A New Chapter for Iraq?

[nrupatunga]

Rediff uvacha

US plans largest ever sale of Hellfire missiles to Iraq: The United States plans to sell 5,000 Hellfire missiles to Iraq in a USD 700 million deal, officials has said, as Washington tries to help Baghdad retake ground captured by Sunni militants.

The US government, which has been reluctant so far to take military action in support of Baghdad, has rushed hundreds of the missiles to Iraq to help the Shiite-led government counter jihadists, who have seized areas north and west of the capital.

 

[nrupatunga]

https://twitter.com/zeynep/status/497095601293905920
[tweet]497095601293905920[/tweet]

https://twitter.com/KiranKS/status/497089065485758464
[tweet]497089065485758464[/tweet]

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/497048578552901632
[tweet]497048578552901632[/tweet]

Let ISIS or whoever is doing this to yazidis rot in hell for eternity.

 

[nrupatunga]

Iraqi Yazidis stranded on isolated mountaintop begin to die of thirst

Stranded on a barren mountaintop, thousands of minority Iraqis are faced with a bleak choice: descend and risk slaughter at the hands of the encircled Sunni extremists or sit tight and risk dying of thirst.

Humanitarian agencies said Tuesday that between 10,000 and 40,000 civilians remain trapped on Mount Sinjar since being driven out of surrounding villages and the town of Sinjar two days earlier. But the mountain that had looked like a refuge is becoming a graveyard for their children.

Unable to dig deep into the rocky mountainside, displaced families said they have buried young and elderly victims of the harsh conditions in shallow graves, their bodies covered with stones. Iraqi government planes attempted to airdrop bottled water to the mountain on Monday night but reached few of those marooned.

"There are children dying on the mountain, on the roads," said Marzio Babille, the Iraq representative for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). "There is no water, there is no vegetation, they are completely cut off and surrounded by Islamic State. It's a disaster, a total disaster."

Most of those who fled Sinjar are from the minority Yazidi sect, which melds parts of ancient Zoroastrianism with Christianity and Islam. They are considered by the al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic State to be devil worshippers and apostates.

The dramatic advance of the extremist Sunni fighters has torn the ethnic and religious fabric of the country, with Christians and Shiites also uprooted from cities and towns.

The Islamic State's takeover of Sinjar, the first major setback for Kurdish forces protecting the country's north, sent about 200,000 people fleeing, according to the United Nations. Some 147,000 have arrived in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, flooding refugee camps.

Most of those stranded on Mount Sinjar had run out of battery life on their cellphones by Tuesday, but the few that still could communicate gave grim updates.

On Tuesday, 10 children and one elderly woman died, while on Monday, seven children had perished, said 23-year-old Shihab Balki, who was trapped with his mother, sister and four brothers. "I saw their bodies with my own eyes."

He later texted the news of another casualty: a young man who had died of thirst, leaving his wife and five children behind. UNICEF said that 40 children had died after being displaced from their homes in the area in the 48 hours ending Monday night, including an unknown number on the mountain. The agency did not have figures for Tuesday.

In Baghdad, parliamentarians complained bitterly about the plight of the displaced, their discussions temporarily overshadowing wrangling over the nomination of a prime minister.

"Children have died because of dehydration and lack of food," Vian Dakheel, a Yazidi parliamentarian from Sinjar, said through tears. "My people are being slaughtered," she continued, referring to reports of mass killings of those who had stayed behind.

The ancient and secretive Yazidi sect, whose members number no more than 600,000 across Iraq, has suffered persecution for centuries.

Islamic State posted the first pictures of its capture of Sinjar on social networking sites on Tuesday. One showed six men lying face-down in a field, a pistol pointed at the backs of their heads. "Kill them wherever you find them," read the caption.

Salem al-Sinjari, a 45-year-old teacher, said he'd seen around 25 bodies piled in the streets as he fled Sunday, leaving early enough to catch a ride to the Kurdish region. His mother, five brothers and two sisters wound up besieged on the mountain. He said he last spoke to them Monday before their last cellphone battery died.

Iraqi Kurdish security forces known as pesh merga are attempting to secure a road from the mountain to the nearby city of Rabia, but the process involves clearing villages where locals are sympathetic to the militants, said Majid Shingali, another local parliamentarian, who left Sinjar on Saturday.

Kurdish factions in neighboring Syria say they are entering Iraq to assist this country's Kurds as they face Islamic State along a 650-mile front.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), designated a terrorist organization by the United States for its armed struggle against the Turkish state, also called for all Kurdish factions to unite against the Sunni extremists.

Babille, UNICEF's Iraq representative, said that U.N. agencies have offered the Iraqi government technical assistance with airdrops but have yet to be asked for help. At least 15 to 20 flights would be needed just to provide those stranded with enough water and supplies to survive for a week, he said.

"We need to get them out," he said. "If we don't, it would be catastrophic."

Can't USA and others at least air drop food supplies, water etc.

 

[nrupatunga]

Obama Authorizes 'Targeted' Airstrikes in Iraq

President Barack Obama authorized "targeted airstrikes" to protect U.S. interests in Iraq and airdrops of meals and water to refugees trapped on a mountaintop in northwest Iraq.

In a nationally televised address, Obama said Thursday night that he had long warned the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, not to threaten the strategic city of Erbil. With ISIS fighters nearing Erbil on Thursday, Obama said he had approved "targeted strikes against [ISIS] convoys should they approach the city."

"These innocent families are faced with a choice — descend and be slaughtered or stay and slowly die of hunger." Obama said, adding that he had also authorized targeted airstrikes to help break ISIS' siege trapping about 40,000 Christians and members of a religious sect called the Yazidi on Mount Sinjar near Mosul. "We can act responsibly to prevent an act of genocide."

"Today, America is coming to help," Obama said — while also stressing that U.S. troops wouldn't be returning to Iraq.

After attempts by the Iraqi military to airdrop supplies to the refugees failed to provide relief, a senior U.S. defense official told NBC News on Thursday that "a number of U.S. military aircraft" had already successfully delivered food and water and had "safely exited the immediate airspace" without a shot having been fired.

The mission was conducted from multiple airbases supporting one C-17 and two C-130 transport aircraft, a defense official said. They were escorted by two F/A-18 Hornet combat jets.

The planes dropped 56 bundles of fresh drinking water and 16 bundles carrying 8,000 meals-ready-to-eat. They were over the drop area for less than 15 minutes, the official told NBC News.

The White House said Vice President Joe Biden called Masoud Barzani, the regional president in Iraqi Kurdistan, to reaffirm that Obama was committed to take "whatever actions necessary to protect Americans in Erbil, including targeted airstrikes."

 

[SajeevJino]

. Solidarity with the USA

Thank you America Thank you all Americans

Let's pray G-D to success their mission

And waiting for French and other NATO Countries

 

[Ray]

Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

US President Barack Obama has authorised "targeted airstrikes" against Islamic militants to protect American military personnel and airdrops of meals and water to thousands of religious minorities trapped on a mountaintop in northwest Iraq.

In a late night televised address, Obama on Thursday said the US "cannot turn a blind eye" when it has the capability to prevent genocide of Iraqi minorities stranded on mountain.'

Obama said he has authorised US military to conduct air strikes against Islamic State militants if they advance further toward the city of Erbil, the capital of Kurdish region of Iraq.

In a speech that lasted for nine minutes, Obama explained the reasons for his decision, but reiterated that there would be no American troops on the ground.

"We can act carefully and responsibly to avert potential act of genocide on that mountain," Obama said.
At the same time he vowed that US would not be dragged into another war in Iraq.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the US military is ready to carry out airstrikes inside Iraq.

"The US military will also remain ready to conduct targeted airstrikes, if necessary, to help forces in Iraq fighting to break the siege of Mount Sinjar and protect Iraqi civilians trapped there," Hagel said in a statement from New Delhi where he is travelling.

"In addition, we are prepared to conduct airstrikes to protect American personnel against ISIL terrorist convoys should they approach Erbil," he said.

At the direction of Obama, US military conducted a successful airdrop of food and water for thousands of Iraqi citizens threatened by the Islamic State near Sinjar, Iraq.

The mission was conducted from multiple airbases within the US Central Command area of responsibility and included one C-17 and two C-130 aircraft that together dropped a total of 72 bundles of supplies.

Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq | The Indian Express | Page 99

There are those posters out here who sing paeans to the US and West that whatever they are doing is good for humanity and against the forces of evil and so on.

Here is the ideal example to indicate how fraudulent and hypocritical the US and the West's and their acolytes platitudinous pronouncements are.

Note, the US is out to ro 'protect American military personnel and airdrops of meals and water to thousands of religious minorities'

Were the American military personnel and thousands of religious minorities not there before and in danger earlier?

Actually, the loving concern for Yazidi minority community is bogus. What concern him is the Iraqi Christians, are also on the run after their largest city, Qaraqosh and the evangelist lobby will be hounding him and his Democratic party if he does not react favourably.

And the elections are not too far!

If the US was real interested in solving the chaos that they themselves have created with the invasion of Iraq then this type of chaos and mayhem would not have happened.

I love the word. 'Freedom', 'democracy', 'humanitarian', 'human rights' the US and the West use to cover their naked aggression and self interests.

 

[HMS Astute]

Obama authorises Iraq air strikes on Islamist fighters

Obama authorises Iraq air strikes on Islamist fighters

US President Barack Obama says he has authorised air strikes against Islamic militants in northern Iraq but will not send US troops back to the country.

He said Islamic State (IS) fighters would be targeted to prevent the slaughter of religious minorities, or if they threaten US interests.

Strikes have not yet begun, but the US has made humanitarian air drops to Iraqis under threat from the militants.

IS has seized Qaraqosh, Iraq's biggest Christian town, forcing locals to flee.

The Sunni Muslim group, formerly known as Isis, has been gaining ground in northern Iraq and Syria for several months.

BBC News - Obama authorises Iraq air strikes on Islamist fighters

 

[HMS Astute]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

didn't know someone already created similar thread. can someone please close mine here: http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/...air-strikes-islamist-fighters.html#post930964

cheers

 

[HMS Astute]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

US begins bombing ISIS, with first strike on Islamists' artillery already confirmed

• Two F/A18 fighters dispatched to unleash 500lb laser-guided bombs on Islamic militants outside Kurdish capital Erbil
• Hundreds of thousands of religious minorities have been driven from their homes as ISIS jihadists storm towns
• Some 50,000 Yazidis - half of them children - fled to hills after ISIS took Sinjar, the Yazidis' heartland in Iraq
• ISIS calls Yazidis devil worshippers because of their beliefs that predate Islam, Christianity and Judaism
• Obama said U.S. warplanes had already carried out airdrops of humanitarian aid to Yazidis holed up in Sinjar hills
• David Cameron welcomes airstrikes to help Iraqis 'in their hour of desperate need' but rules out British military action
• Pope begs world leaders to step in as Iraq's main Christian city is sacked, sending thousands of Christians fleeing
• Foreign Office urges British nationals to stay away from Kurdistan as America pounded Islamic State positions

It begins: Two F/A18 fighter jets were dispatched from the USS George H. W. Bush aircraft carrier to unleash 500lb laser-guided bombs on a group of Islamic militants towing artillery outside Erbil near U.S. personnel

 

[nrupatunga]

https://twitter.com/BBCNewsGraphics/status/497756208527589379

 

[SajeevJino]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

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Thanks for the Quick Update @HMS Astute

Heard that F 18 pounding with 500 lb LGB's

was someone guiding from the Ground or The Laser Targeting Pod in the F 18 assist the Bombing

 

[SajeevJino]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

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Just heard now the UK sends it's Transporters to Drop Humanitarian Aids into Iraq


now My eyes over French ..Come on Bring the Rafale and CdG now

 

[HMS Astute]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

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Thanks for the Quick Update @HMS Astute

Heard that F 18 pounding with 500 lb LGB's

was someone guiding from the Ground or The Laser Targeting Pod in the F 18 assist the Bombing

by f18 themselves and the additional assistance of drones in the sky, and you're welcome.

 

[HMS Astute]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

.
Just heard now the UK sends it's Transporters to Drop Humanitarian Aids into Iraq


now My eyes over French ..Come on Bring the Rafale and CdG now

france has never involved and contributed in iraq war and it's highly unlikely they will engage this time as well. they have their own thing going on in mali.

 

[HMS Astute]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

UK to drop aid over Iraq, but will not join air strikes

British defense secretary said British forces are to drop food aid for members of the Yazidi community and others under threat from militants in Iraq, according to BBC Friday.

Michael Fallon said Britain's main focus would be supporting the U.S. in their planned air strikes on militants with surveillance and refuelling. But Britain would also "add to it" with "food drops of our own."

also had heard that the 1x RAF E3 Sentry and C17 planes will be dispatched to Iraq shortly.

 

[HMS Astute]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

latest pictures taken during the operation.

Ready for action: And as soon as the first two jets returned from their successful bombing run on ISIS fighters marching on Erbil this morning, the flight deck of the George H. W. Bush aircraft carrier came alive as more warplanes readied for action

'We're coming to help': President Obama meets with the National Security Council yesterday in the Situation Room of the White House, hours before his address to the nation in which he vowed to help the thousands of Iraqi civilians being driven from their homes and slaughtered by the Islamic State extremists running rampant through the country. That help came in the form of targeted airstrikes on key ISIS positions today

Power and responsibility: Barack Obama cut a lonely figure as he liased on the phone with King Abdullah II of Jordan in the Oval Office of the White House. Some 6,000 miles away, U.S. warplanes were carrying out his orders to bomb ISIS positions in a bid to 'prevent a potential act of genocide'

READY TO STRIKE: HOW THE UNITED STATES IS ARMED TO THE TEETH IN THE MIDDLE EAST AFTER MOVING SHIPS, JETS AND TROOPS WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE - AND BRITAIN HAS ITS BASE IN THE MED TO DROP AID FROM

Battle ready: Peshmerga Kurds show of their readiness to fight ISIS on streets of Kurdish capital Erbil last night. But their apparent confidence belied growing fears in the city, long considered a safe haven, where civilians began flooding the airport in a futile attempt to buy tickets to Baghdad

Fleeing: Officials said, tens of thousands of Iraqis, mainly Yazidi and Christian families, living in Iraq's Sinjar district bordering Syria were desperately trying to escape the country for fear of massacres by the militants

 

[SajeevJino]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

france has never involved and contributed in iraq war and it's highly unlikely they will engage this time as well. they have their own thing going on in mali.

I think only four Rafale's right now in Africa and they did a awesome fight on Mali Yesterday

I hope France can deploy their Rafale to fight against Terrorism in Iraq

Let me ask @halloweene Sir Any plans from French Side

 

[Samar Rathi]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

Hmm something is fishy and it seems USA made some kind of deal with Iran.

 

[rizwan78]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

At the end all the innocent will be killed and only jehadi will be left for the distruction of wold peace . Iraq was most peaceful in the hands of Saddam, Libya was most peaceful in the hands of Qazafi ,Syria was most peaceful then now . what US is doing is to terrorise the world with the creation of more and more jehadi , Really USA have not only the best in technolgy but also have the best minds in the world who are already living in 22nd century

 

[Blackwater]

Re: Obama orders 'targeted' strikes, humanitarian mission in Iraq

At the end all the innocent will be killed and only jehadi will be left for the distruction of wold peace . Iraq was most peaceful in the hands of Saddam, Libya was most peaceful in the hands of Qazafi ,Syria was most peaceful then now . what US is doing is to terrorise the world with the creation of more and more jehadi , Really USA have not only the best in technolgy but also have the best minds in the world who are already living in 22nd century

in other words u r supporting ISIS????