Peshmerga forces captured the strategic Gwer Bridge as they made further advances near Mosul. The bridge, which crosses the Grand Zab River, was damaged during it time under Islamic State control. When repaired, the bridge should be a valuable asset to forces approaching Mosul.
Parliament approved part of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s cabinet reshuffle. Five of six nominees were accepted. The new oil minister, Jabar Ali al-Luaibi, said he thinks the conflict between Baghdad and Kurdistan over oil can be resolved.
Parliament, however, rejected Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi’s testimony that he gave at the beginning of August. Obeidi was interrogated over graft charges but then accused several lawmakers of corruption. Abadi wants to keep Obeidi as defense minister, so the momentum against Daesh/ISIS is not lost.
At least 74 people were killed and 49 more wounded:
Militants in Hawija executed 25 civilians by forcing them inside a house and then blowing up the building. A bomb targeting fleeing civilians killed six and wounded 19 more.
In Mosul, militants executed three people by burning them to death.
In Baghdad, a bomb killed two people and wounded eight in Shoala. A bomb in Sabaa al-Bour killed another two people and wounded eight more. An attack was also reported in Doura.
A sniper killed an officer and wounded two more in Tarmiya.
Fifteen militants were killed in the battle for Hassoudiyeh.
Militiamen killed six militants and wounded 12 more in a failed attack near Tuz Khormato.
Peshmerga forces reported a new number of casualties from operations yesterday. They said 130 militants were killed, raising yesterday’s estimate by 10 dead.
Four militants were killed in strikes on Khalidiya Island.
