Christian Iraqis residing in displaced persons camps believe that an upcoming operation to liberate Mosul will not make the country safe for them, and they fear that if they return to their homes, they will find nothing. Analysts also warn that the Islamic State militants appear to be quickly changing their attitudes towards Christians. Where once they were treated as “people of the Book,” they are now treated as pagans.
A judicial panel charged with examining corruption charges against Speaker Salim al-Jabouri dismissed the case over a lack of evidence. Last week, Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi accused the speaker and several other officials, current and former, as the minister himself was being interrogated. The dismissal came just hours after Jabouri requested his immunity against prosecution be dropped in order for the case to be investigated.
Security forces say they have secured about 25 percent of Falluja in preparation for the return of residents. That includes not only ridding the neighborhoods of militants but also booby-traps and other dangers. Some repairs to infrastructure are also part of the program.
Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi confirmed that Peshmerga forces will be participating in the upcoming operation in Mosul.
At least 136 people were killed and 33 more wounded:
The number of displaced civilians executed while trying to escape Hawija was raised by 27 killed to a total of 112 dead.
In Baghdad, a bomb at a car showroom in Bayaa left one dead and seven wounded. Three people were killed and six were wounded by a blast at an Amil market.
Security forces killed fifty militants in Albu Kanaan. The militants were fleeing battles in Khalidiya Island.
In Mosul, militants detained 25 women, killing five of them, who were members of a Daesh female accountability force. Unidentified gunmen killed 14 militants and wounded 20 more.
In Khalidiya Island, militants executed eight of their own for deserting the battlefield. Security forces killed six militants.
Airstrikes killed six militants in Mesherfa and Hadar.
Three militants were killed in Husayba.
Turkish warplanes bombed Iraqi territory and killed 13 members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (P.K.K.).
