October 30, 2018
Tribal PMFs in West Anbar (DD Oct 30)
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
Iraq
Daesh fighters in Albu Kamal raise security concerns along Iraq-Syria border. [..]
Daesh assassinates another mukhtar, in Hawija; kills 2 bodyguards in attempt to kill a second mukhtar. [..]
Sinjar Mayor sounds alarm at increased Daesh activity in southwest Ninewa. [..]
6 PMF members killed by Daesh attack in Tal Safouk, on Syrian border. [..]
Syria
Assad issues a general amnesty for all army deserters. [..]
Pentagon announces conclusion of joint training with Turks for Manbij security patrols. [..]
Tahrir Al-Sham battles Turkey-supported militia in Aleppo District. [..]
500 YPG troops join SDF “final battle” against Daesh in Albu Kamal. [..]
Other countries
Russia: 18-member Daesh cell dismantled in Russia’s Tatarstan. [..]
Denmark: Danes accuse Iran of trying to assassinate anti-Iran group members in Denmark. [..]
REPORTS FROM IRAQ
NATIONAL NEWS
Anti-Daesh campaign
A military source says that intelligence sources estimate the number of Daesh fighters near the Iraqi borders at 4,000 fighters, including 800 Iraqi nationals. The source says that Iraqi Army, PMF, and Border Guards units are deployed along the border, and are on “full alert.” [Ghad]
Iraqi Army and PMF forces were reported deployed around the Iraq-Syria border area in Al-Qa’im to protect the Okaz oilfield. A source in the MoD said that 2 Iraqi Army brigades and 3 PMF brigades had been deployed near Al-Qa’im. [Qasioun] [Anadolu]
Interior Minister Qasim Al-Araji said on Tuesday that the reported withdrawal of the SDF and the redeployment of Daesh near the Iraq-Syria border was still “more than a question mark.” [Sumaria]
DaeshDaily comment. Al-Araji’s skepticism would seem to be supported by the news from the Deir Ez-Zor war zone shown below and to throw some cold water on the over-hyped rhetoric reported above. Even if recent military developments raise doubts about the SDF campaign against Daesh, there is no basis as yet for believing that Daesh will suddenly launch an attack against Iraq, which could be a suicide mission.
Sputnik carried a report quoting Iraqi security specialist Mu’id Al-Juhaishi as saying that the remnants of Daesh would disperse throughout the Arab world under new organizational names. Al-Juhaishi said that this had already happened with the organization “Ansar Al-Bukhari,” and that Daesh could move from Syria, Iraq, and Egypt to the Gulf countries. [Sputnik]
Foreign policy
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that it would work to speed up the return of Russian children from conflict areas in Syria and Iraq, including 100 children it said were currently being detained, along with their mothers, in prison in Baghdad. [Qasioun]
BAGHDAD
East (Sadr City, New Baghdad, etc.)
A security source says that a civilian was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Sadr City, east Baghdad. [Sumaria]
ANBAR
Falluja
A security source in Anbar Province reported a foiled assassination attempt, in which a “sticky” bomb had been placed under the car of Judge Al-Obeidi in Al-Jolan, northwest Falluja. Al-Obeidi is the Chair of the Anbar Compensation Committee. [Sumaria]
Anah (including Rawa)
A security source in Anbar says recent heavy rains revealed several buried IEDs, 9 of which were destroyed near the International Highway, in the Kilo 160 area of western Anbar. [BasNews]
SALAHUDDIN
Shirqat
A security source in Salahuddin says that Coalition planes attacked Daesh hideouts in Khanuqa village. [Sumaria]
Baiji
The Center for Security Information said on Tuesday that 4 Daesh members were killed in the destruction of a Daesh “nest” in Salahuddin. The incident occurred around the Siniya desert. [Sumaria]
The PMF media office said in a statement that the 6th, 31st, and 51st PMF Brigades had killed 7 Daesh fighters, shot down a Daesh drone, and uncovered a Daesh “hole” used as a shelter in an operation in areas of Siniya and Jazeera Tikrit. [SNG]
The PMF also said that the 31st PMF Brigade arrested a Daesh cell following a raid in Albu Juwari in northern Baiji. The cell was composed of 5 men, all charged with planting IEDs on the Baiji-Baghdad Road. [PUKMedia]
Tikrit
The Center for Security Information says that Army units under Salahuddin Ops Command carried out a search mission in 2 villages in Tikrit and found a Daesh hideout containing many hisbah (Islamic Police) documents. 4 other hideouts were also found in the search, containing rations and logistical supplies. All the Daesh hideouts found were destroyed. [Baghdadia]
Samarra
The IFP said on Tuesday that it had seized, and either disarmed or destroyed, 19 IEDs found near Al-Layn, Samarra. [Sumaria]
DIYALA
Baquba/Southeast Diyala
Daesh said its snipers killed an Iraqi Army soldier in the Ja’afra area in Buhriz, on Sunday. [A3maq]
Northern Diyala (Kifri, Khanaqin, Khalis north)
The Center for Security Information says that an IED exploded on the main road leading to Baba Mahmoud village, northeast Khanaqin, killing 2 civilians and wounding 7 others, most of whom were women. [Sumaria] [IraqPress]
Daesh said it wounded two PMFs with an IED in Al-Islah village, in Jalawla, on Sunday. [ICDNOct29]
Southern Diyala (Balad Ruz, Mandali)
Daesh said on Monday it wounded a Shi’i and destroyed his vehicle with an IED in Zainaddin village (spelling approx.) near Balad Ruz. [ICDNOct29]
KIRKUK
Kirkuk/Dibis
The MoI says it arrested a Daesh operative as he was planting an IED in front of an Army staff member’s house in the Domiz neighborhood of Kirkuk. [Sumaria] [IraqPress]
Hawija (Riyadh, Al-Zab, etc.)
The Kirkuk Provincial Police said that the mukhtar of the village of Jassimiya, in Riyadh subdistrict, had been killed by hanging, by Daesh members. [TRT]
Daesh said it killed the mukhtar of Jassimiya village on Monday. [ICDNOct30]
DaeshDaily comment. Whose job is it to protect mukhtars from assassination? How many have to die before that question gets a meaningful answer?
Daesh said on Monday it killed a tribal PMF soldier and destroyed his vehicle with an IED near Khatouniya village, in Riyadh subdistrict. [ICDNOct29]
Daesh said it wounded two bodyguards of the mukhtar of Khatouniya village in an attack on Sunday. [A3maq]
Daesh said it killed or wounded IFP members and destroyed their vehicle with an IED in Bakara village on Sunday. [ICDNOct29]
Daesh said it wounded two tribal PMF members and destroyed their vehicle with an IED in Riyadh subdistrict, on Monday. [ICDNOct30]
NINEWA
Mosul city
The MoI says that the Al-Hadba’ police department found a Daesh weapons storehouse in the Nabi Sheet neighborhood, west Mosul. The storehouse contained hand grenades, IEDs, and IED-making materials. [Ghad] [Sumaria]
A Daesh mine exploded in Al-Shifa’ neighborhood, west Mosul, wounding 3 children, 1 of whom is in serious condition. [Baghdadia] [IraqPress]
Mosul District
South (Hammam Al-Alil/Qayara)
The Directorate of Military Intelligence says it arrested a Daesh operative in an ambush in Hammam Al-Alil. There were several arrest warrants for this person for his role in fighting with Daesh in Mosul. [Ghad]
A security source says that Military Intelligence units, operating under the 20th Army Division, arrested a truck driver specialized in transporting Daesh vehicle bombs, in the Jada’a IDP camp in Qayara. [Sumaria]
Western Ninewa
Sinjar
The Mayor of Sinjar District, Mahma Khalil, says that Daesh has increased its activities south of Sinjar and the Ninewa Plain to such an extent that it’s noticeable “with the naked eye.” He says he already informed the Iraqi government about this activity, but has not received any response. [BasNews]
Southern Ninewa
Baaj
A DaeshDaily source said on Tuesday that six PMF members, including a commander, were killed in a Daesh attack in the Tal Safouk area. The source said the terrorists came from the Syrian side of the border.
KURDISTAN NEWS
No reports
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READER COMMENTS
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REPORTS FROM TURKEY
Military & security developments
The Turkish Army says that it killed 5 PKK fighters in airstrikes in Hakkari, in southeastern Turkey, and Hakurk, in “northern Iraq” (i.e. Iraqi Kurdistan), as well as destroying weapons and ammunition caches. [Anadolu]
REPORTS FROM SYRIA
NATIONAL NEWS
Political developments
The Syrian military recruitment department says that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has issued a general amnesty for all Army deserters. The amnesty includes those who did not show up for their mandatory military reserve service. [Sumaria]
DaeshDaily comment. You know the military manpower shortage is really bad when the leader asks all deserters to come to the aid of their country.
Northwest
Manbij /Al-Bab
The Pentagon announced the end of the training of Turkish and US troops who would start joint patrols in Manbij, according to US Commander Sean Robertson. He did not define the date of start of such a mission. [Anadolu]
The Turkish Minister of Defense, Hulusi Akar, said that “terrorist positions” east of the Euphrates would be within the Turkish Army’s area of operation. He made the remarks in a speech to the Turkish Defense Industry Council, in which he also noted that joint exercises between the Turkish and US troops around Manbij were over and that “joint patrols” would soon start. [Qasioun]
Confirming an SOHR story and a Daesh claim from Monday, 3 people, including a leader in the Ahrar Al-Sham militia, were killed when the car in which they were riding exploded in Al-Bab. It is still unclear if the IED was planted in the car or by the side of Al-Azraq Road. [EnabBaladi]
DaeshDaily comment. This incident may be a result of the internal conflict in Idlib, farther south.
Northeast
No reports
Central and West
Aleppo
The SOHR reported continued fighting between Tahrir Al-Sham and the Turkey-sponsored National Front for Liberation west, north, and northwest of Aleppo, with increased casualties on both sides. The fighting intensified on Monday night in Kafr Hamrah, a northwestern suburb of Aleppo. The fighting reportedly broke out over a disagreement about establishing a base in Kafr Hamrah and controlling the nearby road to Aleppo. [SyriaHR]
The National Front for Liberation said in a statement that the fighting came after a Tahrir Al-Sham vehicle tried to pass a National Front checkpoint. [Qasioun]
East (Deir Ez-Zor)
Deir Ez-Zor District
Daesh said it destroyed a bus carrying SDF members with an IED in the Attal area, in Shuhail, Al-Busayrah, on Monday. [ICDNOct30]
Daesh said on Monday it destroyed a vehicle carrying SDF members with an IED in Al-Busayrah subdistrict. [A3maq]
Albu Kamal District
The SOHR reported that the SDF deployed over 500 “special forces” YPG/YPJ fighters to Deir Ez-Zor, in addition to the thousands of fighters already there, to prepare for the “final battle” against Daesh. According to the SOHR, Daesh fighters are currently in Al-Baghouz, Al-Susah, Shajla, Marshada, Al-Sha’afa, Albu Badran, Abu Hasan, and Hajin. SDF and Coalition shelling of these areas has already started. [SyriaHR]
Daesh’s news service A3maq claims that Daesh fighters burned the bodies of SDF fighters killed in the battles in Al-Baghouz, following Daesh retaking Al-Baghouz, Al-Susah, Mozan and Marshada in the past few days. [ElDorar]
DaeshDaily comment. Daesh has fighters in these places but whether it has in fact “retaken” these towns is subject to debate. As we can see from this report, however, the Daesh media warriors are fighting hard.
South
Suwayda
Daesh says it killed or wounded dozens of Syrian soldiers in battles in Tilul Al-Safa (Al-Safa Hills), eastern Suwayda, including a 1st Lieutenant. [Qasioun]
Daesh said it killed 11 Syrian soldiers in the Al-Safa Hills area, on Monday. It also said it destroyed an armored vehicle with a rocket in the same area. [ICDNOct30]
Daesh published on Tuesday photos of targeting a Syrian Army T-72 tank with a rocket in the Al-Safa Hills area. [ICDNOct30]
DaeshDaily comment. In the absence of other sources for these Daesh claims, one would be wise to wait for some verification.
OTHER MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORTS
Neighboring countries
Iran
On Tuesday, the US State Department, via Twitter, called on Iran to disarm its “Shia militias” in Iraq and allow them to reintegrate into society. This comes ahead of the next round of US sanctions expected to go into force against Iran next Monday. [Anadolu] [Twitter]
The Wall Street Journal said in a report that the US was concerned that Iran would retaliate against Israeli airstrikes by targeting US forces in Iraq or Syria. This follows Israel’s campaign against Iranian-backed militias in Syria. [ElDorar] [WSJ]
Bahrain
The US military base in Bahrain released a US citizen of Saudi origin, who had been held on suspicion of joining Daesh. The man was held in custody for 1 year without charges being placed or a trial being held. [Sumaria]
North Africa
Egypt
Daesh said on Monday it destroyed an Egyptian Army M60 tank and a crane with 2 IEDs south of the Lahfan area, south of Arish. [A3maq]
Libya
On Monday, the de–mining team of the Sirte Protection and Security Force cleared unexploded ordnance from a farm in Abu Hadi, a village 20 km (13 miles) south of Sirte. [Wasat]
REPORTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
EUROPE
Russia
The Russian Federal Police say a Daesh cell was dismantled in Tatarstan. 18 members of the cell were arrested in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny, according to RT TV. The cell was reportedly planning attacks in Russia, and then planning to move to Syria after carrying out the attacks. The group possessed weapons and ammunition, but was seeking to acquire more. [Anadolu]
Denmark
On Tuesday, the Danish security and intelligence service accused Iranian intelligence of being behind a plan to assassinate the Danish branch of the opposition insurgent group Al-Ahvaziya. An official said that Danish security arrested a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin on October 21 in connection with the case. [Sumaria]
DAESH MEDIA
Daesh issued on Tuesday a propaganda video asking its supporters to increase their “media jihad” and continue establishing social media accounts. [ICDNOct30]
DaeshDaily comment. A major reason for this exhortation is that the social media “authorities” have been taking down a lot of Daesh social media sites.
Daesh issued on Tuesday a propaganda video about the battles in Hajin. The video also shows results of airstrikes. [ICDNOct30]
