Kurdish forces say they killed ISIL military commander near Mosul

Kurdish forces say they killed ISIL military commander near Mosul

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Kurdistan has claimed the killing of the military commander of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Officials said the Kurdish Regional Government confirmed the death of ISIL military chief Abu Abdullah in heavy fighting near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. The officials said Abu Abdullah, also known as […]

Central Command confirms ISIL operating U.S. armored personnel carriers in Iraq

Central Command confirms ISIL operating U.S. armored personnel carriers in Iraq

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has acknowledged that Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was operating an advanced armored personnel carrier captured in Iraq. U.S. Central Command cited the Mine Resistant-Ambush Protected vehicle, manufactured by Oshkosh Defense and deemed the leading wheeled armored platform for the U.S. military in Afghanistan and […]

U.S. rushes arms to Kurdish forces as air strikes only slow ISIL advance

U.S. rushes arms to Kurdish forces as air strikes only slow ISIL advance

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has reported arms shipments to the Kurdish Regional Government. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama approved delivery of weapons to Kurdish security forces, called Peshmerga, in northern Iraq. They said the arms included anti-tank guided missiles, mortars, assault rifles and a range of munitions. “We’re […]

U.S. limited strikes target ISIL advance toward Kurdistan capital

U.S. limited strikes target ISIL advance toward Kurdistan capital

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States, its troops under direct threat, has begun air strikes on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in northern Iraq. Officials said the U.S. Air Force launched limited air strikes on ISIL on northern Iraq. They said the air strikes, ordered by President Barack Obama, were meant […]

Pentagon claim: Iraqi Army is capable and on the rebound after ISIL onslaught

Pentagon claim: Iraqi Army is capable and on the rebound after ISIL onslaught

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The administration of President Barack Obama continues to report improved performance by Iraq’s military despite other reports to the contrary. Officials said the U.S. military and Defense Department were assessing that the Iraq Army remained capable of defending Baghdad and regaining key cities in the north. The officials said the […]

U.S. has boots ‘on the ground’ in Iraq’s Kurdistan

U.S. has boots ‘on the ground’ in Iraq’s Kurdistan

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has established a military presence in Iraq’s autonomous region of Kurdistan. Officials said the Defense Department has overseen the arrival of more than 100 U.S. soldiers in Irbil, the capital of Kurdistan. They said the special operations force troops established a joint operations center with the Iraqi […]

U.S. warned Iraq will use new F-16s against Kurdistan

U.S. warned Iraq will use new F-16s against Kurdistan

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Kurdistan has urged the United States to halt its F-16 multi-role fighter project with Iraq. Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani warned that Iraq would use the F-16s against the autonomous region of Kurdistan. Barzani said Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki has already raised the prospect that Baghdad […]