Coalition partners met in Paris on Tuesday to discuss Iraq’s plan to fight the Islamic State militants. Undeterred by recent setbacks, the partners promised to continue using the same strategy. The United States also declared that the Coalition is winning the war. Separately, the Kurdish Regional Government expressed disappointment in not being invited to the meeting.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi dismissed concerns that reconciliation with the Sunnis has not gone as planned, even though it is considered an essential component in the fight against the militants. He blamed the failures on a lack of full support from the Coalition instead. U.S. Deputy Secretary Antony Blinken did promise, however, to make the acquisition of weapons easier for Iraq, and Australia will consider more troops.
The Islamic State militants closed a dam gate in Ramadi, lowering water levels on the Euphrates River. The closure is affecting the amount of water reaching the government held towns of Khalidiya and Habaniya. It also allows the militants to cross the river and launch attacks with greater ease. Authorities are considering bombing the dam if they cannot recover control.
At least 456 were killed and 56 were wounded:
Four suicide bombers killed 28 militiamen and wounded 36 more in Baiji. Airstrikes also left 35 militants dead.
In Baghdad, six people were killed and 13 more were wounded in a blast near the Qadouri Restaurant on Palestine Street.
Airstrikes left over 300 militants dead in locations closer to the Syrian border, such as Ana, Bagoz, Rawa, and al-Rowana.
Airstrikes in Baiji, Garma, Mosul, Ramadi and Tal Afar left another 19 militants dead. At least seven more were wounded in Garma. Another 40 were killed in Garma.
Security forces killed 18 militants in Falluja.
Six militants were killed at the Ajil oil fields.
