The Islamic State has launched a coordinated military attack on Baghdad, the first of its kind since their offensive began back in June. The attack, which utilized mortars, suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (SVBIED), and normal vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) was apparently in a bid to assault a prison and initiate a prison break.
In the video above, the viewer can clearly see large flames in the background. This was from a VBIED, according to the title of the video. The Institute for the Study of War has made a map of Baghdad detailing where these attacks took place. Multiple mortar attacks took place in Kadhimiyah, which also saw two VBIED's, with one of them being a SVBIED. The latter attack was reportedly on a key bridge that linked Kadhimiyah and Abhamiyah districts.
It is also being reported that the IS has assaulted the former Camp Justice, which was a former joint Iraqi-American base in Baghdad. Camp Justice was the site where Saddam Hussein was hung and it housed a detention center.
the frmr Camp Justice, site of the old Saddam-era Sha'ba al-Khamsa intelligence office and the secret CTS/56 Bde detention center (2/2)
— Memlik Pasha (@MemlikPasha) September 18, 2014
The most interesting aspect of this entire ordeal is how IS was able to launch this coordinated of an assault despite intense security in Baghdad. This ultimately shows their reach into the heart of Iraq. While it's not like what they have done in Syria or northern Iraq, this is still significant as IS has repeatedly shown that they can still strike in the most heavily defended city in Iraq. Now, they have shown that they can launch a well coordinated assault. This could be just the first of many.
This article will be updated as new information becomes available.
-- Caleb