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Scores of Iraqis Killed During US-Iraqi Air Strikes and Attacks on the Northern Provinces

April 27, 2019

Editor's Note:

The following are just examples of news stories about the continuous Iraqi government war to subjugate the northern provinces, using the pretext of fighting ISIS, or responding to alleged ISIS attacks, which no longer exists, according to the announcements of the Iraqi government itself.

Daily news stories can be accessed from the news sources listed below and others in the internet. Most likely, the available news stories are biased, as these do not include the two sides.

 

Iraqi soldiers searching civilians on the border area with Syria, April 21, 2019

 

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

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An Iraqi police officer was killed and two others were injured by a US air strike, in support of an Iraqi army operation in Al-Dob village, in Huaija district.  مقتل واصابة 3 عناصر أمنيين بقصف للتحالف في التاميم 26 أبريل 2019 ، يقين قتل عنصر وأصيب اثنان اخران من جهاز مكافحة الإرهاب ، إثر استهدافهم بقصف للتحالف الدولي اثناء تنفيذ عملية انزال في قرية الدب التابعة لناحية الرياض في محافظة التأميم . وقالت قيادة العمليات المشتركة اليوم الجمعة في بيان نشرته ، إنها “شكلت لجنة تحقيقية في حادث مقتل عنصر وإصابة اثنين آخرين من الفوج الأول باللواء الحادي عشر / شرطة اتحادية خلال قيام طائرات التحالف بعملية الإسناد لقطعات جهاز مكافحة الإرهاب”. وأضافت أن الحادث حصل “اثناء تنفيذ عملية انزال في قرية الدب التابعة لناحية الرياض في قضاء الحويجة” . https://yaqein.net/politics/191948

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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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Iraqi troops gun Islamic State warlord down in Diyala

by Mohammed Ebraheem Apr 21, 2019, 3:42 pm

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) –

Iraqi counter-terrorism forces killed on Sunday an Islamic State warlord during a security operation in a mountain ridge in northeast Iraq.

Abu Idris, a notorious Islamic State leader, was shot dead during a specific operation by the elite Counter-Terrorism Service in Hamrin mountains in Diyala province, Alforat News website quoted the Security Media Cell as saying in a press statement.

The service said that it will provide further details about the operation later.

Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in November 2017 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 a U.S.-led international coalition and paramilitary forces, was launched in 2016 to retake IS-held regions, managing to retake all havens, most notably the city of Mosul, the group’s previously proclaimed capital.

Despite the group’s crushing defeat at its main havens across Iraq, Islamic State militants continue to launch sporadic attacks against troops with security reports warning that the militant group still poses a threat against stability in the country.

Bomb attack kills two policemen, including captain, in Mosul

by Mohammed Ebraheem Apr 20, 2019, 10:04 pm

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) –

Five Iraqi policemen were killed and wounded Saturday in a bomb blast in Mosul city, 400 km north of Baghdad, a security source said.

“A bomb attack targeted a police patrol in al-Houd village in Qayyarah, 90 km south of Mosul, leaving two policemen, including a captain, dead and three others wounded,” the source told Al-Watan Newspaper.

“The wounded policemen were moved to al Qayyarah hospital for treatment,” added the source.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, is responsible for attacks targeting crowded areas, including markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has resulted in over five 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.

Iraqi airstrikes kill 20 Islamic State jihadists in Iraq’s Kirkuk

by Mohammed Ebraheem Apr 16, 2019, 2:26 pm

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) –

Twenty jihadists of the Islamic State militant group were killed Tuesday in air raids by the Iraqi Air Force in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, a military source was quoted as saying.

“Iraqi warplanes, backed by the U.S.-led international coalition, hit a gathering of Islamic State militants in Daquq district in eastern Kirkuk, leaving 20 jihadists killed,” the source told Algahd Press website.

“Most of the slain Islamic State terrorists came from Syria and were implicated in several terrorist attacks against security forces and civilians in Kirkuk,” the source said.

He added that two more IS jihadists were killed while trying to infiltrate into Kirkuk coming from the Syrian city of al-Baghuz.

Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in November 2017 with the recapture of Rawa, a city on Anbar’s western borders with Syria, which was the group’s last bastion in Iraq.

IS declared a self-styled “caliphate” in a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014. A government campaign, backed by a U.S.-led international coalition and paramilitary forces, was launched in 2016 to retake IS-held regions, managing to retake all havens, most notably the city of Mosul, the group’s previously proclaimed capital.

Iraqi troops kill two Islamic State suicide bombers in Anbar

by Mohammed Ebraheem Apr 13, 2019, 8:03 pm

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) –

 Iraqi troops killed on Saturday two Islamic State suicide bombers following fierce clashes in the western province of Anbar.

“Backed by Iraqi warplanes, troops of the Anbar Operations Command stormed 18 hotbeds of the Islamic State terrorist group along the international highway in Anbar province,” Almaalomah news website quoted the Security Media Cell as saying in a press release.

“The troops arrested two IS suicide bombers following fierce clashes,” the statement read, adding that six armored vehicles and two explosive charges were found inside the hotbeds.

In addition, two more IS suicide bombers were arrested, the statement added.

Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in November 2017 with the recapture of Rawa, a city on Anbar’s western borders with Syria, which was the group’s last bastion in Iraq.

IS declared a self-styled “caliphate” in a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014. A government campaign, backed by a U.S.-led international coalition and paramilitary forces, was launched in 2016 to retake IS-held regions, managing to retake all havens, most notably the city of Mosul, the group’s previously proclaimed capital.

3 Islamic State fighters killed during security operation in western Iraq

by Mohammed Ebraheem Apr 13, 2019, 2:11 pm

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) –

Iraqi security forces killed on Saturday three Islamic State militants during a security operation in the western province of Anbar, a security source was quoted as saying.

“Security forces, backed by Tribal Mobilization Forces, stormed a hotbed of the Islamic State militant group in al-Husainiat district in western Anbar, leaving three terrorists dead,” the source told Almaalomah news website.

“The troops found explosive belts, as well as a large cache of ammunition and bombs inside the hotbed,” the source said, adding that all the bombs were dismantled by the explosives experts at the scene.

The Islamic State group appeared on the international scene in 2014 when it seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, declaring the establishment of an Islamic “caliphate” from Mosul city.

Later on, the group has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings, prompting the U.S. to lead an international coalition to destroy it.

Despite the group’s crushing defeat at its main havens across Iraq, Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks against troops with security reports warning that the militant group still poses a threat against stability in the country.

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The following are news stories from the US Department of Defense website (http://www.defense.gov/News) ,

and US Centcom Press releases (http://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/):

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CJTF-OIR strikes Daesh (ISIS) in Wadi Ashai

Release No: 19-026 April 25, 2019

April 25, 2019 Release # 20190425-02

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Combined Joint Task Force –

Operation Inherent Resolve supported Iraqi Security Forces against Daesh (ISIS) targets in Wadi Ashai, April 24, 2019, disrupting their ability to regroup and reorganize.

Since the fall of Daesh’s so-called caliphate in March 2019, remnant Daesh fighters have been attempting to move munitions, equipment, and personnel into Iraq in an effort to set conditions for their resurgence.  The recent airstrikes in Wadi Ashai were conducted in support of Iraq’s own elite Counter-Terrorism Service and designed to deny Daesh’s capacity to conduct terrorist operations.

“Although the territory once held by the so-called caliphate is fully liberated, Daesh fighters still exhibit their intention to exert influence and stage a comeback,” said Maj. Gen. Chad Franks, deputy commander-operations and intelligence for CJTF-OIR. “These airstrikes have demonstrated the Coalition’s continued resolve to work with our Iraqi partners to strike Daesh wherever we find them as we continue to eliminate Daesh’s violent extremist ideology.”

The 74 nations and five international organizations that constitute the Global Coalition operating at the invitation of the Government of Iraq in support of Iraqi Security Forces in the regional pursuit of an enduring defeat of Daesh.

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve Monthly Civilian Casualty Report

Release No: 19-025 April 25, 2019

April 25, 2019 Release # 20190425--01

SOUTHWEST ASIA --

Since the beginning of operations in 2014, the Coalition and partner forces have liberated nearly 110,000 square kilometers (42,471 square miles) from Daesh, eliminating their self-proclaimed territorial caliphate and freeing 7.7 million people from Daesh oppression. The Coalition will continue to work with partner forces to deny Daesh any physical space and influence in the region as well as deny Daesh the resources they need to resurge.

We continue to employ thorough and deliberate targeting and strike processes to minimize the impact of our operations on civilian populations and infrastructure. This process includes thorough review and vetting of each target package prior to a strike and another review after that strike. Our regular strike reports make our activities publicly accessible, and our monthly publication of civilian casualty reports makes our civilian casualty assessments similarly accessible to the public.

As we have demonstrated, we are willing to consider new civilian casualty allegations as well as new or compelling evidence on past allegations to establish accountability based on the best available evidence.

The Coalition conducted 34,464 strikes between August 2014 and end of March 2019. During this period, based on information available, CJTF-OIR assesses at least 1291 civilians have been unintentionally killed by Coalition strikes since the beginning of Operation Inherent Resolve.

In the month of March, CJTF-OIR carried over 146 open reports from previous months and received seven new reports. CJTF-OIR completed 31 civilian-casualty allegation assessment reports; including two that had been previously closed but were reopened with the availability of new information. Out of the 31 completed casualty allegation reports, 11 reports were determined to be credible and resulted in 34 unintentional civilian deaths. One of the reports was determined to be a duplicate report and the remaining 19 reports were assessed to be non-credible.  One hundred and twenty two reports are still open, including three that had been previously closed but were reopened due to the availability of new information.

Iraqi Air Force and Coalition Counter Air Mission

Release No: 19-023 April 17, 2019
April 16, 2019
Release # 20190416-01
 
SOUTHWEST ASIA –

Iraqi Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flew a defensive counter air mission above the Iraqi-Syrian border alongside Coalition aircraft April 16, 2019.
 
This marks the first time Iraqi Air Force fighter aircraft have flown a combat sortie alongside Coalition aircraft.
 
The sortie represents a milestone as the Global Coalition Against Daesh continues to work by, with and through the Iraqi Security Forces to build Iraqi airpower through Security Forces Advisement.
 
“The Iraqi Air Enterprise continues to build their capabilities as Coalition air advisors work alongside our Iraqi partners to integrate operations,” said Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, the Director, Air Operations, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve. “The strength of our Coalition team comes from our unity and resolve as we continue to bring the fight to malign actors such as Daesh.”
 
CJTF-OIR Strike Summary March 24 – April 6, 2019

Release No: 19-022 April 10, 2019

April 10, 2019 Release # 20190410-01

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Combined Joint Task Force –

Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners continue to target and pursue the enduring defeat of Daesh.

CJTF-OIR and partner forces have liberated nearly 110,000 square kilometers (42,471 square miles) from Daesh; as a result, 7.7 million people no longer live under Daesh oppression.

CJTF-OIR remains committed to the enduring defeat of Daesh to improve conditions for peace and stability in the region, and to protect all our homelands from Daesh's terrorist threat.

Strike Summary

Between March 24 - April 6, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 52 strikes consisting of 98 engagements against Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 29 strikes consisting of 53 engagements, engaged 28 Daesh tactical units, and destroyed 72 vehicles, 17 fighting positions, 15 supply routes, and three vehicle borne improvised explosive devices.

In Iraq, CJTF-OIR conducted 23 strikes consisting of 45 engagements, engaged three Daesh tactical units, and destroyed seven tunnels, four supply routes, two buildings, two caves, one command and control center, and one compound.

Between March 24 - April 6, 2019, CJTF-OIR detected 67 strikes from other actors that crossed the Euphrates River Valley. CJTF-OIR is committed to avoiding and in every case minimizing civilian casualties; CJTF-OIR calls on all other actors in the area to observe the same precautions.

This Coalition strike release contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing, or remotely piloted aircraft, rocket propelled artillery and ground-based tactical artillery.

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