Top US Gen. Dempsey: ISIS had 'straight shot' to Baghdad airport
The top U.S. military leader said Sunday that Islamic State militants recently came within 15 miles of the Baghdad airport after overrunning Iraqi forces, adding to concerns about whether U.S. airstrikes alone can stop the jihadist army’s foray into Iraq.
Gen. Martin Dempsey, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, told ABC’s “This Week” that Apache helicopters were for the first time called in to stop the extremists’ “straight shot to the airport.”
“We were not going to allow that to happen,” said Dempsey, acknowledging the risk of using low-flying helicopters instead of fighter jets. “We need that airport.”
However, Dempsey said, there may come a time when he might recommend that American advisers accompany Iraqi troops against Islamic State targets.
Dempsey does not think Baghdad is in imminent jeopardy of being overrun by the Islamic State army but said individual members have infiltrated the surrounding Sunni population, which gives them the capability to fire indirectly into the city.
“We've been successful, mostly the Iraqis have been successful, in keeping (Islamic State) out of range,” Dempsey said. “But I have no doubt there will be days when they use indirect fire into Baghdad.”
Got a feeling that there'll be a massive fight for control over Baghdad some time before Christmas comes around.
The fight for Baghdad is basically already on. Islamic State is openly operating in Abu Ghraib, one of Baghdad's suburbs roughly 8 miles from Baghdad City.
No, that's entirely misleading. For the past couple weeks or more, it's always been some terrorists show up in Abu Ghraib, get rekt, and then war hawks like Dempsey jack off and beg to send half the US military to Iraq. Honestly, if Baghdad airport was under real threat, we'd probably have send half the military already, considering we have lots of personnel there. The problem is primarily in Fallujah, Hit, and some other towns in Anbar.
BAGHDAD, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Defense Ministry on Monday denied the reported presence of Islamic State (IS) militants in Abu Ghraib area near Baghdad international airport, stressing that security is under control.
"The reports about (IS militants) seizing Abu Ghraib area are not true," Lt. Gen. Qasim Atta said. "Life is normal in the town of Abu Ghraib."
Abu Ghraib, some 25 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, is just northwest of Baghdad international airport. The area is part of a volatile Sunni Arab area west of Baghdad that stretches through Anbar province to Iraq's western borders with Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Atta was responding to recent foreign media reports that clashes have been underway for more than a week between Iraqi security forces and IS militants, who are advancing toward the Iraqi capital.
The Iraqi army says scores of Takfiri ISIL militants have been killed in clashes with security forces in the country’s western Anbar Province.
An unnamed commander of the Iraqi army’s operations in the province said clashes erupted after ISIL militants launched attacks on three military bases in the area.
According to the commander, Iraqi troops returned fire after coming under attack.
He said at least 115 terrorists were killed in the ensuing fighting.
Several vehicles belonging to the militants were also destroyed in airstrikes by Iraqi fighter jets.
But for a terrorist organization that loses 115 members a day in Anbar, I don't think their way of fighting is by any means sustainable. The issue is they're flooding in with all their manpower from Syria and Mosul. They're probably going to abandon Mosul at this rate lol.
In recent days, ISIS has switched to lots more suicide bombing than usual. Maybe they're starting to feel a pinch? It comes as no surprise. They've lost most of their conquered territory outside of Anbar and Mosul, including even Tikrit for the most part if reports are correct. This is probably why they're doing everything in their power to take the rest of the western desert province of Anbar. They've heavily reinforced their assault on Kobani and still can't take it. It'll be a huge military and reputation defeat if they can't.
Can't they just concentrate on Syria or Iraq ? It seems like they are trying to be everywhere at the same time and that isn't working anymore.
Well part of why they're so popular is because they're having success in both Iraq and Syria. Losing one or the other is huge propaganda wise and makes them less attractive for jihadists. Not to mention the tax revenue they'll lose. It looks like they've overstretched and made too many enemies.
They might just have looked for a way to make any use of those foreign jihadists. The ones that join up for the lack of a better idea. All they are good for is blowing themselves up and propaganda.
ISIS have taken control of Hit. They are also in control of virtually all the roads leading to the Shingal Mountain where thousands of Yazidi refugees are still encircled.
Hit has been captured for almost a week now. As of last report, they were clearing out areas of Fallujah. With Fallujah in addition to Haditha and Ramadi regions, it won't be a bad deal.
I posted earlier that Iraqi forces were going to possibly launch an operation to clear it out, but strategically speaking, clearing out Fallujah and massacring ISIS attackers on Haditha and Ramadi is a much bigger win than Hit. IS's manpower just isn't what it used to be. They're diverting guys from Syria and northwestern Iraq to come to Anbar.
On October 14 2014 00:59 JudicatorHammurabi wrote:
On October 13 2014 20:34 AngryMag wrote:
On October 13 2014 19:52 sgtnoobkilla wrote:
Top US Gen. Dempsey: ISIS had 'straight shot' to Baghdad airport
The top U.S. military leader said Sunday that Islamic State militants recently came within 15 miles of the Baghdad airport after overrunning Iraqi forces, adding to concerns about whether U.S. airstrikes alone can stop the jihadist army’s foray into Iraq.
Gen. Martin Dempsey, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, told ABC’s “This Week” that Apache helicopters were for the first time called in to stop the extremists’ “straight shot to the airport.”
“We were not going to allow that to happen,” said Dempsey, acknowledging the risk of using low-flying helicopters instead of fighter jets. “We need that airport.”
However, Dempsey said, there may come a time when he might recommend that American advisers accompany Iraqi troops against Islamic State targets.
Dempsey does not think Baghdad is in imminent jeopardy of being overrun by the Islamic State army but said individual members have infiltrated the surrounding Sunni population, which gives them the capability to fire indirectly into the city.
“We've been successful, mostly the Iraqis have been successful, in keeping (Islamic State) out of range,” Dempsey said. “But I have no doubt there will be days when they use indirect fire into Baghdad.”
Got a feeling that there'll be a massive fight for control over Baghdad some time before Christmas comes around.
The fight for Baghdad is basically already on. Islamic State is openly operating in Abu Ghraib, one of Baghdad's suburbs roughly 8 miles from Baghdad City.
No, that's entirely misleading. For the past couple weeks or more, it's always been some terrorists show up in Abu Ghraib, get rekt, and then war hawks like Dempsey jack off and beg to send half the US military to Iraq. Honestly, if Baghdad airport was under real threat, we'd probably have send half the military already, considering we have lots of personnel there. The problem is primarily in Fallujah, Hit, and some other towns in Anbar.
BAGHDAD, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Defense Ministry on Monday denied the reported presence of Islamic State (IS) militants in Abu Ghraib area near Baghdad international airport, stressing that security is under control.
"The reports about (IS militants) seizing Abu Ghraib area are not true," Lt. Gen. Qasim Atta said. "Life is normal in the town of Abu Ghraib."
Abu Ghraib, some 25 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, is just northwest of Baghdad international airport. The area is part of a volatile Sunni Arab area west of Baghdad that stretches through Anbar province to Iraq's western borders with Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Atta was responding to recent foreign media reports that clashes have been underway for more than a week between Iraqi security forces and IS militants, who are advancing toward the Iraqi capital.
The Iraqi army says scores of Takfiri ISIL militants have been killed in clashes with security forces in the country’s western Anbar Province.
An unnamed commander of the Iraqi army’s operations in the province said clashes erupted after ISIL militants launched attacks on three military bases in the area.
According to the commander, Iraqi troops returned fire after coming under attack.
He said at least 115 terrorists were killed in the ensuing fighting.
Several vehicles belonging to the militants were also destroyed in airstrikes by Iraqi fighter jets.
But for a terrorist organization that loses 115 members a day in Anbar, I don't think their way of fighting is by any means sustainable. The issue is they're flooding in with all their manpower from Syria and Mosul. They're probably going to abandon Mosul at this rate lol.
In recent days, ISIS has switched to lots more suicide bombing than usual. Maybe they're starting to feel a pinch? It comes as no surprise. They've lost most of their conquered territory outside of Anbar and Mosul, including even Tikrit for the most part if reports are correct. This is probably why they're doing everything in their power to take the rest of the western desert province of Anbar. They've heavily reinforced their assault on Kobani and still can't take it. It'll be a huge military and reputation defeat if they can't.
Can't they just concentrate on Syria or Iraq ? It seems like they are trying to be everywhere at the same time and that isn't working anymore.
Their operations are just as much propaganda as they are military. If they lose at Kobani, it will be a huge reputation blow. This is why they're sending tons and tons of reinforcements to Kobani.
They have already lost tons of territory in Iraq, so they're heavily reinforcing the Anbar province where they have their strongest foothold. If they lose Anbar, then they'll lose all the "legitimacy" they have. The overwhelming percentage of ISIS's recruitment and "reputation" and "legitimacy" comes from their "successes." If they are no longer successful, then they will lose that.
The problem is they have extremely selective propaganda, just like US news media. Have you heard from US news media about how intensely Iraqi forces and militias have been battling ISIS and clearing out towns of cities and villages? You don't. They talk about how a few hundred soldiers got gassed at Saqlawiyah, or how deserters from Camp Speicher in June were executed despite Camp Speicher being one of the biggest ISIS graveyards to this day. Likewise, ISIS only makes propaganda about where they've been successful, which for them, is diminishing. They're turning Kobani into battle for Stalingrad.
Hit wasn't fully under control, pockets on the outer areas were still contested, not anymore it seems. And until the Iraqi Government gets it's house in order then it's army is useless.
ISTANBUL — When the northern Iraqi town of Irbil was under the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) threat in June, Turkey secretly played a role in arming peshmerga forces, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani said.
Speaking to Sky News Arabic on Monday, Barzani announced that the KRG administration had received arms support from Turkey but kept it confidential as ISIS militants where keeping hostage 49 employees from the Turkish Consulate in Mosul, Iraq.
"We have to tell the truth. On the first night we were attacked by ISIS, Iranians sent two planes loaded with arms. That was a remarkable assistance for that moment. [Arms support] had been sent by others as well. However, the first was from Iran. We were actually expecting Turkey to make the first move. They also sent us [arms] but they wanted us not to say it due to interior conjuncture. Their presidential election was coming at that time and ISIS had taken Turkish hostages," Barzani said.
Barzani went on to express understanding toward Ankara's current caution toward further involvement in Syria and Iraq saying, "We were expecting a stronger stance than the one we saw from Turkey. That they would act faster and send more arms. But alongside our expectations, we understand their concerns."
KRG leader also said, "We understandingly knew that Turkey's delayed and careful stance was due to internal issues and the hostage crisis. However it must be said that Turkey helped out as well."
On October 14 2014 09:09 {CC}StealthBlue wrote: Hit wasn't fully under, control pockets on the outer areas were still contested, not anymore it seems. And until the Iraqi Government gets it's house in order then it's army is useless.
The government is arguably in the best shape it's been in since 2003, though still pretty bad by Iraqi standards. lol. The army is useless? Are we in June? They've decimated ISIS's numbers, and ISIS is easily the most competent Islamic jihadist group that's existed to date. It doesn't help they're led by some of the most competent military officers in... Asia pretty much. But still, the group is having to bring in guys from Syria and Mosul just to keep up the fight.
How do they fight? Surprise attacks with tons of bomb-laden vehicles and chemical weapons and then go hide among the local populace. They booby trap and bomb every street. And they have done all of this most intensely in Anbar. But I read that in a single street in Tikrit, 800 bombs were defused. ISIS puts all their predecessors to shame in terms of competency. The Taliban and Al Qaeda and Mahdi Army and others are complete amateurs. And still, they've been driven out of most of the territory they've controlled outside of Anbar.
Even in Anbar it's mostly been tit-for-tat. Iraqi military clear a huge area around Haditha a while ago, ISIS takes parts of Heet. Iraqi army clears out towns near Fallujah and districts in Fallujah itself and clears almost all (or all?) of Ramadi, ISIS takes rest of Heet and a nearby town.
Admittedly, the US and Maliki have neutered the competency of the Iraqi military since 2003, but even the earliest reforms over the last month have demonstrated exponential progress. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Who would have thought that the old witch-hunted Baath officers would ever be back in the line of duty?
Overall, the army reformations are doing a lot of good. The government is on a good track so far. I don't see where the government or army is doing things wrong or failing except in dealing with massive suicide attacks on very vulnerable camps. Still, ISIS is losing 100+ a day in Iraq, right? If the CIA's estimates in September are correct (20,000 to 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria), their numbers have dwindled considerably by now. I also highly doubt their recruitment is even a fraction of what it was June-August when they were successful.
ISIS is turning a lot more to suicide bombings and are reported to be devoting all their effort to Kobani and Anbar. I think they're seriously feeling the pinch. They're really desperate for a win.
ISIS/ISIL is within 10 miles of Baghdad, so far the speculation that elements of Syrian fighters and other veteran groups coming back into Iraq is to finish off Kobani, which has taken a larger than expected toll on their fighters. Nothing else could explain the SAA capturing a base in Deir Ezzor.
ISIS is constantly recouping it's losses via foreign fighters, who then undergo serious training much like Al-Nursa fighters.
I agree with everything you say. However, remember the foreign recruitment numbers in September? These numbers in this map (which go through October) are negligibly higher than they were in September. It looks like their foreign recruitment has taken a hit. If the daily casualty estimates from Iraq mean anything (and who knows what it is in Syria), I think their losses are unsustainable.
On October 14 2014 10:47 ImFromPortugal wrote: What do you guys think when the fight is finally over (against isis) and they are defeated will other groups try to take their place like Al-Nusra ?
IF the fight against ISIS is over, well Syria is a cluster-fuck and the civil war will continue. Realistically speaking, I think the best possible outcome for Syria is for the SAA to defeat the various insurgent groups. As nice as it would be to see the Assad monarchy go, I think having another Libya is a significantly worse outcome. But yeah, just like before the rise of ISIS in the last year or two, there will still be Al-Nusra and FSA and these other guys. Without ISIS, they'll still be fighting.
IF ISIS is defeated, I'm hoping there's finally some peace in Iraq. I don't think Al-Nusra and others will spill into Iraq (at least I hope not). The country hasn't had a proper moment to improve and develop since 1991. Syria obviously did and hasn't had a conflict or sanctions or other detriment since 1973, but it was always so horribly mismanaged and underdeveloped, one of the main reasons for the outbreak and growth of the civil war. Quite sad really.
Iraq is a country with an extremely young population and has been plagued by war and embargo for the past 30+ years. It'll be interesting to see how it grows given a stable future.
If things manage to stay like they are and ISIS is defeated the SAA will eventually win but at a great cost and Assad will be in a position of Lebanon, when Syria dictated terms etc, only much worse. His army is nothing more than militias from various sects, tribes etc. who will demand a greater voice and role, not to mentioned the millions that have left the country never to return, tens of thousands of dead soldiers, militia members and the rampant poverty, and of course ongoing guerrilla conflict that of course will happen.
But if this does manage to happen will be one lucky SOB (Imagine if the Rebel Civil War had not occurred during the Latakia offensive and ISIS launched it's August offensive in Deir ez-Zor, Assad would be dead, or in exile in Iran right now) but one that never rules a whole country ever again.
IMPORTANT: Joe Biden goofs, implies that Saudi Arabia backs terrorists in Syria. US politicians usually aren't this honest, even by accident ;D
WASHINGTON — Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has one more stop on what has become a Middle East apology tour in the wake of his impolitic answer to a Harvard student’s question: Saudi Arabia.
After apologizing to officials from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates over the weekend, Mr. Biden is trying to connect with Saudi leaders, a senior official said, to clarify that he did not mean to suggest that Saudi Arabia backed Al Qaeda or other extremist groups in Syria.
The vice president’s troubles began Thursday when he declared, in a question-and-answer session at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, that the biggest problem the United States faced in dealing with Syria and the rise of the Islamic State was America’s allies in the region.
ISTANBUL — When the northern Iraqi town of Irbil was under the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) threat in June, Turkey secretly played a role in arming peshmerga forces, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani said.
Speaking to Sky News Arabic on Monday, Barzani announced that the KRG administration had received arms support from Turkey but kept it confidential as ISIS militants where keeping hostage 49 employees from the Turkish Consulate in Mosul, Iraq.
"We have to tell the truth. On the first night we were attacked by ISIS, Iranians sent two planes loaded with arms. That was a remarkable assistance for that moment. [Arms support] had been sent by others as well. However, the first was from Iran. We were actually expecting Turkey to make the first move. They also sent us [arms] but they wanted us not to say it due to interior conjuncture. Their presidential election was coming at that time and ISIS had taken Turkish hostages," Barzani said.
Barzani went on to express understanding toward Ankara's current caution toward further involvement in Syria and Iraq saying, "We were expecting a stronger stance than the one we saw from Turkey. That they would act faster and send more arms. But alongside our expectations, we understand their concerns."
KRG leader also said, "We understandingly knew that Turkey's delayed and careful stance was due to internal issues and the hostage crisis. However it must be said that Turkey helped out as well."
On October 14 2014 09:09 {CC}StealthBlue wrote: Hit wasn't fully under, control pockets on the outer areas were still contested, not anymore it seems. And until the Iraqi Government gets it's house in order then it's army is useless.
Overall, the army reformations are doing a lot of good. The government is on a good track so far. I don't see where the government or army is doing things wrong or failing except in dealing with massive suicide attacks on very vulnerable camps. Still, ISIS is losing 100+ a day in Iraq, right? If the CIA's estimates in September are correct (20,000 to 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria), their numbers have dwindled considerably by now. I also highly doubt their recruitment is even a fraction of what it was June-August when they were successful.
.
Where are you guys getting these numbers from? I'm interested in following this more closely (i.e. troop strength on the ground, army movement etc.) but can't find any sources dedicated to that. For casualties I'm just looking at this https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aia6y6NymliRdEZESktBSWVqNWM1dkZOSGNIVmtFZEE#gid=4 and also check out the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights site from time to time.
On October 14 2014 09:26 JudicatorHammurabi wrote: Yay Turkey has done something helpful.
ISTANBUL — When the northern Iraqi town of Irbil was under the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) threat in June, Turkey secretly played a role in arming peshmerga forces, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani said.
Speaking to Sky News Arabic on Monday, Barzani announced that the KRG administration had received arms support from Turkey but kept it confidential as ISIS militants where keeping hostage 49 employees from the Turkish Consulate in Mosul, Iraq.
"We have to tell the truth. On the first night we were attacked by ISIS, Iranians sent two planes loaded with arms. That was a remarkable assistance for that moment. [Arms support] had been sent by others as well. However, the first was from Iran. We were actually expecting Turkey to make the first move. They also sent us [arms] but they wanted us not to say it due to interior conjuncture. Their presidential election was coming at that time and ISIS had taken Turkish hostages," Barzani said.
Barzani went on to express understanding toward Ankara's current caution toward further involvement in Syria and Iraq saying, "We were expecting a stronger stance than the one we saw from Turkey. That they would act faster and send more arms. But alongside our expectations, we understand their concerns."
KRG leader also said, "We understandingly knew that Turkey's delayed and careful stance was due to internal issues and the hostage crisis. However it must be said that Turkey helped out as well."
On October 14 2014 09:09 {CC}StealthBlue wrote: Hit wasn't fully under, control pockets on the outer areas were still contested, not anymore it seems. And until the Iraqi Government gets it's house in order then it's army is useless.
Overall, the army reformations are doing a lot of good. The government is on a good track so far. I don't see where the government or army is doing things wrong or failing except in dealing with massive suicide attacks on very vulnerable camps. Still, ISIS is losing 100+ a day in Iraq, right? If the CIA's estimates in September are correct (20,000 to 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria), their numbers have dwindled considerably by now. I also highly doubt their recruitment is even a fraction of what it was June-August when they were successful.
.
Where are you guys getting these numbers from? I'm interested in following this more closely (i.e. troop strength on the ground, army movement etc.) but can't find any sources dedicated to that. For casualties I'm just looking at this https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aia6y6NymliRdEZESktBSWVqNWM1dkZOSGNIVmtFZEE#gid=4 and also check out the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights site from time to time.
That link is unfortunately missing the months of July, August, September, and October, where all the fighting has taken place lol. I'm really interested on seeing what the official records say. EDIT: Saw some of the other spreadsheets in the tabs below. 80 militants killed in the month of September? What?
I check out the news on a daily basis. English-language Iraqi news (like in my last post) and sometimes even other Arab or Iranian news will report on Iraqi defense statements on operations and casualties. I usually see well into the dozens each day. There was a day last week where US airstrikes alone killed 220 IS fighters headed to Ramadi on Thursday IIRC, not to mention other fighting going on in the day.
However, these are just what is reported. We don't know about ALL the fighting that the Iraqi military conducts on a daily basis, and I highly doubt we're getting figures from the fighting that the Arab and Kurdish militias do. Still, if legitimate, then the reports on ISIS casualties are rather assuring.
On October 14 2014 09:26 JudicatorHammurabi wrote: Yay Turkey + Show Spoiler +
has done something helpful.
ISTANBUL — When the northern Iraqi town of Irbil was under the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) threat in June, Turkey secretly played a role in arming peshmerga forces, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani said.
Speaking to Sky News Arabic on Monday, Barzani announced that the KRG administration had received arms support from Turkey but kept it confidential as ISIS militants where keeping hostage 49 employees from the Turkish Consulate in Mosul, Iraq.
"We have to tell the truth. On the first night we were attacked by ISIS, Iranians sent two planes loaded with arms. That was a remarkable assistance for that moment. [Arms support] had been sent by others as well. However, the first was from Iran. We were actually expecting Turkey to make the first move. They also sent us [arms] but they wanted us not to say it due to interior conjuncture. Their presidential election was coming at that time and ISIS had taken Turkish hostages," Barzani said.
Barzani went on to express understanding toward Ankara's current caution toward further involvement in Syria and Iraq saying, "We were expecting a stronger stance than the one we saw from Turkey. That they would act faster and send more arms. But alongside our expectations, we understand their concerns."
KRG leader also said, "We understandingly knew that Turkey's delayed and careful stance was due to internal issues and the hostage crisis. However it must be said that Turkey helped out as well."
On October 14 2014 09:09 {CC}StealthBlue wrote: Hit wasn't fully under, control pockets on the outer areas were still contested, not anymore it seems. And until the Iraqi Government gets it's house in order then it's army is useless.
The government is arguably in the best shape it's been in since 2003, though still pretty bad by Iraqi standards. lol. The army is useless? Are we in June? They've decimated ISIS's numbers, and ISIS is easily the most competent Islamic jihadist group that's existed to date. It doesn't help they're led by some of the most competent military officers in... Asia pretty much. But still, the group is having to bring in guys from Syria and Mosul just to keep up the fight.
How do they fight? Surprise attacks with tons of bomb-laden vehicles and chemical weapons and then go hide among the local populace. They booby trap and bomb every street. And they have done all of this most intensely in Anbar. But I read that in a single street in Tikrit, 800 bombs were defused. ISIS puts all their predecessors to shame in terms of competency. The Taliban and Al Qaeda and Mahdi Army and others are complete amateurs. And still, they've been driven out of most of the territory they've controlled outside of Anbar.
Even in Anbar it's mostly been tit-for-tat. Iraqi military clear a huge area around Haditha a while ago, ISIS takes parts of Heet. Iraqi army clears out towns near Fallujah and districts in Fallujah itself and clears almost all (or all?) of Ramadi, ISIS takes rest of Heet and a nearby town.
Admittedly, the US and Maliki have neutered the competency of the Iraqi military since 2003, but even the earliest reforms over the last month have demonstrated exponential progress. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Who would have thought that the old witch-hunted Baath officers would ever be back in the line of duty?
Overall, the army reformations are doing a lot of good. The government is on a good track so far. I don't see where the government or army is doing things wrong or failing except in dealing with massive suicide attacks on very vulnerable camps. Still, ISIS is losing 100+ a day in Iraq, right? If the CIA's estimates in September are correct (20,000 to 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria), their numbers have dwindled considerably by now. I also highly doubt their recruitment is even a fraction of what it was June-August when they were successful.
ISIS is turning a lot more to suicide bombings and are reported to be devoting all their effort to Kobani and Anbar. I think they're seriously feeling the pinch. They're really desperate for a win.
I would think twice before sourcing Sabah and related newspapers appeared at the bottom of the page. They are the worst.
EPT
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/cCcjqhy.png)
