Number of U.S. military personnel reported in Iraq increased from 300 to 500

Number of U.S. military personnel reported in Iraq increased from 300 to 500

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. military presence in Iraq has been growing steadily amid the offensive by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant. On June 26, officials reported that 500 troops, under the command of Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard, were deployed in the Arab state. But the officials said most of the troops […]

Report: Iran’s IRGC takes charge in Iraq of defending Shi’ite sectors

Report: Iran’s IRGC takes charge in Iraq of defending Shi’ite sectors

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has taken over Iranian policy in neighboring Iraq, a report said. The American Enterprise Institute asserted that IRGC’s Quds Force was now responsible for Teheran’s interests in Iraq. In a report, the institute identified Quds Force commander Brig. Gen. Qassem Suleimani as the organizer of […]

U.S. commandos arrive in Iraq to ‘assess and advise’ Shi’ite government

U.S. commandos arrive in Iraq to ‘assess and advise’ Shi’ite government

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has deployed commandos to assess the Iraqi military and its ability to combat Al Qaida. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama would send up to 400 special operations troops to Iraq. They said the soldiers, the first of whom arrived on June 24, would review […]

One week into crisis, Iraq is out of Hellfire missiles

One week into crisis, Iraq is out of Hellfire missiles

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Iraq, in less than a week of fighting, has exhausted its supply of U.S.-origin air-to-ground missiles. Officials said the Iraqi military has run out of U.S.-origin AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. They said the Iraq Air Force fired hundreds of Hellfires in the unsuccessful effort to stop the advance of Al Qaida’s […]

Jordan beefs up border security against ISIL threat

Jordan beefs up border security against ISIL threat

Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — Jordan has bolstered security measures amid the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from neighboring Iraq and Syria. Officials said the military and intelligence community have been on alert for infiltration by ISIL from Iraq and Syria. They did not rule out that ISIL could use […]

U.S. Humvees captured by ISIL in Iraq spotted in Aleppo, Syria

U.S. Humvees captured by ISIL in Iraq spotted in Aleppo, Syria

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — Al Qaida’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has deployed captured U.S. combat vehicles in the war in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the introduction of the U.S.-origin Humvee combat vehicle in Syria. The British-based monitor group said ISIL was seen driving Humvees in the movement’s […]

Ethnic Turks establish militia as Kurds consolidate power in northern Iraq

Ethnic Turks establish militia as Kurds consolidate power in northern Iraq

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Ethnic Turks have formed a militia in Iraq. Turkmens in northern Iraq announced they formed a militia to protect against rival ethnic groups in the Kirkuk area. They said the Shi’ite-led militia has mobilized hundreds of fighters and acquired weapons and equipment. “The Turkmen themselves have taken up arms to […]

New ISIL-tied militia joins the fray in Libya

New ISIL-tied militia joins the fray in Libya

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Another Al Qaida-aligned militia has emerged in Libya. Al Battar Brigade has announced the launch of operations against rival militias in wake of the death of a leading insurgent. Al Battar was said to have been affiliated with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the largest Al Qaida franchise […]

U.S. beefs up security at embassy in Baghdad, ‘reviews staffing requirements’

U.S. beefs up security at embassy in Baghdad, ‘reviews staffing requirements’

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department said it has overseen increased security at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. The department said it ordered the transfer of embassy staffers to neighboring Jordan. “The embassy of the United States in Baghdad remains open and will continue to engage daily with Iraqis and their elected […]

Invading jihadists capture U.S. equipment worth billions as Iraq Army collapses

Invading jihadists capture U.S. equipment worth billions as Iraq Army collapses

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Iraq has acknowledged that its Army collapsed amid the Al Qaida offensive. Officials said the Iraqi military, with one million members, failed to stop Al Qaida’s Islamic State of Iraq and Levant advance toward Baghdad. They said tens of thousands of Iraqi troops fled ISIL fighters around such cities as […]