A joint Iraqi-Kurdish-American offensive to retake the Mosul Dam from the Islamic State appears to be well underway. According to the BBC and their sources, the Kurds are claiming that they have retaken parts of the dam. This comes after it was confirmed that the US is now arming the Kurds in their fight, as well as it was announced that the US would continue to conduct airstrikes to protect US interests or fulfill humanitarian purposes. However, as Bill Roggio of the Long War Journal points out, "President Obama has stated that the US would not reengage in Iraq except to protect US personnel and support relief operations on Mount Sinjar".
It appears the mission might have changed to support a larger strategy in dealing with the Islamic State terrorists. I have stated before that if we truly wish to see the Islamic State pushed back, a larger strategy would have to be in place rather than a few airstrikes outside Erbil. The United States will also have to continue to push for a concentrated effort by the Iraqi government, the Kurds, and Iraqi Sunni's to push the IS out of Iraq. However, that might prove to be futile as the IS's main power and support base is inside Syria. A larger strategy that deals with this fact will also have to be in place if we wish to see the IS defeated.
Below is a tweet from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Near Eastern Affairs detailing new US airstrikes in Iraq today (August 17th). Below that are two videos showcasing some of the said airstrikes today (and yesterday) near the Mosul Dam.
It appears the mission might have changed to support a larger strategy in dealing with the Islamic State terrorists. I have stated before that if we truly wish to see the Islamic State pushed back, a larger strategy would have to be in place rather than a few airstrikes outside Erbil. The United States will also have to continue to push for a concentrated effort by the Iraqi government, the Kurds, and Iraqi Sunni's to push the IS out of Iraq. However, that might prove to be futile as the IS's main power and support base is inside Syria. A larger strategy that deals with this fact will also have to be in place if we wish to see the IS defeated.
Below is a tweet from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Near Eastern Affairs detailing new US airstrikes in Iraq today (August 17th). Below that are two videos showcasing some of the said airstrikes today (and yesterday) near the Mosul Dam.
Today, U.S. military forces have conducted 14 additional air strikes against #ISIS terrorists IVO Mosul Dam: http://t.co/WSDVPq18Rp @CENTCOM
— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) August 17, 2014
-- Caleb