Baghdad government-sanctioned paramilitary forces predominantly made up of Shiite militiamen backed by Iran have launched a new effort to recapture more Iraqi villages from the Sunni Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) terrorist group.
Iraq has launched an investigation into alleged violations of human rights and other abuses against civilians purportedly committed by some of the country’s service members and their allies, including Iran-backed Shiite fighters.
Contents: Unrealistic expectations surround the battle to recapture Mosul from ISIS; Turkey views Iraq and Syria through the lens of World War I and the Ottoman Empire
Contents: Turkey and Iraq in dispute over Turkish participation in Mosul operation; Turkey views the Mosul operation as a security threat to Turkey; ISIS may be given a chance to escape to Syria
The Iraqi foreign ministry summoned the new Saudi ambassador to Baghdad, Thamer al-Sabhan, after he suggested that a coalition of Iran-backed Shi’ite militias was exacerbating sectarian tensions and should leave the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) to the Iraqi security forces.
Contents: Syrian Kurd militias deal a heavy blow to ISIS; Turkey’s support splits between Kurds and ISIS; US support for Kurds further alienates Saudi Arabia; Understanding men’s moustaches in Turkey
Contents: ISIS stokes sectarian Sunni-Shia clashes across the Mideast and Asia; Iraq’s government changes name of military operation to recapture Ramadi; Sunni Arabs are being forced to choose between ISIS and Shias
The European Union on Monday approved a multi-phase military operation to defeat human smugglers who are trafficking migrants from Libya to Europe. Smugglers have been charging migrants thousands of dollars each to make the trip, and there’s no guarantee of reaching Europe or even of surviving.
