ISIS advances on oil fields in Salahaddin, Diyala

Long War Journal ^ | June 26, 2014 | By Bill Roggio

[Brad from Tennessee]

While the blitzkrieg of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham and its allies that saw the groups take control of Mosul on June 10 and quickly approach the outskirts of Samarra has slowed considerably, the advance has not stopped. ISIS continues to attack in Diyala and Salahaddin provinces, and has set its sights on oil infrastructure.

Yesterday, ISIS took control of the Ajeel oil wells, which lie east of Tikrit and Bayji in Salahaddin provinces. There are four wells listed in the area: Ajeel, Ajeel 6, Ajeel 24, and Ajeel North 1, and they put out an estimated 28,000 barrels of oil per day. In addition, a natural gas field, also called Ajeel, is situated near the wells.

Today ISIS took control of the town of Mansouriyat al-Jabal, which is just north of the city of Miqdadiyah in Diyala province. An oil well known as Mansuriyah 1 is operated near the town. . .

. . .Keep in mind that ISIS is unlikely to destroy the oil facilities, the dam, the airbase, and any other infrastructure that may come under its control. ISIS' ultimate goal is to establish an Islamic state in Iraq and Syria (hence its name, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham). ISIS profits greatly from revenue produced from oil facilities, and needs other infrastructure to manage its state. ISIS is known to have "oil experts" to help with the extraction, transportation, and sale of oils.

[BCW]

Free oil for everyone..the freedom fighters have seized control from the oppresive govt (sarc/)...

[mojito]

Sounds like a classic siege and encirclement strategy.

ISIS is now in a position to deny fuel, water and power to Baghdad. Daily life will be getting difficult, and equipping effective fighting units even more so.