Posted on 09/30/2014 12:53:00 AM PDT by No One Special
America’s Arabic coalition continues bombing ISIS targets in Syria, but the BBC and Independent both report that ISIS fighters are pushing into Baghdad, the capitol of Iraq.
“The Islamic State are now less than 2 km away from entering Baghdad,” a spokesman for the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation told UK’s the Independent , adding that al-Qaeda militants are bolstering their ranks.
The spokesman continued, “ They said it could never happen and now it almost has. Obama says he overestimated what the Iraqi Army could do. Well, you only need to be here a very short while to know that they can do very little.
According to a BBC correspondent a standoff continues along the main road to Fallujah, which remains under ISIS control.
However, ISIL and the Syrian offshoot of al-Qaida known as Jabhat al-Nusra (a.k.a. Nusra Front) , appear to be forming a loose coalition to fight attacks by the US and its allies, according to an Irish Independent report. (http://www.independent.ie/wd-news/middle-east/isil-within-mile-of-baghdad-despite-wave-of-us-air-strikes-30625580.html)
Despite the movement of these groups toward major cities in the Middle East, most American civilians and many active duty troops support air strikes, rather than committing boots to the ground, a Military Times survey indicated.
Slightly more than 70% of 2,200 active duty troops answered , “It’s their country, it’s their business,” when asked “In your opinion do you think the U.S. Military should send a substantial number of combat troops to Iraq to support Iraq security forces.” Among other reasons that troops disfavor increasing Iraqi troops are the weakness of the Iraqi government to stand on its own, the Obama administration has yet to commit to completely finishing the job, and, in the words of one soldier (representing a feeling that transcends the military), “We’re burned out.”
However, the U.S. embassy and diplomatic mission in Baghdad cover 104 acres. It is the largest in the world and cost $750 million dollars to construct. The embassy proves a base for about 5,500 Americans who live and work in the Iraqi capital.
According to WIKI the infrastructure at this embassy includes six apartment buildings for employees, water and waste treatment facilities, a power station, two major office buildings, a gym, cinema, tennis courts and an Olympic size swimming pool.
The compound is heavily fortified with reinforced structures and a large number of U.S. Marine Security Guards detached there.
What an intrusion into Baghdad by ISIS and their Sunni allies would mean for the embassy compound is unknown.
I actually thought it would be helicopters on Kabul rooftops first, then on Baghdad rooftops a few years later.
What a loser bombing and Iraqi Army will destroy ISIS ( correct spell, Mr. Obama)
Just wait until Obama reads about this in the newspaper!
I think you are quite correct. ISIS is fighting for god (small "g") and the Iraqi army is fighting for the last guy that happens to be in power or maybe their families but based on what I have seen neither is much of a motivation.
the key is the airfield—if they take it Baghdad is screwed. So starts the seige of Baghdad—my money is on ISIS in this fight. They have a “fith Column” inside the city, Poison Gas, and a “holy mission” to take the town. If they take it—they will face Iran to seize Basrah and Sumer. Watch as the Iraq Government fees the city—when they go-—its all over. Once ISIS takes over watch the bloodbath that will follow—we better have plans to get out people out or they will be the new hostages.
The way matters have unfolded in recent months, I believe I.S. is in Iraq to stay. More likely with a name-change down the track. The tension in Iraq for the past several yrs has been clearly between Iran and the sunnis (Saudis and some Gulf States). Popular recent propaganda by some, suggests Iranian regime created I.S. - they didn’t. The more active attempt to overthrow Assad in Syria is another proof that I.S. is not an Iranian faction or group, it’s Sunni, Arab, and backed by a few others too. Overall, and longer term the further Islamization of that region will not bode well for us. And, Israel will need to live with it.
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