Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

26 Iraqis Killed in Attacks in Northern Provinces, Signs of Confrontation Between US Forces and Government Militias

 

January 19, 2019

Editor's Note:

The following are just examples of news stories about the continuous Iraq war. Daily news stories can be accessed from the news sources listed below and others in the internet.

 

US soldiers in Iraq, file, January 16, 2019	Iraqi government militiamen, 'Hashd, file, January 19, 2019

 

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

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ٍ Signs of confrontation between US forces and Iraqi government militias ('Hashd):  Yaqein, January 19, 2019 Tensions escalated between US forces and pro-Iranian Iraqi government militias as a result of the US withdrawal from Syria and repositioning on the border, as both are close to each other. Pro 'Hashd members of the Iraqi Parliament are threatening to demand the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, including Kurdistan. Apparently, these tensions reflect the US-Israeli position of opposing the Iranian presence in Syria and Iraq. بوادر مواجهة بين أميركا والحشد في العراق 19 يناير 2019   برزت مؤخراً بوادر مواجهة بين القوات الأميركية و الحشد الشعبي على الشريط الحدودي بين العراق وسوريا، فيما أفادت تقارير بأن إيران بدأت تركز ميليشياتها في غرب العراق.وقالت مصادر مطلعة في تصريح صحفي “يتزامن ذلك مع تحركات في البرلمان لإقرار مشروع قانون يطالب بإخراج القوات الأجنبية وسط تحركات أميركية لإعادة تأهيل قواعد جديدة في المحافظات الغربية المتاخمة لسوريا ، مع رفض من قبل الحشد الشعبي الإنسحاب من الحدود” وأضافت أن “منصور البعيجي ، النائب عن تحالف البناء المشكل من الحشد الشعبي وجماعات أخرى أفاد ، بإن القانون سيتضمن إخراج أي قوة أجنبية داخل الأراضي العراقية وإخلاء القواعد العسكرية الموجودة حتى في إقليم كردستان”. وتابعت أن “إيران سحبت معظم قواتها من سوريا لكنها أبقت على ميليشيات شيعية أجنبية قادمة من أفغانستان وباكستان وغيرهما، وقوامها 11 ألف عنصر، إضافة إلى 9 آلاف مقاتل من (حزب الله) اللبناني وأنها في المقابل حشدت قوات كبيرة في غرب العراق”. وأشارت نقلاً عن خبراء في شؤون الشرق الاوسط ، أن إطلاق نار من الأراضي العراقية لن يوفر لإسرائيل ذريعة لمهاجمة سوريا أو لبنان وكان سيضعها أمام معضلة ،وأن محاولة التموضع الإيراني في سوريا تم لجمه في هذه الأثناء ، لكن هجوماً إيرانياً ضد إسرائيل من الأراضي العراقية ما زال سيناريو واقعياً. https://yaqein.net/politics/170626   9,000 American soldiers are now stationed in 4 military bases in Al-Anbar Iraqi Province, near the Iraqi-Syrian border, after withdrawal from Syria. Yaqein, January 16, 2019 إنتشار كبير للقوات الأمريكية في محافظة الأنبار 16 يناير 2019 ، يقين وأفاد مصدر مطلع في تصريح صحفي أن ” عدد القوات الأمريكية في محافظة الأنبار يبلغ (9) الاف جندي ، مشيراً إلى وجود (4) قواعد أمريكية في المحافظة”. وأضاف أن ” هذه القوات باتت تمتلك أربعة مقرات عسكرية إثنان على الخط السريع الدولي قرب قضاء الرطبة، والثالث في معمل الفوسفات قرب قضاء القائم والرابع على الحدود السورية العراقية هي الأخرى تعمل بمعزل عن القوات العراقية”. وأشار إلى أن “خمس قيادات أمنية تتولى مهمة الملف الأمني في محافظة الأنبار وهي ، قيادة عمليات الأنبار ، قيادة عمليات الجزيرة والبادية ، قيادة عمليات شرق الأنبار ، قيادة الشرطة ، وأخيرا قيادة قوات الحدود ، فضلاً عن مديريات الأمن الوطني والمخابرات والإستخبارات”. https://yaqein.net/politics/169764

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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 airstrike kills three Islamic State terrorists in Kirkuk

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 16, 2019, 4:25 pm

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) –

Iraqi warplanes killed on Wednesday three Islamic State members in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, a military spokesman was quoted as saying.

“Acting on accurate intelligence reports, Iraqi jet fighters targeted three terrorists riding a motorbike in al-Mahkour village in Kirkuk,” Alghad Press quoted spokesman for the Security Media Center Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool as saying.

“The airstrike left the terrorists dead,” added the spokesman.

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.

Between June 2014 and December 2017, Islamic State seized large areas of Iraq and led a campaign of widespread violence and systematic violations of international human rights and humanitarian law – acts that amounted to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possible genocide.

3 policemen injured in armed attack by Islamic State on Iraqi checkpoint

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 15, 2019, 8:59 pm

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) –

Three Iraqi policemen were wounded Tuesday in an armed attack by Islamic State on a security checkpoint in Diyala province, a security source was quoted as saying.

Speaking to Baghdad Today news website, the source said that Islamic State militants launched an armed attack in Khanaqin district, 100km northeast of Baqubah, leaving three policemen dead, including a critically-wounded officer.”

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that security reinforcements were deployed to the scene and the wounded policemen were moved to a nearby hospital for treatment.

In January 2015, Iraqi forces announced liberation of Diyala province from Islamic State extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The province has seen months of fighting between Iraqi troops and IS militants especially in the Jalawla and Saadiyah areas in the province’s north and areas near the town of Muqdadiyah.

Bomb blast kills on-duty cop in Iraq’s Kirkuk

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 15, 2019, 12:59 am

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) –

A police officer was killed Monday when an explosive charge went off in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, the Iraqi federal police said.

“A policeman was martyred while on duty as an explosive charge exploded in Hawija district, southwest of Kirkuk,” Baghdad Today news website quoted the federal police as saying.

No further details were given about the bomb 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.

A total of 32 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 32 injured in acts of terrorism and conflict-related violence in December 2018, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Nineveh was the worst affected governorate with 26 civilian casualties (07 killed, 19 injured) followed by Baghdad (17 killed and 03 injured) and Salahuddin (03 killed and 03 injured).

Pro-govt fighter killed in armed attack by Islamic State on Kirkuk checkpoint

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 14, 2019, 1:43 pm

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) –

A fighter of the pro-government Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) was killed Monday in an armed attack by Islamic State against a security checkpoint in the Iraqi province of Kirkuk, a security source was quoted as saying.

“IS militants attacked a security checkpoint run by the Popular Mobilization Forces in Brayati village, in northwestern Kirkuk,” the source told Alsumaria News TV channel, adding that a fighter of the PMF was killed in the attack.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, further said that a security force sealed off the incident site and carried the body to the forensic medicine department.

Popular Mobilization Forces, an alliance of volunteer Shia paramilitary forces, have actively backed the Iraqi government’s military campaign against IS since 2014, when they were formed upon a top Shia clergy edict to counter the Sunni Jihadist group.

PMF won official recognition as a national force late 2016, becoming under the command of the prime minister, who is also the supreme commander of the armed forces.

Bomb blast kills Iraqi woman, wounds two children in Kirkuk

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 13, 2019, 6:49 pm

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) –

An Iraqi woman was killed and two children were wounded Sunday in a bomb blast in southwestern Kirkuk, a security source was quoted as saying.

“A roadside bomb exploded in al-Abbassi district, southwest of Kirkuk, leaving a woman dead and two children wounded,” the source told Al-Ahd News website.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, further said that a security force rushed to the blast site and carried the wounded into a nearby hospital for treatment.

A total of 32 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 32 injured in acts of terrorism and conflict-related violence in December 2018, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Nineveh was the worst affected governorate with 26 civilian casualties (07 killed, 19 injured) followed by Baghdad (17 killed and 03 injured) and Salahuddin (03 killed and 03 injured).

Iraqi warplanes kill four Islamic State militants in Anbar

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 13, 2019, 6:14 pm

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) –

Four Islamic State militants were killed Sunday in an air raid that was launched by the Iraqi Air Force in Anbar province, a security source was quoted as saying.

Speaking to Almaalomah news website, the source said, “Iraqi warplanes targeted an armored vehicle carrying foodstuffs, ammunition and explosive belts of Islamic State in the desert of Ar-Rutbah district, west of Anbar.”

“The airstrike left four Islamic State terrorists killed,” the source said, adding that the operation was launched upon accurate intelligence reports.

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.

Islamic State, however, continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses a threat against stability in the country.

Five IS leaders killed during reconnaissance operation in Anbar

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 12, 2019, 7:05 pm

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) –

An Iraqi military commander has said that five leaders of Islamic State have been killed during a reconnaissance operation in the western province of Anbar.

Speaking to IKH News website on Saturday, Commander of Anbar Operations Major General Mahmoud al-Falahi said that Iraqi warplanes were on a reconnaissance mission in Anbar’s western desert when they spotted a pickup truck carrying five Islamic State leaders.

He added that the troops immediately opened fire at the terrorists, killing them all.

“The troops also seized three explosive belts and a huge amount of weapons and ammunition during the operation,” he noted.

Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in Iraq 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.

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.

Bomb blast kills civilian, wounds two others in Kirkuk

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 9, 2019, 1:14 pm

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) –

An Iraqi civilian was killed and two others were wounded Wednesday in a bomb explosion, south of Kirkuk, a security source was quoted saying.

“An explosive charge went off at the Kurdish-dominated village of Haftaghar in Daquq, leaving one person dead and two others wounded,” the source told Shafaq News website.

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.

A total of 32 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 32 injured in acts of terrorism and conflict-related violence in December 2018, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Nineveh was the worst affected governorate with 26 civilian casualties (07 killed, 19 injured) followed by Baghdad (17 killed and 03 injured) and Salahuddin (03 killed and 03 injured).

Death toll from Tikrit car bomb blast rises to three

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 8, 2019, 8:13 pm

Tikrit (IraqiNews.com) –

The death toll from a car bomb blast in Tirkit city, Salahuddin, rose to three, while 10 others were injured, a security source told Iraqi news agency (NINA).

Earlier in the day, security forces monitored a booby-trapped pickup truck driven by a suicide bomber during a security campaign in Tirkit.

The suicide bomber blew himself up before the police could catch him.

The casualties are expected to rise.

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.

A total of 32 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 32 injured in acts of terrorism and conflict-related violence in December 2018, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Nineveh was the worst affected governorate with 26 civilian casualties (07 killed, 19 injured) followed by Baghdad (17 killed and 03 injured) and Salahuddin (03 killed and 03 injured).

Five IS leaders killed during reconnaissance operation in Anbar

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 12, 2019, 7:05 pm

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) –

 An Iraqi military commander has said that five leaders of Islamic State have been killed during a reconnaissance operation in the western province of Anbar.

Speaking to IKH News website on Saturday, Commander of Anbar Operations Major General Mahmoud al-Falahi said that Iraqi warplanes were on a reconnaissance mission in Anbar’s western desert when they spotted a pickup truck carrying five Islamic State leaders.

He added that the troops immediately opened fire at the terrorists, killing them all.

“The troops also seized three explosive belts and a huge amount of weapons and ammunition during the operation,” he noted.

Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in Iraq 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.

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.

Iraqi troops kill senior Islamic State leader, arrest 17 others in Mosul

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 6, 2019, 10:03 pm

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) –

 Iraqi security forces killed on Sunday a senior Islamic State leader and arrested 17 others during a security campaign in Nineveh province.

“Troops of the Nineveh Operations Command launched a wide-scale security campaign in Badush district, northeast of Mosul, managing to kill a senior Islamic State leader,” Major Azad Fouad told Dijlah TV channel.

“The troops also arrested 17 IS militants,” Fouad said, adding that a huge amount of ammunition and firearms were seized in their possession.

Former Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi announced in July 2017 liberation of the second largest Iraqi city of Mosul from IS militants, who had captured it in 2014. More than 25,000 militants were killed throughout the campaign, which started in October 2016.

The campaign was backed by paramilitary troops and a U.S.-led international coalition.

Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in Iraq 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.

Bomb attacks kill Iraqi civilian, wound 8 others in Kirkuk

by Mohammed Ebraheem Jan 6, 2019, 7:12 pm

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) –

An Iraqi citizen was killed and eight others were injured Sunday in two bomb blasts in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, a security source was quoted as saying.

The first bomb blast targeted a private car near a village in Dibis district in northwestern Kirkuk, leaving a civilian dead and two others wounded, TRT quoted the source as saying.

Six more civilians were wounded when a blast hit their vehicle in Al Zab district in Hawija, the source said, adding that a wide-scale security campaign was launched to arrest perpetrators of the bomb attacks, who are believed to be belonging to Islamic State.

In October 2017, former Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi declared that Iraqi troops recaptured Hawija, a main town held by Islamic State in the country.

The town had fallen to IS in June 2014, when the militant group seized control of much of northern and western Iraq and proclaimed the creation of a self-styled “caliphate”. There, Islamic State’s reign forced thousands to flee to refugee camps, while hundreds had been executed by the group for attempting to escape the area or contacting security forces.

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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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Explosion Kills Four Americans in Manbij

Release No: 19-005,  Jan. 16, 2019
Release Number 20190116-01
 
TAMPA, Fla. -

Two U.S. servicemembers, one Department of Defense (DoD) civilian and one contractor supporting DoD were killed and three servicemembers were injured while conducting a local engagement in Manbij, Syria, Jan. 16, 2019.
 
Initial reports indicate an explosion caused the casualties, and the incident is under investigation.
 
In accordance with U.S. Department of Defense policy, the names of the servicemembers are being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete.

CJTF-OIR Strike Summary Dec. 30, 2018 – Jan. 12, 2019

Release No: 19-006
January 15, 2019
Release # 20190115-02
 
SOUTHWEST ASIA –

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners continue to target and pursue the enduring defeat of ISIS.
 
CJTF-OIR and its partner forces' operations are exerting pressure on ISIS senior leaders and associates, as well as degrading, disrupting and dismantling ISIS organizational structures throughout Iraq and Syria.
 
CJTF-OIR remains committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS to improve conditions for peace and stability in the region, and to protect all our homelands from ISIS's terrorist threat.
 
Strike Summary
 
Between Dec. 30, 2018 and Jan. 12, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 575 strikes consisting of 1,147 engagements in Syria, and conducted 13 strikes consisting of 19 engagements in Iraq.
 
In Syria, 575 strikes engaged 485 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 308 staging areas, 220 fighting positions, 105 mortar, rocket and artillery systems, 57 supply routes, 50 manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive device and vehicle borne improvised explosive device, 31 command and control nodes, 26 vehicles, 19 weapons caches, 18 mortar launching sites, 18 petroleum oil and lubricant storage facilities, 11 heavy and light weapon systems, eight reservoirs and tankers for petroleum oil and lubricants, eight pieces of heavy equipment, seven vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, six tunnels and caves, four buildings, two unmanned aircraft systems, one weapons facility, one logistics hub and one fuel storage.
 
In Iraq, 13 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 10 staging areas, five buildings, three tunnels and caves, one fighting position, one vehicle and one logistics site.
 
Between Dec. 30, 2018 and Jan. 12, 2019, CJTF-OIR detected 373 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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