I won't derail the thread. Well-informed Iraqis and Iraqi patriots and nationalists share similar views to mine regardless of sect.

 

[Simbabw]

Another catastrophic problem for Iraq's society, economy and future is the role of Iran which every Iraqi patriot is well aware of and understands is a major threat.

Iran is a major threat to Iraq ? LOL

 

[TheCamelGuy]

Which is alpha and omega actually. A combined effort that is. As long as that is lacking no everlasting progress can occur. If it occurs it will always be sporadic and prone to destruction due to the weak fundament.

I don't even consider tiny "KRG" as Iraq. The only thing that matters is the disputed territories if we are talking about land. "KRG" is nothing more than a burden for Iraq. The only thing that needs to be guaranteed is future downstream water flow from al-Furat and Dijlah which also involves Turkey.

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/iraq/2015-08-23/rivers-babylon

http://www.thetower.org/article/iraq-has-another-big-problem-water-and-is-thirsty-for-answers/

http://jpinyu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/The-Water-Crisis-in-Syria-and-Iraq.pdf

Another catastrophic problem for Iraq's society, economy and future is the role of Iran which every Iraqi patriot is well aware of and understands is a major threat.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/15/world/middleeast/iran-iraq-iranian-power.html

BTW the video that I talked about will have consequences for the perpetrators according to the Iraqi army itself. Remains to be seen but I am happy that the people in power (at least some of them) can see that this was not the way to go.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/14369/Iraq-investigating-Mosul-cliff-killing-video

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/n...laims-of-horrific-cliff-top-killing-by-troops

BTW, don't worry, I won't waste my time discussing internal Iraqi and Arab affairs with Iranians or other foreigners here so I won't derail the thread. Well-informed Iraqis and Iraqi patriots and nationalists share similar views to mine regardless of sect.

This is a valid argument.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...ck-cockburn-a7845846.html?cmpid=facebook-post

Iraqi security forces kill Isis prisoners because they believe that if the militants are sent to prison camps they will bribe the authorities in Baghdad to release them. “That is why Iraqi soldiers prefer to shoot them or throw them off high buildings,” says one Iraqi source. A former senior Iraqi official said he could name the exact sum that it would take for an Isis member to buy papers enabling him to move freely around Iraq.

The US is also directly shipping arms and ammo to army/air bases in Iraq instead of delivering them to Baghdad and letting the gov distribute it, for the same reason. Corruption is extremely high

 

[Saif al-Arab]

This is a valid argument.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...ck-cockburn-a7845846.html?cmpid=facebook-post

Iraqi security forces kill Isis prisoners because they believe that if the militants are sent to prison camps they will bribe the authorities in Baghdad to release them. “That is why Iraqi soldiers prefer to shoot them or throw them off high buildings,” says one Iraqi source. A former senior Iraqi official said he could name the exact sum that it would take for an Isis member to buy papers enabling him to move freely around Iraq.

The US is also directly shipping arms and ammo to army/air bases in Iraq instead of delivering them to Baghdad and letting the gov distribute it, for the same reason. Corruption is extremely high

The judicial system is corrupt like other state institutions. This is correct and has been evident for decades. However the problem with arbitrary killings is that innocents undoubtedly suffer. This is a problem in a society like the Iraqi one were tribal revenge and honor are important factors in solving disputes and dishing out justice in the countryside or in places where the state institutions are weak.

I have read about reports of innocent families that were falsely accused by rival local clans, families etc. of being pro-ISIS and they have been forced to fled the city. This causes resentment and they will probably look after revenge and thus an evil circle has emerged.

Another thing, as I mentioned before, torturing even ISIS members and killing them this way makes the perpetrator appear weak and not any better than ISIS. Rather kill them with a headshot or more professionally. If you insist in killing them this way at least make sure not to be caught as such footage can be used as propaganda as I explained earlier.

Anyway who is responsible for that unwanted state of the judicial system if not those in power? It should be their foremost job to serve the nation and people and to ensure that people trust the judicial system. It's a basic element of a well-functioning state.

Similarly various militias who often have a different agenda than the state (government and military) should be closely monitored in such war torn areas. Some of them are already and have tried and will try to challenge the government and create/establish institutions separate from the state. They already exist and such organizations are already strong in several areas of Southern Iraq. Nationalism is the way forward but when you have people who are influential on the ground and who betrayed their country and people not long ago and who are more loyal to that entity than their own country and people, this cannot be any differently.

 

[TheCamelGuy]

@Saif al-Arab

There was a recent chief of staff visit.
(Did not yet watch video to know what results are).

 

[Saif al-Arab]

@Saif al-Arab

There was a recent chief of staff visit.
(Did not yet watch video to know what results are).

Wonderful video and this is indeed a major step towards the right direction. Now this relationship must evolve and include other Arab countries. There should be close cooperation on all military fronts between Arab nations, especially neighbors, joint military exercises, joint JV's, close and continuous intelliagece sharing, especially in the fight against terror, political dialogue via the military at all times irrespective of the political decisions etc.

This is a very good thing by all accounts. I am sure that cooperation occurred earlier but it was not made public.

I see no reason why this relationship cannot evolve in the fashion that I mentioned. This relationship should include a future Syria, of course Egypt, Jordan and all the Arab states willing to cooperate with each other.

Anyway if you take a look at some Iraqi, Saudi Arabian and in general Arab military forums the reaction to this visit is very positive.

BTW the Iraqi interior minister Qassim al-Araji

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qasim_al-Araji

visited Riyadh and met with MBS:

This is quite significant because Al-Araji is a senior member of the Badr Organization.

Also US officials were involved in the meeting:

Obviously this had to do with the regional fight against ISIS but probably also many other topics.

Regardless of what dialogue is always the best way forward and more so between brothers and sisters. No sane person should wish for enmity despite political disagreements or non-clever regime policies or a few idiotic clerics here and there on each side. Nobody wins from this. House of Saud make a grave mistake when they ignored Iraq post 2003 during the Al-Maliki era in hindsight. They probably had their reasons (according to them) but it was a wrong policy. Many wrongs were committed by various regimes in the region. Mistakes that average people had nothing to do with. But that is the past, the regimes should look towards the future and not to commit past mistakes. This is at least my opinion.

Another video:

@Gasoline bro, if you are seeing this post, I am interested in your views about the potential future cooperation between KSA and Iraq.

 

[Glass]

https://twitter.com/x/status/888823575154577408

Send the iraqi army over there @TheCamelGuy

 

[Path-Finder]

https://twitter.com/x/status/888885114293202945

 

[TheCamelGuy]

ISOF will take part in Tal Afar operation. Would've been nice to see the operation be done without ISOF to have other units gain experience, maybe PMF.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Impressive story.

Cannot post the entire article here:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/special-forces-hero-dubbed-lion-10786736

Some nice recent photos of ISOF in action:

 

[TheCamelGuy]

mosul

 

[TheCamelGuy]

Seems like a medium/large number of Mi-17 acquirement is planned for the new unit 'Iraqi rangers' program led by US/Australian supervisors to create an elite infantry air assault unit modeled after the 101st airborne.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/us-led-coalition-tightens-noose-around-iraq-s-tal-afar/880696
By Sarhad Shaker

NINEVEH, Iraq

A U.S.-led air coalition on Wednesday resumed striking Iraq’s northern Tal Afar district amid preparations by a French army battalion to decisively drive Daesh terrorists from the area.

“Coalition warplanes struck six Daesh positions today in central Tal Afar,” Musa Ali Julaq, commander of a Turkmen division of the Hashd al-Shaabi (a largely Shia fighting force incorporated into the Iraqi army last year), said.

“We heard several massive explosions followed by a number of small ones as coalition warplanes struck [Daesh] arms depots,” Julaq told Anadolu Agency without giving details as to casualties or material damage.

“A French artillery battalion stationed near the Mosul Dam is now preparing to advance on Tal Afar to reinforce Iraqi troops already deployed in the vicinity,” he added.

The French battalion, which is operating under the U.S.-led coalition, supported the Iraqi army’s nine-month campaign that ended last month with Mosul’s recapture from the terrorist group.

As for Daesh’s current disposition in Tal Afar, Julaq said: “The enemy is now arresting its own elements who are attempting to flee their positions following two weeks of intense [coalition] bombardment.”

The northern district of Tal Afar has remained a Daesh stronghold since the terrorist group overran vast territories in northern and western Iraq in mid-2014.

*******

A U.S. military base has been established near Iraq’s northwestern Tal Afar city, according to an Iraqi military source.

“The establishment of the base came upon talks held between U.S. and Iraqi forces Friday in Mosul’s Zammar district,” Lt. Col. Mahdi al-Khafaji told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.

According to al-Khafaji, the technical teams have completed more than 50% of their work at the base.

The military base is supposed to be used for planned operations to recapture Tal Afar from Daesh terrorist group.

"U.S. special forces and advisers have been deployed at the base," he confirmed.

Iraqi forces have been preparing to launch an offensive to capture Tal Afar from Daesh after defeating the terrorist group in Mosul last month.

Tal Afar has remained a Daesh stronghold since the terrorist group overran vast territories in northern and western Iraq in mid-2014.

 

[Hindustani78]

Five other soldiers were wounded, it said in a statement, without providing further details.
world Updated: Aug 13, 2017 23:09 IST
AP, Baghdad

A US soldier runs at a coalition forces forward base near West Mosul, Iraq.(Reuters File Photo)

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world...led-in-iraq/story-xLShfTR6RPSurQqCIyJIGO.html

Two American soldiers have been killed while conducting combat operations in Iraq, the US military said Sunday, adding that “initial reports indicate the incident was not due to enemy contact”.

Five other soldiers were wounded, it said in a statement, without providing further details. It did not identify the soldiers.

Lt. General Stephen Townsend, the commander of US forces battling the Islamic State group in Iraq, said the coalition “sends our deepest condolences to these heroes’ families, friends and teammates”.

More than 5,000 US troops are taking part in the war against IS in Iraq, according the Pentagon. The vast majority operate within heavily guarded bases, collecting and sharing intelligence with Iraqi forces and providing logistical support.


But as the fight has evolved over the past three years, more and more US troops are operating close to the front lines. In addition to the two troops killed Sunday, five other US troops have been killed in Iraq in the fight against IS, including two in the battle to retake the northern city of Mosul.

More than 1,200 Iraqi forces were killed in the battle for Mosul and more than 6,000 wounded, US Defense secretary Jim Mattis said earlier this month.

Iraq’s Prime Minister declared victory against IS in Mosul in July, and Iraqi forces are now preparing to retake the IS-held town of Tel Afar, to the west.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1144171/middle-east

Iraq's Moqtada Al-Sadr visits UAE, strengthening ties with Sunni states
Reuters | Published — Monday 14 August 2017

IRBIL, Iraq: An influential Iraqi Shiite cleric plans to visit the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, strengthening his ties with Sunni-ruled states of the Middle East.

It will be the second such trip in as many months for Moqtada Al-Sadr, who commands a large following among Iraq’s urban poor. He visited Saudi Arabia at the end of July.

The Emirati government will send a special plane to fly Sadr to the UAE and return him to Iraq, according to a statement on the cleric’s website.

The cleric is one of few Iraqi Shiite leaders to keep some distance from Shiite Iran, the main backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad. In April, Sadr called on Assad to “take a historic heroic decision” and step down, to spare his country further bloodshed.

Sadr’s office said his meetings last month with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, resulted in an agreement to study possible investments in Shiite regions of southern Iraq. The Saudis will also consider the possibility of opening a consulate in Iraq’s holy Shiite city of Najaf, he said.

Sadr also announced a Saudi decision to donate $10 million to help Iraqis displaced by the war on Islamic State in Iraq, to be paid to the Iraqi government.

Baghdad and Riyadh had announced in June they would set up a coordination council to upgrade ties, as part of an attempt to heal troubled relations between the Arab neighbors.

Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad in 2015 following a 25-year break, and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir made a rare visit to Baghdad in February.
(Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli)

http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/4-policemen-killed-in-daesh-ambush-in-eastern-iraq/883394

Four Iraqi policemen were killed in a Daesh ambush in eastern Iraq on Sunday, according to a local police officer.

Daesh militants opened fire on a police patrol in eastern Diyala province and escaped unscathed, captain Habib al-Shemari told Anadolu Agency.

Sunday’s attack came as Iraqi forces were preparing to launch an offensive to recapture the northwestern city of Tal Afar, which the terrorist group overran in 2014.

Last month, Iraqi forces dislodged Daesh from their last stronghold in Mosul, once Iraq’s second largest city.