September 23, 2016

 

Today’s Major Developments

Displacement ministry says 60,000 families have returned to Anbar in past two days. […]

JOC announces complete liberation of Jazeera Baghdadi in Hit. […]

Report says only 300 Daesh fighters remain in Hawija. […]

Daesh building concrete barriers, trenches in Mosul. […]

Daesh accelerates Mosul executions; 75 more reported since Tuesday. […]

Syrian regime launches major attack on opposition areas in Aleppo. […]

 

REPORTS FROM IRAQ

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Hundreds of people demonstrated in Baghdad and other governorates demanding reforms and anti-corruption measures. The demonstrators also demanded a new elections law, modifications on the Amnesty Law, and filling the vacant cabinet positions with technocrats. [Rudaw]

 

A member of the PUK Political Bureau, a senior Peshmerga commander, says the Peshmerga role in the Mosul campaign will be only in Kurdish areas, and there is no need for them to enter Mosul. He says there is still no political deal about the Mosul liberation. He also says a committee was formed between Baghdad and Erbil, sponsored by the United States, to solve any issues that might happen between the two sides in the future. [Rudaw]

 

The Chairman of the Turkmen Front, a CoR member, says the PKK presence in Iraq threatens the Turkmen. He alleges that the PKK wants to control oil resources in the country. He also says the PKK is receiving support from the Iraqi Government. [Anadolu]

DaeshDaily comment. This statement aims at encouraging Turkey to meddle in Iraq internal issues, and so casts considerable doubt on the gentleman’s Iraqi patriotism. However, it has some truth in it. The PKK has been in Iraq since the 1990s, in northern Kurdistan, taking advantage of the weakness of the central and Kurdish governments. Its recent presence in Kirkuk is disturbing. Turkmen sources have told DaeshDaily that whenever Turkey bombs the PKK in Kurdistan, the PKK distributes leaflets in Kirkuk threatening Iraqi Turkmen with retaliation.

 

The Coalition says it conducted 13 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Iraq, seven in the Mosul area and two in Qayara; plus Ramadi (2), Baghdadi (1), and Hit (1) in Anbar. [InherentResolve]

 

BAGHDAD

Security-related incidents reported

North (Tarmiya, Taji, etc.)

Iraqi Army 45th brigade defused 3 IEDs in the Al-Fadhil area. [BOC Facebook Page]

Iraqi Army 22nd brigade destroyed a Daesh guesthouse in the Albu Hayat area. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

East (Sadr City, New Baghdad, etc.)

An MoI source says the owner of a real estate office was killed when a sticky IED exploded under his vehicle in Baladiyat. [Mada]

A security source says a civilian was killed when armed men shot him east of Sadr City. [Sumaria]

 

Southeast (Mada’in, etc.)

An MoI source says two people were killed and eight wounded when an IED exploded near a wholesale market in Nahrawan. [Mada]

An MoI source says two people were killed and nine wounded when an IED exploded near a popular café in the Old Diyala Bridge area. [Mada]

 

South (Dora, Yusufiyah, Mahmudiya, etc.)

An MoI source says 2 Daesh terrorists were killed and another wounded when an IED they were trying to plant exploded on them in Arab Jubour.  [Mada]

A police source says a civilian was killed by a roadside IED in Arab Jubour. [Sumaria]

Iraqi Army 25th brigade defused 2 IEDs in the Sayyad Abdullah area. [BOC Facebook Page]

Iraqi forces found an ammunition cache in Mahmudiya. [MoD Website]

 

West (Ghazaliya, Abu Ghraib, etc.)

An MoI source says three people were killed and seven wounded when 2 mortar shells fell on a residential area in Al-Nasr Wa Al-Salam village in Abu Ghraib. [Mada]

 

Total Baghdad incidents reported:   11    (Includes only incidents reported)

 

ANBAR

The Ministry of Displacement and Migration says more than 60,000 displaced families have returned to their houses in Anbar during the last two days. [Sumaria]

 

Falluja

A member of the Qarma subdistrict council says 14 displaced families, mostly women and children, who were kicked out of Laylan Camp in Kirkuk, arrived at a camp east of Falluja. He says the families were forced out of Kirkuk in an “inhumane manner.” [Sumaria]

 

Iraqi forces found an explosives cache in the Hassi area south of Falluja. [MoD Website]

 

Ramadi

The Anbar Operations Commander says Coalition planes destroyed a Daesh weapons storehouse in Jazeera Ramadi, killing several terrorists inside. [Sumaria]

The Commander also reports that Iraqi forces killed 9 Daesh terrorists and destroyed an IED and vehicle bomb factory, in addition to 3 Daesh headquarters in the Albu Dhiab area. [Mada]

 

Anbar Operations Command says Coalition planes stopped a Daesh attack on Bravo Camp in the Albu Assaf area west of Ramadi, killing 12 terrorists and destroying their vehicles. [PUKMedia]

 

The Anbar Operations Commander says Iraqi forces attacked Daesh positions in the Albu Assaf and Albu Ali Al-Jassem areas in Jazeera Ramadi and destroyed 4 guesthouses and 4 tunnels, killing 19 terrorists. [BasNews]

 

Hit/Haditha

The Joint Operations Command (JOC) issued a statement officially announcing that Iraqi forces liberated Jazeera Baghdadi completely. [Mada]

 

A tribal PMF commander says Iraqi forces liberated Jazeera Dolab north of Hit, killing tens of terrorists. [Mada]

 

The Anbar Ops Commander says that Daesh burned down several headquarters and guesthouses in Jazeera Hit. He says Daesh has moved its communications center equipment to Rawa. [Mada]

DaeshDaily comment. Most likely these “headquarters” belong to people Daesh didn’t like and were confiscated when Daesh took over the area.

 

SALAHUDDIN

Shirqat

A PMF source says Iraqi forces closed down “tens” of roads in Shirqat city because they were booby-trapped by Daesh. He also says Daesh moved 30 of its wounded terrorists to Hawija Hospital. [Harbi]

 

A PMF commander says the Daesh emir of Rashad and 3 other senior Daesh terrorists in Kirkuk were killed in the Shirqat liberation battles. [Sumaria]

 

Daesh publishes 3 photos of allegedly burning down Iraqi Army military positions on the road between Tilul Al-Baj and Hatra. [DawaAlhaq]

Daesh says it destroyed 4 Iraqi Army personnel carriers near Tilul Al-Baj. [A3maq]

DaeshDaily comment. OK, Daesh, keep scoring victories over the military equipment. However, the caliphate has just lost an entire city and district in the same area, which you didn’t mention.

 

Baiji

Daesh says it killed four “PMF members” with an IED on the road between the Dibis village in Shirqat and the Asmeda area north of Baiji. [A3maq]

 

Daesh says it targeted PMF positions in 3 areas north of Baiji with 17 heavy artillery shells and 7 mortars. [JustPaste]

 

Tikrit

Daesh says its snipers killed five PMF fighters in Allas Oilfield. It also says it targeted the field with 14 mortars. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh says it detonated and blew up a Badr headquarters in Salabkha village in Al-Daur District. [JustPaste]

 

DIYALA

Muqdadiya/Abu Saida

A security source says one civilian was killed and three wounded when armed men shot into their vehicle in Abu Saida. [Mada]

 

A security source says tribal armed men deployed in Abu Saida and forced shops to close, without giving more details. [Ghad]

 

Northern Diyala (Kifri, Khanaqin, etc.)

A security source says an Iraqi soldier was killed when an IED exploded on an EOD vehicle in Albu Eissa village. [Mada]

Daesh publishes a photo of its suicide terrorists who attacked Iraqi forces with a vehicle bomb in Udhaim yesterday. [JustPaste]

 

KIRKUK

Kirkuk

Security forces captured a man wanted on terrorism charges near the industrial area in Kirkuk. [MoD Website]

 

Hawija

A Tribal PMF commander says “tens” of Daesh terrorists from Hawija are surrendering to the Peshmerga every day. He says there are less than 300 terrorists left in Hawija. [Sumaria]

 

An Iraqi Army captain says Iraqi forces supported by the Peshmerga are removing road barriers and preparing to launch an attack on Hawija. [BasNews]

 

A security source says the Coalition bombed a Daesh convoy of 9 vehicles near Sdairat in Al-Zab, killing ten terrorists, including a hisbah official, and wounded five. [Sumaria]

 

The Badr commander says Iraqi forces will start the Hawija liberation operations in the coming days. [Rudaw]

 

A security source says the Peshmerga received in Dibis 248 people who escaped Daesh controlled areas in Hawija. [Sumaria]

 

A local source says Daesh executed 3 of its terrorists in Hawija who fled from the fighting in Shirqat.  [Sumaria]

 

Southwest

A security source says the Coalition targeted Daesh locations in Rashad subdistrict, killing 2 local commanders and 3 other terrorists. [Sumaria]

 

Daesh says its snipers killed a Peshmerga fighter in Nawafel village in Rashad subdistrict. [JustPaste]

 

NINEWA

Mosul

Mosul campaign

Daesh has raised concrete barriers along the streets of several areas in Mosul leading to the main arteries in and out of the city, a local source said. The barriers force all traffic through one checkpoint, the source explained. The source listed the neighborhoods where these barriers have been installed as Sumer, Al-Intisar, Kokajli, Mamoun, Mansour, Tal Al-Raman, Souq Al-Ma’ash, Al-Arabi, and Al-Kindi. The barriers suggest that Daesh will close these routes completely with the start of Iraqi operations to dislodge it from Mosul, the source added. Daesh has also completed digging its defensive trenches in Mosul, which it began excavating months ago, especially in the southern and western areas of the city, the source also said. The trenches have been filled with crude oil and reinforced by six-meter high earthen berms, the source explained. [Mada]

 

Daesh has placed small boats at strategic points along the banks of the river Tigris in Mosul in preparation for use during the anticipated battle in the city, local sources said. The boats are for transport of fighters and materiel in the event that ground transport options are cut off. [Mawsleya]

 

Since Thursday Daesh has positioned “tens” of barrels of asphalt around Mosul to be ignited as part of its defense of the city, a media activist in Mosul said. [ARA]

 

Daesh says it targeted Peshmerga positions near the Kafraj Camp with 25 mortars. [JustPaste]

 

Conditions in city

Daesh has conducted a series of executions of prisoners in Mosul, a local source said. The source said Daesh has executed over 75 prisoners since executions began at dawn on Tuesday, all of them originally from Mosul. Most were accused of collaborating with the Coalition or working with Iraqi or Peshmerga security agencies. [ARA]

 

Daesh arrested around 200 people in Mosul on allegations of spying in the last few months, as well as arresting 60 people over the Eid Al-Adha holiday who are accused of disobeying Daesh’s prohibition on visiting graves, according to a Ninewa Police official. [IraqPress]

 

In the same article, an unnamed Kurdish security commander is cited as estimating that there could be as many as 20,000 Daesh fighters inside Mosul, a number at variance with other, lower estimates. [IraqPress]

 

The fall of Shirqat to Iraqi troops has prompted Daesh to transfer its files and documents from Mosul to Syria, local sources said. The source interpreted this move as a sign that Daesh is preparing for the loss of Mosul. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh has detained “tens” of boys over the age of 14 from Daesh-affiliated families that fled Shirqat, transferring them to unknown locations, a local source in Ninewa said. The remaining family members (mostly women, young children, and the aged) have been transferred elsewhere, the source said. Their whereabouts are also unknown. The families in question are originally Iraqi, the source explained, not foreign nationals. [Sumaria]

 

Daesh has reduced the number of its hisbah police on the streets of Mosul after its defeat in Shirqat, local sources said. [Mawsleya]

 

Qayara

The chairman of the Sunni religious endowment (waqf) Abdul Latif Al-Hmyem traveled to Ninewa governorate to hold Friday prayers in the village of Al-Jawa’ana in Qayara subdistrict. Al-Hmyem announced that soon he would be praying in Mosul whose liberation will come very soon, he said. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh says it targeted Iraqi Army positions in Qayara city and Qayara Airfield with 36 rockets and 50 mortars. [JustPaste]

 

Nineveh Plain

The Peshmerga artillery destroyed a large Daesh weapons and ammunition storehouse in Tarjala village in Al-Khazer in Hamdaniya. [Karemlash]

 

Daesh is sending reinforcements from Mosul east toward Bashiqa just to the east, according to eyewitnesses. It is also attempting to strengthen its defensive position on the eastern front in Ninewa with concrete barriers that it is installing with heavy machinery, the sources added. [Mawsleya]

 

Northwest (Tal Afar, Sinjar)

Daesh says it targeted Peshmerga positions with 25 mortars in Hassan Shami and Qarqasha villages. [JustPaste]

 

KURDISTAN

A senior US military delegation, headed by CENTCOMM Commander General Joseph Votel, arrived in Erbil to meet with the KRG President. [BasNews]

 

SOUTHERN IRAQ

Qadisiya

An Iran-backed Shia militia commander says tens of his fighters were wounded in battles in Aleppo and are being treated in Diwaniya hospitals. [Arabi21]

DaeshDaily comment. Again, these groups are using Iran money and weapon to throw Iraqi young men into a war that aims at keeping the Syrian dictator in power. Iraq needs these men in the battle against Daesh in Iraq. Despite the confused political situation in Iraq, it is hard to see how the government could fail to address this problem. At least it could be frank with its citizens and address this issue publicly. Not many Iraqis, including Shia, are fond of the Baathist Syrian regime, which until recently used to send suicide terrorists to Iraq.  

 

Muthanna

The Muthanna Police spokesman says 5 people who were funding Daesh by smuggling stolen sheep were captured in the Samawa desert. [Mada]

 

REPORTS FROM TURKEY

 

Following a tip-off that a suicide bomb attack would be mounted to coincide with Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in the town of Şahinbey in Gaziantep province, tight security measures were imposed in the vicinity of the mosque. [Cumhuriyet]

We thank our friend in Turkey for this report.

 

The Turkish President, Erdogan, says no one is listening to Turkey’s call to establish a safe zone in Syria, but Turkey will establish the zone whether “they” like it or not. He says Turkey wants the safe zone to protect “our Syrian brothers” and to “build their houses” (which seems to imply he wants to stay a while).  He also says “how is it possible that 65 countries in the Coalition cannot get rid of Daesh?” He warns against dealing with the YPG and says you cannot get rid of one terrorist organization by cooperating with another. [Dorar]

DaeshDaily comment. Erdogan should have thought of that when his government was at least tacitly collaborating with Daesh.

 

REPORTS FROM SYRIA

 

Syrian and international media reported heavily today on a major Syrian government bombing attack on opposition-held areas in Aleppo. It was alleged that there were three major strikes, with at least 33 people killed, mainly civilians. [Dorar]

 

The Coalition says it conducted 14 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Syria, including two near Mare’ (2). The others were in or near; Manbij (1); Raqqa (2) and Shaddadi (1); Deir Ez-Zor (7) and Albu Kamal (1). The seven attacks on Deir Ez-Zor were described as destroying 14 Daesh transportation routes in the area. Deir Ez-Zor has only recently become a frequent Coalition target. [InherentResolve]

DaeshDaily comment. The sudden Coalition interest in Deir Ez-Zor, including Albu Kamal, makes us think this has some military connection to the pending campaign in northwest Anbar.

 

Northeast (Hasaka, Raqqa)

Daesh says it shot down an “American drone” near the Iraqi-Syrian border southeast of Shaddadi. [A3maq]

 

Northwest (Aleppo, Idlib)

Jarabulus

A group of PYD fighters fled from Kobane to Jarabulus. The group says the PYD is forcing at least one member of each family to be on the front lines. [Anadolu]

 

Nusra Front, AKA Fath Al-Sham Front, issued a statement saying it refuses to fight in the Euphrates Shield operation because of the Coalition involvement. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Al-Bab

Opposition group commanders say opposition groups, supported by Turkish artillery and planes, launched a counter attack on Daesh near Al-Ra’i, and recaptured 5 villages, killing or wounding several terrorists, and destroying a vehicle. [ARA]

 

A local activist says Coalition planes targeted residential areas where Daesh terrorists are barricaded in the northwestern part of Al-Bab city, killing more than twelve civilians and wounding tens, in addition to killing several Daesh terrorists. [ARA]

Local sources say more than twelve people, including women and children, were killed in airstrikes by unknown planes in Al-Bab city. [Qasioun]

 

The Turkish military says its planes destroyed 3 Daesh positions in Tal Atiya, and another one in Athariya village. [Anadolu]

 

Azaz

Daesh targeted Um Hawsh village with mortars, causing material damage. [Hawar]

 

Daesh says 17 opposition group fighters were killed and 14 wounded by its car bomb attack east of Azaz yesterday. [A3maq]

 

The YPG says Turkey backed opposition troops launched an attack on its positions in Maranaz village, southwest of Azaz city, using heavy and light weapons. It says the YPG was in a defensive positions (not operating in the area, which is west of the river, where they are prohibited), and it responded to the attack. [Hawar]

 

Afrin

Local sources say the Turkish Army brought military reinforcements to the border area near Afrin. [Hawar]

 

Manbij

Local sources say the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) are forcing young people who are returning to their houses in the liberated areas in villages near Manbij to join the SDF’s compulsory military services. [Dorar]

 

East (Deir Ez-Zor)

Daesh attacked the Syrian Army and allied militias with a vehicle bomb in Hay Al-Sinaa in Deir Ez-Zor city. After that, Daesh launched an attack on the Syrian Army positions in the area. Syrian Army artillery and airplanes targeted Daesh locations in different areas in Deir Ez-Zor. Daesh responded by shelling Joura and Qusour. [Hawar]

A local activist says Daesh captured several military locations in Jufra, near Deir Ez-Zor military airport, after heavy battles with Syrian troops and Hezbollah militias, killing more than 14. Russian and Syrian planes bombed Daesh in the area, killing 8 terrorists. [ARA]

 

Syrian warplanes attacked Al-Muhasan east of Deir Ez-Zor, killing five civilians, including two children and a woman, and wounding others, according to local activists. [ARA]

 

Daesh issues a video of “graduation ceremonies” of a new group of its terrorists in Albu Kamal. [A3maq]

 

South (Rif Damashq, Suwayda, Daraa, etc.)

Daesh says an opposition group targeted Jamla and Shajara towns in the Yarmouk Basin with 13 mortars. [A3maq]

 

OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS

 

North Africa

Egypt

Eyewitnesses say armed men executed a young man who was tied and dressed in a red suit publicly on Assiut Street in Arish city. The man had been kidnapped during Eid. [ElWatan]

Daesh’s version says it killed a “spy” on Assiut Street in Arish city. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack on an Egyptian Police patrol near Arish Post Office yesterday, saying it killed one policeman and took his weapon, and wounded two others. [JustPaste]

VetoGate reported yesterday that ABM terrorists shot at a police patrol near the post office in Arish, killing one policeman and wounding two.

 

Security sources say a police captain and 2 other policemen were wounded when an IED exploded on their armored vehicle in the Kilo 17 area west of Arish. [ElWatan]

Daesh’s version says it detonated an IED on a police patrol in the Kilo 17 area west of Arish. [JustPaste]

 

Eyewitnesses say armed men kidnapped a mosque imam in Hay Al-Masaeed west of Arish. [VetoGate]

 

Daesh says it destroyed burned down 9 Egyptian water tanker trucks near Hay Al-Ahrash in Rafah city. [JustPaste]

Yesterday, VetoGate reported that eyewitnesses said takfiri terrorists broke into a state-owned water company in the Al-Ahrash area in Rafah and burned it down with vehicles inside, in order to prevent the company from providing security forces with bottled water.

 

Daesh says it attacked an Egyptian Army patrol in the Sadout area south of Rafah. [JustPaste]

 

Local sources say armed men released a young man they had kidnapped yesterday in Abu Tawila village south of Sheikh Zuweid. [ElWatan]

We reported yesterday that ABM terrorists had kidnapped this man.

 

Libya

Central coast

A Misrata Hospital spokesman says ten GNA troops were killed and 65 wounded during the battles against Daesh in Giza in Sirte on Friday. [Wasat]

 

The GNA military says it destroyed 3 Daesh vehicle bombs before they reached their targets in Sirte. [AfriGate]

 

The GNA spokesman says GNA will capture the last Daesh positions in Sirte, in the Giza area, in the next 3 days. He also says Sirte city should be searched carefully because Daesh terrorists have sneaked in and out of different areas in the city several times. He says Daesh is still holding women and children hostage in Sirte and using them as human shields. [AfriGate] [Libya24]

 

A GNA military source says a Sudanese Daesh commander, who trains Daesh snipers, was killed in Sirte. [Wasat]

 

Other countries

Bangladesh

Daesh issued a propaganda video about its attack on a restaurant in Dhaka in July. The video shows the terrorist who conducted the attack pledging allegiance to Daesh. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Nigeria

A Nigerian Army spokesman says the army stopped a Boko Haram attack on a military base in Abadam in Borno, killing 15 terrorists. He also says two soldiers were killed and four wounded in the attack. [AfriGate]

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Aleppo, Syria

A video of opposition civil defense units saving an infant buried under a destroyed building in Aleppo. [YouTube]

 

Iraq

Video purportedly shows PMF fighters destroying a Daesh vehicle bomb, location unspecified. [YouTube]

Anbar

Video purportedly shows PMF fighters walking among Daesh corpses and rubble in Jazeera Khaldiya. [YouTube]

Ninewa

Video of World Food Programme aid being distributed in Qayara. [Mawsleya]

Video of Ninewa Operations receiving civilians who fled Daesh south of Mosul. [Twitter]

Salahuddin

An Iraqi man is filmed from atop a high building as he raises the Iraqi flag over Shirqat and celebrates the victory over Daesh in the city. [Twitter]

Photos purport to show celebrations in Tikrit upon news breaking of the capture of Shirqat by Iraqi troops. [Twitter]

 

OTHER DAESH MEDIA

 

Daesh audio newsletter for today [Bayan]

 

 

September 22, 2016

 

Today’s Major Developments

Al-Abadi says winning in Mosul will be easier than other battles. […]

US Army reported seeking 500 more US troops for Mosul campaign. […]

Iraq takes Shirqat back. […]

Daesh takes heavy casualties in failed Qayara counter-attacks. […]

Daesh fighters in subdistrict south of Mosul city reportedly fleeing Iraq. […]

Daesh in increasing disarray in Mosul based on local reports. […]

Turkey has plan for capturing Al-Bab, but its militia allies still struggling near Al-Ra’i. […]

Daesh teen suicide bomber kills many Syrian opposition leaders in Daraa. […]

 

REPORTS FROM IRAQ

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Prime Minister Abadi met with Vice President Joe Biden in New York. Biden says the United States informed everyone that the Mosul liberation battle is an Iraqi battle, and no one will move, even to help, unless Prime Minister Abadi first approves. [Rudaw]

 

Prime Minister Abadi requested in the General Assembly meeting in New York that the international community urge Turkey to withdraw its forces from Iraq. He says these troops hinder the Iraqi forces’ efforts to liberate Mosul. Abadi also repeated his promise to liberate Ninewa this year. [Sumaria]  [Sumaria]

 

In an interview with CNN, Abadi says the liberation of Mosul will be easier than the previous battles because Daesh has less support in Mosul than in other areas. [SotKurdistan]

 

The Wall Street Journal says the US Army wants to get White House approval to send 500 additional soldiers to help the Iraqi forces in the Mosul campaign. [Sumaria]

 

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter says there is an understanding that the local police will maintain order in Mosul city after the liberation. [Sumaria]

 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Al-Jaafari says in New York that Daesh now only controls only 10% of Iraqi territory. [ROJ]

 

The US envoy to the Coalition Brett McGurk, speaking at a meeting on the sidelines of the annual UN gathering of world leaders, said the Coalition was already taking steps to ensure there would be no repeat of the abuses seen in the wake of the recapture of Iraq’s Falluja in June. [Sumaria]

 

President Masoum met in his office with the German Minister of Defense, Ursula von der Leyen and discussed the latest political and military developments and the preparations for the Mosul campaign according to a statement from Masoum’s office. The Minister says Germany is ready to help train and equip Iraqi forces. [Sumaria]

 

The UN says 54 per cent of planned programs in Iraq have either shut down or could not begin at all due to severe underfunding. [UNOCHA]

 

A member of the Security Committee in Baghdad Provincial Council says political disputes were the reasons behind the halt of a security project that was supposed to deploy recon balloons around Baghdad. He says political interference stopped many security projections around Baghdad. [BasNews]

DaeshDaily comment. What happened to the much ballyhooed project to build a wall around Baghdad?

 

The Coalition says it conducted 11 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Iraq, in or near Ramadi (2) and Baghdadi (1), and in Mosul (4) and Qayara (4). [InherentResolve]

 

BAGHDAD

Security-related incidents reported

Center (Rusafa, Karkh, etc.)

An MoI source says a security unit captured 3 armed men who shot at a liquor store on Sa’adoon Street. Three civilians were wounded in the attack. [Mada]

 

North (Tarmiya, Taji, etc.)

A police source says five civilians were wounded when an IED exploded near a supermarket in Rashidiya. [Sumaria]

 

East (Sadr City, New Baghdad, etc.)

An MoI source says a security unit defused an IED that was planted at the door of a school headmaster in Mashtal. [Mada]

A EOD unit defused an IED near a busy market in Sadr City. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

South (Dora, Yusufiyah, Mahmudiya, etc.)

An MoI source says one policeman was killed and four wounded when an IED exploded on a police vehicle in Albu Aitha village in Dora. [Mada]

An MoI source says two people were killed and eight wounded when an IED exploded near a wholesale market in Abu Dsheer in Dora. [Mada]

Iraqi Army 23rd brigade destroyed 2 Daesh guesthouses in the Sour area. It also found 2 IEDs and other explosives in two other areas in the south Baghdad military sector. [BOC Facebook Page]

An MoI source says one person was killed and seven wounded when an IED exploded near a commercial area in Mahmudiya. [Mada]

 

Southwest (Rasheed, etc.)

An MoI source says two PMF fighters were killed and four wounded when an IED exploded on their vehicle in Rasheed. [Mada]

Iraqi Army 55th brigade found 2 IEDs and other explosives in the Amya area. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

West (Ghazaliya, Abu Ghraib, etc.)

An MoI says the owner of a medicine wholesale store was killed when a sticky IED exploded under his vehicle in Tobchi. [Mada]

 

Total Baghdad incidents reported:   11    (Includes only incidents reported)

 

ANBAR

Falluja

A tribal PMF commander says security forces captured 10 Daesh terrorists who were trying to sneak into Qarma with displaced families. [Mada]

He also says security forces launched a large search campaign in Qarma after getting intelligence about a Daesh group in Qarma and arrested 6 terrorists. [Maalomah]

 

Iraqi forces found 8 IEDs, an explosives vest, and other explosives in the Sijar area. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

Ramadi

The Anbar Operations Commander says the IAA attacked Daesh positions in the Albu Dhiab area, killing 7 terrorists and destroying 40 IEDs, a rocket launcher, and a mortar unit. He also says Daesh terrorists are fleeing in large numbers from areas north of Ramadi after Iraqi forces advanced 10 km (6 miles) in the area. However, he says Daesh had booby-trapped all of the main and side roads in the Albu Assaf, Albu Ali Al-Jassem, and Albu Dhiab areas. [Maalomah] [Maalomah]

 

A tribal PMF commander says Iraqi forces, supported by Coalition planes and IAA helicopters captured Bravo camp in Jazeera Ramadi, killing tens of terrorists. [Mada]

 

The Anbar Operations Commander says Coalition planes destroyed a Daesh oil tanker truck and a storehouse in the Albu Assaf area west of Ramadi, killing the terrorists inside. [Sumaria]

 

A report about civilians in Ramadi who defuse IEDs for a living. They charge $300-$700 to defuse a house and $200 to defuse a car. [Niqash]

 

Hit/Haditha

A tribal PMF commander says Iraqi forces cleared the Jard and Taysa areas between Jazeera Baghdadi and Hit, killing 4 terrorists and destroying 3 guesthouses. He also says Iraqi forces are constructing a floating bridge between Jazeera Baghdadi and Jazeera Hit. It says there was strong resistance from Daesh in Jazeera Baghdadi, but that most of the terrorists fled to Anah and Al-Qa’im. [Mada]

 

A Tribal PMF commander says Iraqi forces liberated the Jubba area 30 km (19 miles) north of Hit and north of Baghdadi after heavy battles, killing tens of Daesh terrorists. [BasNews]

DaeshDaily comment. Not to be impolite, but we seem to recall that Jubba was also liberated some months ago and wonder why it has been “liberated” again. Or perhaps the problem is the inflation of language, which causes every victory in every village to be described as a “liberation.” For example:

 

An Iraqi Army 7th division source says Iraqi forces liberated another village in Jazeera Baghdadi. [Sumaria]

 

The Mayor of Haditha says Daesh lost the initiative and will not be able to attack Hit or Haditha from now on. [Sumaria]

 

Rutba/Western Anbar

A security source says the IFP stopped a Daesh attack on an IFP headquarters 5 km (3 miles) west of Rutba, destroying 3 vehicle bombs and killing the suicide terrorists inside. [Sumaria]

 

SALAHUDDIN

Shirqat

The Joint Operations Command JOC issued a statement saying Iraqi forces, supported by Iraqi and Coalition planes, have fully liberated Shirqat District. [Mada]

The JOC had announced earlier that Iraqi forces captured Shirqat city, and raised the Iraqi flag over the district government building. A security source said that Iraqi forces also captured a police station southwest of Shirqat. [Mada] [Mada]

 

Iraqi Army 35th armored brigade destroyed 7 Daesh vehicle bombs and 4 IEDs, and killed 12 terrorists including a suicide bomber, in the south Shirqat military sector. Iraqi Army 34th armored brigade destroyed 8 IEDs in the Shirqat area. Salahuddin Operations Command defused more than 60 IEDs in the Shirqat area. The IAA destroyed 2 Daesh vehicle bombs south of Shirqat. Coalition planes launched several airstrikes on Daesh targets in the Shirqat area, destroying 4 machine gun mounted vehicles, 6 boats, and 3 ferries, killing more than 50 terrorists, including 2 snipers. [MoD Website]

 

The PMF Press says PMFs Explosive Ordinance Disposal defused 11 vehicle bombs near Shirqat’s district government building, in addition to 76 IEDs on the road between Shirqat and Baiji. [Maalomah]

 

The Chairman of the Salahuddin Provincial Council says the return of the displaced families to Shirqat will start next week. [Mada]

 

Iraqi forces captured a Daesh member, who tried to disguise himself by shaving his beard, in his house in Shirqat after getting information from local residents.  [Mada]

DaeshDaily comment. The razor has been an essential part of Daesh terrorists’ military kit in all liberated areas.

 

A security source says Iraqi forces found an underground Katyusha rocket storehouse in a shop in Shirqat city. [Maalomah]

 

Iraqi forces destroyed 3 Daesh vehicles and a hideout in the Tilul Al-Baj area. [MoD Website]

 

Daesh says it attacked an Iraqi Army barracks in the Tilul Al-Baj area, killing nine soldiers and destroying a Russian tank. [A3maq] [JustPaste]

 

Daesh says it destroyed an Iraqi Army personnel carrier with an IED on the road between Baghdad and Mosul west of Shirqat, killing the soldiers inside. [A3maq]

 

Samarra

Iraqi forces defused 2 IEDs that were planted in the house of the mukhtar (local official) in the Qarat area in Samarra district. [MoD Website]

 

NINEWA

Qayara/Makhmur

Ninewa Emergency Police stopped a Daesh attack on Izhailila village southwest of Qayara. [MoD Website]

Troops of the Iraqi 71st Infantry repelled a two-pronged Daesh attack in the Qayara area, killing 40 Daesh fighters, a Ninewa Operations source said. It also says Iraqi forces didn’t sustain any casualties in the attack. [Mada] [Mawsleya] [Mawsleya]

 

Thirty Daesh members were killed by Coalition airstrikes as they attempted to attack Iraqi Army troops north of Qayara, a Ninewa Operations source said. Coalition planes also killed two Daesh members in a strike near the village of Khabata north of Qayara, a Ninewa Operations source said. [Mawsleya] [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh received 24 bodies of its slain fighters in the village of Makouk after its earlier failed attack in the Qayara subdistrict, a local source said. Sources also reported the bodies of “several” Daesh fighters floating in the Tigris River after the attack. [Mawsleya] [Mawsleya]

 

122 Arab families returned to their homes in Gwer subdistrict on Wednesday, according to the Mayor of Makhmur District, Ruzkar Muhammad Ismail, who attributed the delayed return of displaced persons to lack of services in their home areas. Other families from the 400 families who were originally displaced from the area will also return soon, the mayor said. [SotAlIraq]

 

Shura/Hammam Alil

Nearly all Daesh members in the Hammam Al-Alil area reportedly fled in recent days and hours, heading through the desert toward Syria and eventually for Turkey, according to sources in Mosul. [Karemlash]

 

Coalition warplanes destroyed large numbers of Daesh vehicles and killed many terrorists in Safina village in Shura subdistrict. The Coalition also destroyed a bridge west of Shirqat in order to prevent Daesh terrorists from escaping. [MoD Website]

Ninewa Operations Command says Coalition warplanes killed 160 Daesh terrorists and destroyed large numbers of vehicles and machinery in Safina. [Mada]

 

Mosul

Mosul campaign

The deputy chairman of Ninewa Provincial Council, Nur al-Din Qablan has repeated earlier Provincial Council remarks that the US is resurfacing Qayara Airfield, explaining that US engineers are present at the base to prepare the airfield for the Mosul operations. Combat troops are not currently at the base, he said, but he added that “additional military forces” would arrive “in the coming days.” The deputy chairman said he had no information about reported Daesh chemical attacks on the base. [AYN]

 

A security source says Coalition planes destroyed a Daesh security headquarters in Hay Al-Dandan in Mosul, killing 10 terrorists. [Sumaria]

 

Warplanes were reported in the skies over Mosul Thursday night and the sounds of explosions were heard throughout the city in what appear to be heavy air raids on Daesh targets. [Mawsleya]

 

Conditions in Mosul

News of the capture of Shirqat was greeted with joy by many Mosul residents who took it as a sign that their freedom from Daesh rule is nearing, according to local sources in the city. Daesh rule is facing a “state of collapse” in Mosul sources said, which would be intensified by the news of Daesh’s loss of Shirqat. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh is vacating its local command centers in Mosul as well as emptying its weapons and explosives from the churches it had been using as storehouses, according to local sources who said that Daesh feared Mosul residents would reveal their locations and the Daesh sites would become targets for Coalition airstrikes. The weapons and supplies were relocated to other areas, the sources said. Daesh members are in a state of fear, the sources said, fearing revenge by residents with the advance of Iraqi troops as well as a potential uprising in Mosul against Daesh rule. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh has announced a nighttime security alert in Mosul and has deployed its fighters to various residential areas in response to the quickening pace of assassinations and disappearances of Daesh members on the part of the local anti-Daesh resistance, according to local sources. The sources say that Daesh elements in Mosul appear incapable of dealing with the pressure of increasing disarray and resistance inside Mosul and the approaching Iraqi troops. After many experienced Daesh cadre left in advance of the anticipated assault, those who remain are naïve and inexperienced, the sources said. [Mawsleya]

 

Parts of Mosul appeared nearly empty Thursday as Daesh hunted for its own members who fled the areas south of Mosul recently recaptured from Daesh. Meanwhile many of Daesh’s imams have reportedly fled their mosques, leaving them empty. Daesh presence in Mosul is also weakened by its deployment of its intelligence and fighting assets to the south to face the advancing Iraqi troops. [Karemlash]

 

Daesh has replaced many imams of the local mosques that it controls in Mosul in a bid to convince residents to fight alongside them against Iraqi troops when the operations begin. Several non-Iraqi imams have begun appearing to preach at Mosul mosques exhorting the people to join with Daesh and cursing those who have not pledged allegiance to the group. [Mawsleya]

 

Several residents of Mosul have died or become ill due to Daesh’s importing and distribution of expired foods, according to a Moslawi who fled the city and turned himself over to Iraqi troops in Qayara. The potentially dangerous foods are causing fear among Mosul residents who have no choice but to consume them amid severe food shortages in the city. [Sumer]

 

In a bid to stem the rising price of the US dollar in Mosul, Daesh has allowed currency traders to operate Internet devices according to strict conditions, local sources said. Traders are permitted to access the Internet only on a single computer and not on any mobile telephone devices, which the sources said was intended to prevent the spread of news on the deteriorating conditions of Daesh’s rule in Mosul. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh stoned three youths in Mosul to death for wearing jerseys of footballer Lionel Messi’s team while playing football, according to an activist in the city. Other Mosul residents fleeing the city have reported that Daesh threatened heavy lashings or possible execution for anyone caught performing any of a list of certain forbidden activities, such as watching the news on television, listening to music, smoking, or using the Internet. [Ghad]

 

Kata’eb Al-Mosul says one of its snipers shot and killed a Daesh terrorist near the Sahaji area. [KM Facebook Page]

 

Daesh says it targeted Peshmerga positions with 20 mortars in different areas of Kafraj Camp. [JustPaste]

 

DIYALA

Muqdadiya/Abu Saida

A security source says three bystanders were killed after clashes re-erupted between 2 tribes in Abu Saida. The source says the local police asked for military reinforcements from Baghdad to control the situation. [Maalomah]

 

Daesh says it destroyed an Iraqi Army vehicle in the Isaiwid area in Muqdadiya, killing or wounding the soldiers inside. [JustPaste]

 

Northern Diyala (Kifri, Khanaqin, etc.)

A security source says a PMF fighter was wounded when an IED exploded on a PMF vehicle on the Imamayn road. [Sumaria]

 

A provincial official says the return of 750 displaced families to Udhaim was temporarily delayed because of the security situation there. [Sumaria]

 

The Diyala Police chief says an emergency unit defused 5 IEDs in 3 areas in Udhaim, near the Salahuddin border. [Sumaria]

 

A local source says an Iraqi Army unit destroyed a Daesh vehicle bomb near Udhaim Dam, killing the suicide terrorists inside. The source also says one soldier was slightly wounded in the explosion. [Buratha]

Daesh says one of its Iraqi suicide terrorists attacked a “PMF gathering” near the main gate of the Udhaim Dam, killing or wounding several fighters. [JustPaste]

 

KIRKUK

Kirkuk

The displaced people committee in Kirkuk provincial government refuted the reports that they had forced the displaced people to return to the liberated areas, and says the return is happening based on instructions from Prime Minister Abadi. [Mada]

The Manager of Laylan subdistrict says the security committee in Kirkuk provincial council informed displaced families from liberated areas in Anbar, Diyala, and Salahuddin that they should return to their houses. The Mayor of Baiji issued a statement yesterday asking the Kirkuk government not to force the displaced families to return. A member of the Falluja District Council accused the Governor of Kirkuk of kicking out displaced people from Anbar in an inhumane manner. [Sumaria] [Sumaria]

 

KURDISTAN

The KRG president, Masoud Barzani met in his office with the UK Minister of Defense, Michael Fallon, and the UK Ambassador to Iraq, the UK Council to Erbil, and other officials, to discuss the war against Daesh and the UK’s support for the Peshmerga, as well as UK plans to support the displaced people. [BasNews]

The KRG’s Prime Minister also met with the Minister and discussed the Mosul campaign. [BasNews]

 

The German Minister of Defense arrived to Erbil from her meeting in Baghdad to meet with the KRG president and Prime Minister to discuss Mosul and Germany’s support for the Peshmerga. [BasNews]

 

REPORTS FROM TURKEY

 

Six people were reported injured after a rocket fired by Daesh hit the center of the Turkish town of Kilis, just north of the northwest Syria border. [BirGun]

Following the first rocket attack, in which seven people were wounded, six of them children, there was a second attack around 5 pm in which two explosions were heard and one person was injured. [Cumhuriyet]

Anadolu says the six people wounded in Daesh shelling on Kilis were Syrian. [Anadolu]

 

Turkish security sources say security forces raided 20 locations in 5 neighborhoods on the Asian side of Istanbul and captured 16 Daesh suspects. [ARA]

 

Reporter Doğu Eroğlu of the left-wing Bir Gün newspaper has pointed out that the Turkish authorities had been aware for thirteen months that Daesh was using a building in Ankara as a training center, even though the impression was given when it was raided on August 26 (previously reported here) that it had just been detected. Eroğlu has unearthed a report with the heading “The Takfiri/Samanpazarı Group,” sent by Ankara police to the public prosecutor in July 2015, in which reference is made to the activities in the building at 51 Ulucanlar Street. [BirGun]

 

REPORTS FROM SYRIA

 

Contradicting earlier information, the Turkish Armed Forces have various action plans for moving into the Syrian city of Al-Bab. Alongside the Special Forces (Maroon Berets) directly attached to the Chief of the General Staff, warplanes and tanks, various combatant infantry units attached to the land forces will also enter Syria.

An official said that “A more comprehensive ground force is needed to move into Al-Bab. Ground elements undoubtedly form part of the plan of action. The same official said that Turkey had no unilateral plan of action with regard to Daesh’s headquarters city of Raqqa.

The first target, prior to reaching Al-Bab, is the town of Dabiq, which is of special ideological importance to Daesh. However, intelligence from the area shows that Daesh has dug many trenches around Dabiq, there are mobile anti-tank weapons and hundreds of mines, and IEDs have been planted around the town. [Hurriyet]

 

Secular opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet published an article in response to the previous day’s report in Hürriyet that Turkey was preparing to dispatch its infantry to Syria:

The infantry will of necessity enter the Syrian quagmire. The Turkish Armed Forces are planning to bring in various combat infantry units with the aim of capturing Al-Bab, located 30 km (19 miles) from the border. “An official” told Uğur Ergan of Hürriyet that “A more comprehensive ground force is needed to move into Al-Bab. Ground elements undoubtedly form part of the plan of action.” In the light of intelligence suggesting that the nearer town of Dabiq, from which it is said Daesh will be cleared before Al-Bab, has been strongly fortified, a fierce battle is expected there. [Cumhuriyet] [Full Article]

DaeshDaily comment. We thank our correspondent in Turkey for translating several reports for us today.

 

An Erdogan spokesman says in a TV interview Turkey will not participate in the Raqqa liberation if the YPG takes part in the battles. [Hawar]

DaeshDaily comment. It occurs to us that victory in Raqqa would be more meaningful if it is achieved by the Syrian Democratic Forces, including the YPG, than by the Turkish Army and its friends.

 

Turkey’s President Erdogan says in New York that the US sent 2 planes loaded with weapons to Kobane three days ago. [Anadolu]

 

An SDF source says American military officials met with SDF officials in Yabsa village, 5 km (3 miles) west of Jarabulus and assured the SDF that the United States would not allow Turkey to advance toward the SDF controlled areas in Manbij and Tal Abyad. [BasNews]

 

On a busy day in the air, the Coalition says it conducted 16 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Syria, including seven near Mare’ (7). The others were in or near Manbij (1); Raqqa (2) and Shaddadi (1); Deir Ez-Zor (4) and Albu Kamal (1). [InherentResolve]

 

Northeast (Hasaka, Raqqa)

Hasaka

A journalist who works for Rudaw TV was beaten by the Asayesh in Hasaka while she was trying to visit her family. [ARA]

 

The Director of the International Human Rights Organization in Syria says the 3rd group of 1,500 Iraqi refugees trapped in camps in Hasaka have been stopped from going back to Iraq at this time, due to a request from the Iraqi Government based on its military operations in Shirqat. [ZamanAlWasl]

 

Raqqa

The Turkish Army is targeting YPG positions in a village 1 km west of Tal Abyad with heavy machine guns. [Hawar]

 

A local activist says Coalition planes dropped leaflets on Raqqa, containing the photos of Daesh’s slain spokesman. [EnabBaladi]

 

Daesh says it killed “two PKK members” and destroyed a machine gun mounted vehicle with 2 IEDs west of Ain Eissa. [A3maq]

 

Daesh issues a propaganda video about its complaint office in Raqqa city. [A3maq]

DaeshDaily comment. Which prompts a philosophical question: When you have a reputation for executing people who complain, how many people come to the complaint office?

 

Daesh publishes photos of a farm in Raqqa. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Northwest (Aleppo, Idlib)

Jarabulus

The PYD backed Hawar issues a video of Turkey backed opposition group fighters torturing a 15-year-old boy from Shiyoukh town in Kobane, in order to force him to confess that he was with Daesh. The video that was shot in an unknown location also shows an old man handcuffed and blindfolded in the same room. [Hawar]

DaeshDaily comment. If the boy is not with Daesh, he has a reason to join it now.

 

A Turkish official says 2,857 people have returned to their houses in Jarabulus so far since it was liberated from Daesh. [Anadolu]

 

Al-Bab

The Turkish military says its F-16s destroyed several Daesh targets near Al-Ra’i, killing many terrorists. [Anadolu]

 

However, Daesh says it recaptured Sandara, East Talaar, and West Talaar, west of Al-Ra’i. [A3maq]

Daesh publishes 2 photos of vehicles it had captured in the area. [JustPaste]

An opposition group commander confirmed that Daesh recaptured Sandara, East Talaar, and West Talaar villages. [ARA]

DaeshDaily comment. It is increasingly noticeable that even with the much-touted participation of the Turkish military, the Turkey-supported opposition groups are not exactly sweeping Daesh out of northern Syria. If they can’t clear them out of the Al-Ra’i border area, how can they expect to take Al-Bab?

 

Azaz

The Turkish military says opposition groups launched an attack to regain the areas they have lost to Daesh in the Al-Ra’i-Azaz military sector. It concedes that Daesh captured Talaar, Kadrish, and Bahorta. It says its opposition groups couldn’t regain control of 4 villages and other areas east of Al-Ra’ because of Daesh’s violent resistance.

However, it also says Turkish planes launched 20 airstrikes near the battle area, killing 40 Daesh terrorists, and destroying 7 buildings and a heavy machine gun. It also says Turkish artillery destroyed 150 Daesh targets. [ARA]

 

Daesh targeted Um Hawsh again with chemical filled shells. [Hawar]

 

Daesh staged a suicide bomb attack in a village near Azaz. Ten FSA fighters injured in the attack were taken by ambulance to Kilis, Turkey for treatment. [Cumhuriyet]

Daesh says it detonated a parked car bomb on an opposition group convoy near Shamarikh village northeast of Azaz. [A3maq]

An opposition group commander said a Daesh vehicle bomb exploded near a military barrier in Shamarikh village, killing three civilians and three opposition group fighters. Turkish artillery in Al-Ra’i city targeted Daesh positions in Dabiq with more than 40 shells, in addition to several rockets. [Azaz]

Daesh says a man was killed in a Turkish shelling on Dabiq. [A3maq]

 

Manbij

Daesh issues a video of battles with the “PKK” in the Khasfa area, south of Manbij. [A3maq]

 

Other Northwest Syria reports

Daesh issues photos of burning expired medicine in Maslama city. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh publishes 3 photos of its terrorists in their “free time” in the Draihim area, 65 km southeast of Aleppo. [DawaAlhaq]

 

East (Deir Ez-Zor)

A Daesh hisbah terrorist beat up a woman in Mayadin city after accusing her of violating the Daesh dress code. Daesh also launched a campaign and arrested many young men without giving any reasons. [Qasioun]

 

Syrian planes targeted Daesh locations in the Tharda Mountain area, the Panorama area, and Halabiya village in Deir Ez-Zor Governorate. [SyriaNow]

 

Syrian Army and allied militias stopped a Daesh attack on the Deir Ez-Zor military airport and got back some of the positions they have lost to Daesh. [SyriaNow]

 

South (Rif Damashq, Suwayda, Daraa, etc.)

A local activist says a Daesh suicide terrorist detonated himself in the police station in Inkhil, killing a Minister in the anti-Assad Interim Syrian Government, and wounding its “Governor” of Daraa and two others, in addition to killing or wounding other senior officials and commanders. [ARA]

Jawad Aby Hatab, the head of the Interim Syrian Government, says two ministers were killed in the attack, accusing the Syrian Government of the explosion. [EnabBaladi]

Al-Hamza Division, a Free Syrian Army faction, issued a statement saying nine of its leaders were killed in the explosion. [EnabBaladi]

Local sources say the attack was conducted by a 15-year-old boy disguised as a beggar. The attack was conducted by Khaled Army, Daesh’s affiliate in Daraa. [ZamanAlWasl]

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says eleven people were killed and tens wounded in the attack. [SyriaHR]

Daesh’s version says one of its Syrian suicide bombers detonated his suicide vest at an opposition leaders’ meeting in Inkhil city in Daraa, killing or wounding fifty people. [DawaAlhaq]

 

A local activist says Khaled Army, a Daesh affiliate, launched a massive attack from 2 sides on Ain Dhikr city in Daraa, but opposition groups stopped the attack. [ARA]

 

Syrian troops destroyed a Daesh vehicle east of Daraa, killing the terrorists inside. [SyriaNow]

 

Daesh issues photos of one of its “calls for Islam” for children in the Al-Hajar Al-Aswad area south of Damascus. [DawaAlhaq]

 

OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS

 

North Africa

Egypt

Daesh says

It destroyed an M113 armored vehicle with an IED between Sheikh Zuweid and Joura village.

Its snipers killed an Egyptian soldier in the Tawil security barrier near Karm Al-Qawadis and another soldier near Al-Salam village east of Arish.

It detonated an IED on an Egyptian Army patrol near Rafah Port.

It destroyed an Egyptian Army heavy machine gun near Wifaq village south of Rafah.

It clashed with the Egyptian Army near the coast area in north Sinai, killing or wounding several soldiers.

It damaged an Egyptian Army minesweeper near the Haq Hasan area. [JustPaste]

 

A security source says ABM terrorists shot at a police patrol near the post office in Arish, killing one policeman and wounding two. [VetoGate]

 

Eyewitnesses say IBM terrorists kidnapped a 29-year-old man near his house in Sheikh Zuweid, after accusing him of cooperating with security forces. [VetoGate]

ABM terrorists kidnapped 2 more young men, one from south Sheikh Zuweid, and the other from south Rafah. [VetoGate]

 

Eyewitnesses say takfiri terrorists broke into a state-owned water company in the Ahrash area in Rafah and burned it down in order to prevent the company from providing security forces with bottled water. [VetoGate]

 

A policeman was wounded when an IED exploded on his patrol on the coastal road in Rafah. [VetoGate]

 

Tribal sources say ABM snipers tried to attack security forces from a school in Sheikh Zuweid, but Counter Terrorism forces clashed with them, forcing them to flee. [ElWatan]

 

Libya

Northeast

The LNA spokesman says the battles are still ongoing in Qawarsha, but the landmines and trapped families are hindering the advances of the LNA in the area. [Libya24]

 

Central coast

Daesh says GNA “militias,” supported by American planes and extensive artillery shelling, tried to advance on its positions in Sirte. Daesh says it stopped the attack, killing thirty soldiers and wounding more than sixty, and destroying several vehicles. Daesh says the battles are still ongoing. [JustPaste]

 

A medical source says eight GMA troops were killed and fifteen others wounded in the Giza area in Sirte. [Wasat]

 

Later on, the field hospital in Sirte says two more soldiers were killed and ten wounded in Hay 3 in Sirte. [AfriGate]

A GNA military commander says a Daesh Egyptian sniper was captured after he was wounded in Hay 3 in Sirte. [Wasat]

 

Other countries

Lebanon

The Lebanese Army issued a statement saying it conducted a security operation in Ayn Al-Hilweh Camp for Palestinian refugees in Saida and captured Imad Yeseen, the Daesh “emir” of the camp. [Sumaria]

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Photos show crowds cheering as the Iraqi flag is raised over the mayoralty building and the hospital in central Shirqat on Thursday. [Mawsleya]

Photos purport to show weapons and flag seized from Daesh in Shirqat. [Twitter]

 

Videos of the Day

A video of Iraqi airstrikes on Daesh targets in Salahuddin [MoD]

 

Video purports to show the “moment” of Shirqat’s liberation from Daesh rule. [YouTube]

More purported footage of Iraqi troops sweeping through Shirqat. [YouTube]

Footage purports to show PMFs (Saraya Al-Salam) engaging Daesh in Shirqat. [YouTube]

Video of Iraqi troops with captured Daesh chemical weapons (toxic gas) shells in Shabali village near Shirqat. [Mawsleya]

Video purports to show fighting between Daesh and PMFs (15 Shaaban Brigade), location unspecified. [YouTube]

 

DAESH MEDIA

 

Daesh audio newsletter for today [JustPaste]

 

Daesh issues a propaganda video of its operations in south Ninewa. The video shows an attack on a seemingly abandoned Iraqi Army barracks. Daesh claimed the Iraqi soldiers fled before the attack. The video also shows a terrorist from Belgium sending a message to his family, asking for forgiveness before he commits a suicide attack. It also shows 2 teenagers, one of them Jordanian, committing suicide attacks on the Iraqi Army, in addition to other attacks. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh issues a propaganda video about one of its terrorists from Gaza who was killed in Syria. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh issued a propaganda video about its operations in Yemen. [DawaAlhaq]

 

 

September 21, 2016

 

Today’s Major Developments

Al-Abadi asks NATO help to get the Turks out of Iraq. […]

COR votes the Finance Minister out. […]

Iraqi forces make steady progress in Haditha area. […]

Iraqi troops capture Shirqat government compound and much of the city. […]

Daesh makes apparent mustard gas attack on Qayara Airfield. […]

Coalition bombs, missiles slam Daesh in Mosul. […]

 

REPORTS FROM IRAQ

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Prime Minister Abadi met with the General Secretary of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in New York to discuss the training of Iraqi forces and the preparations for the Mosul campaign. Abadi asked NATO to intervene in the issue of the unwanted Turkish forces in Iraq. The General Secretary said the Turkish military presence in Iraq doesn’t represent NATO and NATO opposes it. [Rudaw]

 

President Masoum met in his office with the UK’s Secretary of Defense, Michael Fallon, and discussed security and political developments and the Mosul campaign. [Mada]

 

Iraqi Minister of Finance Hoshyar Zebari has lost a vote of confidence in the CoR by 158 votes to 77. When he was questioned recently in the CoR, there were corruption allegations floated, but the full explanation of his departure is still missing. [ROJ]

DaeshDaily comment. Iraqi people are fed up with their officials and new faces are needed. However, deposing senior officials at this time when the battle against Daesh is moving into its decisive stages could severely disturb the already fragile political system. Zebari, a Kurd, has spent years as a cabinet member, including as Foreign Minister, and has a considerable reputation for competence.

 

The Sunni CoR alliance issued a statement saying the vote was part of a plan by some parties to overthrow the government, and that it violated the CoR’s bylaws. [Sumaria]

The KDP, to which Zebari belongs, says it will appeal the CoR’s decision in the Federal Court because it was unconstitutional. [Mada]

 

The Coalition conducted 11 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Iraq, in or near Ramadi (2), Baghdadi (1), Albu Hayat (1), and Al-Qa’im (1); Bashir (1) in Kirkuk; and Mosul (1), Kasik (1), and Qayara (3). [InherentResolve]

 

BAGHDAD

Security-related incidents reported

North (Tarmiya, Taji, etc.)

An MoI source says two PMF fighters were killed and four wounded when an IED exploded on their vehicle in the Meshahda area, in Tarmiya. [Mada]

Daesh issues a propaganda video of its operations in north Baghdad. The video shows mass executions of Iraqi soldiers, sniper attacks, and IED explosions. The video also shows Daesh terrorists dressed in Iraqi uniforms breaking into Sahwa fighters’ houses and killing them. [DawaAlhaq]

Baghdad Operations Command says its troops confiscated an explosives cache in Taji. [Mawazin]

An MoI source says a barber was killed and four other civilians wounded when an IED exploded near his shop in Husseiniya. [Mada]

A security source says the body of an unknown man was found shot in the Salamiyat area. [Sumaria]

 

Northeast (Adhamiya, etc.)

An MoI source says two people were killed and six wounded when an IED exploded near a market in Shaab. [Mada]

An MoI source says the bodies of two unknown women were found shot in Binouk. [Mada]

 

East (Sadr City, New Baghdad, etc.)

An MoI source says one person was killed and five wounded when a sticky IED exploded under a small bus in Mashtal. [Mada]

An MoI source says two people were killed and six wounded when an IED exploded in a commercial area in Niariya. [Mada]

A police source says armed men shot at a police vehicle in Habibiya near Sadr City, wounding one policeman. [Sumaria]

A security source says unknown armed men shot and wounded a civilian in Sadr City. [Sumaria]

 

Southeast (Mada’in, etc.)

Iraqi Army 42nd brigade found a weapons and ammunition cache in Mada’in. [MoD Website]

 

South (Dora, Yusufiyah, Mahmudiya, etc.)

A security source says the body of an unknown man was found tied and shot in Dora. [Ghad]

A security source says four soldiers were wounded when an IED exploded on their vehicle in Arab Jubour. [Sumaria]

 

Southwest (Rasheed, etc.)

An MoI source says a Ministry of Trade employee was killed when armed men shot at his car using silenced guns in Saidiya. [Mada]

Daesh says it destroyed an Iraqi Army Humvee with an IED in Rasheed District, killing the soldiers inside. [JustPaste]

 

Total Baghdad incidents reported:    15   (Includes only incidents reported)

 

ANBAR

Falluja

The Mayor of Falluja says 210 more displaced families returned to their houses in the District today. [Mada]

 

Ramadi

The Anbar Operations Commander says the Iraqi Army 10th division and Tribal PMFs, supported by Iraqi and Coalition planes, started a military operation to liberate Jazeera Ramadi. He says that Iraqi forces surrounded the area from the south and east, destroying several Daesh vehicles. [Anadolu]

 

Daesh says it targeted Iraqi forces in the Zaidan factory in Jaraishi with 3 locally made rockets. [JustPaste]

Daesh publishes photos of targeting an Iraqi Army T72 tank with a guided rocket near the Zaidan factory. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Hit/Haditha

The Jazeera Operations Commander says Iraqi forces captured the Ownaya area in Jazeera Hit, killing tens of terrorists and destroying 190 IEDs. He says Iraqi forces are in the second stage of the Jazeera Hit liberation operations. [Mada]

 

A Tribal PMF commander says Iraqi forces captured the bridge that links Jazeera Baghdadi to Jazeera Hit. [Mada]

 

Daesh says it destroyed an Iraqi Army military position in the Aqaba area in Hit city with an SPG9 rocket, killing five soldiers. Daesh also says its snipers killed an Iraqi soldier in Hay Al-Jamiya in Hit city. [JustPaste]

 

The Jazeera Operations Commander says Iraqi forces liberated 7 villages so far in Jazeera Baghdadi, killing many terrorists and destroying 5 vehicle bombs. [Anadolu]

 

The Jazeera Operations commander says Iraqi forces liberated Jazeera Haditha, east of the city, killing many terrorists and defusing 163 IEDs. Daesh used the farmlands in the area as hideouts and launched many attacks from there on Haditha. [IraqPress]

 

Coalition planes killed 3 Daesh terrorists in the Qusairiyat area east of Haditha. Iraqi Army 28th brigade destroyed a Daesh armored vehicle in the Omairat area. [MoD Website]

 

Daesh says it targeted the Ain Al-Asad base with 2 Grad rockets. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh says it killed or wounded several soldiers in an attack on an Iraqi Army barracks near the Haditha Dam. [A3maq]

 

Rutba/Western Anbar

Daesh says a group of its terrorists launched an attack from 3 sides on Iraqi Army positions near Rutba, killing or wounding several soldiers and damaging a Humvee before returning safely. Daesh also says it targeted Iraqi forces who came to retrieve casualties with mortars and locally made rockets. [DawaAlhaq]

 

SALAHUDDIN

Shirqat

The Mayor of Shirqat says Iraqi forces have captured the government compound there. He also says the forces captured 95% of the east side of Shirqat and will clear the rest in the coming hours. [Sumaria]

 

The Joint Operations Command (JOC) says the second stage of Shirqat Liberation Operation was concluded and the third stage will start tomorrow. It also says it stopped a Daesh attack near the Shirqat mayoralty building, killing 7 suicide terrorists. [Baghdadia]

 

Iraqi forces continued advancing on Shirqat from 3 sides, destroying 6 vehicle bombs, an armored vehicle, and a hideout. Coalition planes had a major rule in the operation, destroying 7 vehicle bombs and 2 vehicles, and killing 21 terrorists. [MoD Website]

A Tribal PMF commander says Iraqi and Coalition planes destroyed 9 Daesh vehicle bombs southwest of Shirqat. [Mada]

 

Iraqi Army Ground Forces commander earlier said Iraqi forces liberated 10 villages around Shirqat so far and advanced towards the government compound. He praised the role of a female Tribal PMF commander in leading a PMF faction in the battles. [Mada] Another woman, who had lost her husband and four brothers to Daesh, is leading a special Tribal PMF unit. [Mada]

 

Around 130 Daesh members fled to Mosul after abandoning their positions around Shirqat within hours of the outbreak of fighting, a local source in Shirqat said. The source said that those who fled included foreign nationals and Daesh commanders who fled with their families. [PressIraq]

 

A local activist says the Iraqi forces temporarily halted their operation in Shirqat on Tuesday evening in order to remove the IEDs. He also says Iraqi forces cut off Daesh lines between Shirqat and Ninewa, and secured tens of families from the liberated areas. [ARA]

 

A security source says Iraqi forces attacked a Daesh group hiding in a house in the Aitha area, north of Shirqat, and killed 4 terrorists. The source also says an Iraqi Army officer was killed and a soldier was wounded when an IED they were trying to defuse exploded on them in the Shukur area, south of Shirqat. [Mada]

 

A military source says Iraqi Army captured the Daesh military commander of Shirqat, Mohammed Atiya, after he was wounded in the fighting. [Mawazin]

The PMF Press says 3 Daesh terrorists surrendered to Iraqi forces in Shirqat (photo). [Etejah]

 

A PMF commander says Iraqi forces conducted a security operation in Shirqat city, killing a Daesh Uzbek commander and 9 other terrorists. [Sumaria]

 

The PMF Press says PMFs secured 150 families from the Shirqat area. [Harbi]

However, the Ministry of Migration says the JOC allowed the people of Shirqat to remain in their houses during the liberation operations. [Rudaw]

 

Daesh says 2 of its suicide terrorists attacked Iraqi forces near Masihili village south of Shirqat with 2 vehicle bombs, killing or wounding “tens” of soldiers and destroying 2 BMP armored vehicles and 2 bulldozers. Daesh also says heavy battles erupted in the area, and its terrorists destroyed 3 Abrams tanks and a Humvee. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh says it destroyed an Iraqi Army Humvee and a BMP vehicle using 2 SPG9 rockets near Tilul Al-Baj. Daesh also says it destroyed 2 Iraqi Army bulldozers and a BMP vehicle near Shabali village northwest of Shirqat. Daesh says it destroyed an Iraqi Army Humvee west of Shirqat and targeted Iraqi forces in the Shirqat area with dozens of mortars. [JustPaste]

DaeshDaily comment. Daesh propaganda is becoming increasingly pathetic. The news overall is that Daesh is being routed in Shirqat. Daesh is hoping people won’t notice that and is touting its purported destruction of military equipment. Daesh is always victorious (even when it isn’t).

 

Tikrit

Daesh says it targeted Iraqi forces in Allas Oilfield with 16 mortars. [JustPaste]

 

Note to readers: We moved Ninewa news ahead of the Diyala and Kirkuk news, so as to transition directly from the Shirqat reports to those from Ninewa.

 

NINEWA

Qayara

Daesh is suspected of firing a shell with mustard agent that landed at the Qayara Airfield Tuesday where US and Iraqi troops are operating, according to several US officials.

The shell was categorized by officials as either a rocket or artillery shell. After it landed on the base, just south of Mosul, US troops tested it and received an initial reading for a chemical agent they believe is mustard.

No US troops were hurt nor have displayed symptoms of exposure to mustard gas. [CNN]

However, the chairman of the Qayara subdistrict council says he communicated with the military commanders at the base and they dismissed his report. [Sumaria]

 

A Ninewa Police captain says 8 Daesh local members surrendered to the Peshmerga in the Makhmur area. [BasNews]

 

Daesh publishes photos of targeting Iraqi Army positions in Al-Nassr village with SPG9 rockets. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Shura/Hammam Alil

The Ninewa Operations Commander has announced that the military sector south of Mosul is in the complete control of Iraqi troops (video). [Mawsleya]

 

Mosul

Mosul campaign

Unidentified warplanes reportedly struck two vehicles carrying Daesh leaders in the Al-Jisr Al-Khamis area, killing those inside. [PressIraq]

Unidentified warplanes reportedly struck a Daesh weapons cache near the Ninewa Museum on Mosul’s Right Bank, destroying it completely and killing those inside. [PressIraq]

A PUK official says Coalition planes destroyed a Daesh “court” in the Sunni Endowment building in north Mosul, killing 17 terrorists, including a “judge”. [Mada]

More than ten Coalition missiles fell on various areas of Mosul Wednesday evening. [Mawsleya]

 

A PUK official says Coalition planes distributed thousands of leaflets on Mosul, asking people to stay in their houses between the 1st and 3rd of October. [ROJ]

 

Daesh has deployed anti-aircraft guns around the city of Mosul, local sources said. They added that Daesh has had to divide its resources between battles and anticipated battles on multiple fronts, including Shirqat, villages south of Mosul, and reinforcing the city of Mosul. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh says it targeted Peshmerga forces in the Kafraj area and other areas near the Mosul Dam with mortars and rockets. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh has issued orders to its “reserve members” in Mosul to mobilize to fight, local sources said. Daesh has also declared that the reserve brigade is its last remaining fighting group inside the city. The so-called reserve elements were set aside by Daesh for possible later deployment as spies to inform on Mosul residents, the source said. The source said that a group of men were seen going out in apparent response to the call, which surprised Mosul residents who had not known these men to be affiliated with Daesh. The source said the men were dressed “Afghani” style and carrying weapons. Daesh reportedly deployed some of the men around the streets of Mosul while sending others to reinforce its fighters in Shirqat. The source suggested this was a sign that Daesh was running out of options in Mosul in advance of the anticipated attack on the city. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh has announced on loudspeakers in multiple Mosul neighborhoods that residents of Mosul are expected to fight on its side or be considered “apostates” and face Daesh’s wrath, local sources said. [Mawsleya]

Meanwhile many Daesh members in Mosul have attempted to flee to Syria in advance of the anticipated campaign to dislodge Daesh from the city, according to local sources who say that Daesh has arrested and executed several of its members who were trying to flee. [Mawsleya]

 

The sounds of explosions were heard inside the city of Mosul on Wednesday, according to a Ninewa Operations Command source. The source said that the sounds of the blasts came amid “precise information” on differences among the Daesh leadership in Mosul. No information was available about the explosions. [Petra]

 

Unknown armed men attacked a Daesh bookshop where it distributed its publications on Tuesday night, killing the guard of the site and burning books inside, an anonymous source inside Mosul said. [Non14]

A separate report cites a local source saying young men burned down a Daesh media office in Mosul after killing the guard. [Etejah]

 

A medical source in the Mosul Forensic Department says the bodies of 23 more Daesh fighters arrived at the department after Coalition airstrikes targeted different areas in Mosul. [Anadolu]

 

Conditions in Mosul

Daesh publishes photos from a hospital in Mosul city. [DawaAlhaq]

 

A local source says Daesh executed a former mosque imam in Hay Al-Tahrir in Mosul. The 60-year-old man had said three days earlier that he had a dream about the fall of the “black banners” in Mosul. [Sumaria]

 

The president of Ninewa’s Provincial Council Bashar Al-Kiki visited the headquarters-in-exile of Ninewa’s Education Directorate in Dahuk governorate on Wednesday to meet the educational director and discuss educational policy in Ninewa after the recapture of Mosul. [SotAlIraq]

 

Nineveh Plain

Daesh says it targeted Peshmerga positions near Tesgofa with 46 mortars. [JustPaste]

 

DIYALA

Northern Diyala (Kifri, Khanaqin, etc.)

Daesh says it killed four PMF fighters and destroyed a bulldozer and a car by detonating several IEDs in the Albu Eissa area in Udhaim. [A3maq]

 

A security source says EOD units defused 3 IEDs in the Qalaju area near Khanaqin. [Sumaria]

 

KIRKUK

Kirkuk

The Governor of Kirkuk met in his office with the Badr Commander to discuss the Hawija liberation plan. The meeting was attended by members of the Provincial Council and Peshmerga commanders. [Mada]

 

A security source says unknown armed men shot and wounded a civilian in his car in Kirkuk city center. [Sumaria]

 

Hawija

The Ubaid tribe leader says a group of young men broke into a Daesh headquarters in Riyadh and killed 4 terrorists. Another group burned down the houses of 2 Daesh members in Hawija. He says tens of young men in areas south of Kirkuk revolted against Daesh after hearing about the agreement between the PMFs and the Peshmerga. [Mada]

 

Southwest

A security source says a Peshmerga fighter was killed by a sniper near the Rashad road, south of Kirkuk. The source also says a man was wounded by a Daesh IED while he was trying to escape Daesh, west of Kirkuk. [Mada]

 

KURDISTAN

The UK’s Secretary of State for Defense, Michael Fallon, arrived in Erbil overnight Wednesday to hold a series of meetings with senior Kurdish officials. Fallon’s visit to Kurdistan Region comes after he met with Iraqi officials in Baghdad [BasNews]

The Secretary said in a press conference in Baghdad that the UK has trained more than 25,000 Iraqi soldiers and conducted more than 2,000 airstrikes on Daesh. [Mada]

 

SOUTHERN IRAQ

Kerbala

The Kerbala Provincial Council chairman says 2 “American” helicopters landed for an hour in the Rufai’ area west of the city without the knowledge of the provincial government. He warns that if this is repeated again the helicopters will be dealt with as enemies. [Mada]

DaeshDaily comment. What a brave man to stand up to the US military. We suggest to the gentlemen that someone so brave should personally lead the charge and ask all the other PC members to join the attack. “The mouse that roared.”

 

REPORTS FROM TURKEY

 

Turkish Minister of Defence, Fikri Işık, asked by journalists if Turkish infantry will be sent to Syria, replied: “We have no thoughts of participating in this operation with our own infantry. We will conduct it with the FSA.” [Cumhuriyet]

 

The family of 15-year-old Funda Çiçek has appealed to the police for help, claiming she has been abducted by Daesh from the town of Tuzla near Istanbul where she lived. CCTV footage last Friday shows her being escorted by unknown persons onto a local bus going to the town center from the area of town in which she lived. The girl is said to have sent messages to her uncle saying things like: “I am going to my death. Don’t look for me or ask after me. I am prepared to die.” after having departed from her home. [Cumhuriyet]

DaeshDaily comment. We thank our friend in Turkey for sending these reports.

 

REPORTS FROM SYRIA

 

The Coalition says it conducted 8 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Syria, including two near Mare’ (2). The others were near Abu Kamal (2) and Deir Ez-Zor (3) in the east and near Raqqa (1). [InherentResolve]

 

A religious official and a battalion of the Ahrar Al-Sham Movement, a Saudi and Turkey backed group, issued separate statements saying they were leaving the movement because its religious council had issued a fatwa allowing Syrian opposition groups to be in coalition with the (secular) Turkish Army against (jihadi) Daesh. [ARA] This set off a huge issue among Jihadis.

Ahrar Al-Sham religious council had also said in the fatwa that the issue of the participation of American soldiers with opposition groups in northern Aleppo is still “surrounded by some vagueness”, and it will issue another fatwa after the situation becomes clear. [Hawar]

 

Northwest (Aleppo, Idlib)

Al-Bab

An opposition group commander says Daesh launched an attack on villages southwest of Al-Ra’i and recaptured Kadrish village after heavy battles. He also says Daesh attacked Bahorta village but opposition groups, supported by Turkish artillery, stopped the Daesh attack, killing 8 terrorists and capturing 4. [ARA]

He also says opposition groups recaptured Shawi, Hadhaba, and Athariya villages after heavy battles, killing many terrorists and capturing 3, and destroying 2 vehicles. He says the Turkish artillery targeted Daesh positions in nearby villages, killing or wounding several terrorists. [ARA]

 

Daesh says it recaptured Shawi Kabira, Shawi Saghira, and Tal Hajar villages east of Al-Ra’i, hours after opposition groups had entered. [A3maq]

 

Daesh’s version says it captured East Talaar, West Talaar, and Kadrish villages west of Al-Ra’i from Turkey backed opposition groups and captured SUVs, weapons, and ammunition. [A3maq]

Daesh issues a video of its terrorists after capturing Talaar village. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh says 3 of its terrorists recaptured Bahorta village west of Al-Ra’i. [A3maq]

DaeshDaily comment. Someone in Hollywood should be informed about this immediately.

 

Daesh publishes photos of its spoils from yesterday’s battles. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh issues a video from some of the villages it says it recaptured from opposition groups east of Al-Ra’i. [A3maq]

 

Azaz

Daesh targeted Um Hawsh with mortars and heavy machine guns. SDF units responded to the fire and the clashes are still ongoing. [Hawar]

 

Daesh publishes photos of targeting the “PKK” with different kinds of weapons in Um Al-Qura village. [JustPaste]

 

Central and West (Homs, Hama, etc.)

A local activist says opposition groups captured the Al-Rajm Al-Ali area in East Qalamoun after heavy battles, killing or wounding more than 20 Daesh terrorists. [ARA]

 

A Syrian military source confirmed that a Syrian MIG-23 was shot down in east Qalamoun. The pilot was saved according to a website close to the government. [Dorar] [SyriaNow]

Daesh said it shot down a Syrian plane over the Sarra area in East Qalamoun. Daesh says the plane had conducted 4 airstrikes on Daesh positions in the Naqab Mountain area before it was shot down. Daesh says the pilot survived and was captured by opposition groups in the area who handed him over to the Syrian Army after making a deal with them in exchange for weapons and ammunition. Daesh accuses the opposition groups in the area of coordinating with the Syrian Army to fight Daesh. [A3maq] [DawaAlhaq] [A3maq]

Daesh publishes infographics about the battles in East Qalamoun. [A3maq]

 

Daesh publishes photos of its terrorists on the road between Ithariya and Sheikh Halal village in Hama. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh also publishes photos of its terrorists east of Silmiya. [DawaAlhaq]

 

East (Deir Ez-Zor)

A local activist says Daesh attacked Syrian Army and allied groups’ positions in Deir Ez-Zor. He says heavy battles erupted and the 2 groups sustained casualties without the ability to advance. He also says Syrian and Russian planes targeted Daesh controlled areas in Deir Ez-Zor and in areas west of the city. Heavy battles also erupted near Tharda Mountain, and Daesh positions in the area were targeted by several airstrikes. [ARA]

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Daesh publicly stabbed a man and woman to death in Hay Sheikh Yaseen in Deir Ez-Zor, after accusing them of adultery. [SyriaHR]

 

Daesh publishes photos of a tanker factory in Deir Ez-Zor. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh publishes photos of renovating an amusement park in Albu Kamal. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh says heavy battles erupted between its terrorist and Syrian troops in different areas in Deir Ez-Zor city. [A3maq]

 

OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS

 

North Africa

Egypt

Security sources say one policeman was killed in clashes with ABM terrorists in south Sheikh Zuweid. [ElWatan]

 

A security source says a 21-year-old man was shot and wounded by armed men in Shallaq village south of Sheikh Zuweid. [ElWatan]

 

Medical sources say an ambulance driver died of wounds he sustained when armed men shot at his ambulance while he was on the job south of Arish. [VetoGate]

 

Libya

Northeast

An LNA spokesman says his troops captured a terrorist’s military operations room in Qanfouda west of Benghazi. [Wasat]

 

Central coast

AFRICOM says it conducted 3 airstrikes on Sirte on Tuesday, raising the total number of airstrikes to 158 since they started on August 1st. [AfriGate]

 

GNA troops found Daesh marriage certificates in Sirte. In one of the certificates, a Tunisian terrorist married a Nigerian woman, and the dowry was an explosives vest, while the dowry in another certificate was an AK-47. [Libya24]

DaeshDaily comment. Some people are so romantic!

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Videos of the Day

Video purportedly shows Iraqi soldiers with a slain Daesh fighter after the latter attempted to infiltrate the Iraqi position, location unspecified. [YouTube]

Video purportedly shows a successful Iraqi airstrike on a Daesh position, location unspecified. [YouTube]

 

Salahuddin

Shirqat

Video purports to show PMFs launching operations in Shirqat and destroying a Daesh vehicle bomb. [YouTube]

A video of Daesh reinforcements supposedly heading to Shirqat [YouTube]

Video purports to show Golden Brigade PMF seizing a residential building in Shirqat. [YouTube]

Photo purports to show Iraqi fighters atop a failed Daesh vehicle bomb in Shirqat. [Twitter]

 

Ninewa

Qayyara

Video shows Ninewa’s governor raising the Iraqi flag over Qayara. [Mawsleya]

 

Kirkuk

Photos of Hadi Al-Ameri in Kirkuk, to discuss PMF operations in Hawija with the provincial governor. [Twitter]

 

DAESH MEDIA

 

Daesh audio newsletter for today [JustPaste]

 

Daesh publishes a new issue of its Naba’ magazine. [DawaAlhaq]

 

 

 

September 20, 2016

Today’s Major Developments

Iraqi forces claim victory in Jazeera Baghdadi; turn to Jazeera Hit. […]

Iraqi forces launch major attack on Daesh in Shirqat. […] Videos galore […]

PKK commander claims PKK has been in Kirkuk since mid-2014. […]

Multiple Coalition airstrikes hit Daesh in Mosul. […]

Daesh stages more gruesome executions in Mosul. […]

UN suspends humanitarian aid mission to Aleppo after airstrike kills 20 and destroys convoy. […]

Ban Ki-moon blasts Syrian government for all the people it has killed. […]

At least 560 Libyan soldiers have been killed fighting Daesh in Sirte. […]

 

REPORTS FROM IRAQ

 

NATIONAL NEWS

A member of the Human Rights Commission says 800,000 displaced people have returned to their houses in Diyala, Salahuddin and Anbar. [Mada]

 

It was a busy day in the skies. The Coalition conducted 17 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Iraq, in or near Baghdadi (3), Rawa (1), Falluja (1), and Ramadi (2); in Mosul (4), Kasik (1), and Qayara (4); and in Hawija (1). [InherentResolve]

 

BAGHDAD

An MoI source says the police captured 14 men wanted on terrorism charges and confiscated light and mid-sized weapons in Dora (south), Tarmiya (north) and Abu Ghraib (west). [Mada]

 

Security-related incidents reported

Northwest (Kadhimiya, etc.)

An MoI source says an IED exploded near the house of an MoI employee in Hurriya, causing material damage. [Mada]

 

North (Tarmiya, Taji, etc.)

A security source says a policeman and a prisoner were wounded when armed men attacked a police station with machine guns in Husseiniya. [Baghdadia]

An MoI source says the body of young woman was found shot in Taji. [Mada]

Iraqi Army 45^th brigade found 7 IEDs and other explosives in Dhabitya. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

Northeast (Adhamiya, etc.)

An MoI source says one person was killed and seven wounded when an IED exploded near a popular cafe in Abu Dsheer in Dora. [Mada]

 

South (Dora, Yusufiyah, Mahmudiya, etc.)

An MoI source says one person was killed and seven wounded when an IED exploded near a popular cafe in Abu Dsheer in Dora. [Mada]

An MoI source says one policeman was killed and four wounded when an IED exploded on their vehicle in Mahmudiya. [Rudaw]

Iraqi Army 17^th division found 4 IEDs and 3 C4 cans in different areas in south Baghdad. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

Southwest (Rasheed, etc.)

An MoI source says one person was killed and five wounded when an IED exploded near a busy market in Bayya’. [Mada]

 

West (Ghazaliya, Abu Ghraib, etc.)

Iraqi Army 24^th brigade found an explosives cache in the Sumailat area. Iraqi Army 60^th brigade found 2 Daesh rockets in the Saaidat area. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

Total Baghdad incidents reported:   11    (Includes only incidents reported)

 

ANBAR

Ramadi

The Anbar Operations Commander says Iraqi forces cleared Albu Shaaban and Albu Rithi’ in Jazeera Ramadi, killing tens of terrorists. [Mada]

 

An Anbar Operations Command source says Coalition planes destroyed a Daesh mortar unit, killing 3 Daesh terrorists in the Albu Ali Al-Jassem area in Jazeera Ramadi. [Sumaria]

 

An Anbar Operations Command source says Iraqi forces broke into the Albu Dhiab area, killing tens of terrorists and destroying a vehicle bomb. [Mada]

 

Hit/Haditha

A Tribal PMF commander says Iraqi forces cleared Jazeera Baghdadi and raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings, killing tens of terrorists. He also says Iraqi forces are preparing to liberate Jazeera Hit in the coming hours. [Mada]

An earlier report said Iraqi forces, supported by Coalition planes, advanced more than 10 km (6 miles) in Jazeera Baghdadi, destroying 4 Daesh headquarters and killing several terrorists. [Mada]

The Albu Nimr Tribe leader reported that Iraqi forces liberated 2 villages in Jazeera Baghdadi. A Tribal PMF commander said Iraqi forces killed 14 Daesh terrorists and destroyed 2 vehicle bombs in the two villages.  [Sumaria] [Mada]

 

The IWMC says Iraqi forces killed 15 Daesh terrorists in the Qusairiyat area east of Haditha city, and defused 281 IEDs. [Mawazin]

 

A Tribal PMF commander says Iraqi forces liberated the Al-Sakran valley in Barwana subdistrict in Haditha, killing 22 terrorists and destroying 7 vehicles, 30 IEDs, and 4 rocket launchers. [Mada]

 

Rutba/Western Anbar

A Tribal PMF commander says Iraqi forces captured a local Daesh terrorist east of Rutba. [Mada]

 

Coalition planes destroyed a Daesh vehicle bomb garage in Anah. [MoD Website]

 

SALAHUDDIN

Shirqat

The Shirqat Liberation Operation has started. It was named after Ali Eid Al-Jubouri, a 21-year-old man who was executed by Daesh in March because he raised the Iraqi flag in Shirqat. [MoD Website]

 

The Mayor of Shirqat District says Iraqi forces have captured 50% of Shirqat District and will clear the entire district within the next few hours. He says the Iraqi Army and the Tribal PMFs are participating in the military operations. He says Daesh terrorists fled toward Hatra and Hawija. [Harbi]

 

The Chairman of the Shirqat District Council says Iraqi forces are 3 km away from Shirqat city center. He also says there have been no reported casualties among civilians. [Mada]

 

The Mayor says Iraqi forces have liberated the border area between Ninewa and Salahuddin. They captured an area with several farms in the Dura Al-Taj area that used to be called Qandahar. A member of the Qayara subdistrict council said that Iraqi forces liberated Aitha, Masihili, and Suwaidan villages in Shirqat. [Sumaria]

A military source says Iraqi forces captured the residential compound near Masihili. [Harbi]

An Iraqi Army source says the Iraqi Army liberated Jamsa, Jada’an, and Shabali villages, killing tens of terrorists. [Harbi]

Another field source also said Jamsa and Shabali were seized from Daesh control. The source expected Iraqi troops to announce the capture of Al-Aitha in a matter of hours. [PressIraq]

Daesh says it destroyed 2 Iraqi Army bulldozers and a BMP armored vehicle on the outskirts of Shabali, northwest of Shirqat. [A3maq]

DaeshDaily comment. Daesh usually uses the term “outskirts” when it loses a village, a town, or a city.

 

Iraqi forces liberated Marir village in northern Shirqat District. People of the liberated areas celebrated the liberation with Iraqi forces. [Mawsleya] [Mawsleya]

DaeshDaily comment. Shirqat is a border district and close to Makhmur and Qayara in Ninewa. The province boundaries are not so significant in a largely rural area where Iraqi forces have had to dig Daesh out one village at a time. Capturing Shirqat and surrounding villages shores up the government’s control of areas south and east of Mosul and is in that respect part of the Mosul campaign.

 

A Salahuddin Operations Command source says Iraqi forces captured 11 Daesh terrorists and killed 9 in a battle north of Shirqat. However, seven Iraqi soldiers and a PMF fighter were killed, and another PMF fighter wounded in the battle. [Mada]

 

A security source says people from Shirqat broke into Daesh’s main prison on the west side of Shirqat, killing 5 terrorists and releasing more than 40 prisoners. The source also says people in Shirqat have started to attack Daesh on the east side of the city. [Sumaria]

 

Iraqi forces destroyed a Daesh vehicle bomb near Jamsa village, killing the suicide terrorist inside. Iraqi forces removed Daesh sand barriers in west Shirqat. Coalition planes destroyed 2 Daesh vehicle bombs near Jamsa village. Coalition warplanes also destroyed another vehicle bomb near the residential compound south of Shirqat and killed 12 Daesh terrorists and destroyed a heavy machine gun south of Shirqat. [Harbi]

 

A local source says Daesh leaders moved their families from Shirqat toward Hawija along the Tigris River. The source also says the Daesh terrorists who remained in Shirqat are locals, in addition to Daesh’s Ashbal Al-Khilafa boys. [Sumaria]

A local source says Daesh deployed a special group near Hawija to capture the terrorists who fled the Shirqat battles, and have captured 20 of them so far. [Sumaria]

DaeshDaily comment. Read these two stories together for a case study on contradictory policies, and on hypocrisy.

 

A local source says the Daesh military commander of Shirqat and 2 of his associates were killed by an artillery shelling. [Sumaria]

 

A source in the Forensics Department in Ninewa says the department received the bodies of over 80 dead terrorists killed in the Shirqat battles. [Harbi]

 

A PMF spokesman says Tribal PMF fighters from Salahuddin destroyed 4 Daesh vehicles in Shirqat District. [Mada]

 

Iraqi forces stopped a Daesh attack on the Ain Al-Baidha area in Shirqat district. [MoD Website]

Iraqi Army 35^th brigade destroyed 4 Daesh vehicle bombs in Shirqat. [Mawsleya]

 

A security source says three Iraqi soldiers were wounded by a Daesh IED in Shirqat battles. [Mada]

 

Daesh says it conducted 2 suicide attacks on the Iraqi Army near Tilul Al-Baj, southwest of Shirqat. [A3maq]Daesh says it destroyed 2 Iraqi Army Abrams tanks near Tilul Al-Baj. [A3maq]

 

Tikrit

Iraqi forces defused 8 IEDs in Jazeera Tikrit. [MoD Website]

 

KIRKUK

Kirkuk

A PKK commander says, in response to a Turkmen MP call for the PKK to leave Iraq, that the PKK arrived in Kirkuk in August 2015, based on the request of the people, and they fought alongside the Peshmerga in Kirkuk and Jalawla. He also says they have no troops in Tooz. [ROJ]

 

However, the Security Committee in Kirkuk, chaired by the Governor, issued a statement saying there are no PKK fighters in Kirkuk. It says only the Commander in Chief (Abadi) has the authority to call on foreign forces to fight in Iraq. [Mada]

DaeshDaily comment. Are they saying the PKK was never there or just that they are not there now? We have published a few reports in the recent past that placed PKK fighters in Kirkuk. These fighters were not summoned by the Prime Minister.

 

Hawija

A PMF commander says unknown men stabbed and wounded a local Daesh official in Hawija District. [Sumaria]

 

Southwest

A security source says the Coalition bombed a Daesh convoy of 9 vehicles near Shahid compound in Rashad, killing 10 terrorists. [Sumaria]

 

A PMF spokesman says a PMF fighter was killed and three others wounded when a leftover Daesh IED exploded on them in Bashir. [BasNews]

 

NINEWA

Qayara

The Ninewa Operations commander says Iraqi forces liberated all areas in southern Ninewa on the border with Salahuddin. [Mawsleya]

 

Coalition planes destroyed 7 Daesh rocket launchers in Al-Houd village. [MoD Website]

 

Iraqi Army 92^nd brigade and local PMFs stopped a Daesh attack on 3 villages in the Qayara area. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh says it damaged an Iraqi Abrams tank near Al-Nassr village west of Makhmur, in addition to 3 Russian tanks near Qayara, with guided missiles, killing or wounding several Iraqi soldiers. [JustPaste]

DaeshDaily comment. This might be the same Abrams tank that Daesh mentioned yesterday.

 

Daesh issues a video of targeting 3 Iraqi Army tanks with guided rockets north of Qayara. [A3maq]

 

Shura/Hammam Alil

The KRG’s security council says Abu Abdul Rahman Al-Shishani was killed with several of his associates by a Coalition airstrike in Shura subdistrict south of Mosul city on September 17th. [Baghdadia]

 

Mosul

Mosul campaign

Daesh re-opened the entrances of Mosul city after closing them to all vehicles in the early hours of Tuesday morning, according to a well-placed source. The source suggested that Daesh feared an imminent collapse of its control due to repercussions of the fighting in Shirqat. The closure of the city entrances was accompanied by an “unprecedented” deployment of Daesh fighters in the city, the source added. [Non14] [Non14]

 

Daesh’s “Al-Bayan” radio broadcast went off the air suddenly on Tuesday amid reports of the sounds of intense gunfire in some areas of the city, a local source said. Al-Bayan’s director Abu Ayman Al-Iraqi reportedly fled the area on Monday with his family, prompting Daesh to distribute his photo and call for residents to provide information on his whereabouts. [Non14] [Ghad]

 

A local source says Daesh organized more than 5 parades on different streets in Mosul in order to shore up morale after the losses in Shirqat. [Sumaria]

 

A local source says in order to ease the tension in Mosul, Daesh spread rumors in the city that its leader Awwad Baghdadi appeared in Hay Al-Risala in Mosul. The source also says Daesh terrorists were heavily deployed near its headquarters in Mosul. [Mawazin]

DaeshDaily comment. Daesh used the leadership vacuum among Sunni Iraqis to produce its own leader. However, the “caliph” has not appeared in public for more than a year now, and so it’s not clear that he can, so to speak. This has complicated Daesh’s propaganda. With the current losses in land and leadership, the continued failure of Baghdadi to appear might well cause defections within Daesh. 

 

A local source had said that an elite Daesh unit evacuated the Daesh offices in the city. It then surrounded the neighborhood of Hay Al-Nasr in south Mosul, where several Daesh leaders live. [Buratha]

 

Coalition airstrikes killed 12 Daesh fighters in Mosul on Tuesday and destroyed Daesh weapons and machinery, an Iraqi security source said. [Petra]

A PUK official says Coalition warplanes destroyed Daesh rocket launchers in the Ghabat area, killing 25 terrorists. [PUKMedia]

Local sources say Coalition planes destroyed 14 Daesh vehicles in airstrikes on several areas in Mosul. [Mawsleya]

 

A Peshmerga commander says his troops stopped a Daesh attack on 2 Kurdish forces military positions near the Mosul Dam, killing 2 terrorists. [Rudaw]

 

An unidentified aircraft reportedly struck a Daesh caravan near the “Dar Al-Ajaza” medical facility in Mosul’s Al-Zuhour neighborhood, killing an unspecified number of Daesh members. [PressIraq]

 

A PUK official says Coalition warplanes targeted Daesh at its Mosul University offices, killing 12 terrorists, including a local commander. [Mada]

 

Daesh says eight people were killed and twenty-six wounded by several American airstrikes on Dawasa, Hadba, Nabi Sheeth, and the North Garage areas in Mosul. [A3maq]

Daesh issues a video of the results of the airstrikes. [A3maq]

 

Peshmerga fighters repelled a Daesh attack on two Peshmerga positions near Mosul Dam, according to the 18^th Federal Police Brigade Commander. [IndependenceNews]

 

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle departed France on Monday evening and is traveling toward the Middle East to take part in the anticipated battle for Mosul, according to remarks by a French Army commander on Tuesday. [AlBawaba]

 

A Yazidi PMF source told Al-Quds Al-Arabi Newspaper that the Yazidi PMFs and the PKK, both positioned in the Sinjar District and surrounding areas, will participate in the Mosul liberation. [Hawar]

 

Conditions in Mosul

Daesh used oxygen welding torches to kill six young men in Mosul’s Al-Andalus neighborhood, according to a source inside Mosul. The victims were bound at the hands and Daesh used the torches to cut their necks, the source said. [AlNadher] [Maalomah]

 

Daesh publishes photos of publicly cutting off the head of a young man after accusing him of theft. Dozens of children were among the audience. [DawaAlhaq]

 

A Ninewa Police chief says Daesh stoned a woman to death in Hay Al-Jazaer in east Mosul, after accusing her of adultery. [BasNews]

 

Midwives are reportedly replacing doctors in attending births in Mosul, as many of the city’s doctors have fled Daesh rule and medical conditions have deteriorated. [NewSabah]

 

Northwest (Tal Afar, Sinjar)

A PUK official says the Coalition destroyed a Daesh mortar unit on Sino Mountain near Tal Afar, killing several terrorists. [Mada]

 

South (Baaj, Hatra)

Residents of Baaj, west of Mosul, killed four Daesh members on Tuesday in an attack on a Daesh checkpoint, an anonymous local source in Ninewa governorate said. [Maalomah]

 

A PUK official says the Coalition destroyed the Daesh communications building in Hatra, killing 17 terrorists, including a Daesh communications officer. [Mada]

 

REPORTS FROM TURKEY

 

Two Turkish soldiers were killed by a land mine in Gaziantep near the Syrian border. [Anadolu]

With two soldiers killed in the course of mine-sweeping duties on the Turkish side of the Syrian border, this brings the number of Turkish fatalities in the “Euphrates Shield” operation to ten. [Cumhuriyet]

DaeshDaily comment. Thanks again to our friend in Turkey for this information.

 

REPORTS FROM SYRIA

 

The United Nation announced suspension of its humanitarian operations in Syria after Syrian and helicopters destroyed an aid convoy west of Aleppo. The Syrian Red Crescent says one of its local office directors was killed along with 20 other civilians in the airstrike. [ARA]

The Russian Ministry of Defense said neither its planes nor the Syrian Army’s attacked the convoy. [Sumaria]

DaeshDaily comment. Someone is lying.

 

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has accused the Syrian government of killing the most civilians during the country’s five-year war and said “powerful patrons that keep feeding the war machine also have blood on their hands.”

In his final address to an annual gathering of world leaders at the UN on Tuesday, Ban said the Syrian government “continues to barrel bomb neighborhoods and systematically torture thousands of detainees.” [Dorar]

 

State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement published by the US Embassy in Damascus that the United States is ready to extend the cease-fire and work to expand the humanitarian aid operations, and to ask the Russians to influence the Syrian government. [Hawar]

 

The Coalition says it conducted 9 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Syria, including four near Mare’. The others were near Abu Kamal (1) and Deir Ez-Zor (3) in the east and near Raqqa (1). [InherentResolve]

 

Northeast (Hasaka, Raqqa)

Raqqa

Asked about the American flags spotted flying over the town of Tal Abyad, U.S. Army Maj. Josh Jacques, a U.S. Central Command spokesman, said, “I can confirm that last week U.S. forces operating in northern Syria used flags to denote their positions.”

The statement comes after theories about the flags circulated on social media for days. Before the Pentagon shared its statement, one activist with close ties to the Syrian Kurdish leadership told HuffPost that U.S. forces were present in the town and raised the flags to prevent potential bombardment by Turkey. The U.S. is not permitting any other groups ― including the Syrian Kurds ― to fly the U.S. flag, according to Col. John Dorian, a spokesman for the campaign against Daesh. [HuffPost]

 

Daesh publishes 2 photos of large quantities of alcohol it captured north of Raqqa. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Northwest (Aleppo, Idlib)

Jarabulus

An opposition group commander says Daesh recaptured Tal Al-Hajar village, southwest of Jarabulus. [ARA]

Daesh says it conducted a suicide attack on Iraqi troops in Tal Al-Hajar village. [A3maq]

 

Al-Bab

Local sources say 5 Turkish planes, in addition to tanks and artillery, heavily targeted 6 villages east of Al-Ra’i. The sources say the attack comes after Daesh left the villages, and was concentrated on Shawi, a primarily Kurdish village. [Hawar]

DaeshDaily comment. The PYD-backed Hawar claims that the attack is part of a Turkish plan to change the demography of the area. However, Daesh reports below say that it recaptured some of these villages.

 

An opposition group commander says Daesh launched a massive attack on areas east and south of Al-Ra’i and captured several villages. He says Daesh took advantage of the fact that the opposition groups were heading in the direction of Al-Bab. [ARA]

Daesh says it captured Sandi, Shawi Kabira, Shawi Saghira, and Al-Rawdha villages from Turkey-supported opposition groups. [JustPaste]

DaeshDaily comment. As is their usual practice, Daesh didn’t previously acknowledge losing these villages.

Later on, Daesh says it stopped an opposition group attack on Sandi and Al-Rawdha villages, damaging 4 SUVs. [A3maq]

Daesh issues a video of an attack on opposition groups east of Al-Ra’i. [A3maq]

Daesh says it captured Athariya and Ayoubiya villages east of Al-Ra’i. [A3maq]

Daesh says it captured Nahdha and Muthanna villages east of Al-Ra’i. [A3maq]

 

The Turkish military says its artillery destroyed 60 Daesh targets in north Aleppo. It also says Coalition planes killed 4 Daesh terrorists near Bahorta village. [Anadolu]

 

Opposition groups captured Yani Yaban, Jakka and Bahorta villages, west of Al-Ra’i. [Qasioun]

Daesh says it detonated several IEDs on opposition fighters after they entered Yani Yaban village. [A3maq]

 

The Kurdish Front Brigade, an SDF faction, says three of its fighters were killed in battles against Daesh in north Aleppo. [ARA]

 

Daesh issues a video of the suicide attack it conducted near Talaa village 2 days ago. [A3maq]

 

Azaz

Jaish Al-Thuwar, an SDF faction, says it killed more than 20 Daesh terrorists and wounded others while stopping the attack on Um Hawsh, Harbal, and Um Al-Qura yesterday, destroying 2 vehicle bombs, 2 machine gun mounted vehicles, and damaging a tank. It also says it advanced toward Wahshiyah and captured a military position. [Hawar]

 

Daesh publishes photos and a video of the battles in Um Al-Qura. [DawaAlhaq] [A3maq]

Daesh issues a video of a suicide attack with a vehicle bomb on “PKK fighters” in Um Al-Qura. [A3maq]

 

Daesh issues a video of a suicide attack with a vehicle bomb it conducted near Tal Qarah 2 days ago. [A3maq]

 

Manbij

On the second day of school, and after 3 years of closed schools, three children died when a Daesh IED exploded in a school in Manbij. The IED was big and destroyed a large part of the school, according to local activists. [BasNews]

 

Daesh says it killed four “PKK members” after a group of its terrorists sneaked to Battoushiyah village west of Manbij. [A3maq]

 

East (Deir Ez-Zor)

Syrian and Russian planes targeted Daesh locations near Tharda Mountain, killing or wounding several terrorists. [SyriaNow]

 

Daesh publishes photos of battles with Syrian troops in Hay Al-Muwadhafin in Deir Ez-Zor. [DawaAlhaq]

 

OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS

 

North Africa

Egypt

A security source says two soldiers were killed when an ABM IED exploded on their armored vehicle in Hasana in Central Sinai. [VetoGate]

 

Security forces launched a major campaign in more than 20 areas in North Sinai. [ElWatan]

Media sources close to ABM say twelve Egyptian soldiers were killed or wounded in different attacks in North Sinai. [DawaAlhaq]

 

One soldier was killed and another wounded, and a terrorist killed in clashes in Rafah. [ElWatan]

 

A 32-year-old woman was shot and wounded by armed men in Shallaq village in Sheikh Zuweid. [VetoGate]

 

A soldier was wounded by a sniper in the Kharouba area, south of Sheikh Zuweid. [VetoGate]

 

Libya

Northeast

A military source says Libyan planes destroyed a weapons storehouse in the Qawarsha area. [Libya24]

 

Central coast

The Misrata Hospital says 560 Government of National Accord (GNA) soldiers have been killed and 2,650 wounded since the start of the military operations against Daesh in Sirte. [Wasat]

 

The Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman says “Misrata planes” mistakenly bombed families in Jufra, killing five civilians and wounding others. He says the planes were targeting an LNA unit in the area. [Libya24]

Local activists say six women and a child were killed and three other civilians wounded in the airstrike. [Wasat]

A spokesman of the air force in Misrata (a GNA Military unit) refuted the reports and says his planes conducted recon sorties, none of which was in that area. [Wasat]

 

The GNA Military spokesman says his troops freed three North Korean citizens, two Indians (Sirte University professors), one Palestinian student, and five Libyans who were held captive by Daesh in Hay 3 in Sirte. [Wasat]

A medical source says a GNA commander was killed in the battles in Hay 3 in Sirte. [Wasat]

 

Other countries

Nigeria

Boko Haram terrorists Monday afternoon ambushed a military escort in Borno State, killing five civilians and injuring three soldiers in the attack.

 

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said suspected elements of the remnants of the terrorists who were foraging for food, ambushed troops of Operation Lafi Dole escorting commercial vehicles from Damboa to Maiduguri. “Unfortunately, five civilians lost their lives in the attack and another died on the way to the hospital. Three soldiers also sustained injuries,” Usman stated. [AllAfrica]

Daesh says it launched a surprise attack on an African Union convoy, killing more than forty soldiers and wounding others, and capturing large quantities of weapons and ammunition in Malam Fatori town in Borno by the border with Niger and Chad. [A3maq]

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Videos of the Day

Shirqat

Video purportedly shows Iraqi forces massing near Shirqat. [YouTube]

Video purportedly shows an Iraqi and PMF column advancing on Shirqat. [Twitter]

Video purportedly filmed inside an Iraqi Army vehicle advancing on Shirqat. [YouTube]

Video purportedly showing Iraqi troops first entering Shirqat area. [Twitter]

A video of Iraqi forces in a battle near Shirqat [YouTube]

Photos purportedly showing PMF fighters in newly captured territory in Shirqat area. [Twitter]

Photo purportedly shows Shirqat residents receiving Iraqi officers. [Twitter]

Image purportedly shows Hasan Ahmad Mani’ from Hawija, reportedly the first Iraqi soldier to be killed in the assault on Shirqat. [Twitter]

 

Anbar

Falluja

Video purportedly shows first family to return to their homes in Falluja. [Twitter]

Video purports to show displaced residents returning to Falluja. [Twitter]

Jazeera Ramadi

Video purportedly shows PMF commander “Abu Azrael” with PMF fighters in the Jazeera Ramadi area. [YouTube]

 

Kirkuk

Hawija

Video of the site of an IED blast targeting residents fleeing Daesh in Hawija. [Twitter]

 

September 19, 2016

Today’s Major Developments

Obama meets with Al-Abadi, talks post-Daesh reconstruction in Mosul. […]

Al-Abadi announces launch of Shirqat liberation. […]

Iraq/KRG/US agreement reached on Mosul campaign cooperation, but details are murky. […]

Al-Abadi reportedly sets Mosul liberation campaign for mid-October. […]

Al-Jaafari takes issue with Erdogan’s suggestion that Turkish military invade Mosul. […]

Nujaifi denies reports of more Turkish troops coming to Mosul area. […]

Final attack on Jazeera Hit and Jazeera Baghdadi reported as imminent. […]

IAF kills 60 in airstrikes on Daesh in Shirqat. […]

More US troops planned for Mosul campaign; C-130s heading for Qayara Airfield. […]

Al-Abadi calls on Mosul residents to revolt; anti-Daesh attacks increase. […]

British, Danish pilots participated in the mistaken airstrikes against Syrian troops. […]

Kerry-Lavrov cease-fire blows up in Syria; recriminations start. […]

Daesh imposes its own currency in Syria; will force people to accept it. […]

 

REPORTS FROM IRAQ

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi was in New York and met with President Obama, and made a major announcement to Iraqis back home. Mr. Obama said on Monday his administration would ask Congress and other countries to “step up” aid for Iraq to help rebuild Mosul after Daesh is dislodged from the city. He said he hoped for progress by the end of the year on Mosul.

Obama seemed both cautious and optimistic. “This is going to be a challenging battle. Mosul is a large city and ISIL has embedded itself deeply within that city,” Obama said. Citing cooperation between the Coalition and Iraqi forces and with the Peshmerga, he said “we feel confident that we will be in a position to move forward fairly rapidly.”

Obama said once Daesh was defeated the priory would be to rebuild the city to prevent militants and extremists from returning, thus his request to Congress and allies.  [Reuters]

 

Prime Minister Al-Abadi—from New York—announced the start of the liberation operations of Shirqat, Jazeera Hit, and Jazeera Baghdadi. [Sumaria]

DaeshDaily comment. It seems to us that the Jazeera Hit and Jazeera Baghdadi operations have been ongoing for some time but have failed so far to finish the job. However, the Shirqat announcement is a major development.

 

Erbil, Baghdad, and Washington reached an accord concerning cooperation between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army in the Mosul campaign, during a tripartite meeting hosted by KRG President Barzani on Monday. The US delegation consisted of Ambassador Douglas Silliman, General Stephen J. Townsend, commander of the US forces in Iraq, and Ken Gross, the US consul in Erbil. The Baghdad team included Abdul Amir Zaidi, deputy chief of staff of the Iraqi army, and a number of army officials.

According to a statement by Barzani’s office, defeating Daesh in Mosul was reiterated as the common objective of all parties, as was the conclusion that there has to be cooperation between the Peshmerga, the Iraqi army and US-led coalition. “Details of the offensive were discussed and the attendants of the meeting agreed on mechanisms of cooperation between the three forces,” reads the statement.

Barzani reportedly expressed his appreciation for the tireless efforts of the Coalition forces, Iraqi forces, and Peshmerga. He even said he hoped the agreed coordination would “lay the groundwork for deepening brotherhood, friendship and trust among the all the forces” fighting Daesh. The details of the actual agreement have not been made public, however. [Rudaw]

 

The JOC version of the story, through a spokesman, says a senior JOC delegation met with the KRG and reached a “historical agreement” regarding the liberation of Mosul. [SotIraq]

 

However, a State of Law MP says Barzani issued a condition that the KRG have control of 21 administrative districts (districts and subdistricts) before the Mosul battle starts. According to a Sunni Arab MP from Ninewa, the Peshmerga have already captured 18 of the 21, and they want to capture 3 more, which he says would put the Peshmerga in control of almost 2/3rds of the governorate. [Maalomah] [AYN]

Daesh Daily comment. This story is confusing. Does it refer to control now or control after Daesh? We are also highly skeptical that Al-Abadi would just turn over large areas of Iraq to the KRG. The lack of any neutral report on the points of agreement in this meeting is an issue after all the high-stakes contention in recent days, especially because Barzani press releases are notoriously evasive about what is actually said in his meetings.

 

The Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Al-Jaafari, met with his Turkish counterpart in Venezuela. Jaafari says the Iraq refuses to accept the presence of Turkish troops in Iraqi territory and is bewildered by President Erdogan’s statement about having a Turkish military operation in Iraq similar to the one in Jarabulus, according to a statement from Jaafari office. [AYN]

 

An “informed source” says Daesh Prime Minister Abadi has moved up the Mosul liberation campaign, and it will start in mid-October. The source says Abadi approved the participation of the NMFs as long as former governor Nujaifi condemns Turkish military presence. [Maalomah]

DaeshDaily comment. We aren’t counting on the accuracy of this report either.

 

Former Governor Nujaifi refuted media reports about the deployment of more Turkish troops near Bashiqa. He said he doesn’t have any information about more Turkish troops entering Iraq. He says the Turkish artillery responded to the Daesh attack on the Peshmerga on Sunday. [AYN]

 

An Arab MP from Ninewa says Mosul liberation battles will be easier than Ramadi and Salahuddin. He also says the people of Ninewa will not exchange a Daesh occupation for a Turkish occupation. He also says he opposes the presence of the Iranian General Qassem Soleimani near Mosul. [Ghad]

 

A Badr senior commander says the PMFs are well prepared to participate in the Mosul battle. He also says that Iraqi forces will liberate Shirqat and Hawija, then move ahead toward Mosul. He says there is no possibility of clashes with the Turkish Army. [IraqNews]

 

The Ministry of Defense says Australia and New Zealand are arming and equipping the Iraqi Army 76th brigade to participate in the Mosul liberation battle. [SotIraq]

 

The IWMC says it had a meeting with the Peshmerga Media Committee in Kurdistan in preparation for the Mosul liberation battles. Senior JOC officials attended the meeting and the 2 parties agreed on uniting their media messages during the campaign. [Ghad]

 

The Coalition says it conducted 8 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Iraq, in or near Mosul (3), Qayara (2), Hawija (2), and Al-Qa’im (1). [InherentResolve]

 

BAGHDAD

Security-related incidents reported

North (Tarmiya, Taji, etc.)

Iraqi forces destroyed a Daesh guesthouse and defused 3 IEDs in two areas in north Baghdad. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

Northeast (Adhamiya, etc.)

An MoI source says a Sunni Endowment employee was killed when a sticky IED exploded under his vehicle in Adhamiya. [Mada]

A security source says armed men shot and killed a man and a woman in Hay Sumer in Shaab. [Sumaria]

 

East (Sadr City, New Baghdad, etc.)

A local police source says the body of an unknown man was found in Baladiyat. [Maalomah]

An MoI source says the police captured 3 men wanted on terrorism charges in Sadr City. [Mada]

 

Southeast (Mada’in, etc.)

An MoI source says three people were killed and five wounded when an IED exploded in Satih village in Mada’in. [Mada]

A local police source says the body of an unknown man was found in Zafaraniya. [Maalomah]

 

South (Dora, Yusufiyah, Mahmudiya, etc.)

An MoI source says three people were killed and five wounded when an IED exploded near a wholesale market in Yusufiyah. [Mada]

An MoI source says a civilian was killed and five others wounded when a sticky IED exploded under a gas bottles vehicle in Mechanik in Dora. [Mada]

Iraqi Army 25^th brigade defused 2 IEDS in the Sayyed Abdullah area. [BOC Facebook Page]

Iraqi Army 23^rd brigade arrested 2 men wanted on terrorism charges in the Shakha 5 area. Iraqi Army 55^th brigade found a weapons cache in the Quwam area. [MoD Website]

 

West (Ghazaliya, Abu Ghraib, etc.)

An MoI source says two people were killed and seven wounded when an IED exploded near a commercial area in Iskan. [Mada]

 

Total Baghdad incidents reported:   13    (Includes only incidents reported)

 

ANBAR

Falluja

The Falluja Police chief says life is returning gradually to the city and merchants have started to reopen their shops. He also says people are returning to their houses in different areas in the city. [Sumaria]

A member of the Anbar Provincial Council says hundreds of families returned to their houses in Falluja during Eid. However, he says most of the people are still reluctant to return because of the severe lack of services. [Sumaria]

DaeshDaily comment. In many liberated areas, the returnees left their houses again because the government didn’t provide them with basic services. The call for people to return has sometimes seemed like a rush decision for political purposes.

 

Ramadi

The Judicial Council spokesman says Anbar Police captured 10 Daesh terrorists who admitted their role in assassinating the former Anbar Police chief, General Ahmed Saddaq. [PUKMedia]

 

The IFP commander says his troops killed several Daesh terrorists and destroyed their vehicle in the Thirthar area. [PUKMedia]

 

A Tribal PMF commander says his fighters captured a Daesh terrorist in an ambush in the Tameem area in Ramadi. [Sumaria]

 

Hit/Haditha

A Tribal PMF commander says Iraqi forces are preparing to launch a major attack to liberate Jazeera Hit and Jazeera Baghdadi in the coming hours. Coalition planes targeted Daesh in the Omairiya area near Barwana, on the Euphrates in Haditha District, killing “tens” of terrorists and destroying 3 vehicles, 4 mortar units, and a truck loaded with weapons. [BasNews]

DaeshDaily comment. The commander’s comment mirrors the Prime Minister’s announcement from New York. (See story under National News above)

 

A tribal PMF commander says Iraqi Sukhois targeted Daesh in the Albu Muwail area and the Dolab area in northern Hit District, killing 22 terrorists and destroying 7 vehicles, including 3 vehicle bombs, and a Daesh guesthouse. [Maalomah]

 

The Mayor of Hit District says one civilian was killed and three wounded by a Daesh shelling on Hit city. [Sumaria]

 

Daesh says it targeted “Iraqi forces” in the Haditha area with 18 locally made rockets and 2 mortars, in addition to targeting Haditha’s military operations room with a Grad rocket. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh also says it targeted Iraqi Army positions in Hit city with 4 mortars, killing “five” soldiers. [JustPaste]

 

Rutba/Western Anbar

A Tribal PMF commander says the IAA targeted a Daesh meeting in Anah, killing “tens” of terrorists and destroying several vehicles. [Maalomah]

 

The IFP commander says his troops captured 4 Daesh terrorists in Rutba. He also says his troops stopped a Daesh attack in the Akashat area on the Al-Qa’im-Syria border. [PUKMedia] [Buratha]

 

SALAHUDDIN

Shirqat

The Salahuddin Operations Command says the IAF bombed 2 Daesh locations in Shirqat, killing 60 terrorists. [Mada]

 

Notwithstanding the Prime Minister’s announcement, a member of the Salahuddin Provincial Council says the Shirqat and Hawija liberation operations will start simultaneously. He said Iraqi forces were prepared to liberate the two districts and awaiting orders from Prime Minister Abadi. [AYN]

 

A PMF commander says 2 Daesh terrorists were killed when an IED they were planting to prevent families from leaving Shirqat exploded on them. [Sumaria]

 

Iraqi Army 35^th brigade shot down a Daesh drone in the Tilul Al-Baj area. [MoD Website]

 

Daesh says it destroyed an Iraqi Army armored vehicle with an SPG9 rocket near Shabali village north of Shirqat. [JustPaste]

 

Iraqi forces destroyed a Daesh pickup truck in the Makhoul Mountains area, killing the terrorists inside. [MoD Website]

 

The IFP commander says his troops secured several families who escaped Daesh in the Makhoul Mountains area. [Buratha]

 

Baiji

Iraqi forces found a booby-trapped house and an explosives factory and 4 IEDs in Siniya. [MoD Website]

 

The IFP commander says his troops attacked a Daesh convoy near the Thermal Station area, destroying several vehicles and forcing the rest to flee. [PUKMedia]

 

DIYALA

Northern Diyala (Kifri, Khanaqin, etc.)

Daesh says it targeted an Iraqi Army barracks with 8 mortars in the Sheikhi area. Daesh also says it attacked an Iraqi Army barracks with light and mid-sized weapons in the same area, killing two soldiers. It also says it detonated an IED on an Iraqi Army vehicle. [JustPaste]

 

The director of Udhaim subdistrict says Daesh is threatening the families who returned to their houses in the area, using SMS and social media. [Sumaria]

 

Southern Diyala (Balad Ruz, Mandali)

Iraqi Army 74^th brigade captured 4 terrorism suspects west of Dujail. [MoD Website]

 

KIRKUK

Kirkuk

A Peshmerga commander in Kirkuk says the PKK is not a terrorist organization in a response to a statement from the Chairman of the Turkmen Front, who accused the PKK of terrorism and says it should be kicked out of Iraq. [ROJ] In a separate report, the commander is quoted as saying that the PKK is in Kirkuk at the invitation of the (PUK-affiliated) Governor. [Baghdadia]

DaeshDaily comment. Such statements are not so important in themselves but are revealing. The Peshmerga commander is in Kirkuk, where the PUK is politically stronger than the KDP. Barzani has criticized the PKK and the PYD in Syria and attached himself to Erdogan. His PUK political opponents are friendlier with the PKK, partly to counter-balance Barzani. As for the Turkmen, they are not Turkish but are ethnically closer to the Turks and have some political support from Turkey, so are more likely to reflect loyalty to the Turkish government and opposition to the PKK.

 

Daesh says it assassinated an Asayesh member and a PUK member in the Baghdad Road area of Kirkuk. [A3maq]

 

A security source says the Coalition destroyed a Daesh vehicle bomb factory in Dibis, killing 7 terrorists and wounding 10. [Sumaria]

 

A security source says the body of a 37-year-old civilian was found beheaded on the road in the Sikanian area, north of Kirkuk. [Sumaria]

 

Hawija

A local activist said on Sunday that Daesh arrested 54 people and put them in prison for attempting to “leave the caliphate land”. [ARA]

 

A security source says one person was killed and 22 wounded, including women and children, when a Daesh IED exploded on families who were trying to escape Hawija in Mar’i village, 35 km (22 miles) west of Kirkuk. [Mada]

 

A Peshmerga commander says the Coalition armed and equipped 2 Peshmerga brigades preparing for the Hawija liberation operations. [Sumaria]

 

NINEWA

Mosul

Mosul campaign

According to CNN, Pentagon officials say the Mosul battle will start next month. It also says additional US troops will be sent to support Iraqi forces. [Mustaqila]

United States Air Force Lt. General Jeffrey Harrigian says the United States will send C-130 aircraft to Qayara Air Base to help Iraqi forces with the Mosul battle. [Ishraq]

 

A security source says a Coalition drone killed a Daesh terrorist responsible for foreign suicide bombers near the 3rd bridge in Mosul. The source says the Coalition destroyed 25 boats near Hammam Al-Alil in addition to conducting more than 20 airstrikes on Daesh positions in Hatra, Qayara, and Tal Afar, and on Tel Keif and other Nineveh Plain locations. [NewSabah]

 

A PUK official says Coalition planes killed a Daesh Saudi commander and one of his associates, destroying his vehicle in west Mosul on Sunday. [SotIraq]

 

Prime Minister Abadi visited Qayara on Saturday and met with Iraqi troops. Abadi also called on the people of Mosul to revolt against Daesh and support Iraqi forces. Local sources say attacks against Daesh in Mosul city have increased over the past two days. They say many Daesh members were assassinated, especially in the Rashidiya and Ghabat areas. [Mawsleya]

 

Local sources say Daesh dug trenches around Mosul city in the east and filled them with asphalt in order to hinder Iraqi forces’ attack on the city and to block the vision of pilots. The sources also say Daesh leaders have moved their families to Syria. They say Daesh is in confusion because of the leaflets dropped by Iraqi forces, and threatened to execute anyone who promotes these leaflets. [Ghad]

 

Local sources say Daesh’s fuel reserves are depleted and fuel prices have significantly increased in Mosul. The sources also say Daesh faces problems in moving oil supplies from Syria to Mosul because of the high costs and continuous attacks on its fuel tankers. [Mawsleya]

 

The Military Intelligence Service issued a statement asking the people of Mosul to provide information about Daesh using a specific phone number. It debunked Daesh claims about Daesh’s ability to monitor the phone calls. It also says people of Mosul are calling and texting hundreds of times every day, providing information about Daesh. [Ghad]

 

City conditions

Daesh issues a video of executing sixteen people in Mosul, after accusing them of cooperating with the Peshmerga and Coalition. A Daesh terrorist beheaded eight of the victims in front of a child in a public place, then other Daesh terrorists, including 2 children, shot and killed six others. After that, Daesh beheaded another person and then a child shot and killed the last victim. [JustPaste]

 

A local source says Daesh whiplashed 3 young men publicly in the Dawasa area in Mosul because they were playing soccer. [Sumaria]

 

A local source says unknown people set the Daesh “death vehicle” on fire in the Dawasa area in Mosul. Daesh used this vehicle to transport people from prisons to execution squares. [Sumaria]

 

A security source says Daesh has prohibited people in Mosul from communicating with their relatives outside the city. Daesh announced that anyone who contacts people outside of the city is not a Muslim (implicitly a threat to execute them).  Nevertheless, people on the outskirts of Mosul are able to communicate with their relatives outside of the city now, after local communications companies increased their coverage in the area. The sources also say Daesh cut their terrorists salaries down by another 33%, from 60,000 ID per month to 40,000 (roughly $30/month). [NewSabah]

 

Local sources say Daesh shut down several internet cafes in Mosul after accusing the owners of not providing information about the people who visit the cafés. [PressIraq]

A Ninewa Police captain says Daesh shut down all of the internet cafes in Mosul, and executed five of the cafe’s owners after accusing them of communicating with the Iraqi forces. [BasNews]

 

Speaking of communications, a local source says the manager of the Daesh radio station in Mosul, an Iraqi terrorist who was close to the former Daesh spokesman, suddenly ran away from Mosul with his family. The source says Daesh put posters in different areas of the city, asking people to provide information about him. [PressIraq]

 

Local sources say Daesh set up checkpoints in Mosul streets and the checkpoints were provided with databases containing names of security personnel and others wanted by Daesh. The sources say Daesh arrested many people and took them to unknown locations. [Mawsleya]

 

A local activist says Daesh terrorists have started to reappear in Mosul, carrying their personal weapons and sometimes moving with their families in order to avoid assassination attempts. [AYN]

 

Local sources say Daesh, through its radio station in Mosul, repeated its calls for the people of Mosul to join Daesh. The sources say Daesh has usually employed this tactic when it loses battles and needs more recruits. [Mawsleya]

 

A local source says Daesh members are using designated on-call taxis for their families’ movements in Mosul, fearing airstrikes and attacks from the people. [Sumaria]

 

Local sources say the chaos in Mosul is increasing every day while most of the Daesh personnel deployed in the streets are young boys. Daesh is depending on these children to fill the gaps in its ranks. [Mawsleya]

 

PMF Intelligence says Daesh deployed its female unit, “Khansa Brigade,” to the largest Mosul markets in order to spy on the women. [PressIraq] It also says Daesh commanders have started to hold their meetings in restaurants in Mosul to avoid being targeted by airstrikes. [PressIraq]

 

A local source says Daesh issued orders barring women in Mosul from leaving their houses after 6 PM, except for emergencies. The source says Daesh fears attacks by veiled women on its terrorists. [PressIraq]

 

PMF Intelligence says Daesh blew up the Quranic Science College in Mosul in order to loot the steel from the building and use the location to manufacture IEDs and vehicle bombs. [PressIraq]

 

A local source said on Saturday that Daesh had suddenly cancelled its “biter’s unit”. The source says Daesh might be trying to improve its image in Mosul to offset the increasing anger directed against it. [Sumaria]

 

A local activist says Daesh issued an ultimatum to the people of Mosul to change their old license plates by the end of the month, threatening to confiscate the vehicles. The source says Daesh charges $23 IDs for each new plate. [ARA]

DaeshDaily comment. Daesh is making sure it will continue causing troubles even after it leaves Mosul. With property and vehicle official registration documents vanished, it will be extremely difficult for people to prove their rights.

 

Shura/Hammam Alil

Local sources say Daesh sent military reinforcements, mostly foreign terrorists, to Hammam Al-Alil, preparing for an attack on Qayara. [Mawsleya]

 

Qayara/Makhmur

A security source says American troops equipped with heavy machinery arrived at Qayara Airfield, coming from Erbil Airport. [Sumer]

 

The Ninewa Operations Command says American Apaches have started operations targeting Daesh terrorists around Qayara. It also says the Coalition killed the Daesh mortar units’ commander in an airstrike in Makouk village. [Mawsleya] [Mawsleya]

 

The Sunni Endowment says 1,850 displaced families have returned to their houses in Qayara. [Mada]

 

The Ninewa Operations commander says Daesh targeted Qayara with Katyushas and mortars wounding civilians and soldiers. He says Iraqi forces responded by shelling Daesh locations in Al-Houd and Hmaidan villages. [BasNews]

 

Daesh says it damaged an Iraqi Army Abrams tank in Nassr village west of Makhmur. [A3maq]

 

Coalition planes destroyed 3 Daesh mortar units in Al-Houd and Khabata villages. [MoD Website]

 

A video of Iraqi forces receiving displaced families in Khabata village [Mawsleya]

 

A video of displaced families from Debaga Camp returning to their villages in Qayara. The return was facilitated by the Sunni Endowment. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh blew up the houses of several community leaders in 3 villages in Qayara subdistrict after looting them. [NewSabah]

 

Nineveh Plain

A PUK official said on Sunday that three Peshmerga fighters were killed and seven wounded by a Daesh vehicle bomb attack in Zahra Qatoun village in Hamdaniya. [SotIraq]

Daesh’s version says that on Sunday it killed fifteen Peshmerga fighters in the attack on Zahra Qatoun, and only one of its terrorists blew himself up, while all of the rest returned safely. Daesh also says it targeted Peshmerga positions in the area with more than 200 mortars and rockets. [A3maq]

 

Local sources say Daesh is still digging trenches and tunnels in areas east of Mosul, especially in Hamdaniya. The sources say Daesh has lost a lot of its tunnels and trenches because of airstrikes. [Mawsleya]

 

A security source says Coalition warplanes killed 2 senior Daesh commanders in an airstrike on a medicine factory in Tel Keif. [NewSabah]

 

Northwest (Tal Afar, Sinjar)

 

Daesh publishes photos of an attack on Peshmerga positions on Ain Al-Safra Mountain in Hamdaniya. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh says a group of its terrorists infiltrated Peshmerga positions in the Golat area west of Tal Afar and killed or wounded several fighters.

Here Daesh says it killed three Peshmerga fighters and wounded others in the attack. [A3maq]

 

Daesh also says it targeted the Peshmerga with 62 mortars in the Sinjar area. [JustPaste]

 

South (Baaj, Hatra)

A local source says 300 Daesh families fled Baaj toward Raqqa in anticipation of an Iraqi attack. [Maalomah]

 

KURDISTAN

A displaced Yazidi family complained that the KDP Asayesh prevented them from leaving the displacement camp in Zakho. They were trying to leave for their home in Khansour in Sinjar. [ROJ]

 

SOUTHERN IRAQ

Basra Police says they defused an IED planted near a popular café in the Mishraq area. [Mawazin]

 

REPORTS FROM TURKEY

 

Turkey security sources say the police captured 40 Iraqis, Iranians, Azeris, and Afghans in Istanbul and accused them of having relationships with Daesh. They confiscated documents and digital materials that belong to Daesh. [ARA]

 

The Turkey Minister of Foreign Affairs says his country’s new plan is to clear Daesh out of the “Manbij pocket” and make it a secure area. After that, the next target would be Al-Bab city. He also says Raqqa and Mosul are Daesh’s 2 capitals and they should be cleared. [Anadolu]

DaeshDaily comment. Of course, the Syrian Democratic Forces were doing a great job against Daesh in the Manbij pocket, moving quickly south, until Turkey started targeting them along with Daesh.

 

The security sources say Joint Security units captured 2 Daesh terrorists on Sunday who were wearing explosive vests and planning to conduct a terrorist attack in Sanliurfa, and confiscated 24 kilos of TNT in addition to other explosives. [Anadolu]

 

REPORTS FROM SYRIA

 

The Syrian Army issued a statement saying the cease-fire in Syria is over, claiming that opposition groups violated the cease-fire 300 times. [ARA]

A local activist says Russian warplanes launched tens of airstrikes on several areas in Aleppo after the announcement. [ARA]

 

The US Department of State says the Syrian regime is responsible for the failure of the cease-fire. [Sumaria]

 

Turkey’s President Erdogan, says the “Free Syrian Army” doesn’t want the American Special Forces to participate in the war in Syria. He also says the American intervention would raise tension with opposition groups. [ARA]

DaeshDaily comment. And of course we all know that these opposition groups are totally independent and Turkey has no say whatsoever in what they do. One of the remarkable characteristics of Erdogan’s statements is his seemingly sublime confidence that everyone will take them seriously and be too stupid to see through them.

 

The Coalition says it conducted 16 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Syria, including eight near Mare’ (8). The others were near Abu Kamal (2) in the east, Raqqa (2) and Ain Eissa (3) in Raqqa District, and Shaddadi (1) in Hasaka. [InherentResolve]

 

Northeast (Hasaka, Raqqa)

Hasaka

A local source says the Asayesh shot and killed a 19-year-old man in Dayrik in Hasaka during a search for men wanted for compulsory military service. [ARA]

 

The PYD-created self-government administration started a census in several cities and areas in Hasaka. [ARA]

 

Raqqa

A local activist says Daesh executed 12 of its terrorists in Raqqa because they refused to go fight in Qalamoun. [ARA]

 

A local activist says Daesh started distributing its coins in Raqqa and other places and forcing people to use them as currency. Daesh issued orders that any money coming from outside areas it controls, should be exchanged for its coins. [ARA]

DaeshDaily comment. Although some of the coins are in gold or silver, people will be stuck with these coins when Daesh is defeated.

 

Daesh publishes photos of a wire factory in Raqqa. [JustPaste]

 

Northwest (Aleppo, Idlib)

Jarabulus

The Turkish Military says Turkish troops and opposition groups have captured almost 900 sq km (351 sq miles) in north Aleppo so far. [Anadolu]

 

Daesh says it captured Tal Al-Hajar village west of Ghandoura. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh issued a video on Sunday showing the execution of a Turkey-backed opposition fighter in Aleppo. Daesh shot the victim with a heavy machine gun before beheading him. [DawaAlhaq]

 

The Turkish Military says Turkish planes destroyed 3 Daesh targets in north Syria. [ARA]

 

Daesh says one of its suicide terrorists attacked opposition groups with a vehicle bomb near Kadrish village, destroying 2 vehicles and killing or wounding several fighters. [DawaAlhaq]

The Turkish military had previously declared that its opposition groups had captured this village.

Daesh publishes a video of the attack taken at a distance. The video clearly shows that there has been an explosion. [A3maq]

 

Daesh issues a video of destroying a Turkish Army tank with a guided missile near Jakka village. [A3maq]

 

Al-Bab

Local sources say Turkey backed opposition groups captured 7 more villages near Al-Ra’i. [Hawar]

 

An opposition group’s commander says his troops killed a Daesh suicide terrorist who was attacking them with a vehicle bomb and then defused the bomb, near Talaa town south of Al-Ra’i. [ARA]

Daesh’s version says it killed or wounded 38 opposition fighters in a suicide attack in Talaa village. [A3maq]

 

Azaz

Syrian Democratic Forces stopped a Daesh attack from 3 sides on Um Hawsh village, killing tens of terrorists and destroying 2 machine gun-mounted vehicles. Daesh brought military reinforcements, including armored vehicles, and attacked the village from Wahshiyah, Hasiya, and Tal Maled. The SDF also destroyed 2 vehicle bombs before they reached their targets. An SDF commander says the battles are still ongoing. He also says Coalition warplanes targeted Daesh locations in nearby villages. [Hawar] [Hawar] [Hawar] [ARA]

A video of the battles in Um Hawsh [Hawar]

 

Daesh says a Saudi suicide terrorist attacked a “PKK gathering” in Um Al-Qura village with a vehicle bomb, followed by a Daesh attack on the village. Daesh says the attack is still ongoing. [DawaAlhaq]

Daesh issues videos of the battles and the suicide attack. [A3maq] [A3maq]

 

Afrin

An SDF source in Afrin says 2 American planes landed in Kobane carrying humanitarian assistance for the people of Manbij. [BasNews]

 

Manbij

Schools in Manbij city and villages were reopened for the first time in three years. [Hawar]

 

Other Northwest Syria

The Syrian Army stopped a Daesh attack near the Air Force College in Aleppo, killing “tens” of terrorists and destroying 3 vehicles. [SyriaNow]

 

Central and West (Homs, Hama, etc.)

An opposition group spokesman says his troops killed or wounded several Daesh terrorists in clashes near the Eastern mountain in Qalamoun. A local activist says Daesh launched a counter-attack and the battles are still ongoing. [ARA]

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says battles continued between the Syrian Army and Daesh east of Homs. It says Daesh managed to advance in the area while Syrian planes continued their bombing on Daesh locations. [SyriaHR]

 

East (Deir Ez-Zor)

Denmark says two of its F-16s participated in Saturday’s errant airstrikes on the Syrian Army. [Rudaw]

According to Reuters, the UK said its planes also participated in the airstrikes. [SyriaNow]

DaeshDaily comment. The Syrian regime used the airstrike to “prove” that the Coalition is supporting Daesh. This accident needs a lot more media efforts to counter that claim.

 

Daesh issues a video of the artillery battalion headquarters it captured on Tharda Mountain. [A3maq]

Daesh had gained ground near the airport area after a Coalition airstrike mistakenly bombed Syrian troops, killing or wounding more than 160 soldiers and militiamen.

 

Syrian planes attacked Mayadin in Deir Ez-Zor, killing a child and a man, and wounding others, including a woman. A local activist says Syrian troops advanced in the Sina’a area in Deir Ez-Zor, after heavy clashes and extensive airstrikes. The battles are still ongoing between the Syrian Army and Daesh near Tharda Mountain. Russian warplanes launched “hundreds” of airstrikes on the area. [ARA]

 

Daesh issues a video from a close distance of the Deir Ez-Zor military airport. [DawaAlhaq]

 

On Sunday, the Syrian Army said Daesh shot down one of its airplanes over Deir Ez-Zor, killing the pilot. [Qasioun]

Daesh had said it shot down a Syrian MIG, killing its pilot. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh issued a video of a meeting with tribal leaders from Deir Ez-Zor. [A3maq]

DaeshDaily comment. These “tribal leaders” are from the Albu Saraya tribe. As reported here last week, Daesh executed nineteen young men from this tribe, beheaded them in gruesome way in a slaughterhouse. In this video Daesh tries to prove that the reports about a revolt by this tribe were not true.

 

Daesh issues a video of 4 new Syrian Army fighters who surrendered to its terrorists in Deir Ez-Zor. [A3maq]

 

South (Rif Damashq, Suwayda, Daraa, etc.)

Daesh publishes photos of its affiliate, Khaled Army, distributing zakat in the Yarmouk Basin. [DawaAlhaq]

 

A local activist says Daesh closed all of the schools in the Yarmouk Camp, except for two–one for boys, one for girls. He says Daesh canceled the school’s official curriculum and distributed its own. He says the two schools will not be able to accommodate the children from the closed schools and several women held a sit-in in the camp, protesting this decision. [ARA]

 

OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS

 

Neighboring Countries

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Ministry of Interior says it captured 17 Daesh terrorists (14 Saudis, an Egyptian, a Yemeni, and a Palestinian) who were involved in several terrorist activities and were planning more attacks in the kingdom. [Sumaria]

 

North Africa

Egypt

Tribal sources say Egyptian forces are preparing to launch a major campaign in Bala’a and other areas in west Rafah. [ElWatan]

 

A security source says Counter Terrorism units captured an Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis explosives expert and 11 terrorism suspects in Al-Sabil village, south of Arish. [ElWatan] [VetoGate]

A 4-year-old child was shot and killed in the village on Sunday. [VetoGate]

 

A security source says three civilians, including one woman, were shot and wounded by Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis terrorists in the Sheikh Zuweid area. [ElWatan]

A 17-year-old girl was also shot and wounded in Lahfan village south of Arish on Sunday. [VetoGate]

 

According to Daesh sources, a tribe in Sinai issued a statement apologizing to Daesh and accepting its rule. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Libya

Northeast

Daesh says it damaged a Libyan Army vehicle with an IED in the Qanfouda area. [JustPaste]

 

The 152 Brigade, of the Libyan National Army says it captured the desert town of Harawa, 50 km (31 miles) east of Sirte. [Wasat]

 

Central coast

The Government of National Accord military says it captured the main mosque and other buildings in addition to a Daesh field hospital in Hay 3 in Sirte (photos). [Wasat]

 

Daesh’s version says it killed more than 30 GNA fighters, wounded “tens,” and damaged an armored vehicle in Hay 3 in east Sirte. Daesh also says it attacked the GNA forces in west Sirte, killing several snipers. [A3maq]

 

Other countries

US

A federal law enforcement source tells CBS News that the deceased suspect in a Minnesota mall attack that wounded eight people Saturday was asking people if they were Muslim and stabbing those who said they were not. All nine victims–seven men, a woman and a 15-year-old girl–were treated at hospitals for wounds that weren’t life-threatening, St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson said at a news conference Sunday. Three remained hospitalized. The others were released. [CBS]

On Sunday, Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack, and said it was conducted by one of its “soldiers”. [A3maq] The Chief said that so far he had no evidence of the connection.

 

DAESH MEDIA

 

Daesh audio newsletter for today [JustPaste]

 

Daesh issues infographics showing it conducted 32 attacks in the “PKK” controlled areas in Hasaka and Raqqa during the past nine weeks. [A3maq]

 

 

 

September 16, 2016

Today’s Major Developments

Major political and military crisis emerging over Mosul, as Erdogan suggests Turkish invasion. […]

500 displaced families returning to Falluja city. […]

Local citizens in Al-Ra’i, Syria says Daesh used chemical weapons. […]

Daesh “information minister” in Syria killed by US airstrike. […]

Hafter’s troops capture central coast oil facilities in Libya. […]

 

REPORTS FROM IRAQ

 

NATIONAL NEWS

 

Kurdish, Iraqi, and American officials will hold a meeting next week to discuss details of the upcoming operation to liberate Mosul from Daesh. The decision to schedule the meeting was made on Thursday during talks between Kurdish President Masoud Barzani and a US delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Falah Mustafa, the Kurdish minister of foreign affairs who attended the meeting, told Rudaw. The State Department official was accompanied by the President’s Special Envoy, Brett McGurk, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, Joseph Pennington. Mustafa said Barzani again raised the importance of having a political plan in place for after the liberation, as well as the military plan. [Rudaw]

Barzani had told Le Monde that there is an agreement about the military part of the Mosul battle, but there is no political agreement, and without a political agreement there is no battle. [BasNews]

DaeshDaily comment. The odds are, based on a long series of previous events and public statements, that there is no real basis for a political agreement. The only agreement acceptable to Barzani is an arrangement that will leave the territories north of Mosul in the control of the Peshmerga and exclude Iraq’s presence, and will lead to their transfer soon after to an independent Kurdistan.

This story gets even scarier when you read the Turkey-related items at the start of the Mosul section below.

 

The KRG’s Foreign Affairs Office director says that the United States told KRG President Barzani that Washington refuses the participation of the PMFs in Mosul’s liberation. Barzani had met with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Tony Blinken, the Presidential Envoy to the Coalition, Brett McGurk, and the new Ambassador to Iraq, Douglass Silliman, with the Coalition Commander, General Steven Townsend, and the US Council in Erbil, Ken Gross. [Sumer]

DaeshDaily comment. We track Iraq developments every day. We recall clearly that the US has said the decision on use of PMFs lies with the Iraqi government. Therefore, if we are to have some faith in the honesty of statements by US leaders, it is hard to believe this self-serving story. The KRG, or at least the Barzani crowd, does not want the PMFs to participate because they will actually fight for Iraq. This would complicate Barzani’s strategy in Ninewa.

Barzani himself is not a threat, and neither are Atheel Nujaifi and his so-called National Mobilization Forces. The involvement of Turkey in the scheming over Mosul and Ninewa is another matter. That makes the next story scary.

 

Turkey’s President Erdogan says Iraq needs a military operation similar to the Jarabulus operation (in which Turkey sent tanks and troops across the border). He says the solution for Mosul will only be reached by applying Turkey’s “rational perspective.” Informed Turkey sources say Turkey is preparing for a military operation in Mosul similar to the one in Jarabulus. [Sumer] [Arabi21]

DaeshDaily comment. We have reported Erdogan’s role in the scheming over Mosul, including his stationing of Turkish troops in Bashiqa (a Mosul subdistrict) over the vehement protests of the Iraqi government, supported by the US. However, he seems to have now joined the plot publicly. If so, this is now a major political and military crisis.

    We have commented repeatedly that the major threat in Ninewa is not Daesh but rather the real risk that it will be stolen from Iraq once Daesh is defeated. The statements by Erdogan and Barzani seem to make the situation even more threatening. The media fixation on the impending military battle with Daesh over Mosul has obscured the larger crisis. The real situation in Ninewa has become much more threatening to Iraq, for reasons having nothing to do with Daesh.

    The US has held almost countless meetings with Barzani, not so much to discuss military preparations for the Mosul campaign but to deal with Barzani himself, while giving almost countless reassurances to the Iraqi government of its political and military support. It now appears that all its efforts have still left the real crisis unsettled. The routine reassurances in US statements now seem less convincing, and its reluctance to openly discuss the real crisis for fear of offending the Kurds or the Turks or of generating negative public opinion in the US has to some extent enabled the crisis and created the impression that the US is in state of denial about the real situation.

    History adds further basis for concern. In 1926, the League of Nations took Ninewa from Turkey and gave it to Iraq, though Turkey kept a share of Ninewa oil for maybe 10 years. Turkey still calls the province “Mosul.”

    The maneuvering of right-wing Turkish organizations is also worrisome. Recently, websites have published maps showing parts of northern Syria and all of Ninewa as part of Turkey. There is already a right-wing militia throwing its weight around in Jarabulus, amidst rumors that Turkish language instruction will be forced on its schools. The recent purge of political opponents and thousands of others in Turkey is not reassuring about dealing with Mr. Erdogan.

 

As if on cue, a Turkmen Front member of the KRG parliament issued a statement asking Turkey to conduct military operations in Mosul and Tal Afar similar to the one in Jarabulus. [SotIraq]

 

The Chairman of the PMF Commission says Erdogan should be more rational in dealing with the Mosul issue, and that any talk about dividing Mosul is delusional. [SotIraq]

 

The Badr Commander says the participation of Turkish troops in liberating Mosul is totally unacceptable; Mosul is an Iraqi city and should be liberated by Iraqis. [Ishraq]

 

The US delegation also met with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani who told them the KRG is not able to receive more displaced people from Mosul, asking for international support for Iraq and Kurdistan in this regard. [BasNews]

The delegation had met with PM Abadi on Wednesday and President Masoum on Thursday.

Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday Iraqi forces backed by the Coalition have retaken half the territory the Daesh once held in Iraq. He also announced $181 million in humanitarian aid for displaced people.  [Mada]

 

Thousands of people demonstrated in Baghdad demanding “comprehensive and real” reforms, and asking for swift judicial actions against corrupt officials. [Mada]

 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon told Nadia Murad that he is proud to welcome her as a UN goodwill ambassador. Nadia Murad is a Yazidi rights activist who was kidnapped by Daesh in August 2014. Ban told Nadia that “there is no greater testament to human resilience and the spirit of solidarity than the strength, dignity, and extraordinary courage you show every day in telling your story and working for a better world.” [Rudaw]

President Masoum issued a statement welcoming the appointment of Nadia Murad. [Mada]

 

The Coalition says it conducted 7 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Iraq, in or near Mosul (1), Sultan Abdullah (1), and Qayara (1) in Ninewa; Baghdadi (1), Albu Hayat (1), and Ramadi (1) in Anbar; and Bashir (1) in Kirkuk. [InherentResolve]

 

BAGHDAD

Security-related incidents reported

North (Tarmiya, Taji, etc.)

An MoI source says two Iraqi soldiers were killed and five wounded when an IED exploded on their vehicle in Tarmiya District. [Mada]

A local police source says the body of a young man was found shot near Muthanna Bridge. [Maalomah]

 

Northeast (Adhamiya, etc.)

Daesh says it killed or wounded nine “PMF members” with an IED in Shaab. [A3maq]

 

East (Sadr City, New Baghdad, etc.)

An MoI source says a supermarket owner was killed when a sticky IED exploded under his vehicle in Mashtal. [Mada]

An MoI source says one person was killed and eight wounded when an IED exploded near a commercial area in Ameen. [Mada]

 

Southeast (Mada’in, etc.)

A security source says the body of a young man was found shot in Zafaraniya. A security video showed the man was shot by a masked armed man on a motorcycle, using a silenced gun. [Mada]

 

South (Dora, Yusufiyah, Mahmudiya, etc.)

An MoI source says two tribal PMF fighters were killed and three wounded when an IED exploded on their vehicle in Hor Rijab. [Mada]

Security sources say the Intelligence Service captured in south Baghdad a Daesh terrorist responsible for assassination units. [ARA]

 

West (Ghazaliya, Abu Ghraib, etc.)

An MoI source says one person was killed and eight wounded when an IED exploded near a busy market in Nasr Wa Salam village in Abu Ghraib. [Mada]

 

Total Baghdad incidents reported:   9      (Includes only incidents reported)

 

ANBAR

Falluja

The Falluja District Council says 500 families will return to their houses in Falluja city on Saturday. [Mada]

 

A member of the Qarma subdistrict council says a civilian was killed while entering his house in the Rofa area. Daesh had booby-trapped the house before leaving Qarma. [Mada]

 

The JOC says Iraqi forces destroyed 47 IEDs, defused a booby-trapped house, and found 3 weapons and explosive caches, capturing a Daesh terrorist in Falluja District. [Harbi]

 

The IWMC says Iraqi forces found 4 explosives vests and an explosives cache in Ameriyat Al-Falluja. [Maalomah]

 

Ramadi

The JOC says Coalition planes killed 6 Daesh terrorists and destroyed a vehicle and a building in the Albu Dhiab area. [Harbi]

 

The JOC says Iraqi Army 8th division destroyed 10 IEDs in the Albu Risha area. [Harbi]

 

The JOC says Iraqi Army 10th division destroyed 37 IEDs and defused 2 booby-trapped houses in the Jaraishi area. [Harbi]

The IWMC says Iraqi forces captured 12 Daesh terrorists in the Jaraishi area. [Buratha]

 

Hit/Haditha

An Iraqi Army source says Coalition planes destroyed a Daesh vehicle in Hay Al-Bakr in Jazeera Hit, killing 4 terrorists. [Sumaria]

 

Iraqi Army 27th brigade, supported by tribal fighters, destroyed a Daesh boat in the Jodifiya area near Baghdadi, killing the terrorists inside. [Harbi]

 

A member of Baghdadi subdistrict council says military engineering units reconstructed the bridge that links Baghdadi to Haditha. The bridge was damaged by Daesh; it will be used for military movement and by civilians. [Sumaria]

 

An Iraqi Army 7th division source says Coalition warplanes attacked Daesh in the Qusairiyat area in Jazeera Baghdadi, killing 8 terrorists and destroying 2 machine gun-mounted vehicles. [Sumaria]

 

The JOC says Anbar Operations Command troops stopped a Daesh attack in the Kilo 140 area, killing four terrorists and forcing the rest to flee. [Harbi]

An Anbar Operations Command source says Iraqi forces found the bodies of two children in a destroyed house in the Kilo 140 area. They also found 10 IEDs in the same area. [Sumaria]

 

A tribal PMF commander says the IAF targeted Daesh tunnels in the Zawiya area, 30 km (19 miles) west of Haditha, killing 17 terrorists and destroying 6 vehicle bombs. [Mada]

 

Rutba

The Anbar Police chief says Iraqi forces completed securing the road between Arar Border Crossing with and Baghdad preparing for the return of Iraqi pilgrims from Saudi Arabia. [Mada]

DaeshDaily comment. The AQI and Daesh have killed many Shia pilgrims on this road.

 

Western Anbar

A member of the Anbar Provincial Council says Iraqi forces finished their preparations to liberate the western areas in Anbar. He says one of the most important goals of the campaign is to clear the areas between west Anbar and Ninewa. [Mada]

 

Daesh said five civilians were killed and seven wounded by an “American” airstrike on Al-Qa’im on Wednesday. [A3maq]

 

A tribal PMF commander says disputes erupted between Daesh terrorists in west Anbar after Daesh arrested one of its local terrorists. Senior Daesh leaders arrived from Raqqa to resolve the dispute, which started after many Daesh fighters refused orders to attack Haditha because of their previous failures. [Maalomah]

 

The Intelligence Service says the IAF launched 2 airstrikes on Daesh in Rawa, destroying a suicide terrorist headquarters and a large vehicle bomb and IED factory. [Baghdadia]

 

Daesh issues a video of “celebrating sacrifices” in West Anbar. The video includes beheading an allegedly PMF fighter. [DawaAlhaq]

 

SALAHUDDIN

Shirqat

A local source says Daesh cancelled the Friday prayers and issued a curfew on vehicles in Shirqat. The source also says Daesh deployed its terrorists in the city—no explanation given. [Sumaria]

 

Ninewa Operations Command says the Coalition bombed Daesh in Tilul Al-Baj village near Shirqat city, destroying a headquarters and killing 12 terrorists. [Mada]

 

Iraqi Army 66th brigade destroyed 2 Daesh machine gun-mounted vehicles in the Tilul Al-Baj area. The Joint Operations Command (JOC) says a Salahuddin Operations Command unit destroyed an IED in the Dibis area. [Harbi]

 

The IWMC says Daesh shelled civilian houses in the Jumaila village in Shirqat, then blamed Iraqi forces. It says Daesh is forcing everyone who wants to leave to pay $500 dollars. [IraqPress]

 

Daesh issues photos of battles on the outskirts of Shirqat. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh says it attacked Iraqi Army positions near Shabali village with 5 SPG9 rockets. [JustPaste]

 

Tikrit

Daesh says its snipers killed a PMF fighter in Allas oilfield. [JustPaste]

 

Southern Salahuddin

A PMF commander says Daesh executed 4 of its terrorists near the Mtaibija area after accusing them of providing information to the Iraqi Air Force. The IAF had destroyed a Daesh guesthouse in the area, killing tens of Daesh terrorists, including 6 commanders. [Sumaria]

 

The Dhuluiya Police chief says a joint security force captured 9 terrorism suspects in southern areas of the district, after getting information about terrorists sneaking into the area from Diyala. [Mada]

 

DIYALA

Muqdadiya/Abu Saida

A member of Diyala Provincial Council says Iraqi soldiers stopped a Daesh attack on their battalion headquarters in the Sheikhi area, in Abu Saida. He says the attack shows Daesh still has terrorists in the area and that a military operation is needed there. [Sumaria]

 

KIRKUK

Hawija

The IWMC says IAF Sukhois destroyed a large IED and vehicle bombs factory in Riyadh subdistrict. [Baghdadia]

 

A security source says Coalition planes destroyed a Daesh chemical weapons factory in Al-Zab. The source also says the Coalition bombed other areas in Hawija and Riyadh, killing 15 terrorists and wounding 7. [Sumaria]

The JOC says Coalition planes killed 11 Daesh terrorists in Hawija. [Harbi] (We don’t know if this overlaps with the story above.)

 

A PMF commander says Daesh beheaded a 20-year-old man in Hawija and put his head on his house door. He says the man’s mother died and his wife had a miscarriage after seeing the head. [Sumaria]

 

The IWMC issued a statement refuting media reports about establishing a Hawija (East Dijla) operations command. [ROJ]

 

NINEWA

Mosul

A PUK official says Coalition planes bombed a Daesh headquarters, 2 vehicles and a storehouse in different parts of Mosul, killing or wounding “tens” of fighters. [PUKMedia]

 

An intelligence source says Daesh has hidden “tens” of Humvee vehicle bombs in the Ghabat (Woods) area, fearing airstrikes. The source also says Daesh continued deploying its terrorists to several areas and brought reinforcements from Al-Qa’im. [Ghad]

 

Warplanes destroyed a wood factory used by Daesh to manufacture IEDs and car bombs in Hay Al-Arabi in eastern Mosul, killing the terrorists inside. [PressIraq]

 

Warplanes attacked Daesh in the Tilul Nasser area south of Mosul, killing 2 terrorists. [PressIraq]

 

Local sources say Daesh moved its anti-aircraft units from the street and brought them to high buildings near the Mosul hotel and the Ninewa Governorate building. The sources also say Daesh terrorists left some of their locations and buildings in Mosul city in fear of airstrikes. [Mawsleya]

 

Local sources say Mosul hospitals are receiving large numbers of Daesh terrorists who were killed or wounded by airstrikes, in battles, or assassinated in the city. The sources say young men in Mosul have organized an assassination campaign against Daesh. [Mawsleya]

 

A local source says Daesh is distributing posters and CDs that contain gruesome executions in order to deter the people of Mosul from cooperating with Iraqi forces. [Sumaria]

DaeshDaily comment. On the first day of Eid, Daesh issued a video of executing nineteen young men in Deir Ez-Zor, after accusing them of providing information to the Coalition. The video was different because it was done in a slaughterhouse and the victims were treated exactly like sheep. They were trapped in corners, carried around, hanged from the feet, then beheaded. Daesh wants to frighten people, but what Daesh really wants is attention. There are no more major media reports about Daesh victories because there aren’t any, so Daesh wants to grab attention the other way it knows. Daesh does not seek a wide audience. Within its narrow audience, Daesh wants to attract sociopaths and psychopaths who want to be involved in such executions.  

There were some reports about a revolution against Daesh in the victims’ village, Tabni, northwest of Deir Ez-Zor. The reports said people from the village attacked Daesh terrorists and killed some of them, including Iranian terrorists who appeared in the video, but Daesh surrounded the village later on. Local activists are afraid that an earlier massacre of members of the Shaitat tribe could be replicated against the villagers.

 

A local source says Daesh raided the houses of some of its own members who defected and took them to an unknown location. [Buratha]

 

Local sources say Daesh deployed its “grey battalion” around Mosul, while its “police” withdrew into the city. The sources say Daesh fears internal clashes before the liberation operations. Other sources say Daesh launched a search campaign in Mosul looking for 3 terrorists from Arab countries who disappeared on Wednesday. [Sumaria]

 

The IWMC says Iraqi planes dropped 7 million leaflets on 16 areas in Mosul and other Ninewa areas in one night, promising people their liberation and asking them to stay away from Daesh locations and to cooperate with Iraqi forces. Local activists say Daesh issued orders to whiplash anyone who read or kept the leaflets. [Karemlash]

 

Local sources say Daesh forced 22 families of former security members executed by Daesh to leave their houses in Kubaiba village and go to Mosul. [Karemlash]

 

Eyewitnesses say Daesh reduced the salaries of its fighters to 80,000 ID ($65) and a cooking gas bottle a month. Daesh previously gave its local fighters $600 and its foreign terrorists $1,300 in addition to a slave, a house, and a car, and paid higher salaries to its commanders. Daesh executed one of its members who defected in Mosul. [IraqPress]

DaeshDaily comment. This report might have been taken from another source.

 

Local sources say Daesh is digging new trenches around Mosul and filling them with crude oil. [ARA]

 

PMF Intelligence says Daesh dug several tunnels, including 2 in the Badoush area. [PressIraq]

 

Local sources say Daesh prevented street workers from working during Eid, forcing them to obtain licenses costing large amounts of money. [Mawsleya]

 

Local sources say Daesh opened its media points during Eid to attract children and give them propaganda materials about its operations. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh issued a video of the “only” medicine factory in Mosul after it was destroyed by “American” planes. [A3maq]

 

Daesh says its snipers killed a Peshmerga fighter in Kafraj village and destroyed a heavy machine gun in Taniya village northwest of Mosul. [A3maq]

Daesh publishes photos of the 2 attacks. [DawaAlhaq] [DawaAlhaq]

 

Nineveh Plain

Local sources say many Daesh vehicles loaded with terrorists and anti-aircraft weapons left Mosul toward Bashiqa and Hamdaniya, preparing for attacks in the Nineveh Plain area to divert the attention of Iraqi forces. [Mawsleya]

 

The IWMC says Iraqi F-16s destroyed a Daesh explosives factory, a military camp, and 14 vehicles, and killed 8 terrorists including a Tunisian commander in Tel Keif. [Baghdadia]

 

Captain Sharif Abdulrahman, a Peshmerga commander stationed at Mosul Dam, said a Peshmerga fighter, Luqman Ramazan Rekani, 43, from the Kurdish town of Deralook in Dahuk Province, was killed by sniper fire in Wanke village in Tel Keif. [Rudaw]

 

Qayara/Makhmur

The Ninewa Operations Command says Coalition planes destroyed a Daesh vehicle loaded with weapons and ammunition in Bahwaniya in Qayara subdistrict. The Coalition also destroyed a Daesh mortar unit in Houd village. [Mada]

 

Ninewa Operations Command says Coalition warplanes destroyed 3 Daesh mortar units in Asmaya village and a rocket launcher in Kahari village in Qayara. [Mada]

 

The JOC says Coalition planes killed 12 Daesh terrorists and destroyed 2 mortar units, and a weapons storehouse in Gwer in Makhmur. [Harbi]

 

Daesh issues a video of an attack on Marir village south of Qayara. [A3maq]

 

KURDISTAN

The Finland Ministry of Defense decided to send 50 more military advisers to train the Peshmerga, raising the number of Finnish advisors to 100 in Kurdistan. [ARA]

 

Eyewitnesses say Turkish artillery attacked several areas near Zakho in far northern Dahuk. [Sumaria]

 

SOUTHERN IRAQ

Babel

A security source says a man wanted on terrorism charges was captured in Iskandariya. [Mada]

 

REPORTS FROM TURKEY

 

The US Treasury put the names of two Syrians who are Turkey residents, Mohammed Al-Seyed al-Hameydan and Hussam Jamus on its blacklist of people accused of financially supporting terrorism. The first of them, in addition to financial assistance, also solved issues of logistics and transfer of terrorists by various transport. His companion also supplied Daesh with mercenaries and served as a financial intermediary in transactions, concluding by the terrorist group.

The US Department of the Treasury announced the freezing of accounts and all kinds of assets of al-Hameydan and Jamus in order “to cut them off from the global financial system.” [ARA]

 

REPORTS FROM SYRIA

 

An airstrike has killed a senior Daesh leader who, as its “minister of information,” produced some of its gruesome execution videos, the Pentagon announced today. A U.S. official described “Dr. Wa’il” as being one of Daesh’s top leaders and having special access to Daesh leader, Awwad Baghdadi.

“On September 7, coalition forces conducted a precision strike near Raqqa, Syria, that targeted and killed “Dr. Wa’il,” also known as Wa’il Adil Hasan Salman Al-Fayad, one of (Daesh)’s most senior leaders,” Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said today. “He operated as the minister of information for the terror organization and was a prominent member of its Senior Shura Council – (Daesh)’s leadership group.” [ABC]

 

Small numbers of U.S. special operations forces for the first time are accompanying Turkish government forces and their Syrian opposition partners fighting Daesh inside Syria, military and administration officials said Friday. A Pentagon spokesman, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, said the Americans are advising and providing other assistance to Turkish troops clearing territory between Jarabulus and Al-Ra’i on the Syrian side of the border. ”

“Denying (Daesh) access to this critical border cuts off critical supply routes in and out of Iraq and Syria and further isolates (Daesh)’s so-called `capital’ in Raqqa,” said another Pentagon spokesman, Marine Maj. Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway. White House spokesman Josh Earnest noted the U.S. has long pushed Turkey to enhance security along its border. “We have been pleased to see the Turks pursue this kind of decisive, strategically significant action that will aid our efforts,” he said. [FoxNews]

 

Following the capture of Jarabulus and Al-Ra’i from Daesh in the Euphrates Shield operation Turkey is waging in Syria, and the subsequent purging of Daesh from the 98-kilometer Azaz-Jarabulus line, signs are coming that a new phase has been embarked on. Elements of the Syrian Free Army (SFA), supported by the Turkish Armed Forces, are said to be 10 km away from Daesh-controlled Al-Bab and both Turkish Armed Forces’ armored vehicles and coalition warplanes are said to subjecting Daesh to bombardment. News has come of Daesh militants pulling back from Al-Bab towards Maskanah. Much attention was grabbed by the sharing on social media of footage of US soldiers who had arrived in Al-Ra’i being expelled by the SFA. US soldiers are said to have given the Turkish Armed Forces and the SFA support in the field. However, certain groups within the SFA are said to be opposed to support from the USA.”

The report goes on to say that the 29 American soldiers were escorted to safety in Turkey by Turkish soldiers.

The report claims that 200 Turkish soldiers and 2500 FSA fighters are involved in the Al-Bab operation. It says that the SFA took the village of Tel Humus, to the south of Al-Rai, from Daesh on Thursday. [Cumhuriyet]

DaeshDaily comment. We thank our friend in Turkey for this report.

 

Turkey backed opposition groups issued videos of (allegedly) American troops leaving Al-Ra’i, as groups of people chanted against them and threatened to slaughter them. [Hawar] [Xeber]

Ahrar Al-Sharqiya (a Turkey-backed group) issued a video saying they suspended their operations in the Jarabulus area objecting the American troops’ presence.

DaeshDaily comment. The presence of American troops in Al-Ra’i became an “embarrassment” to some Turkey-backed groups, especially militias with links to Al-Qaeda according to Daesh fanboys.  

Daesh says American planes mistakenly bombed opposition groups in Qara Mazraa village, west of Al-Ra’i. [A3maq]

DaeshDaily comment. Daesh defines all Coalition airstrikes as “American” and consistently alleges that they miss their target and kill innocent people and not Daesh.

 

The Coalition says it conducted 10 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Syria, including six near Abu Kamal, 3 near Deir Ez-Zor, and 1 near Shaddadi, [InherentResolve]

 

Northeast (Hasaka, Raqqa)

Hasaka

The PYD-created Founding Board of Roj Ava Federalism says it will announce a federal system in (PYD controlled areas) in Syria in October then hold general election within 6 months. [ARA]

 

The YPG says Daesh launched an attack on YPG positions 12 km (7.5 miles) southeast of Shaddadi. [Hawar]

 

A local activist says two YPG fighters were killed by an IED explosion near Awadh village, southeast of Shaddadi. He also says the YPG destroyed around 100 (Arab) houses in Kashkash Jubour village, south of Shaddadi, so far. [ZamanAlWasl]

 

Raqqa

Local sources say American flags are being raised in several locations in Tal Abyad. Local media sources say an American military unit of 15 vehicles arrived to Tal Abyad, then headed to a nearby village in order to watch the Turkey military movements on the borders. Turkish sources say PYD members raised the flags for protection (photos). [ARA]

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said he was not aware of media reports about the flags. [BasNews]

 

Northwest (Aleppo, Idlib)

Jarabulus

According to Reuters, five Turkey-backed opposition fighters were killed and six wounded in an explosion. [SyriaNow]

 

Al-Bab

A Turkey backed opposition commander, supported by Turkish artillery, says opposition groups launched a massive attack on Daesh in Kafr Ghan and Baraghida in order to secure a supply line between Al-Ra’i and Al-Bab. [ARA]

 

Warplanes launched extensive airstrikes on residential areas in Al-Bab, wounding several civilians. [Qasioun]

 

The Turkish Army and opposition groups brought military reinforcements to Al-Ra’i preparing for the third stage of the Operation Euphrates Shield to capture villages and towns east of Azaz and south of Al-Ra’i. [Qasioun]

 

Daesh says it dragged opposition groups into a landmine in Tatt Homs, west of Al-Ra’i, killing or wounding several fighters and destroying 3 vehicles. Daesh says the battles are still ongoing. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh publishes photos of alleged American soldiers near Al-Ra’i. The photos might have been obtained from social media. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Azaz

Local sources say Daesh targeted Um Hawsh village with shells containing chemical weapons, wounding two women (photos). [Hawar]

Sources say five civilians were wounded when Daesh attacked Al-Hawsh, Al-Qura, and Harbal with chemical weapons (video). [ARA]

 

Syrian Democratic Forces factions say they stopped a Daesh attack on Um Hawsh, Um A-Qura, and Harbal, killing 6 terrorists and captured weapons and ammunition. They also say three of their fighters were killed in the battles. [Hawar]

 

Daesh issues a video of its recruiting activities in Akhtarin town. [A3maq]

DaeshDaily comment. The video is about a mobile caravan supposedly used to call people to Islam (Dawa). The video shows Daesh terrorists surrounded by kids. Such “Dawa” activities are commonly used by Jihadis everywhere to attract kids and uneducated people. The assumption of course is that people of those areas are not Muslims in the first place.  

 

Afrin

The YPG says the Turkish Army launched attacks with heavy artillery on YPG positions in 2 villages west of Kobane on September 15th. It also says Turkey-supported opposition groups attacked Sheikh Maqsoud and areas in Afrin. It says it stopped the attack, killing at least one fighter. Opposition groups also shelled Maranaz village. [Hawar]

 

Other Northwest Syria

Daesh publishes photos of an attack on the Syrian Army in Tal Ta’ana, east of the Industrial Area in Aleppo. [DawaAlhaq]

Daesh publishes photos of its terrorists in the area. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Central and West (Homs, Hama, etc.)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the Syrian Army and Daesh exchanged shelling near Qasr Al-Hayr, east of Homs. [SyriaHR]

 

East (Deir Ez-Zor)

Seven people were killed and two wounded in Daesh shelling on Joura and Qusour areas in Deir Ez-Zor on Thursday. [SyriaNow]

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Daesh continued its shelling on the two areas today. [SyriaHR]

 

Daesh says fifteen people were killed and forty wounded by Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs on Mayadin city on Thursday. [A3maq]

EnabBaladi says fifteen people were killed and tens wounded in the airstrikes. [EnabBaladi]

 

Daesh publishes photos of an orchard in Deir Ez-Zor. [DawaAlhaq]

 

South (Rif Damashq, Suwayda, Daraa, etc.)

Hundreds of people in Hirak east of Daraa are protesting Nusra’s execution of a young man. Nusra had accused the man of being a Daesh member and executed him with another man during Eid. Nusra had publishes a video of the confessions of the young man. [EnabBaladi]

 

OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS

 

North Africa

Egypt

A civilian was killed when an IED exploded under his vehicle in the Hay Al-Imam area in Rafah. [ElWatan]

 

Medical sources say armed men shot and wounded a 45-year-old woman in the Dhahir area, in south Sheikh Zuweid. Another woman was shot and wounded by armed men in an area between Sheikh Zuweid and Arish. [VetoGate] [VetoGate]

 

Daesh says its snipers killed an Egyptian soldier in the Ubaidat area between Arish and Sheikh Zuweid, and another soldier in the Kouza area southwest of Sheikh Zuweid. [JustPaste]

 

Libya

Northeast

A medical source says five people were wounded by a car bomb explosion that targeted demonstrators in Al-Kish Square in Benghazi. Thousands of people were demonstrating in support of the Libyan National Army and objecting to foreign interference. The LNA (Hafter) had captured the Oil Crescent (oil-producing area) on Libya’s central coast on Sunday. The President of the Libyan House of Representatives, Aquilah Saleh, issued a statement asking the armed men in the Crescent to surrender to the LNA, promising an amnesty. [AfriGate] [Wasat] [AfriGate]

DaeshDaily comment. The House of Representatives is part of the eastern Libya government, opposed to the National Accord government, and is aligned with General Hafter.

 

The Libyan Counter Terrorism Service captured 2 Daesh commanders, a Libyan and a Palestinian, in Ajdabiya. [Libya24]

 

Daesh says it killed six “Hafter militiamen” with an IED in the Qawarsha area. [A3maq]

 

Central coast

A military source says a police major was found alive in a Daesh prison in Sirte. The major was kidnapped by Daesh in March. [Wasat]

 

Daesh says its snipers killed three National Accord Government “militiamen” in Sirte. [A3maq]

 

Other countries

Somalia

Daesh issues a video of its terrorists celebrating Eid in Somali. [DawaAlhaq]

 

DAESH MEDIA

 

Daesh audio newsletter for today [JustPaste]

 

 

September 9, 2016

Today’s Major Developments

Friday demonstrators in six cities demand early elections. […]

US adds 400 soldiers in Iraq. […]

Daesh combined suicide attack on east Baghdad mall kills 13, wounds 31. […]

IAF launches 11 F-16 airstrikes on Daesh in Al-Qa’im, Anah districts, killing over 100. […]

More Iraqi troops arrive in Hit, Rutba. […] […]

Nujaifi makes it clear he envisions a Ninewa outside Iraq. […]

Kerry, Lavrov announce a nationwide cease-fire in Syria. […]

 

REPORTS FROM IRAQ

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Hundreds of people demonstrated in Baghdad, Amarah, Nasiriya, Kerbala, Diwaniya, and Hilla demanding early elections, more reforms, and stronger anti-corruption measures. Sadrists in several governorates started a hunger strike demanding reforms in response to a call from Moqtada Al-Sadr. [Mada] [Mada] [Mada] [Sumaria]

 

The Ministry of Oil issued a statement refuting media reports about a new agreement with the KRG. It says the current agreement is still in effect. [Sumaria]

 

People’s Mujahedin of Iran (Mujahedin e-Khalq (MEK)), the Iranian opposition group exiled for years in Iraq, says the last 280 of its members have left Iraq. [Sumaria]

 

Colonel John Dorrian, the Coalition spokesman, says the United States deployed more than 400 soldiers to Iraq during the last few days. [AYN]

 

The Coalition says it conducted 5 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Iraq (near Mosul (2), Kasik (1), and Tal Afar (1) in Ninewa; and near Haditha (1). [InherentResolve]

 

BAGHDAD

Security-related incidents reported

North (Tarmiya, Taji, etc.)

A police source says a joint Army and PMF force ambushed and killed a suicide terrorist wearing an explosives vest in Taji. [Sumaria]

 

Northeast (Adhamiya, etc.)

Iraqi Army 44th brigade captured 2 wanted men and confiscated an IED and an AK47 in Adhamiya. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

East (Sadr City, New Baghdad, etc.)

An MoI source says thirteen people were killed and thirty-one wounded by a suicide attack and a vehicle bomb explosion in Al-Nakhil Mall. [Mada]

Daesh says it conducted 2 consecutive suicide attacks, with an explosives vest and a vehicle bomb, on a “Shia gathering” in Palestine Street. [A3maq]

DaeshDaily comment. It is highly unlikely that all the people in the mall were Shia, and Daesh knows this. Even so, the idea of eliminating hundreds of millions of Shia has been totally acceptable in the petro-dollar media and Wahhabism, the ideology that spawned Daesh. Unfortunately, the world is not ready yet to counter such hatred and admit that a new holocaust is being spread. The Shia are not the only people targeted by such a narrative. 

 

Southeast (Mada’in, etc.)

An MoI source says one person was killed and seven wounded when an IED exploded in a commercial area in the Wardiya area of Mada’in. [Mada]

A local police source says the bodies of two unknown men were found shot in the Diyala Bridge area. [Maalomah]

 

South (Dora, Yusufiyah, Mahmudiya, etc.)

An MoI source says two people were killed and seven wounded when an IED exploded near a wholesale market in Abu Dsheer in Dora. [Mada]

Iraqi Army 23rd brigade destroyed 3 booby-trapped houses, 5 guesthouses, and 10 IEDs in the Akhsaf area. [MoD Website] Iraqi Army 55th brigade found 2 explosives caches in 2 different areas in south Baghdad. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

Southwest (Rasheed, etc.)

An MoI source says two people were killed and four wounded when an IED exploded near an industrial area in Bayya’. [Mada]

A local police source says one person was killed and four others wounded when an IED exploded in the Makaseb area. [Maalomah]

An MoI source says armed men threw a hand grenade at a barbershop in Saidiya, killing two people and wounding four. [Mada]

DaeshDaily comment. Attacks on barbershops were common in the AQI days. The barbers were not allowed to shave the beards of their customers.

 

West (Ghazaliya, Abu Ghraib, etc.)

A police source says armed men shot and wounded a civilian in Ghazaliya. [Sumaria]

Baghdad Operations Command says it captured 2 men near Bzaibiz Bridge who facilitated the movements of Daesh terrorists and their families and provided them with forged documents. [AIN]

An MoI source says unknown armed men kidnapped a traffic police captain from his vehicle in Abu Ghraib. [Mada]

An MoI source says the IFP captured a Daesh terrorist in Abu Ghraib. The terrorist had fled to Baghdad from Qarma. [Mada]

 

Total Baghdad incidents reported:    17   (Includes only incidents reported)

 

ANBAR

Falluja

The manager in Qarma says 350 displaced families returned to their houses in the subdistrict. [BasNews]

 

Ramadi

An Anbar Operations Command source says Iraqi forces attacked Daesh in Jazeera Ramadi, killing 6 terrorists and destroying a machine-gun mounted vehicle, in addition to 3 watch positions, in two areas north of Ramadi. [Mada]

 

Hit/Haditha

The Mayor of Hit District says Iraqi forces killed 15 Daesh terrorists in shelling on different areas in the district. He also says more military reinforcements arrived in the district. [BasNews]

 

Iraqi Army 7^th division artillery targeted Daesh in Hay Al-Bakr, in Hit District, killing 2 terrorists. [MoD Website]

 

Rutba/Western Anbar

The Ministry of Interior issued a statement saying that on September 6th, Iraqi F-16s, using intelligence from the Al-Suqoor Intelligence Cell, launched 11 airstrikes on Daesh in Al-Qa’im, Akashat, Anah, Rawa, and Rutba district, killing more than 100 terrorists, including a the Daesh (Saudi) deputy wali, a commander from Falluja, a suicide terrorist official from Baiji, the media officer of Anbar, and many other commanders, and destroying suicide terrorist guesthouses and weapons and explosives storehouses. [Maalomah]

 

Coalition planes destroyed a Daesh machine gun-mounted vehicle south of Al-Qa’im, killing 3 terrorists. [MoD Website]

 

The Mayor of Rutba says Iraqi Army and IFP reinforcements, including tanks and armored vehicles, arrived in Rutba District, preparing for military operations to clear the desert area and the cities in west Anbar. [Mada]

 

An Anbar Operations Command sources says Iraqi forces found 19 rockets ready to be launched in Rutba District. The source says security forces started to search for the Daesh terrorists who installed the rockets. [Mada]

 

Daesh says it attacked 2 Iraqi Army barracks in the Kilo 160 area and burned them down after killing twelve Iraqi soldiers and capturing a vehicle, weapons, and ammunition. [JustPaste]

 

SALAHUDDIN

Shirqat

Iraqi Army 66^th brigade defused 7 IEDs in the Tilul Al-Baj area. The same brigade stopped a Daesh attack in Tilul Al-Baj, killing 2 suicide terrorists. [MoD Website]

 

Salahuddin Operations Command EOD defused 5 IEDs and destroyed a rocket in the Shirqat Intersection. [MoD Website]

 

A local source says that, for an unknown reason, Daesh is arresting anyone with the name Youssef in Shirqat. [Sumaria]

 

Baiji

Intelligence Service captured 8 wanted men trying to sneak back to Salahuddin with displaced families in the Hajjaj area. [MoD Website]

 

DIYALA

Baquba/southeast Diyala

A security source says Diyala Police defused an IED planted on a dirt road near Al-Salam subdistrict, 23 km (14 miles) east of Baquba. [Sumaria]

 

Muqdadiya/Abu Saida

A local source says an IED exploded near a soccer field in south Muqdadiya without causing human casualties. [Sumaria]

 

Northern Diyala (Kifri, Khanaqin, etc.)

A senior National Security Service source says a “dangerous man” wanted on terrorism charges was captured near Qara Tappa. [Sumaria]

 

KIRKUK

Kirkuk

A security source says 3 men wanted on terrorism charges were captured in south Kirkuk. [Mada]

 

A security source says two Peshmerga fighters were wounded by a Daesh IED in the Mulla Abdulla area, 35 km (22 miles) west of Kirkuk. [Mada]

 

Southwest

A local source says two civilians were killed and four wounded by an IED while trying to flee Daesh controlled areas west of Daquq. [Mada]

 

NINEWA

Mosul

The former Governor of Ninewa, Atheel Nujaifi, told the Turkish news agency Anadolu, that the PMFs will not participate in the Mosul battle since many “international fronts” and the people of Mosul refuse that. He says the Iraqi forces are prepared to launch the battle, but what is missing is an agreement between Baghdad and Erbil. He says the Kurds refused to enter the Mosul battle unless they have cooperation from the people of Mosul, and they also demand explanations regarding how the city would be run after the liberation. He also says he doesn’t think that the Turkish troops will withdraw from Bashiqa. He says he is working on a project to divide Ninewa into 6 or 8 governorates. [SotIraq]

DaeshDaily comment. With each passing day, Mr. Nujaifi, and Mr. Barzani too, seem more and more dangerous.

 

In an interview with France 24 TV, the KRG President Masoud Barzani says the Iraqi Army and the Peshmerga, supported by the Coalition, will conduct the liberation of Mosul. He says there have been many meetings between Iraq military leaders and the Peshmerga, and they have agreed on the roles of each group. He also says the date of the attack has not been set yet, but Iraqi commanders say the it will start sometime in late October. He says the participation of the PMFs in Mosul’s liberation will need an agreement. [Sumer]

DaeshDaily comment. So, we have agreed on everything, there is no problem on our side; it’s the Iraqi government’s problem that WE don’t want the PMFs to participate.

 

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense says it prepared special military units equipped with modern weapons for the Mosul liberation battles. It also says the IAF is also preparing to launch airstrikes on Daesh before the ground attack. [Masala]

 

A local source says Daesh arrested 3 young men after unknown men wrote the Arabic letter “Mim”, which symbolizes resistance, on the door of the house of a Daesh leader in Hay Al-Qahera on the east side of Mosul. [Sumaria]

 

Warplanes killed Daesh leaders, including a Saudi terrorist, and destroyed several vehicles on the Airport street in Mosul. [PressIraq]

 

Local sources say the forensics department in Mosul received the bodies of more than 10 Daesh terrorists assassinated by unknown young men in Mosul. The sources also say a Daesh hisbah terrorist hit a child with his vehicle in Hay Al-Baath in east Mosul and tried to escape, but people managed to capture him. [Mawsleya]

 

Local sources say Daesh brought new fighters and large quantities of heavy weapons and rockets, preparing to launch attacks, during the Eid holiday. The sources say Daesh might attack areas in Sinjar District and other areas that are not well defended. [Mawsleya]

 

Local sources say Daesh deployed old men and young boys in Mosul’s streets in addition to anti-aircraft units and heavy weapons. The sources say Daesh is jeopardizing the lives of civilians in the city because these units may get hit by airstrikes. [Mawsleya]

 

Local sources say Daesh deployed more of its hisbah personnel in Mosul streets, and ordered them to collect money from people for the slightest “violation.” The sources also say Daesh closed down all amusement areas in Mosul for Eid, except for the main amusement park. Daesh controls the revenues of the amusement park, and forcing the people of Mosul to only attend this park for Eid celebrations is its way of collecting more money. [Mawsleya]

 

Local sources say Daesh is preparing to issue a new video, trying to show “normal life” in Mosul. The sources say Daesh is closing the roads in order to trap people in certain areas, then film them to show that there is “trading activity” at the markets. The sources say Mosul is facing an economic crisis, and most of the shoppers in the street are Daesh families and some retired people who recently got their pensions. [Mawsleya]

 

Qayara

Ninewa Operations Command says Coalition planes destroyed 6 Daesh rocket launchers in Al-Houd village. [Mawsleya]

 

Daesh says a group of its terrorists attacked 3 Iraqi Army barracks near the Hatra Intersection southwest of Qayara, killing thirteen soldiers and wounding others before returning safely. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh is shelling firefighters in Qayara, trying to prevent them from extinguishing burned oilfields. The Ninewa Police admitted that there are still oilfields on fire, but the oil spells have been stopped from reaching the river. [Rudaw]

 

South (Baaj, Hatra)

A PUK official says Coalition planes targeted a Daesh meeting in the Baaj Police headquarters, killing 12 terrorists. [Mada]

 

The IWMC says the Ninewa Police captured a vehicle and heavy and mid-sized weapons, and killed a terrorist, after stopping an attack on a checkpoint on the Mosul-Baghdad road in Hatra District. [Maalomah]

 

Ninewa Operations Command says Coalition warplanes destroyed a Daesh mortar unit in Slubi village in Hatra. [Mawsleya]

 

KURDISTAN

The Turkish military says it conducted airstrikes on PKK positions in 3 areas in northern Iraq, without giving details about casualties. [Anadolu]

 

Four PKK supporters were wounded while protesting in front of the Turkish consulate in Erbil. The Erbil Police Chief says the demonstrators didn’t have official approval to demonstrate; closed the roads near the consulate; and were attacked by angry vehicle drivers. [SotKurdistan]

 

REPORTS FROM TURKEY

 

Turkish counter terrorism forces captured 10 Daesh suspects (5 Afghan, 2 Azeri, a Syrian, an Egyptian and a Tajik) in Hatay province on the Mediterranean coast. [Awsat]

 

REPORTS FROM SYRIA

 

The US and Russia announced a plan Friday to bring about a cease-fire in Syria. “Today we are announcing an arrangement that we think has the capability of sticking but it’s dependent on people’s choices,” Secretary John Kerry said in Geneva. Appearing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Kerry said the pact calls for the Syrian government and the opposition to respect a nationwide ceasefire scheduled to take effect at sundown on Monday.

He added that the accord will also prevent the Syrian air forces from flying combat missions anywhere that the opposition is present. Kerry called this provision the “bedrock of the agreement,” labeling Assad’s air force the “main driver of civilian casualties” and migrant flows. [CNN]

 

Turkey establishing a buffer zone along its border is “extraordinarily helpful” in the fight against Daesh inside Syria, an anti-Daesh coalition spokesman said Thursday. “(Daesh)’s losing freedom of movement in this area improves security in Europe and around the world and severely impacts Daesh’s ability to reinforce fighters in Syria and Iraq,” Col. John Dorrian told reporters via video conference from Baghdad.

 

Turkey’s move to build a safety zone in northern Syria, along with coalition airstrikes, “set conditions for the eventual liberation of Raqqa, the city that Daesh consider their capital,” Dorrian said.

The colonel addressed comments earlier in the day by the new commander of the U.S.-led coalition, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, who said the Raqqa offensive had been on hold due to a disagreement between Ankara and Washington over the Pentagon’s support for the YPG. Dorrian said the Coalition is working to ensure all forces fighting Daesh in Syria are deconflicted and have lines of coordination. [HeberTurk]

 

Operation Euphrates Shield will continue to create a safe area in northern Syria, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Friday. “Activities to establish a safe area in the north of Syria will continue,” Yildirim told reporters before a Justice and Development (AK) Party central executive committee meeting in the capital Ankara. Yildirim added that the Operation Euphrates Shield will be conducted until security is provided completely along Turkish borders and the threats against citizens are removed. [Anadolu]

 

The Turkey Minister of Foreign Affairs says the success of the Operations Euphrates Shield “gave courage” to local groups in Raqqa and Mosul! [Anadolu]

 

Northwest (Aleppo, Idlib)

Al-Bab

A Turkey backed opposition groups commander says the opposition launched a massive attack on Daesh in Tal Hussein town. Daesh launched another attack near Al-Waqf, but opposition groups, supported by Turkish artillery and warplanes, stopped the attack. Turkish planes also bombed several villages south of Al-Ra’i. [ARA]

 

The Turkish military says opposition groups captured Tal Ali village. It also says battles continued in Tal Al-Hawa village. It says one of its tanks was destroyed and three Turkish soldiers were killed and another wounded. It says Turkish planes targeted 4 Daesh positions in the area. Daesh targeted Kilis with a shell from Kafr Ghan without causing any damage. Turkish artillery responded with 41 shells on the village. Coalition planes also targeted Daesh positions in the village, killing a terrorist and destroying a building. [Rudaw]

 

Azaz

Daesh publishes photos of weapons and ammunition it captured after stopping a “PKK infidels” attack on Tal Qarah village south of Mare’. [DawaAlhaq]

Daesh said it stopped a “YPG” attack on Tal Qarah village, killing 30 fighters and destroying a T72 tank and a BMP armored vehicle.

 

Daesh publishes photos of battles with the “PKK” near Um Hawsh, Um Al-Qura villages, and Tal Qarah, in addition to battles with opposition groups near Al-Ra’i. [JustPaste]

 

Afrin

Turkish Border Guard killed a young Syrian man while he was trying to cross from Turkey to his hometown in Afrin. [ARA]

 

The YPG says the Turkish Army attacked Hammam village in Afrin with heavy artillery on Thursday evening. It also says Turkey backed opposition groups attacked the largely Kurdish Sheikh Maqsoud, but the YPG stopped the attack, killing one fighter. Turkey backed opposition groups also attacked Maranaz village in Kobane with mortars and heavy artillery. It also says Daesh targeted areas west of Ain Eissa with mortars and heavy artillery. [ARA]

 

Other Northwest Syria

Al-Nusra Front says the airstrike that killed its military commander, Abu Omar Saraqeb (aka Abu Hajer Al-Homsi), and three other commanders yesterday was conducted by the Coalition. [Qasioun]

Several Turkey and Saudi backed opposition groups, issued statements mourning the death of Saraqeb. [Dorar]

DaeshDaily comment. Some of these groups use the FSA title in their letterheads! This terrorist fought with the AQI.

A Pentagon source told the Russian news agency Tass that the Pentagon has no information about an American airstrike on Nusra. [EnabBaladi]

 

Northeast (Hasaka, Raqqa)

Hasaka

The YPG says Daesh attacked Malha village in Shaddadi with mortars. [ARA]

 

Raqqa

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says battles continued between Daesh and the Syrian Democratic Forces in different areas west of Ain Eissa. It says Daesh captured parts of Habsawi town. [SyriaHR]

 

Central and West (Homs, Hama, etc.)

A local activist says Daesh emptied its headquarters in Rasm Al-Abd town east of Hama, and left for an unknown location. [ARA]

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says battles continued between the Syrian Army and its allied militias against Daesh in different areas east of Homs. [SyriaHR] [SyriaHR]

 

Daesh publishes photos of beheading a Jordan-backed opposition group member. [JustPaste]

 

East (Deir Ez-Zor)

Daesh says it attacked the Syrian Army near the 137th brigade’s headquarters southwest of Deir Ez-Zor, and captured 3 military positions. Daesh says when the Syrian Army tried to counter the attack, a Turkish suicide terrorist attacked them with a vehicle bomb, killing or wounding several soldiers. [JustPaste]

Daesh issues a video of the positions it captured. [A3maq]

 

Daesh issues a video of targeting a Syrian Army position with an SPG9 rocket in Deir Ez-Zor. [A3maq]

 

Local sources say Daesh expelled 15 people from Deir Ez-Zor to Mosul after accusing them of contacting the New Syria Army. The sources say this was unprecedented, and the local leaders are trying to negotiate with Daesh. The sources also say Daesh might have sent these men to use them in the upcoming Mosul battles. [ARA]

 

A local activist says opposition groups launched a counter attack on Daesh in the Afa’i Mountains area, East Qalamoun, killing or wounding 30 terrorists and recapturing some of the positions Daesh had gained during the last few days. [ARA]

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says heavy battles continued between the Syrian Army and its allied militias against Daesh near the Deir Ez-Zor military airport and several other areas in Deir Ez-Zor. [SyriaHR]

 

OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS

 

North Africa

Egypt

A Counter Terrorism major died in the hospital today after being shot by an Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis sniper during a search yesterday near Joura, south of Sheikh Zuweid. [ElWatan]

A soldier was wounded by a shell during a raid in Joura village. [ElWatan]

Daesh says it attacked an Egyptian Army barrier near Joura village south of Sheikh Zuweid with a Katyusha rocket and a 120mm mortar shell. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh says it attacked an Egyptian Army barrier in the Abu Rifa’i area south of Sheikh Zuweid with heavy machine guns. [JustPaste]

Daesh says it “foiled” an Egyptian Army campaign in the Muqata’a area south of Sheikh Zuweid. Daesh says clashes erupted and that it used heavy, midsized, and small weapons in killing or wounding several soldiers, and forcing the rest to retreat. [JustPaste]

 

A civilian was killed when an IED exploded in the Marashda area in Sheikh Zuweid. [VetoGate]

 

A young man was shot and wounded by armed men in the Safa area in Arish. [VetoGate]

 

Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis executed a civilian publicly in the Fawakhiriya area in Arish. The terrorists arrived in 3 vehicles and brought the victim handcuffed and blindfolded. The man was kidnapped five days ago from Arish center. The terrorists left the area after the execution, and security forces started a search after the incident. [ElWatan]

 

Armed men kidnapped a man from Arish in Ismailia and took him to an unknown location. [ElWatan

Daesh says it destroyed an Egyptian Army Humvee with an IED near the Abu Jarad area south of Sheikh Zuweid. [JustPaste]

 

Libya

Central coast

The National Accord Government Military spokesman says his troops are preparing to launch the final attack on remaining Daesh areas in Sirte but haven’t set up a final date yet because Daesh terrorists are using their own families as human shields. [Libya24]

 

Other countries

Afghanistan

Daesh says an Afghani Army Colonel was severely wounded when it attacked his vehicle with an IED in Subdistrict 5 in Kabul. [JustPaste]

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

The Al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri issues a video message threatening to repeat the 9/11 attacks “thousands of times.” [YouTube]

DaeshDaily comment. No wonder Daesh fanboys are calling Zawahiri senile.

 

Videos of the Day

A video of North Oil Company teams extinguishing the fires in Qayara oilfields. [Mawsleya]

 

A video of the difficult conditions of the Ninewa displaced people in Dahuk [NRT]

 

OTHER DAESH MEDIA

 

Daesh audio newsletter for today [JustPaste]

 

Daesh issues an audio interview with its Bahraini religious leader, Turkey Binali, about the death of the Daesh spokesman Adnani. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Daesh issues a new book about zakat (religious tax). [DawaAlhaq]

 

September 8, 2016

Today’s Major Developments

General Townsend says Raqqa campaign is on hold. […]

Daesh families barred from returning to Falluja. […]

700 Daesh bodies buried in Jazeera Khaldiya. […]

Iraqi forces, Coalition attack Daesh in Jazeera Hit and in Haditha, but Daesh executes 30 teens. […]

Salahuddin PC Chairman says Shirqat liberation campaign will begin in mid-September. […]

Nujaifi still maneuvering against PMFs in Ninewa; but he and Barzani denounced. […]

Reported US helicopter airdrop operation captures 6 Daesh leaders in Mosul. […]

Turkey reported setting up for attack on Syrian border city of Azaz. […]

 

REPORTS FROM IRAQ

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Ashton Carter, the US Defense Secretary, said Daesh could be “enveloped and collapsed” in its main stronghold of Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq within months. He told the BBC: “Our campaign plan calls for the envelopment of both of those cities within months. I think our plan calls for the envelopment–that is, the surrounding and collapsing of ISIL control over those two key cities, Mosul and Raqqa. That envelopment is under way now and will unfold further in the coming months.” [IraqPress]

 

However, the new commander of the Coalition Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend says the push to reclaim Raqqa is on hold, though he thinks the battle to retake Mosul will begin in the coming weeks. He also He told the Wall Street Journal “We’re preparing for a hard fight, a long, difficult fight” “Really, it’s a siege I’m talking about here.” [WSJ]

DaeshDaily comment. If the Raqqa campaign is on hold, it’s because of recent political complications, not military factors. [See Turkey story below]

 

Over 90,000 more Iraqis have been displaced by war since mid-June, adding to the estimated 3.3 million who have fled their homes since 2014.

The report by the International Organization for Migration said that the new displacements took place between June 16 and Sept. 5. It said the new internally displaced persons (IDPs) come from the northern Iraqi provinces of Salahuddin and Ninewa. [Rudaw]

DaeshDaily comment. To provide more meaningful numbers, the IOM should also estimate the number of displaced people who have returned to their homes. The important number, which should be tracked from month to month, would result from subtracting the returnees from the number of displaced persons (including the newly displaced).

 

The Saudi News Agency says the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted yesterday’s report by the Independent regarding the Saudi Ambassador to Iraq. The Ministry says the Ambassador doesn’t have any relative who fights with Daesh. [ROJ]

The Independent changed its report and now says the Ambassador was expelled over assassination attempt claims. [Independent]

DaeshDaily comment. Even the second explanation noticeably the Ambassador’s alleged interference in Iraqi internal matters as the explanation.

 

The Coalition conducted 7 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Iraq, in and around Albu Hayat (1), Haditha (1), and Ramadi (1), and the rest in Ninewa, around Mosul (2) Qayara (1), and in the northwest in Sinjar (1).  [InherentResolve]

 

BAGHDAD

Security-related incidents reported

Center (Rusafa, Karkh, etc.)

Daesh publishes a photo of the Iraqi suicide terrorist who detonated himself in Karrada on Monday. [JustPaste]

 

North (Tarmiya, Taji, etc.)

An MoI source says two Ministry of Housing employees were killed and three others wounded when an IED exploded on their official vehicle in Taji. [Mada]

An MoI source says one person was killed and eight wounded when an IED exploded near a busy market in Saba’ Al-Bor. [Mada]

Iraqi Army 22nd brigade defused 2 IEDs in the Tariq Project area. [BOC Facebook Page]

Iraqi Army 59th brigade defused an IED and found 5 artillery shells in the Ro’ud area. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

East (Sadr City, New Baghdad, etc.)

A security source says a policeman was killed when armed men shot him in Baghdad Al-Jadida. The source also says unknown people threw a hand grenade at a house in the same area, causing material damages. [Sumaria]

An MoI source says unknown armed men threw a hand grenade at a security guard’s house in the Ghadeer area, causing material damages. [Mada]

A police source says the bodies of four men were found tied and shot in Sadr City. [Sumaria]

Iraqi Army 45th brigade found an explosives cache in the Dasim area. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

Southeast (Mada’in, etc.)

The Baghdad Operations Command issued a statement saying the IFP released a kidnapped person and captured his kidnappers in Zafaraniya. It says the IFP captured 15 armed men, and their vehicles, who tried to attack Iraqi forces after the operation. The BOC did not identify the armed men, but media sources say they were from the Nujaba’ movement. The sources also say a curfew was issued in Zafaraniya after the incident. [Shafaaq]

Al-Nujaba’, an Iran-backed Shia militia, issued a statement saying they were trying to capture a Daesh leader in Zafaraniya but security forces prevented them. It accused the security forces of cooperating with Daesh. [Mada]

DaeshDaily comment. Such unlawful armed groups are making a lot of money by kidnapping people, not necessarily Sunnis, for ransom. Using the popularity of the PMFs and the fact that the PMFs are an official government organization, Al-Nujaba’ and other gangs are terrorizing Baghdad. It is good that the IFP commander has a consistent history of opposing such groups.

Baghdad Operations Command issued a statement warning any armed group against conducting any “security operation” without coordinating with the BOC. [Mada]

 

An MoI source says a construction contractor was killed and two of his workers were wounded when a sticky IED exploded under their car in Zafaraniya. [Mada]

 

A security source says unknown armed men in 2 vehicles hijacked a vehicle carrying $200,000 in Mada’in. [Mada]

 

South (Dora, Yusufiyah, Mahmudiya, etc.)

An MoI source says an Iraqi Army officer was killed and another soldier wounded when a sniper shot at their checkpoint in Latifiya. [Mada]

Iraqi Army 23rd brigade defused 3 booby-trapped houses and 10 IEDs, and destroyed 5 guesthouses in the Akhsaf area. The same brigade found an IED, in addition to other explosives in the Tal Al-Dhahab area.  [BOC Facebook Page]

Iraqi Army 55th brigade defused 2 IEDs in the Arab Dawood area. [BOC Facebook Page]

Iraqi Army 25th brigade found an explosives cache in the Shakha 3 area. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

Southwest (Rasheed, etc.)

An MoI source says two people were killed and five wounded when an IED exploded near a commercial area in Hay Al-Furat. [Mada]

 

West (Ghazaliya, Abu Ghraib, etc.)

An MoI source says a tribal PMF fighter was killed and four others wounded when an IED exploded on their vehicle in Radwaniya. [Mada]

 

Total Baghdad incidents reported:   20    (Includes only incidents reported)

 

ANBAR

Falluja

A tribal PMF commander says security forces and tribal fighters informed the families that were trying to return to their houses in areas west of Falluja that the Daesh families will not be allowed to return. Security forces have allowed more than 150 families to re-enter areas southwest of Falluja so far. [Maalomah]

A member of the Anbar Provincial Council says 300 families returned to their houses in areas south and west of Falluja. [Sumaria]

 

Ramadi

The chairman of the Khaldiya subdistrict council says security forces and medical committees buried the bodies of 700 Daesh terrorists who were killed in Jazeera Khaldiya, after taking photos and assigning a number code to each body. [Mada]

 

The IFP Commander says his troops captured a Daesh terrorist and found a rockets and shells storehouse west of Ramadi. [Etejah]

 

Hit/Haditha

The Jazeera Operations Commander says Coalition warplanes targeted Daesh in Hay Al-Bakr in Jazeera Hit and the Qusairiyat area in Haditha District, killing 7 terrorists and destroying a large weapons and rockets storehouse and 3 machine gun mounted vehicles, in addition to a large weapons and ammunition cache. [Mada]

In another report, the commander says Iraqi forces, supported by Coalition planes, attacked Daesh locations in Jazeera Hit, the Zawiya area, and Horan Valley, killing 14 terrorists and destroying 7 machine gun-mounted vehicles, a rocket launcher, a mortar unit, and a large explosives cache. [BasNews]

 

A Sahwa commander says Daesh executed thirty teenagers in Jazeera Hit, after accusing them of providing Iraqi forces with information. [BasNews]

DaeshDaily comment. We have seen too many videos of Daesh executing young boys, but this is a large number.

 

SALAHUDDIN

Shirqat

The Chairman of the Salahuddin Provincial Council says a JOC meeting was held in Baghdad to discuss the Shirqat liberation. He says all the preparations were finished and the Shirqat campaign will start directly after Eid. [Mada]

 

A PMF commander says a PMF unit found the bodies of 68 Daesh fighters in a mass grave in the Makhoul Mountains area, in addition to lists of their names and the dates of death. [Mada]

 

Daesh publishes one photo of clashes with Iraqi forces in the Tilul Al-Baj area. The photo basically shows one terrorist shooting at something with a heavy machine gun. [JustPaste] Daesh also publishes one photo of targeting Iraqi forces with locally made rockets in the same area. [JustPaste]

Daesh publishes 3 photos of targeting Iraqi forces in the same area with mortars. The third photo, which was taken by a drone, shows the shell missing its target. Daesh’s comment on the comment was “it missed, but it frightened.” [JustPaste]

DaeshDaily comment. Daesh is always victorious (even when it isn’t).

 

Daesh says it damaged an Iraqi Army vehicle in the Sheikh Ali area with light and mid-sized weapons. It also says it targeted Iraqi Army positions in the Dibis area with light and mid-sized weapons. [JustPaste]

 

Tooz

Daesh publishes photos of targeting PMF positions in the Zarqa area with mortars. [JustPaste]

 

DIYALA

Baquba/southeast Diyala

The Chairman of the Security Committee in Diyala Provincial Council says an Intelligence unit captured a Daesh cell near Baquba that was planning to assassinate government and security leaders in the province. [Sumaria]

 

KIRKUK

Kirkuk

A security source says the body of a young woman was found strangled and her hand cut off in the industrial area in south Kirkuk. [Mada]

 

Hawija

Daesh says it destroyed a Peshmerga vehicle in the Mansouriya Mountain region, killing or wounding the fighters inside. [JustPaste]

 

NINEWA

Mosul

Mosul campaign

The former governor of Ninewa, Atheel Al-Nujaifi, says Prime Minister Abadi is delaying the Mosul liberation by insisting on PMF participation in the battles. He says the PMFs are in faraway places like north Baiji and they will need time to reach Mosul. [Mada]

DaeshDaily comment. This argument would have been completely legitimate before the invention of horse-drawn wagons. Of course, it’s also entirely self-serving. Nujaifi does not want a lot of PMFs showing up to interfere with his scheme to steal Ninewa from Iraq.  

 

A member of the PMF Commission says the JOC plans to liberate Mosul were coordinated with the PMF command. He also says the delay in the start of the operation is because Iraqi forces want to ensure the safety of the civilians. As for Nujaifi, he says Nujaifi conspired with Turkey, formed illegal militias, and holds no loyalty to Iraq. [Ishraq]

 

The Turkmen PMF commander says his fighters will participate in all the upcoming liberation operations, including Mosul and Hawija. [Ishraq]

 

A Sunni MP from Ninewa accuses KRG President Barzani of trying to divide Mosul. He says the Peshmerga continued displacing families from Ninewa and recently displaced 200 families from Hmaidan subdistrict, in addition to burning down Mahmudiya village in Rabia and preventing Arabs from returning to their houses. [Ghad]

 

A PUK official says that yesterday, American Apaches conducted an airdrop on a Daesh headquarters in Hay Sumer in Mosul and captured 6 Daesh leaders. He says the operation happened after several airstrikes on Daesh on the east and west sides of Mosul. [SotIraq]

 

The IWMC says Coalition planes targeted a Daesh convoy that was attacking Peshmerga positions near Mahalbiya village west of Mosul, killing 10 terrorists. [Ghad]

 

Warplanes destroyed a local factory used by Daesh in Hay Al-Thawra, killing the terrorists inside. [PressIraq]

 

The Italian Aki news agency says, according to WikiLaw, a website specialized in security and defense issues, that Daesh has been preparing for months for a major attack on the Mosul Dam using 30 vehicles, in addition to car bombs and motorcycle bombs. There are 400 Italian soldiers protecting the dam, which is 50 km (31 miles) north of Mosul. [PUKMedia]

 

The KRG’s Prime Minister says in a meeting with the UN Rep in Iraq that the KRG, during his visit to Baghdad, asked the Iraqi government to quickly prepare a joint plan for liberation. [PressIraq]

DaeshDaily comment. Perhaps this comment has some unseen motive, as the military plans for the Ninewa liberation have been under way with US participation for months and must be largely settled by now.

 

Daesh publishes 2 photos of a Kurdish fighter being shot by a Daesh sniper in Um Tutha village. [JustPaste]

 

Mosul internal reports

Local sources say Daesh executed in prison a mosque imam in Mosul who objected to the destruction of churches and the confiscation of Christian Iraqi houses. The sources say Daesh arrested the imam last year after he publicly invited Daesh to a religious debate about such crimes. [Karemlash]

DaeshDaily comment. The story is awful.  The victim is an inspiration.

 

A local source says Daesh gave an ultimatum to the families of people it executed to leave Mosul city within 72 hours, except for people who have recommendations from Daesh leaders. The source says Daesh’s decision was a reaction to the increased attacks on Daesh members in the city and because Daesh is trying to secure Mosul before the anticipated Iraqi attack. [Sumaria]

 

Local sources say Daesh arrested many people in Mosul, including former officers and Baath Party members, in addition to University of Mosul employees who stopped going to work for fear of airstrikes. [Mawsleya]

 

A Ninewa Police chief says Daesh blew up the houses of nine Shabak people in the Kokajli area east of Mosul city. Daesh had used these houses for its terrorists. [BasNews]

 

The “PMF Intelligence” says Daesh installed watchtowers on Kirkuk Street and in Hay Sumer, and other areas in Mosul, fearing attacks from the people of Mosul and airstrikes. It also says Daesh moved its archives, containing the names of its terrorists, from Mosul to Raqqa. [PressIraq] [PressIraq]

 

A local source says a woman detonated herself in a group of Daesh terrorists who were arresting young people west of Mosul, killing 11 terrorists. [Maalomah]

DaeshDaily comment. We haven’t seen this report in other sources.

 

Local sources say foreign Daesh terrorists who had disappeared from Mosul have returned with disabilities. The sources say some of the terrorists lost hands or limbs, but Daesh deployed them in Mosul streets after they were released from hospitals. Some of these terrorists were used as traffic police before they were deployed to the front lines. [Mawsleya]

 

Local sources say Daesh started religious training seminars for its new members and for the terrorists involved in the fighting in Qayara, in an effort to improve morale in the ranks. [Mawsleya]

 

Local sources say Daesh allowed money exchange offices in Mosul to have internet connection as long as its terrorists can supervise communication surrounding financial transfers. The sources also say Daesh is preventing people from exchanging money other than with their relatives. [Mawsleya]

 

The Ministry of Displacement and Migration says it signed a memorandum of understanding with the KRG’s Ministry of Interior regarding housing and aiding displaced people from Mosul and implementing the response plan that was coordinated with the UN and international organizations. [Maalomah]

 

Daesh issues a video of fixing Baghdad Street in Mosul. [JustPaste]

 

Qayara

A Ninewa Operations Command source says Iraqi Army 92nd brigade killed 6 Daesh terrorists in Izhailila in Qayara. The village had been liberated weeks ago. It also says Coalition warplanes destroyed a Daesh mortar unit in Khabata village and another unit in Houd village, killing several terrorists. [Mawsleya] [Mawsleya] [Mawsleya]

 

An Iraqi Army source says the bodies of 32 Daesh fighters were found in a mass grave in Qayara. [BasNews]

 

Daesh publishes 2 photos of blowing up the house of a “Sahwa infidel” in Awayniya village. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh says it attacked an Iraqi Army barracks near the Shirqat Intersection, burning it down, destroying a Humvee, and capturing weapons and ammunition. It also says it destroyed 2 more Humvees with IEDs, killing the soldiers inside. [JustPaste]

Daesh issues a video of the burned barracks and Humvee, and publishes photos of the spoils. [A3maq] [JustPaste]

 

Nineveh Plain

A security source says two Peshmerga fighters were killed by a Daesh mortar shell on Zardak Mountain in Al-Khazer (Hamdaniya). [Baghdadia]

 

Northwest (Tal Afar, Sinjar)

A PUK official says the Coalition targeted Daesh headquarters in 2 villages in Tal Afar District, killing one bystander and wounding three. [Mada]

 

Daesh publishes a photo of targeting the Peshmerga in Shandoukha village northeast of Tal Afar city with an SBG9 rocket. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh says two children were killed by an “American bombing” on Tal Afar city. [A3maq]

 

Daesh publishes photos of targeting Peshmerga positions on the outskirts of Sinjar with mortars and heavy machine guns. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh says it targeted Peshmerga positions in different areas in Sinjar District with more than 70 mortars and 6 locally made rockets. [JustPaste]

 

SOUTHERN IRAQ

Dhi Qar

A Nasiriya Prison source says two Syrians and a Saudi were executed on terrorism charges in the prison. The source says the Syrians were captured in 2005 and 2008 and were members of Al-Qaeda, while the Saudi was a Daesh emir involved in many terrorist attacks and was captured in 2012. [Baghdadia]

 

REPORTS FROM TURKEY

 

Turkey supports plans to drive Daesh out of its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa but U.S.-backed Kurdish militia fighters should not be at the core of the operation, Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said on Thursday. Speaking to Reuters after a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter in London, Isik said YPG fighters should not be at the heart of any bid to seize Raqqa.

“What Turkey focuses and insists on is that instead of solely the YPG forces, the operations must be conducted, as the core of the operatives, by the local people of the region, instead of the YPG,” he said in an interview. “Turkey will not allow YPG forces to extend their territory and gain power by using the Daesh operations as an excuse,” he said. [Reuters]

DaeshDaily comment. As US strategy has relied heavily on the YPG as the main component of the Syrian Democratic Forces, acceding to this Turkish demand could derail the objective of capturing Raqqa indefinitely. (Might that be connected to the comment of General Townsend reported above that the Raqqa campaign is on hold?)

 

REPORTS FROM SYRIA

 

Takfiri cleric Essam Al-Barqawi (AKA Maqdisi) says the Daesh “minister of media,” Abu Mohammed Furqan, was killed in an airstrike on Raqqa yesterday. He also says only Awwad Baghdadi and 3 other top leaders are still alive. [Twitter] [Twitter]

DaeshDaily comment. Maqdisi is a major figure from his Al-Qaeda days.

 

The Coalition says it conducted 5 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Syria, including 2 near Raqqa, 1 near Ain Eissa, 1 near Deir Ez-Zor, and 1 near Mare’. [InherentResolve] [ARA]

 

Northwest (Aleppo, Idlib)

Jarabulus

Turkish security and medical sources say at least five people were killed and twelve others wounded in a Daesh attack on Jarabulus without giving more details. [Sumaria]

 

Daesh says it conducted a suicide attack on opposition groups in Tal Hajar village, west of Ghandoura. [A3maq]

 

Al-Bab

An opposition group commander says Turkey-backed opposition groups captured 2 villages south of Ghandoura after heavy battles. He also says Daesh tried to attack Al-Ra’i with a vehicle bomb but a Turkish plane destroyed the vehicle. [ARA]

 

An opposition group commander says the opposition groups will advance toward Al-Bab city (held by Daesh), then to Manbij (where Daesh has already been defeated). [Qasioun]

DaeshDaily comment. We don’t know how reliable this guy is as a source, but his comment illustrates a major political problem in controlling the anti-Daesh effort in Syria. (See Gen. Townsend story above under National News)

 

Daesh publishes 2 photos of targeting opposition groups with heavy machine guns in Ameriya village east of Al-Ra’i. [JustPaste]

 

The Al-Bab Military Council, a Turkey-supported group, issued a final warning to local Daesh terrorists– to repent and leave Daesh. [Dorar]

 

Daesh publishes photos of battles with Turkey-backed opposition groups. [A3maq]

Daesh issues a video of the attack. [A3maq]

 

Daesh says it killed two opposition group fighters in Kalji village in Al-Ra’i subdistrict. [A3maq]

 

Azaz

The YPG-backed Hawar says, according to trusted sources, that the Turkish Army is moving tanks and personnel carriers to the Syrian border in preparation for an attack on Azaz city. [Hawar]

Other sources from Azaz say the Turkish Army brought 155 pieces of heavy machinery to the area. [ARA]

 

Afrin

Thousands of people are heading to Sorka village in Afrin to protest yesterday’s Turkish attack. [Hawar]

 

The YPG says opposition groups shelled different areas in Afrin, killing a YPG fighter on Wednesday. It also says on Wednesday, Daesh attacked Hasbawi village west of Ain Eissa, but the YPG stopped the attack, forcing the terrorists to flee. [Hawar]

 

Other Northwest Syria

At least 2 Syrian Nusra Front Commanders were killed in an airstrike in Kafar Naya town west of Aleppo. [Arabi21]

An informed source says that the airstrike was conducted by the Coalition. [ZamanAlWasl]

 

A man and a child were wounded in heavy shelling by Turkey-backed opposition groups on Sheikh Maqsoud. [Hawar]

 

Daesh says it distributed $453,000 from zakat Islamic taxes to 8,709 families in Aleppo during the month of August. [A3maq]

 

Northeast (Hasaka, Raqqa)

Raqqa

Daesh says it destroyed a Syrian Army machine gun-mounted vehicle with a guided rocket on the road between Raqqa and Ithariya. [A3maq]

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says a Syrian Democratic Forces fighter was killed by a Daesh land mine in Suluk. [SyriaHR]

 

Daesh publishes 2 photos of the sheep market in Raqqa. [JustPaste]

 

Central and West (Homs, Hama, etc.)

A source from Raqqa says Daesh finished filming a video about executing prisoners from Jaish Al-Islam who were captured in the battles in East Qalamoun. The source says Daesh brought 5 prisoners to the historical Qasr Al-Hayr Al-Sharqi northeast of Tadmur. Local residents say they heard an explosion in the area, which might indicate that Daesh used explosives to execute the prisoners. [ARA]

 

Daesh issues a video of 4 Syrian soldiers who surrendered to its terrorists east of Homs. [A3maq]

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says battles continued between Syrian troops and Daesh in the silos area near Tadmur. [SyriaHR]

 

East (Deir Ez-Zor)

Daesh targeted Joura and Qusour neighborhoods in Deir Ez-Zor with tens of shells, killing three civilians, including two children, and wounding five. [EnabBaladi]

 

Daesh says it targeted New Syria Army positions near Tanaf south of Deir Ez-Zor with 3 Grad rockets. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh issues a video of 2 Syrian soldiers who surrendered to its terrorists in Deir Ez-Zor. [A3maq]

 

South (Rif Damashq, Suwayda, Daraa, etc.)

Daesh issues a video of a Syrian soldier who surrendered to its terrorists east of Damascus yesterday. [A3maq]

 

OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS

 

North Africa

Egypt

A security source says Egyptian Apaches destroyed a large weapons and explosives storehouse in a mountain area in Central Sinai and killed 2 terrorists. Ground troops started a search in the area after the strikes. [VetoGate]

 

The Egyptian Army spokesman says an officer was killed in clashes with takfiris after a raid on their hideout in the Dhahir area, in North Sinai. [Anadolu]

 

Security forces launched a major campaign south of Sheikh Zuweid and killed 4 terrorists, captured one, confiscated 30 tons of explosives, and destroyed an underground weapons storehouse. The security also captured a senior Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis commander. An Egyptian security major was wounded. [VetoGate] [VetoGate]

 

Three civilians were killed when a shell fell on their house in Tawil village south of Sheikh Zuweid. [VetoGate]

 

Daesh says it targeted an Egyptian Army barrier in Joura village south of Sheikh Zuweid with a Katyusha rocket and another barrier in the Albu Rifa’i area south of Sheikh Zuweid with a mortar shell. [JustPaste]

 

Eyewitnesses say armed men kidnapped a civilian after breaking into his house in Shalaq village west of Sheikh Zuweid, after accusing him of cooperating with the Egyptian Army. [ElWatan]

 

A security source says a civilian was shot and killed and another wounded in Akour village in Sheikh Zuweid. [VetoGate]

 

A security source says a soldier was wounded when an armed group attacked a security barrier south of Arish. [ElWatan]

 

Daesh says its snipers hit an Egyptian soldier near Masoura area south of Rafah. [JustPaste]

 

Daesh publishes photos of destroying an Egyptian Army trailer carrying a bulldozer near the Karm Al-Qawadis area. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Libya

Northeast

The Libyan Army spokesman says sporadic clashes continued in Qanfouda and Qawarsha, west of Benghazi. He says the military offered negotiations with the terrorists in order to release the trapped families in the areas, but the terrorists refused the offer in order to keep using the families as human shields. [Libya24]

 

Daesh says it killed a “Hafter militia member” with an IED in the Qawarsha area. Daesh says its snipers killed another soldier in the same area. [A3maq] [JustPaste]

 

Central coast

Daesh says American bombings intensified when Libyan troops decreased their numbers in Sirte and shifted their tactics to armored vehicles. Daesh also says a Libyan MIG plane conducted airstrikes on Sirte for the first time since Daesh shot down a plane in August 10.  [A3maq] [A3maq]

 

A security source says 2 Daesh suicide terrorists, a Libyan and a Pakistani, were captured while driving a vehicle bomb west of Misrata. The source says the terrorists were planning to attack the air defense headquarters in Misrata. [Wasat]

 

A military source says the shelling and bombing of the remaining Daesh-held areas in Sirte continued. The source also says Daesh moved prisoners to a Navy high school because of the heavy bombing and shelling. [Wasat]

 

Daesh publishes a photo of a dead Libyan soldier in Sirte. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Northwest

A Central Security spokesman says 2 car bombs exploded ten minutes apart in Tripoli, one behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building and one near a naval base, without causing any damages. [Wasat]

The Deputy Chairman of the National Accord Government Presidential Council accused Daesh of the attacks. [AfriGate]

 

Other countries

Pakistan

Daesh says it detonated an IED on a Pakistani Elite Force police vehicle in Peshawar, wounding six policemen. [JustPaste]

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Videos of the Day

A video of Explosive Ordinance Disposal clearing the Qayara Hospital of IEDs. [Mawsleya]

 

A video of a Daesh prison found in Qayara [Mawsleya]

 

OTHER DAESH MEDIA

 

Daesh audio newsletter for today [JustPaste]

 

Daesh issues a propaganda video about its affiliate in the Yarmouk Basin, Khaled Bin Al-Waleed Army. [Ana Al-Muslim]

September 7, 2016

Today’s Major Developments

Iraq expels Saudi Ambassador. […]

Anbar PC security chairman says 1,500 mostly innocent civilians still imprisoned in Falluja. […]

30 more Speicher Massacre victims found in mass graves. […]

Daesh executes three more groups of people in Mosul. […]

Commander of separatist militia in Ninewa says Peshmerga will help them seize control of Mosul. […]

PUK trying to upend oil export deal between Erbil and Baghdad. […]

Human Rights Watch exposes continuing Syrian refugee crisis at Jordanian border. […]

 

REPORTS FROM IRAQ

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Prime Minister Abadi issued a statement saying he is surprised by some “voices” who are trying to create problems regarding the Mosul liberation and spread lies in order to affect the morale of Iraqi forces. [Maalomah]

 

Iraq has expelled its first Saudi Arabian ambassador in a quarter of a century. This followed unconfirmed social media reports over his refusal to condemn his cousin, who died while fighting for Daesh.

Abdel-Salaam Al-Subhan was killed two weeks ago in fighting near Mosul, authorities said. Ambassador Thamer Al-Subhan allegedly refused to denounce the actions of his cousin in joining Daesh.  [Independent]

DaeshDaily comment. This story seems highly unlikely. As thousands of Saudis joined Daesh, the ambassador might, or might not, have a terrorist cousin. However, he would have been in trouble with his own government if he didn’t denounce the alleged cousin. The Ambassador was already in hot water over his interference in a couple of internal Iraq matters—the more likely explanation for his departure.

    Such social media stories are part of the petty cold war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the price of which is being paid by thousands of innocent people in Iraq and elsewhere.

 

Abadi says Iraqi people have defended the Gulf countries (by fighting Daesh, though he did not say that specifically) and so these countries should cooperate with Iraq today to fight Daesh. [Anadolu]

DaeshDaily comment. Instead, thousands of suicide terrorists from these countries have been detonating themselves among Iraqi civilians since 2003. The Gulf states don’t acknowledge this, but Iraq understands it too well.

 

The Ministry of Interior says one million Iranian pilgrims have entered Iraq for the upcoming Eid ceremonies in Kerbala. [Mada]

 

BAGHDAD

The US Ambassador to Iraq, Douglas A. Silliman, says the date for the liberation of Mosul is a decision for the Iraqi Government to make, and the US’s role in defeating Daesh is to provide advice. He also says the United States supports Iraq regarding national reconciliation, [Non14]

 

The Coalition conducted 12 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Iraq, in and around Albu Hayat (1), Hit (1), and Ramadi (1), and the rest in Ninewa, around Mosul (6) Qayara (2), and Kasik (1).  [InherentResolve]

 

Security-related incidents reported

North (Tarmiya, Taji, etc.)

Iraqi Army 22^nd brigade destroyed 3 Daesh guesthouses in the Al-Hora area. Iraqi Army 59^th brigade found 5 artillery shells in Dhabitya. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

Northeast (Adhamiya, etc.)

A security source says a paramedic was killed when armed men shot him using silenced guns in Husseiniya. [Ghad]

 

East (Sadr City, New Baghdad, etc.)

An MoI source says the bodies of two unknown women were found beheaded in Ameen. [Mada]

A security source says a police major was killed when armed men shot him on Qanat Street near his house. [Sumaria]

A security source says two people were killed and six wounded when an IED exploded near car dealerships in Nahrawan. [Rudaw]

 

South (Dora, Yusufiyah, Mahmudiya, etc.)

An MoI source says one policeman was killed and four wounded when an IED exploded on their vehicle in Dora. [Mada]

An MoI source says two people were killed and six wounded when an IED exploded near a busy market in Mahmudiya. [Mada]

Iraqi Army 23^rd brigade destroyed 7 guesthouses and defused 11 IEDs in the Akhsaf area. The same brigade found 25 kg of explosives and 2 hand grenades in the Ubaid area. [BOC Facebook Page]

 

Total Baghdad incidents reported:    9     (Includes only incidents reported)

 

ANBAR

Falluja

A member of the Security Committee in Anbar Provincial Council says 1,500 civilians are still in imprisoned in Ameriyat Al-Falluja, after more than 4 months. He says they were imprisoned after being separated from their families when they left their houses in Falluja, Saqlawiya, and Nassaf. He says Iraqi forces should accelerate their security checks and release the innocent.  [Mada]

 

An Al-Suqoor Intelligence Cell source says Iraqi forces killed, in an undisclosed location, a local Daesh terrorist who was responsible for killing Mustafa Al-Adhari, an Iraqi soldier, in Falluja. [Mawazin]

DaeshDaily comment. The terrorists paraded the soldier in Falluja streets then hanged his body from a bridge in the city in May 2015, causing a huge firestorm especially among Shia Iraqis. Since then, Iraqi forces have announced killing or capturing several terrorists who participated in the crime. When Falluja was liberated, hundreds of people celebrated in front of Adhari’s house in Sadr City.

 

Ramadi

The PMF spokesman refuted media reports about the PMFs withdrawing from Jazeera Khaldiya. He says the PMFs will withdraw from the area and hand it over to the local police after clearing IEDs. [Mada]

The Chairman of the Khaldiya District Council had said that the PMFs withdrew completely from Jazeera Khaldiya. [Sumaria]

 

Hit/Haditha

A Tribal PMF commander says the IAA bombed a Daesh convoy in the Sakran area, west of Haditha, killing or wounding more than 50 terrorists. [Maalomah]

The Jazeera Operations Commander says the IAA launched heavy airstrikes on Daesh targets in the Qusairiyat area, west of Haditha, killing 12 terrorists and destroying 3 trenches and several vehicles. [Maalomah]

 

The IWMC says the Coalition destroyed a Daesh fighting position in Zawiya village in Haditha District, killing several terrorists. [AIN]

 

The Jazeera Operations Commander says Coalition planes targeted a Daesh headquarters in Hay Al-Bakr, killing 4 terrorists and destroying a rocket launcher-mounted vehicle and a 23mm machine gun. He says Iraqi forces are preparing to liberate Jazeera Hit in the next few days. [Mada]

 

A Tribal PMF commander says many Daesh terrorists, including emirs and senior commanders, are first degree relatives (immediate family) to Iraqi officials from Anbar, including CoR and Provincial Council members, who did not denounce those terrorists. [Mada]

DaeshDaily comment. Every day there are social media reports about terrorists being released from prisons because of bribery or because of they have powerful family members, and many of those terrorists were released after they were vetted as “sources.” Not having strong justice procedures will force the tribes to take matters into their own hands. Iraq still hasn’t find a way to solve this problem.

 

Rutba

A Border Guard commander says his troops captured the Daesh “slaughterer” in Rutba after getting information from local citizens. The man had been the chief executioner for Daesh in Rutba. [Sumaria]

 

The Mayor of Rutba says Iraqi Army and Federal Police reinforcements arrived in Rutba to protect the city from Daesh. [Sumaria]

 

Western Anbar

A Tribal PMF commander says 2 IFP battalions, equipped with tanks and military vehicles and heavy and mod-sized weapons, arrived at the Al-Waleed border crossing to participate in liberating the remaining areas in west Anbar. [Mada]

 

A security source says warplanes targeted 2 areas in the town of Akashat in Al-Qa’im District, on the Syrian border, killing “tens” of terrorists. [Sumaria]

 

An Anbar Operations Command source says armed men shot and killed a Daesh terrorist while he was driving his vehicle in the industrial area of Anah. [Maalomah]

 

An Anbar Operations Command source says unknown men stabbed three Daesh terrorists in a market in Rawa and took their weapons.  [Mada]

 

SALAHUDDIN

More than 1,500 Iraqi refugees arrived from the Al-Hawl camp in Syria to Salahuddin (videos). [Mosuliya] [Mosuliya]

 

Shirqat

Daesh says it killed or wounded ten Iraqi soldiers and destroyed a Humvee in an attack near the Hatra Intersection west of Shirqat. [JustPaste]

Daesh publishes photos of the attack. [JustPaste]

 

Baiji

The MoD says police units found barrels filled with explosives and 7 IEDs in the Malha area. [Harbi]

 

The MoD says the Intelligence Service captured 6 Daesh terrorists who were trying to sneak back to Salahuddin with displaced families in the Hajjaj area. [Harbi]

 

Daesh says it targeted PMF positions in the Fatha area, north of Baiji, with 5 mortar shells. [JustPaste]

 

Tikrit

A PMF group says it found the bodies of thirty Speicher Massacre victims in 3 mass graves in the Saddam presidential palace compound in Tikrit. [Buratha]

 

DIYALA

The Military Intelligence Service captured a Daesh network and confiscated weapons and ammunition in Diyala. The network was responsible for terrorist attack against civilians and security forces inside and outside the governorate. [MoD Website]

 

Baquba/southeast Diyala

The Diyala Police Chief says Police Emergency units captured 4 men wanted on terrorism charges in the southern neighborhoods of Baquba. [Sumaria]

 

Muqdadiya/Abu Saida

A local police source says two civilians were killed when an IED exploded near a garbage disposal area in Muqdadiya city. [Maalomah]

 

Northern Diyala (Kifri, Khanaqin, etc.)

A Diyala Police source says Iraqi forces started a security operation in several villages in Udhaim, searching for Daesh terrorists. [Baghdadia]

 

KIRKUK

Kirkuk

A Kirkuk Police commander says the police captured 3 people wanted on terrorism charges in the Sayyada area, south of Kirkuk. [Sumaria]

 

NINEWA

Mosul

Mosul campaign

Many people will find the following report from Al-Monitor disturbing.

For months now, the Turkish army has repeatedly targeted IS from positions they hold 15 kilometers (9 miles) northeast of Mosul. “The main goal of this base is to fight against Daesh” one Turkish soldier told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. “We deployed some fire-support vehicles, artillery, tanks and mortars, among other things, to destroy them,” he added.

The Turkish army is also training and arming the NMF, a predominantly Arab Sunni militia created by Atheel al-Nujaifi, the former governor of Ninewa province and, along with his highly influential family, a close Turkish ally.

The NMF commander told al-Monitor “Mosul is ours. If we get inside, all of it will be for us,”

To be able to reach the outskirts of the city, the NMF is working in cooperation with the Peshmerga.

According to Peshmerga Gen. Bahram Arif Yassin, stationed at Bashiqa Mountain, the Kurdish forces will seize the town of Bashiqa and advance toward Mosul, paving the way for the Ankara-backed fighters.

“We will recapture the area around Mosul. We will [stop] 2 kilometers [1 mile] from the city. And then,” Yassin said, “we will open a way for the NMF to go inside Mosul.”

Dismissed by Iraqi parliament members for corruption and alleged complicity with IS, Nujaifi has since found exile in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region. Like most Sunni leaders, Nujaifi initially opposed Kurdish autonomy, which he saw as a first step toward total independence. [Al-Monitor]

 

The former Governor of Ninewa, Atheel Nujaifi, says on his Facebook page, that the reason for the delay in the Mosul liberation is that Baghdad and Erbil haven’t reached an agreement about who will participate in the battle and about the stabilization factors following the battle. He says Erbil considers the effects of the instability of Mosul on the security and stability of Kurdistan region while Baghdad wants to deal with the issue as if Erbil is not at all involved. He also says neither the Ninewa Governor nor the Provincial Council represents the “absent voice of Ninewa”, and they don’t have a clear vision of what will happen after Daesh. He says it’s “incomprehensible” to talk about not allowing the Peshmerga to participate in Mosul liberation while they are in areas closer to the city than the Iraqi Army. [SotIraq]

 

A Turkmen MP says Nujaifi is trying to divide Ninewa and create a separate region controlled by Turkey. She says for that reason he doesn’t want the PMFs to participate in Ninewa liberation, although most of the PMFs who will participate in Ninewa liberation are from Ninewa. [Etejah]

DaeshDaily comment. These three stories confirm what we have been saying repeatedly, that the real risk in the Mosul campaign is not so much from Daesh as from the efforts of Nujaifi’s separatist movement, Barzani’s scheming to grab minority areas in northern Ninewa for Kurdistan, and Erdogan’s apparent military support, and the implied collaboration among the three. This is what Iraq is up against. How much this risk has been mitigated by the heavy and repeated US pressure and its support for the Iraqi government is not yet clear.

 

The Ninewa Provincial Council Representative in the Joint Operations Command says there are several issues delaying the Ninewa liberation battles, including the insufficient numbers of Iraqi forces, the lack of tribal fighters and local police prepared to hold ground following liberation, and the differences between the political blocks in the Provincial Council. He also says the United States is rebuilding the Qayara Airfield quickly in order to make it the launch pad for the Mosul liberation battle. [Yalla]

 

A PUK official says Coalition warplanes destroyed a Daesh headquarters, in addition to 12 vehicle bombs, killing 15 terrorists. He also says Coalition warplanes targeted a Daesh pickup truck near the Mosul Airport, killing 3 terrorists. [Mada] [PUKMedia]

 

A PUK official says the Coalition destroyed a Daesh IED factory in east Mosul, killing six terrorists. [Mada]

 

A security source says Daesh continued installing concrete block barriers and digging trenches outside Mosul city, anticipating the Iraqi forces attack. The source says Daesh finished installing blocks on the eastern side and is working now on the southern side. Daesh also removed its flags from its headquarters, fearing airstrikes, and kept them on hospitals and some other government buildings. Daesh is using housing that belongs to displaced people and put checkpoints tens of meters away from them. Many Daesh local terrorists have fled and Daesh is threatening their families with prison and with cutting off their food rations. [NewSabah]

DaeshDaily comment. Saddam also cut off the food rations of the families of soldiers who deserted his army. 

 

Daesh established a new checkpoint and used concrete blocks on a main street in the city.

Daesh established night-time checkpoints in different areas.

 

Daesh moved its fuel market to another area, near Wadi Al-Ain, a residential area. People anticipate a catastrophe if the new market is targeted by Iraqi or Coalition warplanes because it is only meters away from the residential area. [Etejah]

 

Daesh publishes 2 photos of shelling the Peshmerga in Kafraj Camp northwest of Mosul. [JustPaste]

 

Reports from the city

Local sources say Daesh arrested and executed many people in Mosul after accusing them of cooperating with Iraqi forces. The families of the victims said the accusations were not accurate and the confessions were taken under torture. [PressIraq]

 

A Ninewa Police chief says Daesh executed 12 civilians from Mosul in Tel Keif, including four Kurds, after accusing them of cooperating with the Iraqi forces and with the Peshmerga. [BasNews]

 

A Ninewa Police captain says Daesh blew up 14 of its prisons in different areas in Mosul city. He says Daesh had emptied these prisons after executing tens of prisoners last week and releasing others. [BasNews]

 

According to Etejah TV, Daesh foreign terrorists have started to reappear in Mosul city.

 

Several Daesh leaders returned to the villas they occupy in Zuhur, Tammuz, and Yarmouk. After Iraqi Army occupied Qayara, they had left their houses, but the delay in the Mosul military operation made them go back.

 

Many local terrorists who left Daesh also left their houses, fearing they might be arrested or even executed by Daesh.

 

A local source says Daesh is giving houses to displaced families if a man from each family joins Daesh. The source says Daesh is unable to recruit more terrorists and is using the housing needs of displaced families in Mosul as a wedge. [Sumaria]

 

Local sources say Daesh is distributing money to its terrorists before Eid in order to keep them on its side. [PressIraq]

 

However, a man from Mosul says Daesh issued new taxes on buying and selling livestock. People usually buy livestock in preparations for Eid. [PressIraq]

 

Kata’eb Al-Mosul says it killed a local Daesh terrorist in Hay Sumer. [KM Facebook Page]

 

Shura/Hammam Alil

A PUK official says Coalition warplanes destroyed a Daesh shovel that was digging trenches in Salahiya village in Hammam Al-Alil, killing the driver. [Mada]

 

Qayara

Two people were killed and four wounded by a Daesh shelling on Qayara (video). [Mosuliya]

 

Nineveh Plain

A Ninewa Operations commander says the Peshmerga launched a military operation early morning on Wednesday in Khazer in Hamdaniya and in the neighboring Gwer District in Makhmur, in order to liberate areas east and southeast of Mosul and surround Daesh in the city. The source says around 20,000 Peshmerga fighters are participating in the operation. He also says tens of Daesh terrorists were killed so far. The Kurdish forces are supported by Nineveh Plain PMFs who will hold the ground after Daesh has been defeated. A member of the Ninewa Provincial Council says the Kurdish troops are led by Mansour Barzani, the son of the KRG President, and have liberated 11 villages. He also says the Peshmerga destroyed 2 Daesh vehicle bombs and also received tens of civilians who fled the battles. [NewSabah]

DaeshDaily comment. This seems like a major story, but we are unsure about it. A major Peshmerga offensive occurred in the same area a few weeks ago. No other media outlets reported this story.

 

Northwest (Tal Afar, Sinjar)

A local source says Coalition warplanes destroyed a Daesh headquarters in Aski Mosul, killing a Daesh commander and 5 of his associates. [Masala]

 

A PUK official says Coalition warplanes destroyed a Daesh car rigging factory near Tal Afar, killing 6 terrorists. [PUKMedia]

 

South (Baaj, Hatra)

An Iraqi Army captain says Iraqi Army 92nd brigade stopped a Daesh attack on Malha village near Hatra, killing 12 Daesh terrorists, destroying a vehicle bomb, and capturing another. [Anadolu]

 

KURDISTAN

Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, on the official invitation of François Hollande, President of the Republic of France, arrived in Paris on Wednesday for a two-day visit.

Barzani’s first meeting was with French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian. Rudaw’s correspondent reported from Paris that they have discussed the fight against Daesh, the anticipated battle to liberate Mosul, and support for the Peshmerga. [Rudaw]

 

Less than two weeks before Erbil and Baghdad announced a deal to sell Kirkuk’s oil through the Kurdistan Region’s pipelines to Turkey, thereby resuming the exportation of Kirkuk’s oil, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) requested Baghdad to continue suspending oil exports due to the lack of KRG transparency and fairness in spending the revenues, and threatened to use “other mechanisms” to halt the exportation of Kirkuk’s oil if Baghdad did not concede.

The PUK on Wednesday released a letter sent from Hero Ibrahim Ahmed (Jalal Talabani’s wife) to Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Abadi on August 19 express the PUK’s stand on the issue.

“The Kirkuk oil export revenue from Bay Hasan and Havana fields was not spent transparently and fairly in the Kurdistan Region,” reads the letter. “Because of this, the citizens of Kirkuk were excluded from receiving petrodollars and this had a negative impact on the life of the people of Kirkuk.” [Rudaw]

DaeshDaily comment. After all the Erbil vs. Baghdad contention over oil policy, this story looks confusing. The real problem here is the continuing political crisis in Iraqi Kurdistan. The letter reflects the PUK (and Gorran) frustration with Barzani and the KDP for their various maneuvers to marginalize the Suleimaniya parties and impose their own policy decisions, and the allegation in this case is that the export revenues will go disproportionately to KDP-dominated areas. The importance of the Kirkuk angle is that Suleimaniya parties are closer geographically and politically to the people in Kirkuk and feel the need to represent their interests. The Iraqi government is of course caught in the middle on this one. Many major problems need solutions in Iraq, but some of them may require prior resolution of the political crisis between Barzani, the President not legally in office, and the political leadership in Suleimaniya.

 

Traffic policemen protested in front of the Traffic Directorate in Suleimaniya, demanding their salaries. [ROJ]

 

REPORTS FROM TURKEY

 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to journalists accompanying him on his return flight from the G-20 summit about his discussions with US President Obama. When asked whether Turkey would have a role in capturing Raqqa, he responded vaguely that this was up to the Americans, but that Turkey would maintain its presence, to prevent Daesh, but also the PKK, PYD, and YPG from establishing a foothold there.

Regarding Manbij, he said that Arabs in fact make up 90-95 percent of the people there. But, in spite of this, people wanted to move PYD forces there. He said Turkey countered this by offering to come in from the north. They were not won over, saying that it would take two or three months. Now Daesh, having been forced out of Jarabulus, is going to Al-Bab.

Erdogan said that Obama especially wants to do something together about Raqqa. ‘We made it known that there is no trouble at our end.” He also said that with Turkish support, the “moderate opposition” forces have started to move in that direction. He estimated that the area now under Turkish and allied control between Manbij and Jarabulus is about 11 square kilometers; from Manbij to Al-Bab is about 36 kilometers. [Cumhuriyet]

 

REPORTS FROM SYRIA

 

U.S. President Barack Obama’s national security advisor said Tuesday “We do not think a no-fly zone would resolve the fundamental issues on the ground because there continues to be fighting on the ground,” Ben Rhodes told reporters in Laos, where the president has been attending a regional summit.

“A no-fly zone would necessarily only be contained to one specific area, and we have problems and violence across the country,” he added. [Dorar]

 

Human Rights Watch says new satellite imagery dated August 31, 2016, shows the dire situation for tens of thousands of Syrians stranded at the Jordanian border. The imagery shows Syrians waiting in large numbers around at least seven water distribution sites. “These latest satellite images confirm that the humanitarian crisis at the Rukban encampment has not been resolved, and appears to be getting worse,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Jordan should immediately allow humanitarian agencies to resume life-saving aid deliveries to alleviate their suffering.” Since July 2014, the Jordanian authorities have stranded tens of thousands of Syrian asylum seekers in a barren desert area inside Jordan just north of a raised sand barrier, or berm. The barrier marks the limit of a demilitarized zone, which ends several hundred meters south of the Syrian-Jordanian border. [HRW]

The Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey says that Turkey backed opposition groups may advance further into Syria. He says the groups cleared 772 sq km (301 sq miles) from Daesh and secured 90 km (56 miles) of the border between Turkey and Syria. He also says 110 Daesh and Kurdish fighters have been killed since the start of the operation, while four Turkish soldiers were killed and nine wounded. [Anadolu]

 

The Coalition says it conducted 5 airstrikes on Daesh targets in Syria, including 1 near Raqqa, 1 near Manbij, 1 near Albu Kamal, and 2 near Mare’. [InherentResolve]

 

Northeast (Hasaka, Raqqa)

Hasaka

Local sources say the YPG gave an ultimatum to the people of 3 villages, southwest of Shaddadi, to leave their houses, without giving any explanation. The YPG also informed people that all young people between 18 and 30 years of age should join its military camps. [ZamanAlWasl]

 

Raqqa

Daesh issued an amnesty for prisoners in Raqqa with “simple crimes” like smoking and dressing code violations, not including “security crimes” or people who have outstanding financial penalties. [Qasioun]

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights say a man was publicly executed by Daesh in downtown Raqqa. They accused him of working for the Coalition. [SyriaHR]

 

Northwest (Aleppo, Idlib)

Jarabulus

A Turkish official told Reuters that 292 civilians returned to their houses in Jarabulus, the first group since the start of the Turkish military operations. [EnabBaladi]

 

Daesh says it conducted a suicide attack on opposition groups in Qantara village west of Ghandoura. [A3maq]

 

Al-Bab

Turkey backed opposition groups captured 4 villages east of Al-Ra’i after heavy battles with Daesh. [Qasioun]

The Turkish Army said the opposition groups captured 6 villages. The announcement came hours after Daesh killed three Turkish soldiers and wounded others in an attack near Al-Ra’i. [ZamanAlWasl]

 

Daesh issues a video of battles with Turkey-backed opposition groups near Al-Ra’i. [A3maq]

 

Daesh issues a video of destroying 2 Turkish Army tanks with guided missiles, south of Al-Ra’i. [A3maq]

 

Sources say Turkey backed opposition groups will advance and capture Al-Bab city, exactly like what happened in Jarabulus. [ARA]

 

Local sources say Syrian planes bombed civilian houses in Tedef town southeast of Al-Bab, using cluster bombs, killing more than ten civilians, including women and children, and wounding more than fifty. [Hawar]

DaeshDaily comment. Some other Kurdish media outlets said the airstrike was conducted by Turkish planes. 

 

Azaz

Clashes continued between “revolutionary factions” and Daesh between Um Hawsh, Um Al-Qura, and Harbal. Daesh continued its attacks on the liberated villages. [Hawar]

DaeshDaily comment. “Revolutionary factions” is the new name used by the PYD-backed Hawar to describe non-YPG SDF groups.

 

An opposition groups commander says the Turkish Army sent large military reinforcements, including tens of military vehicles, to Al-Waqf near Al Ra’i. He also says the Turkish artillery targeted Daesh locations in east Tal Battal and Al-Burj villages. He says the opposition groups stopped a Daesh attack in Sandi town, killing 2 terrorists and wounding others. Yesterday, Daesh had launched a counter attack on the Turkish Army and opposition groups. [ARA]

 

Daesh says opposition groups supported by several Coalition airstrikes and extensive shelling by Turkish artillery, attacked Baraghida village, but Daesh stopped the attack, killing or wounding several fighters and forcing the rest to flee. [JustPaste]

 

Afrin

The Turkish Army targeted YPG positions in Sorko village in Afrin with mortars, heavy machine guns and tank cannons killing a YPG fighter and wounded two others in addition to wounding two civilians and two Asayesh members. [Hawar]

Later on, the YPG says five of its fighters and an Asayesh member were killed and six fighters and Asayesh members were wounded, in addition to more than eight civilians. [Hawar]

 

Turkey backed opposition groups targeted Sheikh Maqsoud with tens of rockets, wounding four civilians and causing massive material damages. [Hawar]

A local activist says Doctor Shaher Jamyan, who might have been the last pediatrician in Aleppo, was killed by the shelling on Sheikh Maqsoud. [ARA]

 

Manbij

Daesh publishes photos of an attack on the “PKK” north of Manbij. [DawaAlhaq]

 

Other Northwest Syria

The YPG issued a statement saying that on September 6th, the Turkish Army targeted several villages east and west of Kobane with heavy artillery. It also says the Turkish Army targeted a YPG vehicle in the Dirk area, killing a YPG fighter and wounding another. [Hawar]

 

The YPG says it stopped a Daesh attack on Tal Othman, forcing the terrorists to flee. [Hawar]

 

Central and West (Homs, Hama, etc.)

The United Nations said an estimated 100,000 people were displaced in western Hammam between August 28th and September 5th because of battles between the Syrian Army and opposition groups. [ARA]

 

An opposition group spokesman says Daesh launched a third attack on the Petra, Jabal, and Naqb areas in east Qalamoun, but their positions stopped the attack, destroying 2 machine gun mounted vehicles and killing or wounding several terrorists, forcing the rest to flee. [Qasioun]

 

Warplanes targeted the Arak area and the Silos areas, near Tadmur. [Qasioun]

A military source says several Daesh headquarters and gatherings were destroyed by airstrikes in the Sha’er, Huwaisis, the Third Station, and Iraq areas. [SyriaNow]

 

Daesh issues a video of an attack on Syrian troops in the Huwaisis area. [A3maq]

 

East (Deir Ez-Zor)

A local activist says ten people were killed or wounded by Daesh shelling on Syrian Government controlled areas in Deir Ez-Zor. [ARA]

 

Local activists say Syrian planes targeted several areas in Deir Ez-Zor city, in addition to Daesh locations near Deir Ez-Zor Military Airport. [ARA]

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Daesh publicly lashed four people, including an old man, in Mayadin city, accusing them of brawling in front of its court. [SyriaHR]

 

Daesh says two Syrian Army soldiers surrendered to its terrorists in Tal Al-Rawad west of Deir Ez-Zor. [A3maq]

 

Daesh says it killed seven Syrian soldiers and wounded another as they were trying to advance near the 137th brigade headquarters west of Deir Ez-Zor. [A3maq]

 

South (Rif Damashq, Suwayda, Daraa, etc.)

The Syrian Army destroyed several Daesh oil tank trucks in the Rashida Oilfields area, east of Suwayda. [SyriaNow]

 

OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS

 

North Africa

Egypt

Daesh says its snipers killed two soldiers in 2 different areas in Sheikh Zuweid, and four other soldiers in south Rafah. Daesh also says it targeted an Egyptian Army barricade south of Sheikh Zuweid with a mortar shell. [JustPaste]

 

Egyptian forces killed eleven takfiris and wounded five, capturing three, and destroying 9 IEDs in different areas in north Sinai during the last 5 days [ElWatan]

 

Eyewitnesses say armed men in a vehicle shot and killed a civilian in downtown Arish. [ElWatan]

 

A security source says security forces defused an IED in the Kilo 17 area west of Arish. [VetoGate]

 

An Egyptian soldier was killed by a sniper at a security barrier in south Sheikh Zuweid. [VetoGate]

Security sources say another soldier was killed by a sniper during a search in south Sheikh Zuweid. [ElWatan]

 

Medical sources say armed men shot and wounded a 39-year-old woman south of Sheikh Zuweid. [VetoGate]

 

Medical sources say two brothers were killed when a shell fell on their house in Touma village south of Sheikh Zuweid. [VetoGate]

 

Libya

Central coast

The Libyan National Accord Government spokesman says their troops bombed Daesh locations in the remaining areas of control in Sirte with artillery and mortars. He says they delayed the final attack on Daesh because the terrorists are using their own families as human shields. He also says that Daesh terrorists are trapped in a very small area, and it’s very unlikely that they can escape. He also says his troops shut off electricity, water, and other supplies, to the terrorists. [Wasat]

 

Daesh says the National Accord Government “militias” failed to advance after launching several attacks on Daesh positions in Sirte. [A3maq]

 

Daesh says National Accord Government “militias” are looting and burning down civilian houses in Sirte. [A3maq]

 

A Misrata Hospital source says two Libyan soldiers were killed and seven wounded in Hay 3 in Sirte. [Wasat]

 

Libyan troops managed to secure the bodies of two of their dead fighters who were killed and mutilated by Daesh in Sirte. [Wasat]

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Al-Nujaba’ Movement, an Iran-backed Shia militia, publishes photos of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Suleimani with its fighters in Aleppo. Al-Nujaba said it sent more 1,000 more fighters to the southern parts of Aleppo during the last 2 days. [Facebook]

DaeshDaily comment. The “real” PMFs are following the Sistani fatwa about defending Iraq against Daesh. Defending the Baathist regime in Syria is a totally different issue. Al-Nujaba’ is a splinter group from the AAH, which is in turn a splinter group from the Mehdi Army. Some Shia fighters were lured to Syria to defend the Sayyida Zainab shrine, which is not exactly in Aleppo.   

 

Videos of the Day

A video of the destruction in Ramadi [Facebook]

 

A video of Daesh tunnels found under the cemetery in Qayara. Daesh used these tunnels because its knew that the planes won’t bomb the cemetery. [Mosuliya]

 

OTHER DAESH MEDIA

 

Daesh audio newsletter for today [JustPaste]

 

Daesh issues propaganda videos about its dead spokesman, Adnani. [Ana Al-Muslim] [Ana Al-Muslim]

 

Daesh issues a propaganda video of its battles in Hasaka. [Ana Al-Muslim]