Iraq: Tikrit has been liberated
Reuters reports that the Iraqi government is celebrating a “victory” over ISIS forces in Tikrit;
State television showed Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, accompanied by leaders of the army and police, the provincial governor and Shi’ite paramilitary leaders, parading through Tikrit and raising an Iraqi flag.
The militants captured the city, about 140 km (90 miles) north of Baghdad, last June as they swept through most of Iraq’s Sunni Muslim territories, swatting aside a demoralized and disorganized army that has now required an uneasy combination of Iranian and American support to get back on its feet.
Well, the Iraqis needed that victory, but I have to admit that I trust very little of the news that comes out of that region these days. However, Australia says that coalition forces have killed more than 9000 ISIS jihadis;
It is estimated Islamic State has 31,000 fighters, of whom 18,000 are foreigners.
But Vice Admiral Johnston said the air campaign was taking its toll on numbers.
“The United States assess that the number of Daesh [IS] fighters killed is approximately 9,500,” he said.
“While we are not using body count as a measuring stick, it is a warning to those who might be influenced by Islamic extremists that there are deadly consequences if they travel to Iraq or Syria to fight.”
According to the Army Times, the 10th Mountain DIvision is contributing another 1250 troops to the fight;
The soldiers from the division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team will deploy in August or September, said Maj. Josh Jacques, a spokesman for the division.
The Fort Drum, New York-based soldiers are expected to deploy for nine months, and they will replace paratroopers from 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, who have been in Iraq since January, Jacques said.
The brigade just returned from Afghanistan in late 2013, according to the Times.
Category: Terror War
They’ll be just as bored as the 82nd guys and clog up the gym so bad I have to go at midnight
By “contributing troops to the fight” does that mean ground combat or an advisory role? This is the first I have heard of this. You would think Dear Leader would be a little more forthcoming with the American people if he is going to send more troops to a war he won back in 2011.
Are you kidding, Master Guns? That numbnuts couldn’t tell the truth if his nuts were on fire.
Nuts? What nuts?
Irony, Master Guns?
I thought I was the last practitioner of that around here.
No, bodaprez hasn’t had a clue since the first time his mother changed his diapers for him.
Apparently the 82nd has truly learned to fly… otherwise we would have boots on the ground and we were assured none o’ that would happen.
They are supposed to be going for the purpose of training the Iraqis, nothing more.
Do you believe that?
Liberated?
Again …
Liberated?
Again …???
/for emphasis.
Exactly I do believe this would be the 4th or is it 5th maybe the 6th time they’ve ( Liberated ) this place scince the end of hostilities per da great one… Why hell I lost count Lol……
Liberating a place in that shit hole is like power cleaning a port o potty. There are always going to be turds showing up as soon as the job is done.
So glad when it comes to fighting ISIS that we are not using body count as a measuring stick. I’m very gratified that we are winning their hearts and minds instead.
//sarc (for all the MESNA members)
Grab ’em by the balls and their hearts and minds will follow.
Very true. As soon as you get those balls off the goat in front of them.
The problem with that region is that they follow the strongest person/group at the time. “Might makes right”. They have no respect for politeness (so to speak). If you attempt to treat someone in a polite way, they will try to push you around because they see you as subservient to their dominance. This has been my experience anyway. So as soon as thissettles down, Tikrit will require “liberating” again (eventually).
This is a victory for Iran.
“And some of you — and this is important — will be going to Iraq, to train, advise and assist the Iraqi security forces so that they can be the force that sustains the defeat of ISIL after ISIL is defeated, which it will be. But in order to sustain that defeat, we need a force on the ground, and that’s what you’ll be helping to create.”
No offense Secretary Carter, but if you are “sustaining” a defeat it would indicate that it was not actually a defeated enemy but more a dormant enemy awaiting a new opportunity to revisit their attempt to take over the government.
Defeat implies an end…sustain does not.