Evacuations in Iraq as Chaos Spreads

UK Telegraph ^ | Thursday, June 12, 2014 | Colin Freeman

[kristinn]

A growing sense of panic was gripping Iraq last night as the al-Qaeda uprising in the country’s north led to US contractors being evacuated from the region and European countries ordering their citizens to leave Baghdad.

With militants threatening to advance on the capital, signs emerged of diplomats making preparations to leave the country in the event of civil war erupting.

Three planes carrying American diplomats and contractors stationed at a training mission at an Iraqi airbase in Balad, north of Baghdad, flew out amid fears that the base could be surrounded by the militants. Germany ordered all its citizens to leave the Iraqi capital, as did Turkey, which has already had 80 people kidnapped by the militants, including the consul to the northern city of Mosul.

British officials said they had no immediate plans to evacuate staff from Baghdad’s heavily guarded “Green Zone”. As troops stood guard at the city’s northern flanks, queues formed at the main airport while banks saw large number of customers attempt to withdraw money. Last night the internet also went down in Baghdad for an hour, adding to the atmosphere of unease.

Meanwhile, the militants, who operate under the banner of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams (ISIS), issued threats to anybody who defied a harsh code of Sharia they have imposed in captured territories. Rule-breakers who ignored edicts banning drinking, smoking and “immodest” behaviour by women could expect “be killed or crucified, or have hands or feet cut from opposite sides.”

The mounting sense of crisis came as Iran seemed poised to steal the military initiative in the conflict, despatching battalions of elite troops to assist Iraq’s prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki.

[Rapscallion]

Headlines on Oct 21, 2111: Iraq rejects US request to maintain bases after troop withdrawal.

Obama announces the full withdrawal of troops from Iraq but fails to persuade Nouri al-Maliki to allow US to keep bases there

Sorry guys. You are on your own. Deal with it. Good luck.

[oldbrowser]

The mounting sense of crisis came as Iran seemed poised to steal the military initiative in the conflict, despatching battalions of elite troops to assist Iraq’s prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki.

The Shia against the Sunni? Maybe they will neutralize each other. Islamists seem to view war as a contact sport.

[bill1952]

Not all of them. One of the most dangerous and ruthless commanders is a Hussein era baathist official who eluded capture all these long years and has publicly said that he is returning to settle scores. He has a large contingent of sunni fighters.

[wmfights]

These are the same "freedom fighters" that want to install a "democracy" in Syria. We were going to help these guys just last year.

Now Iran is going to step in and "help" their friend and in the process turn Irag into a client State.

[john mirse]

Iraqi refugees: Where do you think they will end up?

America: Are you ready for a rush of refugees seeking a home in the United States beginning any day now? Sad.

[john mirse]

All one can say is, “Thanks Mr. Obama, thanks for nothing.”

******

Did anyone here vote for Obama? If you did, when will you wake up and admit that you made a terrible mistake, because you now sadly realize that the man you thought was so smart has no idea what he is doing?

[Grampa Dave]

Time to go to Costco to buy a case of poppable popcorn to watch this stuff unfold:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3167041/posts?page=1

As jihadists take aim at Baghdad, Iran steps in to help historical foe
FOX News ^ | June 12, 2014 | By Lisa Daftari
Posted on 6/12/2014 4:16:43 PM by Oldeconomybuyer

Iran is coming to the aid of its historic nemesis, sending elite fighters to Iraq in the wake of a Sunni insurgency that has claimed two key northern cities and now threatens Baghdad, Fox News has learned.

Some 150 fighters from the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds force have already been dispatched by Tehran, and the division’s powerful commander, Qassem Suleimani, met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Thursday and pledged to send two notorious Iranian brigades to aid in the defense of Baghdad. That could amount to as many as 10,000 soldiers sent to fight the Sunni group known as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS).

Maliki is believed to be considering the offer, especially in light of reported decisions by the U.S. to reject his request for American airstrikes.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com

[PGalt]

Thanks for posting. BTTT!