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Iraqis Flee Towns and Villages for Lack of Security, Scores Killed in Government Attacks, US-Led Air Strikes

August 21, 2018

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.

 

Iraqi women and children leaving their towns and villages in Ninawa Province because of continuous attacks, August 20, 2018

 

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

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Iraqi women and children leaving their towns and villages in Ninawa Province because of continuous attacks August 20, 2018, yaqein نزوح جديد للعائلات في نينوى بسبب انفلات الأمن 20 أغسطس 2018 ، يقين أكدت المفوضية العليا لحقوق الإنسان، اليوم الاثنين، نزوح العديد من العائلات من محافظة نينوى بسبب الهجمات والخروقات الأمنية والانتهاكات الجسيمة التي يتعرضون لها. وقال نائب رئيس المفوضية العليا لحقوق الانسان ، “علي ميزر الشمري”، في بيان ، إن “الحكومة لم تستجب لمطالب المفوضية المتضمنة توفير الحماية الكافية للمناطق المحررة باعادة توزيع القطعات الامنية فيها لضمان حماية النازحين العائدين”. واضاف ان “المفوضية سجلت اكثر من حادث غادر ارتكبته عصابات في مناطق جنوب وجنوب غربي محافظة نينوى حيث تنشط هناك ويتنقل افرادها بعجلاتهم المدججة بالسلاح ويقومون بمداهمة منازل المواطنين جهارا نهارا واقتيادهم الى مناطق قريبة من منازلهم وقتلهم بطرق بشعة يندى لها جبين الانسانية”. واوضح الشمري ان “عصابات تعيد تنظيم صفوفها مرةً اخرى كما حصل يوم امس في قضاء البعاج وتشن هجوما على الاهالي في قرية البصيصية حيث استمر الهجوم لاكثر من ثلاث ساعات متواصلة”. وتابع ان “مثل هذه الجرائم بالاضافة الى الجرائم السابقة تسببت بهجرة عكسية للعائدين طوعا الى مناطقهم من مخيمات النزوح والعودة اليها مرة اخرى”، مطالبا بـ”إعادة انتشار القوات الامنية في تلك المناطق وصولا الى الحدود السورية وتكثيف الجهود الاستخبارية للكشف عن الخلايا النائمة لتلك العصابات والتي تتخذ من المناطق الصحراوية والوعرة ملاذا لها ومنطلقا لتنفيذ عملياتها الاجرامية”. https://yaqein.net/politics/133212

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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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US helicopter crashed on Iraqi-Syrian border

by Loaa Adel Aug 20, 2018, 5:13 pm

(Syria News), Iraqi News --

 The US-led coalition announced, on Monday, that an American soldier was killed in a helicopter crash, near the Iraqi-Syrian border.

In a statement published, today, the international coalition revealed that the incident took place yesterday while the helicopter was in a mission against the Islamic State militants in the area.

A soldier was killed, while three others were injured in the crash, the statement added. The soldier body was pulled out while the wounded were transferred to the hospital to receive the needed and immediate treatment.

U.S. service member killed, others injured in helicopter crash in Iraq

by Nehal Mostafa Aug 20, 2018, 4:28 pm

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) -

A U.S. soldier was killed, while others were injured in a helicopter crash in Iraq, the U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq announced on Monday.

In remarks, the coalition said a service member was killed, while others were injured as their helicopter crashed while being on a counter-terrorism mission in Iraq late on Sunday.

According to the Coalition, there is no evidence that the crash was caused by hostile fire, saying that investigations were conducted. On Sunday, the coalition was U.S. forces will remain in Iraq, so long as there is a need for that, which is contrary to the U.S. promises to withdraw from Iraq after Islamic State was defeated.

Security expert, Safaa al-Aasam told Almaalomah website on Sunday that Washington seeks increasing the number of military bases up to 12 bases, from nine bases, and that it takes advantage of the security situation at the border region between Iraq and Syria to keep its combat forces.

In December, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

However, Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country. The group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.

Islamic State militants kill Iraqi policeman in Mosul

by Mohamed Mostafa Aug 20, 2018, 3:21 pm

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) -

Islamic State militants killed an Iraqi police member in the city of Mosul, Nineveh province, a security source was quoted saying on Monday.

Shafaq News website quoted the source saying that the off-duty policeman was shot dead by IS militants while spending his vacation at al-Shura, south of Mosul.

Iraq declared victory over Islamic State militants in December 2017, ending a three-year military campaign against the group to retake areas they had occupied to proclaim a self-styled “caliphate”. But the group  has carried out several attacks against security and civilians since then.Security authorities regularly declare the arrest of remnant militant cells linked with the group.

Mosul was Islamic State’s capital and base of operations in Iraq. It was from its Grand Nuri Mosque that IS founder, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, proclaimed the group’s rule. Iraqi forces recaptured the city in July 2017 after an operation that lasted for more than eight months.

Iraqi police kill four Islamic State members in an operation in Kirkuk

by Nehal Mostafa Aug 20, 2018, 2:25 pm

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) The Iraqi Federal Police have killed four Islamic State members in a security operation in Kirkuk, the Security Media Center said on Monday.

In a statement, the center said, “Federal Police carried out a campaign in some regions in Kirkuk, leaving four Islamic State members killed and a hideout destroyed.”

Troops, according to the center, “arrested two militants and detonated a bomb.”

Last week, two Iraqi policemen were killed after a bomb exploded while they were inspecting the security situation in al-Rashad region, south of Kirkuk

In December, the Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced gaining control on all the territories that were captured by Islamic State, since 2014.

Thousands of militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.

Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country. The group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.

Two Islamic State members in operation in Salahuddin’s Samarra: Ministry

by Nehal Mostafa Aug 19, 2018, 6:22 pm

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) -

Two Islamic State members were killed, while three rest houses were burnt in Samarra in Salahuddin province, the Iraqi Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said, “Samarra Operations Command, headed by Maj. Gen. Emad al-Zuhairi, resumed its duties through combing Mutaibija region as well as villages in its vicinity and Udhaim basin reaching to al-Dulu’eiya canal.

The results achieved on the second day of operations, according to the ministry, was “burning three rest houses by the Iraqi jets, killing two militants in Hawi al-Mayta region and destroying a motorbike that was used by the militants.”

Last week, the Security Media Center said four militants, including a suicide attacker, were killed in an operation in Samarra.

Thousands of militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.

Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country. The group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.

Two Islamic State members killed before sneaking through desert region in Diyala

by Nehal Mostafa Aug 18, 2018, 11:00 pm

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) -

Two Islamic State members were killed as they were trying to infiltrate through the desert region in Diyala province, a security source said on Saturday.

Speaking to Almaalomah website, the source said, “al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) managed, today, to kill two Islamic State members near al-Udhaim region in Diyala.”

The two militants, according to the source, “were planning to infiltrate through the northern desert region. They were killed before infiltration.”

On Friday, an Islamic State member, who admitted to killing seven people, was arrested in Diyala province.

Last week, security forces managed during operations to follow Islamic State militants in Hamreen and al-Nada basin, killing three militants and destroying 20 rest houses that contained explosives.

Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country. The group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.

Thousands of Islamic State militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016.

Seven Islamic State members killed, arrested near borders with Syria

by Nehal Mostafa Aug 17, 2018, 5:48 pm

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) -

Five Islamic State members were killed, while two others were arrested near the border regions between Iraq and Syria, a leader with the mobilization troops in Anbar said on Friday.

Speaking to Almaalomah website, Qutri al-Obeidi, said “security troops of Al-Jazira Operations Command, the army’s seventh division and the border troops, backed by the tribal fighters, carried out an operation against an Islamic State pocket in the desert of Qaim town, on borders with Syria, west of Anbar. The operation left five militants killed, including an Uzbekistani leader.”

The troops, according to Obeidi, “managed to arrest two other militants.” Explosive belts, hand grenades, weapons and medical requirements were found in their possession.

“Troops transferred the arrested ones, under tight measures, to a detention cell for investigations and to question them about places, where other militants are hiding,” Obeidi added.

Thousands of Islamic State militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.

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

22 militants of Islamic State killed in Diyala military operation: Commander

by Mohammed Ebraheem Aug 15, 2018, 2:37 pm

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) –

An Iraqi commander said on Wednesday that 22 members of Islamic State group were killed during a wide-scale military operation in Diyala province bordering Iran.

Al-Tahreer News quoted Commander of Diyala Military Operations Mazhar Al-Azzawi as saying in a statement that “Iraqi troops managed to kill 22 IS militants as part of a wide-scale military operation that was launched in Hamrin Mountains in Diyala.”

“The operation also left 24 Islamic State hotbeds destroyed,” added the statement.

According to Al-Azzawi, most IS militants in Hamrin Mountains have been completely eliminated.

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.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared last December final victory over Islamic State three years after the militant group captured about a third of Iraq’s territory.

Islamic State militants killed, as Iraqi jets carry out airstrike in Syria

by Nehal Mostafa Aug 16, 2018, 10:42 pm

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) -

Iraqi fighter jets have shelled an Islamic State task force in Syria, the Interior Ministry’s Security Media Center said, adding that the militants were planning for an operation using explosive belts inside Iraq over the coming few days.

In a statement on Thursday, the center said, “based on instructions of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and under supervision of the Joint Operations Command, the Iraqi jets carried out a successful airstrike in Syria, depending on information from the Interior Ministry. The strike targeted Islamic State’s task force, destroying it completely. Several militants were killed.”

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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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Operation Roundup Continues to Target ISIS Remnants

August 21, 2018, SOUTHWEST ASIA --

Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners continue to pursue the lasting defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in designated parts of Syria and Iraq, task force officials reported today.

Operation Roundup, which began May 1 to accelerate the defeat of ISIS in the Middle Euphrates River Valley and Iraq-Syria border region, has continued to gain ground and remove (ISIS) from the battlefield through offensive operations coupled with precision coalition strike support, officials said.

Between Aug. 13-19, coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes, consisting of 25 engagements, in Iraq and Syria.

Strikes in Syria

There were no reported strikes conducted in Syria yesterday.

On Aug. 18 near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted a strike, destroying two ISIS supply routes.

On Aug. 17 near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted a strike, destroying an ISIS logistics hub.

On Aug. 16 near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted a strike, destroying an ISIS vehicle.

On Aug. 15 near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted two strikes, destroying two ISIS supply routes.

On Aug. 14 near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted three strikes, destroying two ISIS command-and-control centers, an ISIS command-and-control support facility and an ISIS supply route.

On Aug. 13 near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against ISIS targets, destroying an ISIS vehicle and two ISIS lines of communication.

Strikes in Iraq

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq yesterday.

On Aug. 18 near Rutbah, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets.

-- Near Rutbah, a strike destroyed an ISIS vehicle.

-- Near Samarra, a strike destroyed two ISIS-held buildings and an ISIS supply cache.

On Aug. 17 near the Hamrin Mountains, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets, destroying an ISIS-held building and an ISIS vehicle.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq Aug. 14-16.

On Aug. 13 near the Atshana Mountains, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of one engagement against ISIS targets.

Additional Strikes

On Aug. 12, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of four engagements in Iraq and Syria that were not reported in the previous release:

-- In Syria near Abu Kamal, coalition military forces conducted a strike, destroying two ISIS lines of communication.

-- In Iraq near the Hamrin Mountains, coalition military forces conducted a strike, destroying an ISIS supply route.

-- In Iraq near Tuz, coalition military forces conducted a strike, destroying five ISIS-held buildings.

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