Mosul has fallen

[printcraft]

Looks like the IS has beheaded an American journalist they captured a while back and are threatening to do the same to another they currently hold captive, if Obama doesn't halt airstrikes. Here's hoping the journalists family is prepared for the inevitable.

Kidnapped journalist James Wright Foley apparently executed by ISIS | MSNBC

Thread here ....................................

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-beheads-american-journalist.html#post5234463

 

[mrjarrell]

Obama says the air attacks will continue. Guess time's about to run out for the other captive, but what can you do?

Obama Says US Will Continue ISIL Airstrikes Despite Journalist's Execution - The Wire

 

[KG1]

Obama says the air attacks will continue. Guess time's about to run out for the other captive, but what can you do?

Obama Says US Will Continue ISIL Airstrikes Despite Journalist's Execution - The Wire

There is not much to do other than to carry on. It's a sad state of affairs for the families of those facing the execution of their loved ones but the barbarians need to know that their threats of brutality will gain them absolutely nothing.

 

[BogWalker]

We do not negotiate with terrorists.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

In before certain posters that suggest people sign up to go fight rather than send other people's kids, husbands, and/or fathers to save Americans being held hostage and beheaded.

 

[KG1]

In before certain posters that suggest people sign up to go fight rather than send other people's kids, husbands, and/or fathers to save Americans being held hostage and beheaded.

Smart move to get out in front of it. I'm also glad you spelled it all out because I never would have guessed the abbreviation.

 

[BogWalker]

Smart move to get out in front of it. I'm also glad you spelled it all out because I never would have guessed the abbreviation.

INB4CPTSPSUTGFRTSOPKHAOFTSAMBHHAB

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

INB4CPTSPSUTGFRTSOPKHAOFTSAMBHHAB

 

[jamil]

INB4CPTSPSUTGFRTSOPKHAOFTSAMBHHAB

 

[printcraft]

Thread here ....................................

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-beheads-american-journalist.html#post5234463

or not................

 

[mrjarrell]

Vice is on the ground with the Peshmerga near Mosul dam.

[video=youtube_share;ntOAW9DLBTE]http://youtu.be/ntOAW9DLBTE[/video]

 

[T.Lex]

Ok, here is an interesting report.

First, to recap, ISIS is generally classifed as Sunni. (Please, we can parse to what extent they comport with that designation elsewhere.)

Previously, Shia militia were believed to... enthusiastically... fight the IS militia:
Iraq Shiite militia display militant bodies in Baquba | Middle East Eye

Now, there was an attack near Baqubah on a Sunni prayer gathering. No one has yet been pinned with responsibility for it:
BBC News - Iraq conflict: Diyala Sunni mosque attack kills dozens

Dozens of people have been killed in an attack on a Sunni mosque north-east of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
Officials say a bomber blew himself up in the mosque during Friday prayers and gunmen fired on fleeing worshippers.
Some reports say Shia militias carried out the attack, but others blame Sunni jihadist group Islamic State (IS).
The area has seen heavy fighting between IS and Iraqi troops backed by Shia militiamen. The US has called IS the most dangerous threat it faces.
At least 32 people were killed in Friday's attack, which took place near the city of Baquba in Diyala province, about 120km (75 miles) north-east of Baghdad.

One security official told AFP news agency that Shia fighters allied with the government had carried out the assault as a reprisal for a bombing that targeted their fighters.
However another official quoted by AP news agency said IS had targeted local Sunnis whose leaders had refused to join them.

So, some high points:
- some muslims are fighting ISIS fascists;
- some other (ostensibly moderate) muslims are refusing to join ISIS;
- the situation defies easy generalizations;
- someone is putting boots on the ground.

 

[kiddchaos]

thanks, vice news has some guts.

 

[jamil]

thanks, vice news has some guts.

yeah, the whole time the imbedded crew has to be wondering if at the end of it they'll still have their heads.

 

[mrjarrell]

yeah, the whole time the imbedded crew has to be wondering if at the end of it they'll still have their heads.

And now they're reporting from the other side. Hope they don't get caught.

 

[mrjarrell]

Well, this isn't going to help matters. It's just going to serve to drive some people into the arms of IS.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/shiite-militiamen-kill-70-iraq-sunni-mosque-161102696.html

 

[BogWalker]

Same story the Middle East has played for thousands of years, but this time they've got tanks and missiles.

 

[mrjarrell]

Reports are now saying that there have been some Iranian troops assisting the Peshmerga in combat operations. Good to see a regional player finally getting involved beyond the "assistance" phase. It's going to take more than regional advisers and a few boxes of bullets to get rid of these guys.

Iran 'sent soldiers to fight in Iraq'

 

[mrjarrell]

Well, the IS has finally driven the last remaining Syrian forces from Raqqa province. This does not bode well for the Syrians or the Iraqi's. They now have more hardware.

BBC News - Syria conflict: Islamic State seizes Tabqa airbase

 

[T.Lex]

Some interesting articles:
US and Iran not working together while working together-
U.S. and Iran Hit ISIS, Ignore Each Other - The Daily Beast

U.S. warplanes striking targets in Iraq. Iranian tanks are reportedly moving into the northern part of the country. But the two foreign militaries fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) are not talking to one another.

Refutation of Obama's "JV" description:
http://news.yahoo.com/isis-incredib...s-sources-183719521--abc-news-topstories.html

"They're incredible fighters. ISIS teams in many places use special operations TTPs," said the second official, who has considerable combat experience, using the military term for "tactics, techniques and procedures."
In sobering press conference Friday, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said ISIS has shown that it is “as sophisticated and well-funded as any group that we have seen.”
“They’re beyond just a terrorist group. They marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess. They are tremendously well-funded,” he said. “This is beyond anything that we’ve seen.”

And a question I can't figure out: why didn't ISIS blow the Mosul Dam when it had the chance? I mean, I know (because I watched Force 10 from Navarone) that it isn't as easy to blow up a dam as you might think. (Well, it is, it just takes awhile. "Wait for it.") They have technical knowledge on a bunch of other things, so I have to believe they had the ability.

So, if ISIS is as evil as it seems - and they have done some terribly cruel things - why not blow the dam? Makes a big statement. Kills alot of people. Shows how powerful they are. Seems to meet all the criteria for such an action.

But they didn't.