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Scores of Iraqis Still Killed Daily by Government and Coalition Air Strikes, 3 Million Refugees Still Not Repatriated to their Cities

December 18, 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.

 

Mosul, a destroyed city, which used to be inhabited by two million people, December 17, 2017

 

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

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The Iraqi government is not rebuilding the beleaguered, and destroyed city of Mosul. In addition, the remaining inhabitants of the city suffer from lack of security, assassination, explosions, and abductions.  الموصل.. مدينة منكوبة وعجز حكومي في إعادة إعمارها  17 ديسمبر 2017  ، خاص يقين الموصل الحدباء سابقا ، المدمرة والمنكوبة حاليا ، ورغم مرور اشهر طويلة على انتهاء العمليات العسكرية التي استمرت اكثر من تسعة اشهر من قبل القوات المشتركة وميليشيا الحشد الشعبي وباسناد من الطيران الحربي للجيش والتحالف الدولي ، الا ان المدينة بجانبيها على حاله ، حيث الدمار طال كل شيء ولم يستثن دارا او مسجدا او مدرسة او مستشفى ، وسط صمت حكومي وضغف في الدعم الحقوقي المحلي والدولي . واكدت مصادر محلية في تصريح لوكالة يقين للانباء ان ” مدينة الموصل لاسيما الجانب الأيمن منها، تعاني دمارا شبه كامل، حيث دمرته العمليات العسكرية والقصف الذي شنته القوات المشتركة وميليشياتها، وهدمت آلاف المنازل ومئات المباني والدوائر والمدارس، اضافة الى قتل الآلاف من أبنائها “. واضافت المصادر انه ” وبعد أشهر من انتهاء العمليات  العسكرية، تعاني المدينة من إهمال ملحوظ من قبل الحكومة والمنظمات المحلية والدولية، حيث أكد ناشطون من مدينة الموصل ان المدينة مهملة بلا إعمار ولا خدمات، ولا حتى خطة أو ميزانية حكومية لإنقاذ المدينة التي دمرت جراء القصف العشوائي، مؤكدين أن العجز الحكومي واضح في إعادة المدينة وإعمارها بالاضافة إلى الانفلات الأمني الذي يسودها من حيث التفجيرات والاغتيالات والخطف”." http://yaqein.net/politics/77450   The UN Migration Agency reported that there are still three million Iraqi refugees, who have not been repatriated yet, after their villages and cities were destroyed by the Iraqi government and the coalition forces. Even those who returned still suffered from exposure to the continuous attacks. The poor are the hardest hit. الهجرة الدولية: نحو 3 ملايين عراقي لا يزالون نازحين 17 ديسمبر 2017  ، يقين بينت المنظمة الدولية للهجرة في دراسة جديدة صدرت عنها ، ان نحو ثلاثة ملايين نازح لم يعد الى دياره في العراق حتى الان ، وسط تفاقم لاحوال النازحين في المخيمات وخارجها ، وتزامنا مع الاهمال الحكومي المتعمد لهم وضعف عمليات الاسناد والاغاثة التي تقدمها المنظمات الحقوقية (المحلية والدولية ). وقالت المتحدثة باسم المنظمة “ساندرا بلاك” بتصريح صحفي إنها” المرة الأولى يتساوى فيها عدد العائدين إلى ديارهم مع عدد النازحين خارج منازلهم ، إذ بلغ عدد العائدين نحو 2.75 مليون مدني ، مقابل 2.88 مليون مدني خارج منازلهم ونازحين حتى الان “. وأشارت الدراسة إلى أن “العدد الأكبر من العائدين سجل في محافظتي الأنبار ونينوى ذات الغالبية السنية، لافتة إلى أن نحو ثلث العائدين أفادوا بأن منازلهم أصيبت بأضرار جسيمة، فيما أفاد 60 في المائة أن الأضرار كانت متوسطة”. وأضافت أن “السكان الذين يواجهون صعوبة أكبر في العودة هم الذين ليس لديهم سندات ملكية، ولا سيما أولئك الذين هم الأكثر فقرا أو ضعفا ، مضيفة أن العقبة الرئيسية أمام عودة النازحين لا تزال غير آمنة إلى الموطن الأصلي هي صراع دائر أو وجود ذخائر غير منفجرة أو ألغام أو فصائل مسلحة”. http://yaqein.net/politics/77407

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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:

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Seventeen Islamic State militants killed in airstrike on Anbar secret tunnel

by Mohammed Ebraheem Dec 17, 2017, 8:21 pm

Anbar (Iraqinews.com) --

Seventeen Islamic State militants were killed in an airstrike on Anbar province, a leader in al-Hashd al-Shaabi told Arabs Today on Sunday.

“Iraqi Air Force launched an air raid on a secret tunnel used by Islamic State at Wadi al-Qathf area west of Anbar, killing 17 IS militants,” Qatar al-Obeidi said.

“The casualties included foreign IS militants,” he said, adding that the aerial bombardment left a large cache of weapons and ammunition destroyed.

The air raid was launched upon accurate intelligence information, Obeidi pointed out.

Earlier in the day, Head of Anbar Council Ahmed al-Alwani said that Iraqi-Syrian borders are totally secured by the Iraqi Army after the liberation of Iraq from Islamic State a week ago.

“The security situation in Anbar province is reassuring,” Alwani was quoted by IKH News as saying earlier on Sunday.

Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in Iraq earlier in November with the recapture of Rawa, a city on Anbar’s western borders with Syria, which was the group’s last bastion in Iraq.

IS declared a self-styled “caliphate” in a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014. A government campaign, backed by the US-led international coalition, was launched in 2016 to retake IS-held regions, managing to retake all havens, most notably the city of Mosul, the group’s previously proclaimed capital.

Last week, 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 on Saturday, December 9, Abadi said, “Our troops gained full control on the Iraqi-Syrian borders. We announce the end of war against Islamic State.”

Abadi’s announcement came 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.

Iraqi troops kill eight terrorists on border between Diyala, Salahuddin

by Mohammed Ebraheem Dec 17, 2017, 7:39 pm

Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) --

Iraqi troops killed eight terrorists and destroyed four Islamic State hotbeds during a military operation to pursuit IS militants in a border area between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, a municipal official said.

In an exclusive interview to Baghdad Today on Sunday, Sadeq al-Husseini, the head of Diyala council’s security committee, said, “Joint troops from the Tigris Operations Command, al-Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraqi Air Force killed eight terrorists and destroyed four IS hideouts at Mteibijah area between the provinces of Salahuddin and Diyala.”

“The troops also dismantled 24 bombs during the purging operation at Mteibijah area,” Husseini said, adding that an Islamic State camp and five armored vehicles used by the militant group were also destroyed at Albu Jum’ah village.

A military operation was launched earlier on Saturday to hunt down remnants of Islamic State at Mteibijah area in Iraq, the Iraqi military said.

Backed by paramilitary al-Hashd al-Shaabi, the troops advanced from three directions to clear Mteibijah area, the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a brief statement.

Dozens of IS militants fled their former bases in Salahuddin province and Hawijah area in west of Kirkuk after the Iraqi forces cleared these areas from the extremist militants during anti-IS offensives in the past few months.

Last week, 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 on Saturday, December 9, 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 came 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.

Three policemen killed in shootout with Islamic State in Mosul

by Mohammed Ebraheem Dec 17, 2017, 5:37 pm

Nineveh (Iraqinews.com) --

Three federal police forces were killed in a shootout with Islamic State west of Mosul, a security source told BasNews.

“IS militants launched an attack on a patrol of Federal Police at al-Nahrawan area in western Mosul, killing three policemen,” the source, who preferred to remain unnamed, said on Sunday.

“Police launched a manhunt for the assailants, who fled the scene after the shooting,” the source added.

Earlier in the day, a suicide bomber was killed before blowing himself up outside a house in Mosul.

“A bomber with an explosive belt was killed after one of the bombs he was carrying exploded while trying to blow himself up outside a house owned by the father of the former mayor of Mosul,” a security source told Shafaq News.

“The blast left no casualties among civilians,” the source stressed.

Last week, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members. The declaration came after Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah, commander of Upper Euphrates and Jazirah Combing Operations, announced liberation of all Iraqi lands from IS.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State 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).

Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, have been fighting since October 2016 to retake territories Islamic State occupied in 2014.

Ten Islamic State bodies found on borders between Diyala, Salahuddin: Commander

by Nehal Mostafa Dec 16, 2017, 9:17 pm

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) --

Number of Islamic State bodies found between Diyala and Salahuddin borders have reached 10, a commander said on Saturday.

“Security troops of Dijla Operations Command found in the morning, today, five IS members inside a rest house in al-Mayta region, between Diyala and Salahuddin. In the evening, five other IS bodies were killed in airstrike in the same region,” Maj. Gen. Mazhar al-Azawi, commander of Dijla Operations Command, told Alghad Press.

“Security troops managed to blow up two booby-trapped houses at the boundaries of al-Mayta region,” he added.

“The operations of combing Mutaibija and areas in its vicinity will resume until tomorrow until all targets are achieved and areas on the borders are controlled,” Azzawi added.

Earlier on the day, the Dijla Operations Command said joint troops of Dijla and Samarra operations as well as the PMFs and tribes, backed by army jets, launched a military operation to purge Mutaibija region, on borders between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces.

The operation, according to the statement, will include several regions in the vicinity of Mutaibija, including al-Mayta, al-Bu Janaan, Hawi al-Udhaim and Um Talil. The operation targets security and combing the borders between the two provinces.

On Friday, news reports said two persons were killed, while six others were wounded in a suicide attack that was launched against Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades) in al-Howeish region, northwest of Samarra.

Also on the same day, army jets destroyed two IS rest houses in al-Mayta region, located on borders between Diyala and Salahuddin, leaving 10 Islamic State members killed.

Eight security personnel killed, injured in suicide attack, northwest of Samarra

by Nehal Mostafa Dec 15, 2017, 5:17 pm

Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) --

Eight security personnel were killed and injured in a suicide attack, a security source said on Friday.

“Two persons were killed, while six others were wounded in a suicide attack that was launched against Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades) in al-Howeish region, northwest of Samarra,” the source told Baghdad Today without giving further details.

The brigades took part in the summer of 2014 in liberation of regions in south of Salahuddin and others in Samarra and areas in its vicinity.

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.

The war against IS has displaced nearly five million people, with tens of thousands of civilians and militants killed since the launch of the offensives to recapture occupied cities.

Ten IS members killed in airstrike on Diyala, Salahuddin borders: Commander

by Nehal Mostafa Dec 15, 2017, 4:43 pm

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) --

Ten Islamic State members were killed in an airstrike on the borders between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, a commander said on Friday.

Speaking to AlSumaria News, Maj. Gen. Mazhar al-Azzawi, commander of Dijla Operations, said, “army jets destroyed two IS rest houses in al-Mayta region, located on borders between Diyala and Salahuddin, north of Baqubah.”

“The shelling of the rest houses left 10 IS members killed,” he added. “The operation was carried out after information gathered by the intelligence of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) accurately located the two rest houses.

Security services in Diyala destroyed several IS rest houses over the past few months in sporadic regions across the province, especially near borders with Salahuddin.

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.

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.

The war against IS has displaced at least five million people. Thousands others fled towards neighboring countries including Syria, Turkey and other European countries, since IS emerged to proclaim its self-styled “caliphate." 

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

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OIR Officials Report Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 15, 2017 —

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria between Dec. 11-14, conducting 42 strikes consisting of 53 engagements,  officials reported today.

Strikes in Syria

Yesterday in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 13 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, nine strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed six ISIS vehicles and a fighting position.

-- Near Tanf, a strike destroyed a weapons cache and two ISIS caves.

On Dec. 13, coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 17 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, nine strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS vehicles and an ISIS headquarters.

-- Near Tanf, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS vehicles, four cave entrances and a tactical vehicle.

On Dec. 12,, coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal. The strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS vehicles and a heavy weapon.

On Dec. 11, coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal. The strikes engaged five ISiS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS heavy weapons.

Strikes in Iraq

There were no reported strikes in Iraq yesterday.

On Dec. 13 in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Rutbah, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS vehicle.

-- Near Tuz, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two ISIS tents and a bunker.

On Dec. 12, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against ISIS targets:

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

-- Near Rutbah, a strike destroyed two ISIS-held buildings.

On Dec. 11, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of five engagements against ISIS targets near Hawija. The strike engaged an ISiS tactical unit and destroyed two ISIS meeting facilities.

Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 11, 2017 —

Strikes in Syria

On Dec. 8 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of three engagements against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal. The strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle and a fighting position.

On Dec. 9 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of five engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS vehicle and an ISIS line of communication.

-- Near Shadaddi, a strike engaged an ISIS mortar team.

On Dec. 10 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 13 engagements against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal. The strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, a mortar system, a tactical vehicle and an ISIS headquarters.

Strike in Iraq

On Dec. 9 in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets near Tuz. The strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS truck.

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