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

 

US-Iraqi Daily Air Strikes and Bombardment Intensify on Other Sunni Arab Cities, After Mosul Destruction

July 30, 2017 

Editor's Note:

The coalition which fights the Islamic State and other Sunni groups in Syria consists of US-led NATO forces, Russian forces, Syrian Alewite government forces, Iranian-backed Shi'i militias, and Kurdish peshmerga forces. The coalition's continuous attacks have resulted in the killing of thousands of Iraqi and Syrian Sunni Muslim Arabs and the eviction of millions of them as a result of the destruction of their cities and villages.

The end outcome is going to be the weakening and possible dismantling of Iraqi and Syrian states as well as the eviction (ethnic cleansing of) Sunni Muslim Arabs, particularly from the upper Euphrates region of northwestern Iraq and northeastern Syria. 

The larger context for understanding the Syrian war (and other wars in the Middle East) is that it contributes to the implementation of the Zionist-Israeli plan of destroying the Arab Middle Eastern states in preparation for the establishment of the greater Israeli empire, from the Nile of Egypt to the Euphrates of Iraq.  

For a background, read: 

Zionist Creative Destruction of the Middle East for the Benefit of the Apartheid Israeli Regime

 

Iraqi forces moving to subjugate Al-Anbar Province, July 30, 2017	US F-15 E during operation over Iraq, July 30, 2017

 

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

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72 Bridges were destroyed in Mosul by US-Iraqi air strikes. Cities of Al-Anbar Province are now targeted by US-Iraqi air strikes and bombardment. US-Iraqi joint forces assisted by Shi'i militias continue to build up in preparation for the invasion of Al-Anbar Province cities. Iraqi soldiers attacked a funeral gathering to commemorate victims of government air strikes on Al-Tarimiya.  ملخص لأهم و أبرز الأحداث الأمنية والسياسية التي جرت في العراق حتى مساء الأحد 30 يوليو 2017 1 نينوى : قتل وجرح سبعة اشخاص ، اليوم الاحد ، بانفجار عبوات ناسفة شمال غربي مدينة الموصل مركز محافظة نينوى ، في استمرار للانفلات الأمني الذي تعاني منه المحافظة. كما ادت العمليات العسكرية التي شنتها القوات المشتركة والميليشيات الداعمة لها وقوات التحالف بقيادة الولايات المتحدة إلى احداث دمار كبير في البنية التحتية لمدينة الموصل مركز محافظة نينوى وفي هذا السياق اقر مجلس محافظة نينوى اليوم الأحد بأن 72 جسرا في محافظة نينوى طالها التفجير والدمار بعضها تربط جانبي المحافظة الايمن بالايسر منذ 2014 الى 2017. الأنبار : تتعرض مناطق غربي محافظة الأنبار لعمليات عسكرية من قبل القوات المشتركة وميليشياتها بذريعة تحريرها ، ويصاحب هذه العمليات قصف متواصل على الأحياء السكنية ، في غضون ذلك ، سقط عدد من الأشخاص بين قتيل وجريح بقصف حربي على منطقة أم الوز شمال غرب مدينة حديثة غربي الرمادي مركز المحافظة. تواصل القوات المشتركة التحشيد العسكري غربي محافظة الأنبار ، لاقتحام المناطق الخارجة عن السيطرة هناك بمشاركة قوات الاحتلال الأمريكي ، وفي هذا السياق ، وصلت تعزيزات عسكرية إلى قاعدة عين الأسد ، فيما حددت  القوات المشتركة ثلاثة محاور رئيسة للشروع بعملية اقتحام المناطق الغربية بالانبار ، يأتي هذا في الوقت الذي تتمركز فيه قوات من الاحتلال الأمريكي في عدة مناطق غربي المحافظة. صلاح الدين : تجددت الاشتباكات بين قوات البيشمركة الكردية ومسلحين غرب قضاء طوزخورماتو بمحافظة صلاح الدين ، ما أسفر عن سقوط قتلى وجرحى من الجانبين. بغداد : أقدمت الميليشيات الطائفية ، اليوم الأحد ، على قتل مدني بهجوم مسلح ، فيما قامت بسرقة مبلغ 400 مليون دينار عراقي يعود لوزارة النفط ، بحادثين منفصلين في منطقة الشيخ عامر ، وبالقرب من جامع النداء شمالي العاصمة بغداد ، وذلك في ظل تنامي جرائم الميليشيات في العاصمة والمحافظات بتواطؤ حكومي. أقدمت قوات الجيش ، اليوم الأحد ، على تطويق ومهاجمة مجلس عزاء الضحايا الذين سقطوا جراء القصف الحكومي على قضاء الطارمية شمالي العاصمة بغداد ، وقامت تلك القوات بالاعتداء على المتواجدين في المجلس من ذوي الضحايا ، بالسب والشتم ، كما قامت بتحطيم أثاث مجلس العزاء. http://yaqein.net/iraq-news/50271

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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 government military commander orders siege on Anbar’s IS havens preparing for invasion

by Mohamed Mostafa Jul 30, 2017, 2:58 pm

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) --

A senior Iraqi military commander has ordered to besiege Islamic State’s havens in western Anbar preparing to invade them, a military source was quoted saying.

Ikhnews quoted the source saying on Sunday that Lit. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah, commander of the Nineveh Operations at the Joint Operations Command, had arrived to Ain al-Assad military base in western Anbar, escorted by other top brass commanders.

The commanders discussed anticipated operations to retake the towns of Annah, Rawa and Qaim, on Anbar’s borders with Syria, from Islamic State militants.

“Yarallah had directed for advancing towards Annah’s desert areas to cut IS supply routes and besiege the group before the invasion,” the military source told the website.

Islamic State has held the towns of Annah, Rawa and Qaim,since 2014, when they occupied a third of Iraq to proclaim an “Islamic Caliphate”. So far, there has not been a wide-scale campaign to retake those regions, but occasional offensives managed to take over several surrounding villages.

The Iraqi government declared victory over IS in Mosul, the group’s former capital in Iraq, earlier this month, and said it was going to proceed towards other group holdouts.

The Ministry of Defense said last week that though the Joint Operations Command gives “special attention” to the liberation of the town of Tal Afar, west of Nineveh, as the next target, troops can launch simultaneous operations also targeting IS havens west of Anbar.

Last week, Iraqi warplanes reportedly dropped millions of messages telling locals that liberation offensives for the province were nearing.

Coalition airstrike and artillery shelling kill 36 persons in Raqqa

by Loaa Adel Jul 27, 2017, 3:40 pm

Raqqa (Syria News) --

Air strikes carried out by the US-led international coalition and an artillery shelling killed more than 39 persons in the Islamic State-held city of Raqqa, Enab Baladi reported on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the IS-owned news agency “Amaq” mentioned that 36 persons were killed, while 50 others were wounded in the city of Raqqa, due to an artillery shelling and US air strikes on the neighborhoods of the city.

The news was confirmed by “Raqqa is silently slaughtered” Campaign, which also pointed out to another air strike carried out by Russian warplanes, two days ago, on a IDPs camp in al-Sabkha Town, killing 15 persons.

Moreover, Wrath of the Euphrates Operations Command announced that security forces managed to liberate the vicinity of al-Moustafa Mosque completely, in the center of Nazlet Shehada neighborhood, south of Raqqa.

It is noteworthy, United Nations announced on June 29 that nearly 100 thousand civilians are besieged in the city of Raqqa, north of Syria.

On the same context, a report published by the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the killing of at least 1400 civilians, including 308 children and 203 women in the city of Raqqa, in the period between 6 November 2016 and 30 June 2017. 

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

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Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 30, 2017 —

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 17 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters.

-- Near Al Shadaddi, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a staging area.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed five ISIS oil stills and four oil tanks.

-- Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and three vehicles.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of 11 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Al Huwayjah, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building.

-- Near Al Qaim, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a staging area.

-- Near Kisik, two strikes destroyed three ISIS-held buildings and a supply cache.

-- Near Rawah, a strike destroyed an ISIS fighting position, a vehicle-born bomb and a vehicle-born bomb facility.

Newly Reported Strikes

Additionally, 19 strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on July 28 that closed within the last 24 hours.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, a strike destroyed four ISIS oil stills.

-- Near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units, destroyed an anti-air artillery system, and damaged seven fighting positions.

-- Near Sultan Abdullah, Iraq, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tunnel system.

-- Near Tal Afar, Iraq, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 29, 2017 —

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes consisting of 19 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, an oil storage vehicle, and a well-head.

-- Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and suppressed a fighting position.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Al Qaim, two strikes destroyed an ISIS vehicle-born bomb facility, an roadside bomb facility, and a vehicle-born bomb.

-- Near Rawah, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two ISIS-held buildings, a vehicle storage facility, and an armored vehicle.

-- Near Tal Afar, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS command and control nodes and a supply cache.

Newly Reported Strikes

Additionally, 15 strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on July 14, July 24, and July 26-27 that closed within the last 24 hours.

-- On July 14, near Al Shaddadi, Syria, a strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit and a fighting position.

-- On July 24, near Raqqah, Syria, a strike destroyed a supply cache and suppressed 14 fighting positions.

-- On July 26, near Raqqah, Syria, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and suppressed eight fighting positions.

-- On July 27, near Kisik, Iraq, a strike illuminated an area.

-- On July 27, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units, destroyed an ISIS sniper position and an observation post, and suppressed four fighting positions.

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 28, 2017 —

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 20 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed two ISIS oil storage tanks, two oil trailers, an oil refinement still and a wellhead.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes destroyed 18 ISIS oil refinement stills and three wellheads and suppressed a supply route.

-- Near Raqqa, eight strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, a supply cache, an ISIS communication headquarters and an anti-air artillery system.

-- Near Shadaddi, a strike destroyed an ISIS tunnel.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of five engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Baghdad, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

-- Near Rawah, a strike destroyed an ISIS chemical storage site.

- Near Tal Afar, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions and a supply cache.

July 26 Strikes

Additionally, 14 strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on July 26 that closed within the last 24 hours.

-- Near Qaim, Iraq, two strikes destroyed two ISIS vehicle-borne-bomb factories and a front-end loader and damaged a crane and a front-end loader.

-- Near Raqqa, Syria, 18 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, two command-and-control nodes, an improvised explosive device facility, a supply cache and a logistics node; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

-- Near Tal Afar, Iraq, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed an ISIS-held building, a vehicle, a front-end loader and a supply cache; and suppressed a mortar team.

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 27, 2017 —

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes consisting of 21 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed an ISIS financial exchange facility and a vehicle-borne-bomb factory.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed three ISIS wellheads.

-- Near Raqqa, 12 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed five vehicles, four fighting positions, three supply caches, a command-and-control node and an ISIS communications facility.

-- Near Shadaddi, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

Officials also provided details today on 16 previous strikes in Syria for which the information was unavailable in time for yesterday's report:

-- A July 20 strike near Raqqa destroyed six fighting positions and suppressed a mortar team.

-- A July 21 strike near Raqqa destroyed 14 fighting positions and suppressed a mortar team.

-- Two July 23 strikes near Raqqa damaged nine fighting positions.

-- Twelve July 25 strikes near Raqqa engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed five mortar positions, a vehicle-borne-bomb storage facility, a vehicle-borne bomb and ISIS equipment.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of 14 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Mosul, a strike illuminated an area.

-- Near Qaim, a strike destroyed an ISIS weapons cache.

-- Near Rawah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a malfunctioning piece of coalition equipment and a vehicle.

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 26, 2017 —

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 25 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed an ISIS oil tanker trailer and a wellhead.

-- Near Raqqa, 24 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, four observation points, three sniper positions, two command-and-control nodes, two supply caches, two mortar systems, a vehicle-borne bomb, an ISIS communication tower, a front-end loader, an ammunition cache, a tactical vehicle and a heavy machine gun; and suppressed a supply route.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Huwayjah, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

-- Near Kisik, a strike destroyed six ISIS rocket systems and an ISIS-held building.

Additional July 24 Strikes

Officials also provided details today on 13 strikes in Syria and Iraq on July 24 for which the information was not available in time for yesterday's report:

-- Near Kisik, a strike damaged four ISIS vehicles.

-- Near Qayyarah, Iraq, a strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

-- Near Raqqa, 10 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions, three oil refinement stills, a vehicle, a command-and-control node and a weapons cache.

-- Near Abu Kamal, Syria, a strike destroyed three ISIS oil stills and a vehicle.

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 25, 2017 —

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 25 strikes consisting of 27 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes destroyed 14 ISIS oil stills and five wellheads.

-- Near Raqqa, 12 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, a vehicle-borne bomb and a mortar system; and damaged a fighting position.

-- Near Shadaddi, seven strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed two staging areas, two command-and-control nodes, an improvised-bomb storage area, an observation post and a fighting position.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Qaim, a strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

-- Near Rawah, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a supply cache.

Previous Strikes

Additionally, officials reported details today on 13 previous strikes that were unavailable at the time of previous reports.

-- A July 20 strike near Raqqa engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

-- On July 23 near Raqqa, nine strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, a vehicle and a tunnel entrance; and damaged a supply route.

-- Three July 23 strikes near Kisik, Iraq, engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed a fighting position and suppressed a mortar team.

Iraqi Forces Control Mosul, Fighting Continues in Raqqa

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2017 —

Iraqi forces now control all parts of Mosul, Iraq, while tough fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria continues in Raqqa, Syria, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters here today.

Since the height of ISIS's power in 2014, the coalition has retaken more than 70 percent of formerly ISIS-controlled territory in Iraq and 50 percent in Syria, he said, and the coalition fighting ISIS continues to grow.

“There are now 73 partners in that coalition, which is 69 countries plus the European Union, NATO, the Arab League and Interpol,” the International Police Organization, he said, noting that coalition partners in Iraq and Syria have retaken more than 44,400 square miles of territory, and freed 5 million people from ISIS control.

Iraq Operations

In an update of operations beginning with Iraq, Davis said that Iraqi forces continue to conduct detailed clearance operations of rebel caves and tunnel systems in Mosul's old city, looking for any remaining ISIS fighters and seeking to identify explosive devices that could threaten friendly forces or civilians.

The old city is the focus of cleanup operations, he said, and the Iraqi army, the Emergency Response Division forces, the Counter Terrorism Service and federal police are holding sectors in Mosul until the holding force takes over security.

“There's been only one coalition strike in Mosul in the last week and a single-digit number of direct-fire engagements in Mosul in the last week. These are indicators of the improved security and stability situation there,” Davis said.

Before the single strike over the past week, the last time the coalition made no strikes on Mosul was Sept. 15, he added.

The coalition has conducted multiple strikes in Tal Afar this week against supply caches, vehicle-borne bomb factories and command-and-control locations, Davis said.

“[Iraq's] forces will decide when it’s best to begin the offensive operations to defeat ISIS in Tal Afar, and when [they are] ready, the coalition will be there to support,” he said.

Syria Operations

Davis said that today is the 50th day of operations to defeat ISIS in Raqqa and about 40 percent of the city is now under control of the Syrian Democratic Forces, and yesterday the SDF liberated about 2 square miles of terrain in and around Raqqa as they fought off stiff resistance along three axes.

On the city’s western axis, he added, the SDF gained ground along a corridor south of the main supply route despite heavy ISIS resistance with small arms, machine-gun fire and homemade bombs.

“On the eastern axis, the SDF made incremental gains and repelled ISIS counterattacks, and incorporated indirect fires and vehicle-borne [improvised explosive devices], Davis said. “On the southern axis south of the Euphrates River the SDF cleared about 1.5 square miles, despite ISIS counterattacks from area villages.”

He also said the east-west deconfliction line south of the Euphrates is holding, referring to the boundary established through the Russian channel to deconflict the advance of regime forces.

“Regime forces further to the south are moving ... in the direction of Dar Azar,” Davis said, “and this deconfliction mechanism has worked effectively to ensure that there are no skirmishes between SDF fighters and regime fighters as the regime moves further downriver.” 

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