The United States government is considering expanding training sites in Iraq, which would require hundreds more U.S. troops, but the overall military strategy will go unchanged.
Parliamentary Speaker Salim al-Jabouri said today that three things are needed to defeat the Islamic State militants. They are international help, restructuring the military, and empowering local communities, particularly the minority groups.
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has warned that help is reaching Iraqis only in relatively safe zones, while Iraqis stuck in “gray zones” are lacking many of the basics.
At least 141 were killed and 92 were wounded:
In Baghdad, ten people were killed and 24 were wounded on Palestine St. when a car bomb exploded. Two more bombs killed six people and wounded 21 more.
A bomb in Yusufiya killed four people, including a civilian, and wounded at least eight others.
Militants wearing military uniforms attacked a local government office in Amiriyat al-Falluja. Two were shot dead, but the third blew up his explosives. He killed eight people and wounded 17 more.
In Mosul, 20 civilians were killed, including children, and 13 more were wounded in a coalition airstrike. An airstrike left 18 militants dead.
Gunmen killed one civilian and wounded three more near Balad Ruz.
A rocket killed one soldier and wounded two more near Falluja.
A bomb in Mahmoudiya wounded four Sahwa members, including a commander.
Security forces killed 23 militants in the Hamrin region.
In Jazira, 18 militants were killed.
Sixteen militants were killed in the Ajil oil fields.
An airstrike left eight militants dead and eight wounded in Hawija.
In Baghdad, four militants were killed and six were wounded in a clash.
In Garma, a sniper was killed.
