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

 

Hundreds of Iraqis Killed in Attacks by Government, Turkish, US Forces

 March 25, 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.

 

Explosion at Al-Habbaniya air base, housing US troops, March 25, 2018

 

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

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Explosion at Al-Habbaniya air base, housing US troops March 25, 2018, yaqein news agency Iraqi military spokesman announced that an explosion happened at Al-Habbaniya air base, housing US troops, leading to more explosion in heavy and medium artillery weapon ammunition. الأنبار.. انفجارات في مستودع الأسلحة في "قاعدة الحبانية" 25 مارس 2018  ، وكالة يقين لاسباب اوزعت لتماس كهربائي كالعادة ، شهدت قاعدة الحبانية العسكرية شرقي مدينة الرمادي بمحافظة الانبار وقوع انفجارات متعاقبة في احد مخازن العتاد في القاعدة المذكورة ، ماتسبب ذلك بالحاق اضرار مادية بعدد من المنازل وحقل للدواجن قريب من القاعدة ، اضافة الى اصابة المواطنين بخوف وهلع نتيجة ماحصل . وقال مصدر في الجيش بتصريح لمصادر صحفية بالقول ، إن “مستودعا للأسلحة انفجر في قاعدة الحبانية شرق الرمادي، نتيجة التماس كهربائي” ، مبينا ان “أصوات انفجارات كبيرة نتجت عن انفجار المستودع وهي عبارة عن أسلحة ثقيلة ومتوسطة من قذائف الهاون والمدفعية وغيرها “. يذكر أن قاعدة الحبانية تضم قوات التحالف الدولي ومنها قوات الاحتلال الامريكية التي عادت بشكل رسمي للعراق بحجة محاربة الارهاب ومكافحته ، اضافة الى ذريعة تدريب القوات المشتركة من الجيش والشرطة وافراد ميليشيا الحشد الشعبي المعروفين بـ”مقاتلي العشائر” في الانبار . http://yaqein.net/politics/98898

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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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Islamic State group claims responsibility for killing, injuring 103 Iraqi troops

by Mohammed Ebraheem Mar 25, 2018, 11:22 am

Kirkuk (Iraqinews.com) –

Islamic State (IS) group claimed that its militants killed and injured 103 government troops within a month in different Iraqi cities.

In an online statement, a copy of which was obtained by IKH News, the militant group said, “Another 13 Iraqi troops were taken captive during the period from February 19 to March 21.”

The militant group further claimed that its insurgents destroyed 12 armored vehicles and an oil tank during the aforementioned period.

Despite the victory over IS last year, observers say the militant group is still constituting a security threat even after the group’s defeat at its main havens across Iraqi provinces.

Iraq declared victory over Islamic State in December with the help of a US-led alliance, having retaken all the territory captured by the extremists in 2014 and 2015.

Isolated cells believed to be linked to the Islamic State group remain active in some parts of the country. In recent weeks, suspected Islamic State insurgents have carried out several attacks targeting security forces in the areas north-west of Kirkuk.

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.

Federal Police mourns eight personnel killed by Islamic State between Kirkuk, Baghdad

by Nehal Mostafa Mar 24, 2018, 11:41 pm

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) --

The Federal Police Command has mourned several personnel who were killed by Islamic State members after being abducted on the road between Baghdad and Kirkuk.

In a statement, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, said, “the coward terrorists killed our captivated personnel who were abducted while being disarmed.”

Moreover, Jawdat urged the armed forces “to follow the remaining remnants and destroy their cells and havens.”

Earlier today, the pro-government al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) announced that eight federal police personnel were killed by Islamic State members.

In remarks, Ali al-Husseini, spokesperson for the PMFs in the northern axis, said, “IS members killed eight Federal Police personnel who were kidnapped few days ago in a region between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces.”

“The video posted by the militants and circulated in media channels, today, has been verified,” he added.

Islamic State posted, previously today, photos claiming they were for federal police personnel who were kidnapped on Baghdad-Kirkuk road. Some photos showed handicapped people, while others were for militants shooting people.

Husseini added that “the attack will be the last one to be launched in that region,” after he announced drawing a plan, along with the Counter-Terrorism Service, Federal Police and Rapid Response troops to deploy security elements along the road between Kirkuk and Baghdad.

Four tribal fighters killed, injured in bomb blast, northeast of Diyala

by Nehal Mostafa Mar 24, 2018, 2:36 pm

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) --

Four security personnel were killed and injured in a bomb blast, northeast of Diyala, a local source from the province said on Wednesday.

“Joint security troops carried out an operation to follow Islamic State members in Sherwin region, at the outskirts of al-Mansouria, northeast of Diyala,” Ragheb al-Ankabi, head of Mansouriya municipal council, told Alghad Press.

“A bomb went off in the gardens during the operation, leaving a tribal mobilization personnel killed and three others injured,” Ankabi added. “The victim’s body was taken to forensic medicine department, while the wounded were transferred to hospital for treatment.”

A total of 91 Iraqi civilians were killed and 208 others were injured in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in February, according to the monthly report issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Baghdad was the worst affected Governorate, with 195 civilian casualties (49 killed, 146 injured). Anbar Governorate ranked second place, with 14 killed and 37 injured, and Diyala had 12 killed and 11 injured.

Thousands of IS 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.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced, in December, full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members. However, 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.

Turkish army says killed 91 Kurdish militants in northern Iraq

by Mohamed Mostafa Mar 24, 2018, 1:02 pm

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) --

Turkish strikes in northern Iraq have killed 91 Kurdish militants in the last week, the armed forces staff declared on Saturday as Turkey continues to target fighters it designates as terrorists.

The Turkish armed forces staff said in a tweet that “In the anti-terrorism operation, between the dates of 17-23 March 2018, one of the leading cadres of 91 terrorists have been neutralized, various types of 34 weapons have been seized, 29 handmade explosives were identified and destroyed”.

Iraq on Thursday denounced Turkish airstrikes on anti-Ankara, Kurdish fighters’ locations in the north of the country that left a number of civilians dead.

In a statement, the foreign ministry spokesperson, Ahmed Mahgoub, said “The Iraqi foreign ministry denounces the continuation of aggressions and transgressions upon Iraqi borders by the Turkish forces, the latest of which was the strike that targeted the villages of Mawan, Qassan and Sarkinan in Soran, Erbil, which led to the martyrdom of a number of unarmed civilians”.

The statement said those “violations…do not serve the development of relations between both neighbor countries”. It added it “reaffirms its stance of rejecting the presence of any forces on Iraqi soil or any attempt to carry out military operations by any neighboring country”.

Earlier on Thursday, Kurdish media reported the death of four civilians in Turkish strikes on the borders with Iraq.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara on Monday his country would, at any time, launch operations in Iraq’s northern Sinjar region against PKK, a group designated by Ankara as a terrorist group for engaging in decades of armed confrontations with it. Ankara has regularly conducted airstrikes against PKK locations in northern Iraq.

Turkey has also been carrying out offensives since January against Kurdish factions in Afrin, northwest of Syria, which it believes are extension of the PKK.

Six policemen killed, injured in bomb blast, south of Mosul

by Nehal Mostafa Mar 22, 2018, 7:23 pm

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) --

Six policemen were killed and injured in a bomb blast that took place in Hammam al-Alil region, south of Mosul, a security source from Nineveh police said on Thursday.

“A bomb targeted local police, leaving a policeman killed and five others wounded,” Cap. Raad al-Hayali told BasNews.

“Police forces cordoned off the blast scene and transferred the victim to forensic medicine department, while the injured were taken to hospital. Investigations were conducted,” he added.

“Troops arrested 18 suspects over involvement in planting the bomb,” Hayali said.

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.

A total of 91 Iraqi civilians were killed and 208 others were injured in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in February, according to the monthly report issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Baghdad was the worst affected Governorate, with 195 civilian casualties (49 killed, 146 injured). Anbar Governorate ranked second place, with 14 killed and 37 injured, and Diyala had 12 killed and 11 injured.

As many as 3,298 civilians were killed and 4,781 others were wounded in 2017, excluding Anbar civilian casualty figures for November and December, which are not available, UNAMI said in a report in December.

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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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OIR Officials Report Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 23, 2018 —

Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners continued to strike Islamic State of Iraq and Syria targets in designated parts of Syria and Iraq between March 16-22, conducting 14 strikes consisting of 19 engagements.

Strikes in Syria

Yesterday in Syria, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units.

-- Near Shadaddi, a strike destroyed an ISIS-held building.

On March 21, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of one engagement against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal. The strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

On March 20, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of two engagements against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal. The strike destroyed an ISIS staging area and a weapons cache.

On March 19, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal. The strike engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle-borne-bomb factory.

There were no reported strikes in Syria on March 18.

On March 17, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of two engagements against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal. The strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building and a weapons cache.

There were no reported strikes in Syria on March 16.

Strikes in Iraq

Yesterday, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of one engagement against ISIS targets near Tal Afar. The strike destroyed an ISIS tunnel.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on March 20-21.

On March 19, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagement against ISIS targets:

-- Near Hawijah, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS cave..

-- Near Qayyarah, a strike destroyed an ISIS-held building.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on March 18.

On March 17, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Hawijah, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS facility.

-- Near Ramadi, a strike destroyed an ISIS underground storage facility.

There were no reported strikes in Iraq on March 16.

Additional Strikes in Iraq

On March 11, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of three engagements against ISIS targets near Makhmour. The strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS tunnel network.

U.S. Aircraft Crashes in Western Iraq, Five Crew Members Killed

From a U.S. Central Command News Release

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 —

Yesterday at about 6:45 p.m. GMT, a U.S. HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq. The crash does not appear to be a result of enemy activity. This incident is under investigation.

"All personnel aboard were killed in the crash," said Army Brig. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, the director of operations for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. "This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today."

An accompanying U.S. helicopter immediately reported the crash and a quick reaction force comprised of Iraqi and coalition service members secured the scene.

"We are grateful to the Iraqi security forces for their immediate assistance in response to this tragic incident," Braga said. "Iraqi security forces continue to demonstrate their professionalism, capabilities and flexibility as we continue the fight towards a lasting defeat of [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]."

Names of the fallen will be released by the Defense Department after next of kin have been notified.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. UPDATE: Officials released the names March 17 of the airmen killed in the crash. Dead are: -- Air Force Capt. Mark K. Weber, 29, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia;

-- Air Force Capt. Andreas B. O'Keeffe, 37, of Center Moriches, New York, assigned to the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, New York;

-- Air Force Capt. Christopher T. Zanetis, 37, of Long Island City, New York, 106th Rescue Wing.

-- Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher J. Raguso, 39, of Commack, New York, 106th Rescue Wing;

-- Air Force Staff Sgt. Dashan J. Briggs, 30, of Port Jefferson Station, New York, 106th Rescue Wing;

-- Air Force Master Sgt. William R. Posch, 36, of Indialantic, Florida, assigned to the Air Force Reserve’s 308th Rescue Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida;

-- Air Force Staff Sgt. Carl P. Enis, 31, of Tallahassee, Florida, 308th Rescue Squadron.

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