Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The Islamic Stake Can Now Shell Baghdad Airport

Location: The militants are understood to have had their advance halted by airstrikes yesterday at Ameriyat Al-Falluja yesterday - a small city about 18 miles south of Fallujah and 40 miles west of Baghdad. But the clashes did not force the bulk of the fighters - with many of them now having made their way to the Baghdad suburbs

ISIL Within Shelling Range Of Baghdad Airport -- Washington Free Beacon

Gaining ground in both Iraq, Syria

The United States appears to be losing its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) in Iraq and Syria, experts say, as the jihadist group adapts to U.S. airstrikes and advances toward Baghdad and a strategic town on the Syrian-Turkish border.

McClatchy reported on Friday that ISIL had established an operational presence in Abu Ghraib, a town within miles of the capital Baghdad that could enable the militants to shell the Baghdad International Airport with artillery. The airport serves as a key transit point for Western embassies and houses a joint operations center with U.S. military advisers.

A Defense Department spokeswoman said there were no indications yet that ISIL had taken over Abu Ghraib.

Read more ....

Update #1: Is ISIS Close Enough To Attack Baghdad? Islamic State 'Operating' In Abu Ghraib: McClatchy Report -- IBTimes
Update #2: Islamic State withstands bombing campaign, plots Baghdad invasion -- Washington Times

My Comment: They have actually been in range for quite a while .... but I suspect that  once they have consolidated their positions .... an offensive against Baghdad will begin.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

A very good read on ISIS and the Baghdad government with accurate demography maps.

http://pando.com/2014/10/02/the-war-nerd-islamic-state-is-sulking-on-the-edge-of-baghdad/

War News Updates Editor said...

Thank you for the link Jordan.

Unknown said...

Are the American helicopters base at Baghdad International Airport?

At some time artillery is going to hit them or hit a crew member.

The helicopters can stand back from the front lines and fire. It may make them safe from technicals. they may spot a other antiaircraft artillery and fire 1st. I expect this to be true.

At some point ISIS will use SAMs. then what will the establishment Washington do?

What will their song & dance be?