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

 

Scores of Iraqis Killed in Air Strikes, Shelling, and Clashes

January 8, 2018

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 residents leave the beleaguered city again for the lack of basic services, January 8, 2018	A bomb blast in the Iraqi city of Tuz Khurmato, January 8, 2018

 

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

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Mosul families leave the beleaguered city again for the lack of basic services, such as electricity, water, roads, schools, or health centers.  عوائل موصلية تنزح مجددا بسبب انعدام الخدمات 08 يناير 2018  ، يقين عادت الكثير من العائلات النازحة إلى مدينة الموصل بمحافظة نينوى ، فوجدت الأوضاع فيها أسوء من المخيمات ، نتيجة انعدام الخدمات والإهمال الحكومي في إعادة تأهيل البنى التحتية في المدينة ، فالواقع الخدمي والمعيشي في المناطق التي شهدت عمليات عسكرية في مدينة الموصل شهد انهيارا كبيرا ، وأجبر نحو 500 عائلة من محافظة نينوى لمغادرة منازلها إلى مخيمات النزوح والمناطق الأخرى خلال الأسابيع الماضية ، بسبب عدم وجود الماء والكهرباء والطرق والمراكز الصحية والتعليمية وغيرها من الخدمات اللازمة لديمومة الحياة. وقالت مصادر مطلعة  إن “انعدام الخدمات وتوقف الحياة في العديد من مناطق مدينة الموصل ، أدى إلى مغادرة نحو 500 عائلة من محافظة نينوى إلى مخيمات النزوح والمناطق الأخرى خلال الأسابيع الماضية”. وأضافت المصادر أن “استمرار الهجرة من مدينة الموصل وباقي مناطق محافظة نينوى ، ينذر بوقوع خطر على الحياة في أهم المدن العراقية وقد يهدد بعدم عودة الحياة إليها بسهولة”. http://yaqein.net/politics/82925 Scores killed and injured in fighting between Iraqi forces and Kurdish militias in the city. مقتل وإصابة العشرات نتيجة القصف المستمر على "طوزخورماتو" 08 يناير 2018  ، السومرية يتواصل الانفلات الأمني في قضاء طوزخورماتو بمحافظة صلاح الدين، حيث أقر “جاسم محمد جعفر” عضو البرلمان عن ائتلاف دولة القانون، اليوم الاثنين بمقتل شخصين اثنين وإصابة العشرات بقصف طال منطقة سكنية في قضاء طوزخورماتو، متهما ما وصفها بأنها عصابات كردية بتنفيذ العملية. وقال جعفر في تصريح نقلته (السومرية نيوز) ، إن “مدنيين اثنين قتلا وأصيب العشرات بسقوط قذائف هاون على منازل المدنيين في قضاء طوزخورماتو”، مطالبا رئيس الوزراء “حيدر العبادي” بإرسال قوات فورية لتلك المناطق للحد من هذه الانتهاكات”. وأضاف جعفر، أن “تلك القذائف أطلقتها عصابات كردية”، مشيرا إلى أن “البعض يدعون التباكي على حقوق الإنسان ويتهمون الآخرين بتفجير منازلهم وتهجير أبناء مكونهم ونراهم صامتين تجاه هذه الأفعال”. وكان عضو البرلمان عن المكون التركماني “نيازي معمار أوغلو”، قد أقر في وقت سابق من اليوم الاثنين، بأن هناك ما وصفها بمؤامرة يتعرض لها المكون التركماني في قضاء طوزخورماتو، مهددا بتدويل الموضوع في حال عدم إيجاد حلول جذرية وسريعة، لعمليات منع العوائل من العودة إلى منازلها والقصف المستمرة التي يتعرض لها القضاء. http://yaqein.net/politics/82856

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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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Three civilians injured in roadside bomb explosion in Baghdad

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 8, 2018, 1:17 pm

Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) –

civilians were injured Monday in a roadside bomb blast in Baghdad, a security source was quoted as saying.

Speaking to Alsumaria News, the source said, “A roadside explosive charge went off near a popular market at al-Nahrawan area in southeastern Baghdad, leaving three civilians injured.”

“A security force rushed to the blast site and carried the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment,” the source added.

On Sunday, an explosive charge planted near a café at al-Saheroon neighborhood in the Iraqi capital went off, leaving one person dead and four others injured.

According to the monthly release by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), a total of 69 civilians, excluding police personnel, were killed, while 142 others were wounded in December due to acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict across the country.

The worst affected province was Baghdad with 122 civilian casualties (24 killed, 98 injured). Salahuddin ranked the second place, with 7 killed and 25 injured, then Kirkuk came third with 15 killed and 6 injured.

The figures saw a significant decline from November’s which reached a total of 117 Iraqi civilians killed and another 264 injured.

Last month, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

MP says 2 citizens killed, tens wounded in Tuz Khurmatu shelling

by Mohamed Mostafa Jan 8, 2018, 11:29 am

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) 

Two people were killed and tens others were wounded on Monday when mortar rounds targeted the town of Tuz Khurmatu in Kirkuk, an Iraqi Turkmen parliamentarian said.

Jassem Mohamed Jaafar was quoted by Alsumaria News saying that “the missiles were launched by Kurdish gangs”, urging the government to send troops to the town to “curb those violations”.

Ali al-Husseini, a spokesperson of the PMF northern area, told Alghad Press earlier that the town became under mortar shelling from nearby mountain areas.

He said the missiles “all landed in the middle of the town, and caused  damages and injuries among citizens”.

A week ago, Tuz Khurmatu’s mayor,  told Alsumaria News that Rapid Response forces took over duties delegated to the Popular Mobilization Forces which have been maintaining security in Tuz Khurmatu jointly with local police and the Iraqi army”.

He said the exchange came “as mobilization forces concluded their assignments”.

A home to a mixed Arab, Kurdish and Turkmen population, Tuz Khurmatu was among the disputed regions Iraqi forces seized back from Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces following a referendum the autonomous region held in September to secede from Iraq.

Kurdish politicians have accused Iraqi forces, most notably the PMF, of carrying out forced deportations and inducing a demographic change in Tuz Khurmatu for the favor of Arab ethnicities.

In december, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said its teams had observed signs of possible violations in Tuz Khurmatu, including destroyed homes and businesses in several primarily Kurdish neighbourhoods  after Iraqi forces’ takeover in October.

Eight IS militants killed as Iraqi troops repel attack on border area with Syria

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 8, 2018, 10:03 am

Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) –

Paramilitary troops repelled on Sunday an attack by Islamic State on a border area between Iraq and Syria, a source with the Popular Mobilization Forces was quoted as saying.

“The PMF’s 29th brigade repelled a fierce attack launched by Islamic State militants on Tall Safuk area on the Iraqi-Syrian border, killing eight of the attackers,” the source told Baghdad Today.

“The attack, which lasted for several hours, left two armored vehicles of Islamic State destroyed as well,” the source said.

Last week, the paramilitary troops announced repelling an IS attack at Tall Sufuk border crossing, killing eighteen suicide attackers. On the same day, Spokesman for the Interior Ministry Brigadier General Saad Maan said 15 militants were killed on the border between Iraq and Syria in an operation that was launched after tracking down the Islamic State cell for a few days.

Thousands of IS militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and a U.S.-led international coalition, was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group.

Since then, forces took back the group’s former capital, Mosul, the town of Tal Afar, Kirkuk’s Hawija, and each of Annah, Rawa and Qaim in Anbar.

Last month, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.”

Policeman killed, another injured in landmine explosion in Anbar

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 7, 2018, 9:39 pm

Anbar (Iraqinews.com) –

A policeman was killed while another was injured Sunday in a landmine explosion at Al-Qa’im district in Anbar, a security source was quoted as saying.

“A landmine planted by Islamic State went off while a police patrol was passing by al-Basateen area at Al-Qa’im district in Anbar, leaving a policeman dead and another injured,” the source told Basnews.

“The explosion caused damage to the police vehicle as well,” the source said, adding that Islamic State militants planted several bombs and landmines at Al-Qa’im and Anah districts in Anbar to target policemen and civilians.

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.

Islamic State declared a self-styled “caliphate” in a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014. A government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and a U.S.-led international coalition, was launched in 2016 to retake IS-held regions, managing to retake all havens.

Last month, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

The surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has resulted in over 3 million internally displaced persons across Iraq and left more than 11 million in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Five people killed, injured in bomb blast near Baghdad café

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 7, 2018, 9:03 pm

Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) –

Five people were killed and injured Sunday in a bomb blast near a Baghdad café, a security source was quoted as saying.

Speaking to Baghdad Today, the source said, “An explosive charge went off near a café at al-Saheroon neighborhood in southeastern the Iraqi capital, leaving one person dead and four others injured.”

“A security force cordoned off the blast site and prevented passers-by from approaching,” the source, who preferred to remain unnamed, said, adding that the injured were carried to hospital for treatment.

Earlier in the day, three people were wounded as a bomb exploded near an overcrowded market at al-Yusufiyah area in southern the Iraqi capital.

According to the monthly release by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), a total of 69 civilians, excluding police personnel, were killed, while 142 others were wounded in December due to acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict across the country.

The worst affected province was Baghdad with 122 civilian casualties (24 killed, 98 injured). Salahuddin ranked the second place, with 7 killed and 25 injured, then Kirkuk came third with 15 killed and 6 injured.

The figures saw a significant decline from November’s which reached a total of 117 Iraqi civilians killed and another 264 injured.

Last month, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

Mayor killed in armed attack, north of Mosul: Police

by Nehal Mostafa Jan 7, 2018, 8:07 pm

or Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) An armed attack by unidentified gunmen has left a mayor killed in north of Mosul, a security source from Nineveh police said on Sunday.

“Unidentified gunmen opened fire against mayor of al-Rashidiya town, Hilal Hussein Ali, near his house at al-Qubba region, which caused his immediate death,” Cap. Amir Wathiq told BasNews.

“Security troops cordoned off the region and conducted investigations. Five of the residents were arrested over involvement in the incidents,” he added.

Last week, seventeen Islamic State members were killed and arrested in an operation in al-Jazra region, south of Mosul. Sixty IS members were killed as Iraqi army, police and al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) launched a wide-scale security campaign on Saturday evening, targeting Islamic State militants in the region.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi declared in July victory over IS militants who had held the second largest Iraqi city since 2014. More than 25,000 Islamic State militants were killed throughout the campaign. Earlier this month, 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.

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.

Rocket kills eight IS members at Iraq-Syria borders

by Nehal Mostafa Jan 7, 2018, 5:43 pm

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com)

The pro-government paramilitary troops have announced killing eight Islamic State members in mortar shelling that targeted the militants in Syria.

A statement by the media service of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) said, “troops of the 28th brigade located the militants at al-Dahhaj village in Syria, who were planning for attacks against borders with Syria.”

Troops, according to the statement, “killed eight of the militants and destroyed their vehicle.”

Last week, the troops announced repelling an IS attack at Tal Sufuk border crossing killing, eighteen suicide attackers. On the same day, spokesman for the Interior Ministry Brigadier General Saad Maan said 15 militants were killed on borders between Iraq and Syria in an operation that was launched after tracking down the Islamic State cell for a few days.

Thousands of IS militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition, was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group.

Since then, forces took back the group’s former capital, Mosul, the town of Tal Afar, Kirkuk’s Hawija, and each of Annah, Rawa and Qaim in Anbar.

Last month, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members. 

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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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US-Led Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 5, 2018 —

.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria between Dec. 29, 2017, and yesterday, conducting 58 strikes consisting of 84 engagements.

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

Strikes in Syria

On Jan. 4, near Abu Kamal in Syria, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of five engagements against ISIS target, destroying an ISIS supply route, a fighting position and a vehicle-borne bomb.

On Jan. 3, near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 12 engagements against ISIS targets, destroying two ISIS lines of communication, a heavy weapon, four fighting positions, an ISIS vehicle, a logistics center and an ISIS supply route.

On Jan. 2, near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 10 engagements against ISIS targets, destroying an ISIS supply route, an indirect fire weapon, two fighting positions, two heavy machine guns, two unmanned aerial vehicles and an ISIS line of communication.

On Jan. 1, near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets, destroying an ISIS command-and-control center, two fighting positions, an ISIS vehicle, two heavy machine guns and three ISIS tunnel entrances.

On Dec. 31, near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of eight engagements against ISIS targets, destroying a heavy weapon, an ISIS headquarters, eight ISIS supply routes, a fighting position and two ISIS-held buildings.

On Dec. 30, near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 17 engagements against ISIS targets, destroying two ISIS command-and-control centers, a fighting position, an ISIS headquarters and two ISIS vehicles.

On Dec. 29 near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 15 engagements against ISIS targets, destroying nine ISIS fighting positions and two logistics centers.

Strikes in Iraq

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq Jan. 1-4.

On Dec. 31, near Beiji, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of four engagements against ISIS targets, destroying an ISIS fighting position.

On Dec. 30, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Beiji, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS tunnel system.

-- Near Mosul, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five ISIS fighting positions, two tunnel entrances and a weapons cache.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq Dec. 29, 2017. 

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