ISIS' Advance Halted At Samarra -- Long War Journal
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham's rapid advance southward to Baghdad after taking control of Mosul just three days ago appears to have been halted outside of the gates of Samarra, home to one of the holiest shrines in Shia Islam.
Iraqi security forces in Samarra blunted the ISIS' assault from the north late yesterday, stopping an armed convoy from entering the city. The military is said to have deployed aircraft while battling the ISIS vanguard.
The Iraqi military's stand in Samarra stands in contrast to its performance in Mosul, Tikrit, Bayji, and other cities and towns taken over by the ISIS. Iraqi forces often surrendered or melted away in these cities, leaving behind weapons, ammunition, and police and military vehicles. Thousands of prisoners have been freed during the ISIS onslaught.
Read more ....
Update: Web Exclusive: ISIL threatens Samarra shrine -- Al Jazeera
My Comment: If this report is true .... it tells me that (for now) ISIS's advance has been halted. I would also not be surprised if a number of Iranian forces are near this Shiite shrine .... ready to be on the move to protect it in the event that ISIS forces do show up.
No comments:
Post a Comment