Kurdish forces launch major attack on capital city of ISIL’s ‘caliphate’

Kurdish forces launch major attack on capital city of ISIL’s ‘caliphate’

by WorldTribune Staff, May 24, 2016 A force of 50,000 Kurdish and Arab fighters have launched a major offensive aimed at driving Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) from its de facto “capital” of Raqqa, Syria. An alliance led and dominated by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) along with fighters from the Syrian Democratic […]

Report: ISIL seizes U.S. missiles in Iraq

Report: ISIL seizes U.S. missiles in Iraq

Special to WorldTribune.com A stockpile of weapons seized by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) in Iraq included a “huge volume” of U.S. anti-tank missiles, according to reports. The Pentagon confirmed on Oct. 12 that Iraqi forces discovered the ISIL weapons cache near the city of Fallujah. The stockpile included U.S.-made ammunition and TOW […]

Why did the chicken cross the road? Signs of ISIL desperation as its supply lines are cut

Why did the chicken cross the road? Signs of ISIL desperation as its supply lines are cut

Special to WorldTribune.com Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), having had supply lines cut by Kurdish forces in Syria as well as forces in Iraq, is now resorting to strapping explosives to chickens, reports say. Iraqi officials reported on July 20 that a major ISIL supply line between Ramadi and Fallujah was severd by […]

Sunni revolt in Ramadi and Fallujah spreads nationwide, drives 400,000 from their homes

Sunni revolt in Ramadi and Fallujah spreads nationwide, drives 400,000 from their homes

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — The Sunni revolt in Anbar has become a leading source of bloodshed in Iraq. The United Nations said at least 298 civilians were killed last month in the Sunni revolt in Anbar, Iraq’s largest province. A UN report said the toll, disclosed by Iraqi authorities, could not be confirmed amid […]

Al Qaida’s ISIL expands reach in Iraq to Shi’ite-controlled south

Al Qaida’s ISIL expands reach in Iraq to Shi’ite-controlled south

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Al Qaida has expanded operations to Shi’ite-dominated southern Iraq. Officials said Al Qaida has launched attacks in southern Iraq in an effort to relieve pressure from the military campaign in the Anbar province. The officials said Al Qaida’s Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant was believed to have sent […]

U.S. drones to the rescue in Iraq: Strikes target Al Qaida strongholds

U.S. drones to the rescue in Iraq: Strikes target Al Qaida strongholds

Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — The United States has launched unmanned aerial vehicle strikes on Sunni rebels in Iraq. Diplomatic sources said the U.S. military was conducting UAV strikes on Sunni rebels in Iraq’s largest province, Anbar. They sources said the Americans were working with the Iraqi military in identifying and targeting alleged strongholds of […]

Senators charge Obama ignored Iraqi pleas on pullout leading to Al Qaida resurgence

Senators charge Obama ignored Iraqi pleas on pullout leading to Al Qaida resurgence

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Leading members of Congress have accused President Barack Obama of failing to conclude a security cooperation agreement meant to stop Al Qaida in Iraq. Two leading senators said the Obama administration ordered a total U.S. military withdrawal despite the objections of leading Iraqi politicians. The senators said the U.S. pullout […]