Control Map of Ramadi – ISW

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has changed the control map of Ramadi to reflect recent advances by Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) toward the city. ISF is attempting to complete the siege of the city as the last step before the assault on Islamic State positions in downtown Ramadi.

To read ISW situation report on Ramadi, please click here.

U.S. Commando Killed during Hostage Rescue in Iraq

U.S. Special Operators accompanying Kurdish Peshmerga today attacked Islamic States militants holding a building used as a prison near the town of Hawijiah, south of Kirkuk, and freed 70 hostages who faced “imminent mass execution,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said. An American Special Operator lost his life during the operation. U.S. forces thought to be from the elite Delta Force. 20 ISIL militants were killed during the operation.  

Photo credit: FP

Iraq: Iran-led Coalition Forces Recapture Baiji

A Decisive Victory against ISIL

Iran-led coalition of PMF forces, the Iraqi militias under the command of Iran’s Quds Force, and Iraqi security forces have reportedly recaptured Baiji city center today. Late last week, they took complete control of Baiji Refinery complex. The capture of Baiji city is a decisive victory for the Quds Force-led forces and will give them the opportunity to advance north toward Mosul.

Photo credit: Iran-led PMF/ISF forces walking in the city center of Baiji (@Conflicts/Twitter)

IRGC-QF commander and PMF operations chief at Imam Husayn Shrine in Iraq

 

IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani (in blue civvies) with Iran-backed PMF Operations Chief Abu Mahdi al Muhandis (in light olive shirt), seen at the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala, Iraq. Claimed photo date is 21AUG15.

Soleimani's depicted demeanor appears refreshed coming from the renowned Shia shrine, access to which had been a very high-casualty goal of the IRGC and a youthful Soleimani during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). Operation Iraqi Freedom inadvertently served to realize this much coveted Iranian war aim.

Last year, Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi estimated the number of pilgrims in the city of Karbala for the annual Arbaeen commemoration reached a record 17.5 million, by far the biggest majority of non-Iraqis being Iranian. It's easy to see why popular support inside Iran for the war against ISIL remains high, across the breadth of Iran's relevant political spectrum.

Earlier this week in Tehran, ISCI President Seyed Ammar al- Hakim praised Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani's fatwa and the creation of PMF, which he states was helped by Iran, specifically identifying IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani for his role in "Iraq's recovery." [source: ABNA] Sistani is Iranian-born.