Shiite militia seizes control of Iraqi town, slowing ISIS drive toward Baghdad

.washingtonpost.com ^ | June 14 at 7:23 PM | Liz Sly and Abigail Hauslohner

[BenLurkin]

Looks like it might by “Daiish”

[Fitzy_888]

A cleric can afford an armored SUV? That’s probably $150k for starters.

Oh, the piety of the Islamic clergy.

[Genoa]

“Daiish we will never surrender,” chanted a group of young men piled on the back of a pick-up truck, using an acronym for the al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)

A steaming pile of Compost, isn't it? DAIISH is the Arabic acronym that is the equivalent of ISIS.

[Praxeologue]

splitting Iraq into 3 was a pretty good idea

The idea a decade ago, and by the British after the Ottoman Empire collapsed, was a non-sectarian state that did not permit one religious or racial group to dominate. This would be a more healthy outcome than three states, all of whom would be out to get their neighbors. That was the idea, and it might have worked if Obama hadn't thrown it away starting in 2009. Obama released the future ISIS head from prison and then trained and funded them to destabilize Syria. Just as happened when the al Qaeda precursor trained by the Reagan Administration in Afghanistan turned on its benefactor, so ISIL turned on the U.S. ally in Baghdad.

[Paladin2]

ISIS has got to have a tenuous supply line.

[SunkenCiv]

This is going to work out well for Kurdistan (independence at last?) and Turkey (oil pipeline), and of course for the human population of the Earth as the Shiite-heads and ISIS fight over a swath of muzzie-induced desert for the foreseeable future. I’d be very surprised if roving rogue bands of Shiite jihadists don’t find themselves swarmed by well-networked gangs from ISIS; they haven’t suddenly enjoyed success, they’ve been building the organization to make it happen while biding their time. Thanks BenLurkin.

[Genoa]

Way down, after the map, I see this:

In the town of Muqdadiyah in Diyala province northeast of Baghdad, residents said it was the Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) militia that had made the difference and that fighters with that Iranian-backed paramilitary movement were now in control.

But the wording leaves it uncertain whether this is the town left out of the lead or a second one.

Fog of war.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Yup! And lots of new sand colored Toyota trucks.

[Paladin2]

Maybe Toyota is running a fleet useage study for future product development.

[justa-hairyape]

What surprises me is that the Iraqi state fell apart so easily to a bunch of terrorists that, even with Obama’s confused help, “non-lethal aid”, military training, and Libyan weapons, couldn’t beat Assad.

ISIS owns a large chunk of eastern Syria and the Rebels did have Assad on the ropes for awhile. Heck they even tried to assassinate at least three times. Now ISIS are moving stolen Iraqi military hardware into Syria, so they may start another push west. They also stole millions which can be used to send suicide squads all over the planet. Not over yet.

[sgtyork]

——Just as happened when the al Qaeda precursor trained by the Reagan Administration in Afghanistan

Lefty myth, surprised you are posting it here.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Looming-Tower-Al-Qaeda-Road/dp/1400030846

This is the most authoritative source and he says USA was not working with Al Queda but with other Afghan groups.

[PGR88]

I bet the Sunnis never take Baghdad or the South, or that the Kurds ever relinquish control of Kirkuk.

Correct. Southern Iraq is Shiite, and they have their own militias. A rag-tag band of sunni jihadis wouldn't dare enter Baghdad. ISIS may create chaos and trigger all kinds of violence and retribution, but they won't enter it, much less control Baghdad. My guess is Maliki felt the sunni towns of Mosul and Tikrit were indefensible anyway and his shiite-led government probably wasn't popular there anyway - so he let them go. As for the North - The Kurds have had effective independence since 1991 - there is not a chance they lose it to a bunch of sunni crazies.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

I bank on the Sunni—They have the drive—they have expeience on their side—If they have a good general they will flank the defenders—cut them off and make for Baghdad itself. If it falls they will have the state. Iran may have to send more than a few “Revolutionary Guards” Send in their air force and heavy tanks. After Baghdada falls they will head for the Kurds in the north. Next stop the Oil Rich states on the Gulf. Then Israel and the USA—Lots of folks going to die before the year is out.

[USNBandit]

That is what CNN is saying to keep up the charade that Obama was correct in saying AQ was on the run.

[terycarl]

I don’t understand..if they take over a city...where do they get the people capable of running a city ???? do they leave behind a city administration???....is there a new mayor and city council??? or do they just bust it up , claim vitory, and leave....

[zzwhale]

muslim on muslom violence
blood in the sand
GRAB THE POPCORN
hold the drones

[Praxeologue]

says USA was not working with Al Queda but with other Afghan groups

Thank you. Lawrence Wright's book is well sourced regarding the late 80s period. The CIA was likely not in touch with the Afgan Arabs.

If the foreign fighters got too full themselves, the poppy farmers would shoot them. What a culture!

[odds]

I would encourage Iranian regime to send as many of its military, including bassijis to fight the ISIS. Hopefully, a few other Iranian mullahs in addition to that fat mullah dude Sadr who is now in Iraq, make it to Iraq too. Let them fight for as long as it takes and then send in air support to take care of them collectively. ISIS’s objectives, ideology, actions, end of the day, aren’t any better than Shia regime of Iran. They deserve each other.

[Psalm 144]

Never thought I would cheer for team Shia.

************

I know. It’s a crazy world, isn’t it? The ‘Dad’s Division’ is the most human face I’ve seen on these people. “Give me a rifle. I’m going to protect my family.”

Crazy.