Posted on 08/20/2014 12:21:51 PM PDT by GonzoII
ERBIL, Iraq—U.S. airstrikes have driven some ground commanders of the Sunni radical group Islamic State from northern Iraq across the border into Syria, Iraqi officials say.
The retreat into eastern Syria, where Islamic State has built up an operational base amid the chaos of civil war over the past few years, doesn't reflect a broader exodus by the group, which continues to solidify its grip on Iraqi territory under its control, these officials said.
But it does illustrate a scramble in the leadership ranks of the group, formerly known as ISIS or ISIL, in the immediate aftermath of the U.S. military intervention that began on Aug. 8, Iraq officials and counterterrorism experts say.
"We are noting a retreat of some emirs because the strikes have been effective, and are also starting to create panic," a senior Iraqi counterterrorism official said. Emir is the title Islamic State members and supporters use for commanders in charge of a province—local leaders of what they envision as statelets in a larger cross-border Islamic caliphate they hope to create.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
They’ve had a truce with Assad so he could work against the non al Qaeda armed opposition. But that appears to breaking down.
Lots of Kurds in eastern Syria. It would be a good time to negotiate territory from Assad in return for ISIS extermination services.
They’d be taking their chances in a deal with scum like him. At the end of the day they’ll only be able to depend on themselves. And all of the Kurds are keen to kill ISIS.
Syria=R&R
Time to load up the Kurds with everything they need, plus an additional 25%, to be sure.
retreat back to Syria to pick up more weapons supplied by Mr. Obama.....
Mr. Assad, your move.
It’s being worked. I assure you.
Wrong. ISIS and Assad are in an alliance, or have been until very recently. ISIS fights the faction supplied by the US and has worked with Assad.
I’m thinking it’s time to send the Israelis a dozen or so F-22’s. Let them fix the problems. It’s sends a message.
The president doesn’t want to help them right now.
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