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Iraq forces mass in bid to break jihadist siege of Turkmen town
AFP via BI ^ | Aug. 27, 2014, 9:33 AM | Marwan Ibrahim

Posted on 08/27/2014 8:45:24 AM PDT by GonzoII

Kirkuk (Iraq) (AFP) - Iraq was massing forces Wednesday for an operation to break a two-month jihadist siege of the Shiite Turkmen town of Amerli, amid growing fears for residents short of food and water.

The imminent counter-offensive comes amid reports that US President Barack Obama is weighing a decision to authorise air strikes and aid drops in the area to assist around 12,000 residents trapped in the northern town.

According to a civilian volunteer commander, thousands of Shiite militiamen from groups including Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Badr Organisation are gathering in the Tuz Khurmatu area of Salaheddin province, just north of Amerli, in preparation for a battle to break the siege.

And an army lieutenant general said that security forces were mobilising in the Jabal Hamreen area, south of Amerli, to launch an attack from the southern flank.

Iraqi aircraft have being targeting positions of Islamic State (IS) jihadists around Amerli, and carried out nine strikes on Tuesday, an officer said.

Time is running out for the mainly Shiite Turkmen residents of Amerli, who face danger both because of their Shiite faith, which jihadists consider heresy, and their resistance against the militants, which has drawn deadly retribution elsewhere.

There is "no possibility of evacuating them so far", and only limited humanitarian assistance is reaching the town, said Eliana Nabaa, the spokeswoman for the UN mission in Iraq.

(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: iran; iraq; isis; kurdistan; lebanon; russia; turkey; waronterror

1 posted on 08/27/2014 8:45:24 AM PDT by GonzoII
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To: GonzoII

So what happened to the “elite republican guard” Aren’t there any of them left to show off their “eliteness”?


2 posted on 08/27/2014 8:56:39 AM PDT by Slump Tester (What if I'm pregnant Teddy? Errr-ahh -Calm down Mary Jo, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it)
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To: GonzoII

“And an army lieutenant general said that security forces were mobilising in the Jabal Hamreen area, south of Amerli, to launch an attack from the southern flank.”

I guess the General was sick that day when they taught the importance of “operational security” at Mohammed’s Command & General Staff College.


3 posted on 08/27/2014 9:10:41 AM PDT by Tallguy
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To: GonzoII

“amid reports that US President Barack Obama is weighing a decision”

Obama sure has trouble making decisions unless the Tea Party is involved.


4 posted on 08/27/2014 9:39:22 AM PDT by Parley Baer
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...

Gosh, what happened to “the Turks created ISIS”?


5 posted on 08/28/2014 10:06:18 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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