Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Announces Victory Over Isis But the War Continues and the Refugees Suffer Everywhere

December 11, 2017

Editor's Note:

The following are just examples of news stories about the continuous Iraq war. Daily news stories can be accessed from the news sources listed below and others in the internet.

 

Two bombs exploded west of Ramadi city, file, December 9, 2017	Iraqi army bombarded 6 Islamic State positions between Diyala, Salahuddin, December 10, 2017

Nine persons killed, wounded in three bomb blasts in Baghdad, file, December 9, 2017	Buildings of the Old city of Mosul liberated by Iraqi forces, on July 8, 2017

Iraqi Sunnis are still in refugee camps after the destruction of their towns and villages, December 10, 2017

 

The following are news stories from the independent Iraqi Arabic news agency, Yaqein ( http://yaqein.net/ ):

***

86 refugee camps in Anbar suffering lack of support from the Iraqi government, which is threatening to the life of refugees in these winter times مخيمات الأنبار...تفاقم المعاناة مع غياب الدعم  2  ديسمبر 2017 خاص يقين/ مخيمات النازحين في محافظة الانبار تشهد تفاقما لاوضاع ساكنيها ، مع حلول فصل الشتاء واشتداد البرد عليهم داخل الخيم التي تفتقد لوسائل التدفئة ومواجهة البرد القارس ، اضافة الى غياب الدعم الحكومي لمخيمات النازحين من حيث توفير الاغطية والوقد اللزم للتدفئة . واكدت مصادر محلية في تصريح لوكالة يقين للانباء ان ” نازحي الانبار يعانيون في مخيماتهم من قلة الدعم والاغاثة رغم الظروف الانسانية التي يعيشونها في تلك المخيمات، لاسيما مع حلول الشتاء وتسجيل حالات اصابة بامراض البرد وغيرها نتيجة لانخفاض درجات الحرارة وغياب الرعاية الطبية وتوفير الدواء “. وبينت المصادر أن ” الأوضاع الانسانية تتفاقم في 86 مخيم للنازحين في محافظة الأنبار والتي تنذر بوقوع كارثة صحية تهدد حياتهم.

***

The following are news stories from a pro-Iraqi government website (http://www.iraqinews.com/), which usually reports those who are killed by Iraqi government attacks as Islamic State fighters, implying no civilians were killed by bombing residential neighborhoods:

***

Military parade to celebrate victory against Islamic State in Iraq

by Nehal Mostafa Dec 10, 2017, 2:31 pm

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com)

The military parade of Iraqi troops has started to celebrate the victory against Islamic State members, according to Prime Minister’s office.

In a statement on Sunday, the office said, “the military parade of Iraqi troops began in attendance of the Commander-in-chief of the armed forces Haidar al-Abadi.”

An informed source said, “the parade will take part in participation of the Iraqi army, Federal Police and Counter-Terrorism Service as well as other troops, with al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) on top.”

In related news, another security source indicated tight security measures were taken in the center of the capital to “secure the citizens celebrating the victory against IS.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced on Saturday full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, have been fighting since October 2016 to retake territories Islamic State had occupied.

Abadi’s declaration came after Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah, commander of Upper Euphrates and Jazirah Combing Operations, announced liberation of all Iraqi lands from IS.

In November, Abadi said his country has defeated Islamic State over the military level, but will declare final victory after desert areas are purged of militants.

6 Islamic State positions bombarded between Diyala, Salahuddin

by Mohammed Ebraheem Dec 10, 2017, 1:21 pm

Diyala (IraqiNews.com)

Iraqi troops bombarded six Islamic State positions in a border area between Diyala and Salahuddin, a provincial official said.

“Iraqi security forces in cooperation with al-Hashd al-Shaabi [Popular Mobilization Forces] fighters fired mortar shells at six positions of Islamic State at Albu Canaan village in the border are between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces,” Abdul-Khaleq al-Azzawi, a member of Diyala province council, told Alghad Press on Sunday.

“There are reports of human casualties among Islamic State militants,” Azzawi said, adding that the shelling occurred after receiving accurate information on the location of these sites.

On Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared final victory over Islamic State three years after the militant group captured about a third of Iraq’s territory.

In a speech during the international media conference held at the journalists syndicate in Baghdad, Abadi said, “Our troops gained full control on the Iraqi-Syrian borders. We announce the end of war against Islamic State.”

“Our battle against the enemy, who wanted to destroy our civilization, is over. Thus, we gained victory through our unity and determination that made us defeat IS in short time,” he said.

Abadi’s announcement comes two days after Russia announced a similar victory over Islamic State militants in neighboring Syria.

Abadi declared Dec. 10 an annual national holiday on this occasion

Fourteen Turkmen civilians killed, wounded by mortar missiles in Salahuddin

by Nehal Mostafa Dec 9, 2017, 11:21 pm

Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com)

Fourteen persons were killed and injured as mortar missiles were fired against district inhabited by Turkmen in Salahuddin, an official was quoted saying.

“Thirteen missiles were fired from behind the mountains in Tuz Khurmatu against of the districts of Turkmens in the region. A child was killed, while thirteen others were wounded,” Ali al-Husseini, head of Tuz Khurmatu town council, told Alghad Press on Saturday.

“All the wounded are Turkmen civilians,” he added.

Earlier on the day, a security source from the town said five mortar missiles were shot without casualties reported.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State Sunni extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

A total of 117 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 264 injured, excluding police, in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in November, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Baghdad was the worst affected Governorate, with 201 civilian casualties (51 killed, 150 injured). Salahaddin Governorate followed, with 24 killed and 60 injured, and Kirkuk had 12 killed and 28 injured.

Earlier on the day, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, have been fighting since October 2016 to retake territories Islamic State had occupied.

Seven civilians killed, injured in two bomb blasts, west of Ramadi

by Nehal Mostafa Dec 9, 2017, 5:43 pm

Anbar (IraqiNews.com)

Seven civilians were killed and wounded in two bomb blasts in west of Ramadi, a security source from Anbar province was quoted saying.

“A bomb from the remnants of Islamic State exploded targeting a vehicle in Heitan village, west of Hit city, 70 kilometers west of Ramadi, leaving four civilians killed,” the source told AlSumaria News.

“Another bomb targeted another vehicle in al-Hesniya region, west of Hit, leaving three civilians wounded,” the source, who asked to remain anonymous, added.

Security troops, according to the source, “headed to the two blast scenes. The victims were taken to forensic medicine department, while the wounded were transferred to hospital for treatment.”

On Friday, a lieutenant general was killed and two soldiers were severely injured as a booby-trapped house in al-Mu’alimin district exploded While security troops were inspecting regions in Rawa.

Earlier in November, Iraqi forces recaptured Anbar’s western town of Rawa, the very last bastion under Islamic State control.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State Sunni extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

A total of 117 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 264 injured, excluding police, in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in November, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Baghdad was the worst affected Governorate, with 201 civilian casualties (51 killed, 150 injured). Salahaddin Governorate followed, with 24 killed and 60 injured, and Kirkuk had 12 killed and 28 injured.

Nine persons killed, wounded in three bomb blasts in Baghdad

by Nehal Mostafa Dec 9, 2017, 5:29 pm

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com)

Nine persons were killed and injured in several explosions in the capital city of Baghdad, a security source said on Saturday.

“A bomb exploded near a market in al-Tarmiyah region, north of Baghdad, leaving a citizen killed and four others wounded,” the source told Baghdad Today on Saturday.

Another bomb, according to the source, “targeted a civilian’s vehicle in al-Jihad district, southwest of Baghdad.” The civilian was immediately killed.

A third bomb “exploded near stores in al-Wardiya region in al-Mada’in town, southeast of the capital, leaving three persons injured,” the source said.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State Sunni extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

A total of 117 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 264 injured, excluding police, in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in November, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Baghdad was the worst affected Governorate, with 201 civilian casualties (51 killed, 150 injured). Salahaddin Governorate followed, with 24 killed and 60 injured, and Kirkuk had 12 killed and 28 injured.

Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, have been fighting since October 2016 to retake territories Islamic State had occupied. Since then, forces took back the group’s former capital, Mosul, the town of Tal Afar, Kirkuk’s Hawija, and Anbar’s Annah, Rawa and Qaim.

Four police personnel killed in bomb blast, south of Mosul

by Nehal Mostafa Dec 8, 2017, 11:40 pm

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com)

Four police personnel were killed in a bomb blast, south of Mosul, an officer from Nineveh police department said on Friday.

“Four personnel from the Federal Police were killed in a bomb blast that targeted their patrol passing at al-Athba village,” Cap. Ahmed Shehab told BasNews.

“Troops cordoned off the blast spot and transferred the victims to forensic medicine department in Mosul. Investigations were conducted, while a campaign was launched in the region,” he added.

On July 10, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over Islamic State militants who had held the second largest Iraqi city since 2014. More than 25,000 militants were killed throughout the campaign.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State Sunni extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

A total of 117 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 264 injured, excluding police, in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in November, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Baghdad was the worst affected Governorate, with 201 civilian casualties (51 killed, 150 injured). Salahaddin Governorate followed, with 24 killed and 60 injured, and Kirkuk had 12 killed and 28 injured.

***

The following are news stories from the US Department of Defense website (http://www.defense.gov/News) :

***

Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 8, 2017 —

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, conducting 18 strikes consisting of 40 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria between Dec. 4 and yesterday,

Officials reported details of the most recent strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Yesterday in Syria, coalition military forces conducted five strikes against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal, engaging four ISIS tactical units and destroying an ISIS headquarters, two fighting positions and an ISIS vehicle.

On Dec. 6, coalition military forces conducted four strikes against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal, engaging two ISIS tactical units and destroying three ISIS vehicles, 13 ISIS watercraft and two ISIS-held buildings.

On Dec. 5, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal, engaging eight ISIS tactical units and destroying 17 ISIS watercraft, an improvised explosive device, an ISIS line of communication, an ISIS headquarters, a heavy weapon, an ISIS vehicle and an ISIS motorcycle.

On Dec. 4, coalition military forces conducted a strike against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal, engaging an ISIS tactical unit and destroying an ISIS fighting position.

Strikes in Iraq

There were no strikes reported in Iraq Dec. 4-7.

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 4, 2017 —

Strikes in Syria

Yesterday in Syria, coalition military forces conducted five strikes against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal, engaging three ISIS tactical units and destroying two ISIS vehicles, two heavy weapons and three fighting positions.

On Dec. 2, coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal, engaging 11 ISIS tactical units and destroying eight ISIS vehicles, a heavy weapon, an ISIS fighting position and five explosive hazards.

On Dec. 1, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal, engaging 13 ISIS tactical units and destroying four ISIS vehicles, a tactical vehicle, an ISIS fighting position, an indirect fire weapon and a heavy weapon.

Strikes in Iraq

Yesterday in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of two engagements near Rutbah that destroyed an ISIS-held building.

On Dec. 2, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of four engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Asad, a strike destroyed two ISIS supply routes.

-- Near Qayyarah, two strikes destroyed two ISIS-held buildings.

-- Near Taji, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

There were no strikes reported in Iraq on Dec. 1.

Pentagon Announces Troop Levels in Iraq, Syria

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2017 —

The United States has about 5,200 troops in Iraq and 2,000 in Syria, and those numbers are trending down, Pentagon officials said here today.

Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Robert Manning announced the numbers in compliance with Defense Secretary James N. Mattis’ direction to give the American people a better idea of the commitment of U.S. forces in the region.

The officials arrived at the number using the same system used to quantify the troops in Afghanistan, Manning said.

“We seek to inform the American public with the imperative of operational security and denying the enemy any advantage,” Manning said.

“The secretary has been clear about improving our public reporting while increasing commanders’ ability to adapt to changing battlefield conditions to counter emerging threats,” the colonel said.

Iraqi forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces have liberated about 97 percent of the people and land that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria once claimed as the new caliphate, he said.

“The campaign to defeat ISIS is now in a new phase in Iraq and Syria,” Manning said.

This phase-shift will allow DoD to optimize force management practices and adapt to current Operation Inherent Resolve requirements. With the liberation, fewer U.S. forces are needed to support Iraqi and Syrian forces kinetically. An example of this was the withdrawal of a Marine artillery unit from Syria last week.

***

Share the link of this article with your facebook friends