In Iraq, the desire to quickly dispatch the Islamic State militants from their strongholds is tempered by the inability of the Iraqi forces to get the job done. Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, however, believes the militants are on their last legs anyway. Yet, F.B.I. Deputy Assistant Director Michael Steinbach gave testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee on Thursday. He said that the Islamic State problem is nowhere near “under control.” These contradictory assessments will have to be considered as the time for Coalition forces to recover Mosul appears to be drawing near.
At least 179 Iraqis were killed and five more were wounded.
More information on the attack on al-Baghdadi on Thursday was released. Eighteen Iraqi personnel were killed in the battle there or near the Ain al-Asad base, where U.S. Marines are training Iraqis. At least eight militants were killed. Airstrikes that followed the attack probably killed more militants. There are conflicting reports on who currently controls al-Baghdadi.
Nine civilians were executed in Qaim.
In Qadisiya, seven policemen were executed.
A sticky bomb killed six members of one family in Samarra.
In Sinjar, three Peshmerga were wounded in a clash. Security forces killed three militants, including two emirs.
Two bodies were discovered in Wajihiya.
A civilian was killed in Muqdadiya.
In Baghdad, a dead body was found. A second body was discovered, as was a third body. A civilian was gunned down.
A teenager was executed in Rutba for criticizing militant on Facebook.
In Mosul, a female former political candidate was killed.
A landmine in Iskandariya wounded two volunteer fighters.
North of Baghdad, 53 militants were killed.
Peshmerga forces killed 19 militants in Khazer.
Fourteen militants were killed in Dijla.
An airstrike in Baiji left ten militants dead.
Nine militants were killed in Falluja, as were three more.
Peshmerga forces killed eight militants in Bashiqa.
