Iraq forces are making slow progress in their battles to liberate Salah ad-Din province. At least 128 were killed in fighting and other violence. At least six were wounded.
The Iraqi army, Shi’ite militias, and volunteer fighters are seeking to seal off Tikrit. The town of Dour is effectively surrounded. But, the only complete victories appear to be Albu Rayash and Hamrin. Roadside bombs and snipers are making it difficult for the troops to arrive at their destinations let alone fight for them.
A sit-in was held in Baghdad by relatives of men missing after a massacre of security forces last summer at Camp Speicher.
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter admitted he is concerned that the operation in Salah ad-Din province could inflame the sectarian tensions that brought about the current conditions. The U.S. has not been involved in this operation and the British are equally alarmed. British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon called on Iraq to demonstrate to Sunnis that they will not be harmed by pro-government forces. In their wake, the Shi’ite militiamen have been accused of murders, destruction, and other war crimes.
Further north, the Kurds are again complaining of not receiving adequate supplies for battle. Baghdad is forcing their armaments to be shipped through Baghdad instead of being directly delivered, and the Kurds say that only 10 percent of the supplies are reaching them.
To the south of Baghdad, where it is relatively safer, a construction boom is occurring despite the drop in oil prices that is hurting Baghdad’s economic goals.
At least 128 were killed and six were wounded.
In Mosul, Militants amputated the hands of six men. One militant was killed by another militant.
A bomb killed three civilians in Baquba.
In Baghdad, a dead body was found.
Militants executed the head of the local judicial council in Hamdaniya after holding him in detention for several months.
A sticky bomb killed a farmer in Abu Garma.
In Tikrit, militants are claiming that a suicide bomber killed many troops. Security forces killed 56 militants, including a man accused of being the mastermind behind the Camp Speicher massacre.
Thirty militants were killed during clashes in Albu Talha.
In Haditha, airstrikes killed 16 militants.
Airstrikes left 10 militants dead in Ramadi.
Near Baiji, five militants were killed.
Two militants were killed in Hamrin. The emir of Hamrin Dam was killed.
A militant was killed trying to sneak in to Jurf al-Sakhar.
