Soleimani At Fallujah Front

The photos published in the social media reportedly show Iran’s Quds Force Commander Gen. Qasem Soleimani back on the ground in Iraq and visiting with Badr Organization commanders and Iranian military advisers at Fallujah front on Thursday.

Badr is the lead Shia militia in the Quds Force-led offensive in the Battle of Fallujah to retake the city. The offensive that began in early July has apparently stalled due to stiff resistance by the Islamic State fighters.

Photo credit: Quds Force Commander General Qasem Soleimani, second from right, reportedly visiting Fallujah front; 13 August 2015 (Twitter)   

U.S.-Trained Iraqi Troops Join Ramadi Counteroffensive

For the first time, 3,000 Iraqi troops trained by the U.S.-led coalition have joined the assault force to retake the city of Ramadi. The news was disclosed by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter during his visit to Baghdad today. It was Carter’s first visit to Iraq since he took office in February.

Last month, the Iraqi government had announced the start of major operations in Anbar province to retake territories lost to ISIL. The U.S.-led coalition comprising of Iraqi security forces, including the newly trained soldiers, supported by U.S.-led airstrikes, is getting ready to retake Ramadi.

Concurrently, and Iran-led coalition of mainly Shia militias, supported by Iraqi air force, under the command of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, have been conducing blocking operations around Fallujah. On Wednesday, the Iraqi air force carried out an airstrike in the center of Fallujah airstrike, Al Jazeera reported.

Photo credit: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter with commander of Iraq's Counter Terrorism Service, Gen. Taleb Shegati al-Kenani, second from right, at the joint operations center in Baghdad; 23 July 2015 (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Weapons of Iran-backed PMF staging for Battle of Fallujah

Open-source media imagery from the past few days of weaponry fielded by Iran-backed Populat Mobilization Forces, staging or advancing for Battle of Fallujah:

Iranian Falaq-2 based IRAMs aboard launcher vehicle, fielded by Iran-backed PMF

Iran-backed PMF flighter beside Iraqi Army M1A1M main battle tank, in the distance PMF IRAM launcher vehicles including two Iranian Falaq-2 based IRAMs.

T-72 main battle tank appearing in mixed formation with M1A1M main battle tank

Iraqi PMF loading SPG-9 Kopye (“Spear”)  tripod-mounted man-portable, 73 millimetre calibre recoilless gun

Iran-backed PMF seen with opened ammo crates of 107 mm rockets and Iran-supplied Safir tactical vehicle equipped with MLRS. Note in the distance, Iraqi Army unit equipped with U.S.-supplied HMMWVs and ILAV Badger.

Iraqi PMF fighters assisted by U.S.-supplied up-armored HMMWV

Iran-backed PMF operating Iran-supplied Safir ("Ambassador") tactical vehicle

Iran-supplied Safir ("Ambassador") tactical vehicle equipped with MLRS firing 107 mm rocket

Iraqi PMF armed with AKM type assault rifle and DShK heavy machine gun

IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimani depicted at the Fallujah front, one of many photos now appearing regularly