IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani with Iraqi force at Aleppo, Syrian offensive

Photo depiction of IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, appearing at the onset of attacks at Aleppo during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda (AQ), AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.

Soleimani is depicted among Iraqi Shia militia fighters inside Syria, with a militia member seen bearing identification patch of Harakat al-Nujaba ("Movement of the Noble Ones").

Clearly the object of the depiction is to suggest Iran leading a coalition of fighting forces from Iraq, Lebanon and Syria; employing aspects of grand strategy at two theaters against AQ, AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.

At the same time, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the Chairman for the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, is on a tour of Syria and Lebanon, where he has been meeting with the political leadership of those countries, including Mohammad Raad, Shia Lebanese member of parliament and presiding over Hezbollah's bloc in the Lebanese parliament.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi with Mohammad Raad on 17OCT15 in Beirut, Lebanon. Military forces from both leader's countries are currently engaged in the Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda (AQ), AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.

At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, Iran-backed Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq ("Leaque of the Righteous", AAH) leader Sheikh Qais Al-Khaz'ali (L2) outfitted in what appear to be IRGC-style BDUs. Individual (R2) appears outfitted in typical Badr commander style, while individual (R1) seen wearing communication ear-piece is equipped with what appears to be accessorized M4 type carbine assault rifle, possibly previously U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force (ISF).

At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, members of Iran-backed Badr fighting force, atop a formerly U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force HMMWV fitted with 9M133 Kornet-type ATGM.

At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, previously U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force HMMWV now heavily modified and operated by Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali.

At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, members of Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali equipped with AK-type assault rifles.

At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, Abu Azrael(R1), a commander in Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali, depicted engaging ISIL.

Iran Military & allied Iraq Shia Militia perspectives on Iraqi political reform

Brief perspectives on Iraqi political reform offered by Iranian Maj. Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi at Sepah News, and Iraqi Shia Militias as surveyed by Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Very brief commentary provided at end of post.

According to Sepah News:

[T]he Basij commander, Maj. Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces explained in an interview: “evaluations of Iraq’ central government [show] that it has operated very well; by obtaining important achievements in stabilizing Iraq’s sovereignty and protecting its territorial integrity and independence, [the government] has been successful against the enemies of the nation of Iraq.”

[Firouzabadi] pointed to the formation of some mischievous activities in the country… “calling for street protests by stimulating specific and sometimes non-Muslim groups, and the blowing up of Iran-Iraq power lines and other vandalism.”

Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces said that each successful revolution has seen such noise and obstructions against itself… The revolutionary people of Iraq should show self-restraint more than ever, and must help the central government on the path of progress and overcoming the enemies.”

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According to Theodore Bell, Patrick Martin, Jessica Lewis McFate, and Kimberly Kagan at ISW:

Iranian-backed Badr Organization endorsed the peaceful protests on August 6, prior to Ayatollah Sistani’s sermon, but did not declare its intent to participate and warned against losing focus on the anti-ISIS fight. Badr issued a brief statement following the sermon in support of Sistani’s call for reform, without providing any additional details on either the sermon or the demonstrations. Amiri stated that he “added his voice” to the demonstrators, but that he could not participate because he was “busy” with the fight against ISIS, in line with Badr’s ongoing political agenda to promote itself as a capable national military force that will liberate tracts of ISIS-occupied Iraq. Kata’ib Hizbollah (KH), another Iranian-backed militia, did not issue a statement on the subject at all, despite having stated its interest on July 18 in interrogating the Electricity Minister, seeking to punish corruption, and ending the electricity crisis. The Nujaba Movement (NM), another Iranian proxy militia, had stated its intent to participate in the Friday protests but there was little indication of significant Iranian proxy participation in the largely-peaceful protests on Friday. The Iranian proxy groups’ limited public responses to the unfolding political developments are likely due their inability to rally direct opposition to Ayatollah Sistani as well as their preoccupation with anti-ISIS operations.

While AAH did not overtly participate in the demonstrations, AAH leader Qais al-Khazali, in a speech delivered on August 7, asserted that PM Abadi faced “a major historic responsibility” and that the PM should submit his resignation if he is unable to address the need for reforms. Khazali also used the speech to repeat AAH’s call for the transition to a presidential system, an initiative championed by AAH and widely regarded as a method by which to empower VP Maliki, whose relationship with AAH is well-established. In this context, Ayatollah Sistani’s sermon may be seen as an effort to empower PM Abadi against the political designs of AAH, its patrons in Qom and Tehran, and VP Maliki. AAH’s rhetoric therefore indicates the group’s political divergence from the majority of Iraq’s major Shi’a political actors and point to AAH’s intention to leverage the protests against PM Abadi to obstruct political reform by calling for the PM’s resignation and a transition to a presidential system, an initiative VP Maliki himself advocates. It will therefore remain important to monitor the development of protests in southern Iraq, where VP Maliki’s SLA is dominant, given that VP Maliki and AAH may seek to leverage the localized demonstrations against the national government.

COMMENTARY:  With current military efforts directed at Ramadi and Fallujah by ISF and PMF, it has to be conceded that popular unrest against the Iraqi government is viewed favorably as a potential lifeline by ISIL.

Political instability at a time when the country is occupied to such an extent by enemy forces would present a further challenge to all parties involved in military activities, aiming to defeat ISIL.

Iraqi Forces Dislodge ISIL from Tikrit Government Complex

UPDATE: Tikrit Liberated

UPDATE: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that Tikrit is now liberated from ISIL, state-run Iraqiya TV reported late afternoon Tuesday (2 PM GMT).

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Iraqi security forces have retaken the Salaheddin provincial government complex in Tikrit from ISIL insurgents, a significant advance in the battle to recapture the city, AFP reported today. Some major Shia militia groups, like Badr Organization, took part in the fighting today alongside the Iraqi forces. But Iran’s Quds Force advisers and personnel, including General Soleimani, and some other major Shia militia groups stayed away from the offensive in protest to U.S. airstrikes over Tikrit.

Gen. Soleimani, who planned and commanded the Battle of Tikrit that began on 2 March, and was frequently photographed at the frontlines near Tikrit, with the pictures widely published in the social media, has not been seen lately. His photos attending state functions in Iran emerged last week, suggesting that the general and probably his top advisers might not have returned to Iraq since the U.S.-led coalition began its airstrikes over Tikrit.

Photo credit: Iraqi security forces and militia fighters fly the country's flag on the provincial government building in Tikrit; 31 March 2015 (Twitter)

Iranian MLRS on the Iraqi battlefield

A recap of Iranian Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) types fielded on the Iraqi battlefield against ISIL

Photo appearing on social media week of 09DEC14 claiming to depict Iranian-built SBIG/DIO Hadid HM-20 122 mm MLRS in use with Peshmerga forces in Iraqi Kurdistan. Forty-tube launcher system fires Arash-series rockets. Older platform at left utilizes Mercedes-Benz NG 2626; right platform the newer MAN HX series.

Photo appearing on social media week of 09DEC14 claiming to depict Iranian-built SBIG/DIO Hadid HM-20 120 mm MLRS in use with Iraqi Army at Diyala Governate.

Video still appearing week of 21OCT14 claiming to depict Iranian SBIG/DIO Hadid HM-20 122 mm MLRS in use with Badr Organization Military Wing.

Video still appearing week of 28OCT14 depicting Iranian DIO HM-27 122 mm MLRS in use with Iraqi forces during successful operation to retake Jurf al-Sakhar. Eight-tube launcher system mounted on Toyota Land Cruiser 70 series platform.

Photo published in Iranian media week of 25OCT14 depicting AAH Deputy Commander Tabatabai and militiamen before an Iranian DIO HM-27 122 mm MLRS.

Photos appearing on social media week of 06JUL14 claiming to depict DIO Fajr-1 107 mm MLRS in use with Iraqi forces. Twelve-tube launcher system fires Haseb-series rockets; mounted on FVI Safir ("Ambassador") 4x4 multipurpose military vehicle.

Iraqi and Kurdish Forces Push Back ISIL in Iraq

Quds Force Supporting Shia Militias in Jurf al-Sakhar Victory; U.S. Airstrikes Supporting Peshmerga in Zumar Victory

In significant defeats for the Islamic State forces in Iraq, the Shia militias and Iraqi security forces on Saturday retook the town of Jurf al-Sakhar near Baghdad, while the Kurdish Peshmerga retook the northern town of Zumar. Meanwhile U.S. forces conducted 22 airstrikes targeting Islamic State units, buildings, positions and vehicles in Mosul Dam area, as well as locations in Fallujah and Baiji.

Jurf al-Sakhar is a town south of Baghdad, on the border between Anbar and Karbala provinces, which is regarded as key to the security of predominantly Shia southern Iraq. The Badr Organization and As’ab Ahel al-Haq (AAH) Shia militias, supported by Iraqi security forces, spearheaded the attack against the Islamic State positions in the town. Iran’s Quds Force officers were reportedly directing the battle for Jurf al-Sakhar. The recapture of the town is indeed a major victory for the Quds Force, Shia militias and the ISF.

Zumar had been under IS control since early August, when they captured the predominantly Kurdish town in a lightening advance. Kurdish security forces, the Peshmerga, tried repeatedly to win it back, and finally succeeded today. U.S. intensive airstrikes on IS positions in Zumar preceded the final push by the peshmerga forces. The Kurdish forces are now in firm control of the town and 17 nearby villages, and positioned to launch their offensive for liberation of Sinjar, about 50km to the southwest.

Photo credit: Peshmerga forces near Zumar (EPA)

Successful role of Iran's military at Battle of Amerli

By Mark Pyruz

Above: Maliki's last hurrah? The outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister seen exiting an IqAAC Mil transport helicopter (civilian variant, in military usage), on his way to personally tour newly liberated Amerli.

A report from Iraqi Kurdistan by Reuters correspondent Isabel Coles has emerged, providing insight into the Iranian military role during the successful Battle of Amerli. Highlights provided below in blockquotes, joined by commentary:

The scenes in Amerli and the surrounding area of Suleiman Beg offered a window into the teamwork among Kurdish fighters, the Iraqi army and Shi'ite militias and into Iran's role in directly assisting their campaign against Islamic State (IS) forces.

An Iranian adviser to Iraqi police was spotted on the road near Amerli and Kurdish officers spoke of Iranians advising Iraqi fighters on targeting the Islamists.

The swift end to the Islamic State's encirclement of the Shi'ite Turkmen town of 15,000 came on Sunday amid a push by Kurdish peshmerga, Shi'ite militias and Iraqi troops, after U.S. air strikes late Saturday hit IS positions.

COMMENTARY: It has been revealed airstrikes in support of operations against IS fighters during Battle of Amerli provided by USAF.

Shi'ite militias, who battled U.S. troops during their occupation of Iraq, played a song in Amerli on Monday that taunted the extremist Islamic State with the line: "The Americans couldn't beat us and you think you can?"

The town was filled with Kurdish peshmerga and fighters from the largest Shi'ite militias - the Badr Organization, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Kata'ib Hezbollah and cleric Muqtada Sadr's followers.

COMMENTARY:  Militia aligned with Muqtada Sadr are currently self-described as "Peace Brigades." They appear better equipped then their days as Mahdi Army (see HERE).

Above: Militiamen firing their AK type assault rifles, upon the successful liberation of the predominantly Shia town of Amerli, Iraq.

Militia fighters spoke of a new alliance with the Kurds, who had been shaken by the Islamic State's offensive on Kurdish-controlled territories last month. They were then helped by U.S. air strikes that forced IS to retreat.

"I’m totally confident that the failure of the peshmerga to stop the Islamic State's advance towards areas around Arbil forced the Kurds to review their wrong policy of refusing to cooperate with us," said a fighter from Asaib Ahl al-Haq.

"Without our help, it will be difficult for them to stop Islamic State fighters alone.”

"The peshmerga just came now and raised their flag. We have been here (in the area) for eight days," said one Asaib Ahl al-Haq fighter.

COMMENTARY: This level of rivalry is emblematic of the military situation among forces fighting Islamic State and their Sunni allies (see HERE). However, IRGC-QF has extensive, successful experience in assembling cooperation among a diversity of peoples and religions, during the ongoing Syrian conflict.

 

Above: Jubilant Peshmergha fighters pursuant to victory at Battle of Amerli. Note at left, Iraqi national flag on front of Peshmerga fighter's ammo vest.

The influence of Iran was evident in Suleiman Beg. With Asaib Ahl al-Haq, which is funded by Iran and recognizes Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as its spiritual guide, were two men who spoke Farsi and dressed in beige uniforms different from their colleagues' green camouflage.

Asked if he was Iranian, one of the Farsi speakers said: "We are liberating Suleiman Beg.

Asked if the Iraqis' could have made their recent gains without Iranian support, he answered: "No."

By a convoy of armored police vehicles, a man speaking Farsi described himself as coming from Iran and said he was there to help with training police.

A peshmerga commander in Suleiman Beg acknowledged the part played by Iranians in the assault on Islamic State positions. "The Iranians had a role in this. They supplied weapons and helped with the military planning," he said on condition of anonymity.

"They trained the Shi'ite forces. There are Iranians here in another base: three or four of them. They are guiding the peshmerga in firing heavy artillery. They don't speak Kurdish - they have a translator."

On Saturday, a senior member of the Kurdish party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, told Reuters the Iraqi military, Kurds and Iranian advisers had joint operation centers.

Speaking in Khanaqin in Diyala province, PUK member Mala Bakhtiar said the Iranians did not participate in actual fighting but provided expertise.

"There is logistical help and cooperation," Bakhtiar said. "If there is a need, we meet with them and discuss the issues."

The defeat of the IS in Amerli and Suleiman Beg was a major victory for the Iraqi government, security forces and militias after weeks of setbacks.

COMMENTARY: It would be interesting to know if Iranian advisors among the Peshmerga are IRGC-QF or Iranian Army Takavar special forces.

Objective observers must admit the level of operational expertise attained by IRGC-QF in the Syrian theater of war is now serving them well in military-related efforts in support of the government of Iraq.

Whether or not a level of momentum among Iraqi government aligned fighting forces has now been attained at Amerli, providing a boost for an upcoming third attempt at retaking Tikrit is yet to be seen. Moreover, whereas Amerli is a Shia stronghold, Tikrit is certainly not and must be reckoned hostile.

Deutsche Welle has revealed the German government has decided to deliver weapons and munitions worth a total of 70 million euros ($91 million) to Kurdish forces in northern Iraq. Among the first of three arms tranches are 4,000 G3 type battle rifles with a million rounds of ammunition, and twenty MG3 heavy machine guns with 500,000 rounds of ammunition. It should be noted Iran has extensive wartime and manufacturing experience with these weapon types. As well as furthering weapon and munition commonality between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran, these upcoming deliveries from Germany offer a sharing of the logistical burden Iran has been quicker to undertake during the 2014 Northern Iraq offensive,

Outgoing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, due to step down this month when a new government is formed, flew to Amerli and saluted the military and the militia fighters, whom he called Mujahideen (holy warriors).

“Our enemy is retreating and our security forces backed by volunteers are advancing to purge further towns,” Maliki told a cheering crowd.

COMMENTARY: It is evident outgoing Prime Minister of Iraq may very well remain a relevant political  figure in Iraq, and not take up a second exile Iran. Time will tell.

Above: Armored HMMWV provides transport to Amerli for Prime Minster Maliki

CENTCOM brass requests expanded target list against Islamic State - USA Today

By Mark Pyruz

 

Above: Iraqi Army M1A1M on the attack, in Iraq's second attempt to retake Tikrit without CAS from U.S. airpower

Photo: "MM" via Arnaud Delalande

 According to USA Today:

U.S. military commanders in the Middle East are urging the Pentagon to intensify the air war against Islamic State targets in Iraq, two Defense Department officials said Wednesday.

Top officers at Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, are urging that the list of targets be expanded, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the plans.

The expanded target list does not mean the U.S. military is going to hit them immediately, one official said. The list has been built up to provide options for commanders.

COMMENTARY: Currently there is tension between Iraqi and American officials over the latter's selective and very limited application of airstrikes, as reported in last week's Guardian:

Iraq's political class has watched with fear and envy in the last fortnight as American jets have slowed the Islamic State extremist group's advance towards the Kurdish stronghold of Arbil.

At the same time, the group, formerly known as Isis, has been trying to encircle Baghdad – untroubled by air strikes. Its manoeuvres near the national capital in recent days have consolidated gains it has made in the last two tumultuous months and made the very existence of Iraq in its current borders ever more precarious.

With a new central government only three weeks from being sworn in, Iraqi leaders are imploring the US to honour what they perceived to be an implicit deal to protect Baghdad once an inclusive leadership was installed.

COMMENTARY: Apparently, Iraqi officials' frustration came in anticipation of current offensive operations being undertaken by the Iraqi Army with support by Iran-allied AAH militia, in a second attempt to retake Tikrit apparently again without CAS by U.S. airpower. The Iraqi operations are reportedly now in a state of stall.

Furthermore, following successful operations to retake the Mosul hydroelectric dam, it is being reported by WSJ of visible tension between ISF Special Forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga (see below):

A scuffle breaks out between ISF Special Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga over each other's role in the operations

Iraqi Special Forces member points to the flag of the Iraqi Nation, to members of Peshmerga that swear primary allegiance to a semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan.

COMMENTARY: It's likely the inclusion of ISF Special Forces with Kurdish Peshmerga were an American condition for U.S. airpower support, in retaking Mosul hydroelectric dam. Even so, it's apparent that Iraqi resentment for the failure of the predominantly Kurdish IA 2nd Division that facilitated the current Iraqi crisis remains in high in addition to resentment towards Kurdish opportunism in seizing Kirkuk.

American reluctance so far in supporting Iraqi operations before Baghdad is likely due to Iranian sway over Shia militias, now currently supporting IA operation in attempting to retake Tikrit. However, with facts on the ground such as they are, in mutually aligned goals toward the defeat of Islamic State, it must be asked in light of revelations of failed U.S. SF operations in rescuing American prisoners of IS such as recently executed James Foley, might the inclusion of Iranian and Syrian intelligence agencies have possibly made a difference? To such potential effect, UK Prime Minster came out this week advocating an alliance with Iran and Syria against Islamic State.

Iran, Syria weapons deployed in Iraq

Photo evidence from Iraq of Iranian-manufactured FVI Safir ("Ambassador") 4x4 multipurpose military vehicle equipped with D.I.O. Fajr-1 twelve-tube rocket launcher firing Haseb-type 107 mm rockets.

Iranian arms photographed purportedly upon arrival at Iraq's Umm Qasr Port: AKM-type assault rifles and related munitions, FVI Safir 4x4 multipurpose military vehicle.

"Islamic State" publicity photo of Iranian-manufactured Ghods Mohajer-4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), purportedly brought down by hostile fire west of Samarra. Note Iraqi military markings.

Believed brought in from Syria deployment, Qahera missile used by Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) fighters in Iraq