Posted on 07/03/2014 2:55:02 PM PDT by robowombat
ISIS BATTLE PLAN FOR BAGHDAD Jun 27, 2014 - Jessica Lewis
Download the PDF by Jessica Lewis
There are indications that ISIS is about to launch into a new offensive in Iraq. ISIS published photos of a military parade through the streets of Mosul on June 24, 2014 showcasing US military equipment, including armored vehicles and towed artillery systems. ISIS reportedly executed another parade in Hawijah on June 26, 2014. These parades may be a demonstration force to reinforce their control of these urban centers. They may also be a prelude to ISIS troop movements, and it is important to anticipate where ISIS may deploy these forces forward. Meanwhile, ISIS also renewed the use of suicide bombers in the vicinity of Baghdad. An ISIS bomber with a suicide vest (SVEST) attacked the Kadhimiya shrine in northern Baghdad on June 26, 2014, one of the four holy sites in Iraq that Iran and Shi’a militias are most concerned to protect. ISIS also incorporated an SVEST into a complex attack in Mahmudiyah, south of Baghdad, on June 25, 2014 in a zone primarily controlled by the ISF and Shi’a militias on the road from Baghdad to Karbala. These attacks are demonstrations that ISIS has uncommitted forces in the Baghdad Belts that may be brought to bear in new offensives. ISIS’s offensive has not culminated, and the ISIS campaign for Iraq is not over. Rather, as Ramadan approaches, their main offensive is likely imminent.
ISIS is formidable, but it is also predictable. ISIS has exposed many of the core elements of its strategy, and it is possible to anticipate their next steps. ISW assesses with confidence that ISIS’s urban offensive begun in Mosul has not culminated, and its campaign for Iraq is not over. ISIS’s next urban objective will likely be to clear the Haditha-Ramadi corridor along the Euphrates River in Anbar. ISIS’s ultimate military objective in Iraq is likely to destroy the government in Baghdad. This backgrounder will assess ISIS’s next steps in Iraq in light of its broader strategic goals. To do so, the backgrounder will examine where ISIS had military strength prior to the fall of Mosul and inventory its uncommitted forces. Based upon observable elements of the ISIS style of warfare, this backgrounder will observe where ISIS may have headquarters and how ISIS has likely divided the fight in Iraq and Syria into sectors. It will evaluate ISIS’s interim military objectives in each sector based on observed actions, because ISIS’s strategy continues to be careful and deliberate.
ISIS STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
ISIS seeks to create an Islamic Emirate extending across Iraq and Syria. This vision is expansionist, and it is prosecuted through military conquest. ISIS’s grand strategy depends upon military superiority to wrest control of terrain from modern states by overcoming state security. The ISIS style of warfare hybridizes terrorism, guerilla warfare, and conventional warfare. The presence of the last indicates that the ISIS likely possesses a cadre of former Saddam-era military officers who know the military terrain in Iraq as their own. The military campaign design exhibited by ISIS over the last two years bears the signature of multiple commanders, though successive campaigns in Iraq have consistently demonstrated scope, distribution, deception, and timing as overarching strategic characteristics. The logic of ISIS’s recent urban campaign in Iraq exposes their likely next steps. - See more at:
“ISIS published photos of a military parade through the streets of Mosul on June 24, 2014 showcasing US military equipment, including armored vehicles and towed artillery systems.”
ValJarJarbama already looking for some military/state queer close to retirement to toss under the killer bus.
ISIS just took a key oil field in Syria from the Nusra Al-Qaeda allied forces, and apparently eastern Syrian tribes are defecting to the Caliphate.
Baghdadi has the firepower to take Baghdad,but I think he would need a mass car bombing to destabilize it first, hitting parliament, police stations, military barracks, etc.
I’d begin shelling the airports if he has artillery available to him as well.
This will be very interesting. My prediction is if Baghdad falls, Al Qaeda will be eclipsed for the foreseeable future, and Baghdadi will have established a Caliphate agreeable to the Sunni extremists across the Middle East
How can we let them have a parade without raining ordnance on it?
So, if these people overrun our ginormous embassy in Baghdad and kill ANOTHER US ambassador, will Obama be in trouble then?
Perhaps not. I think Obama could strangle a US Ambassador on live TV and the MSM, and the Left, and the LIVs would still think he was a cool guy.
I cannot believe the American voters re-elected this destructive man.
My life has just gotten worse and worse since October 2012 and President Obama is a big part of that.
I guess I just need to hope I don’t get killed in whatever the next major Jihadi attack on America is. Or that my kids don’t get killed in it.
That’s it, that’s all one is left with “hope” because the “change” has all been for the worse.
All I know is I’m not very concerned if NYC or DC get hit again. Most of the people in those places are enemies of Liberty. Ok, I said it. They want to vote for Rats who don’t take defense seriously and fall over themselves to appease, let them face what they’ve created.
They have too many friends there.
Look for them to strike in the heartland against real Americans.
I remember how seething angry I was on 911. This time I won’t be unless it’s in a Red State. The Civil War has already started and they started it.
I hope not, but I guess 0 is probably the real leader of ISIS, he knows who his enemies are.
It's inconceivable that ISIS can hold parades and travel in columns and not be anihilated. Once they get in cities, globally, the cancer cannot be removed.
Almost for sure it would by NYC or DC.
ISIS is not at that point yet, but with help from the Bro-hood in the administration, they sure have access to all the intel they need.
The embassy will not fall like it did in Saigon. We have 1,000 troops with Apache helicopters and drones so we’ll probably exvacuate to Kuwait.
Is will do a classic de-stablization move—disrupt the grid, use bombers—car bombs etc... to hit government buildings and shrines. then surround the city in a clasic seige. use guns, rockets to batter the city and green zone. First big target—the airports and hospitals. Next target the US Embassy and Government buildings. The US (or Iran or Russia) will have to punch though the IS forces to get their people out. When it falls—it will be a bloodbath like the middle ages. The capital of Iraq (or Sumer) will be in the south. A new Baghdad will be rebuilt from the ruines as the capital of the new State.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.