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U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Fighter aircraft conducted three strikes in Syria:

• Near Mar’a, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Hasakah, one strike produced inconclusive results.
• Near Hawl, one strike struck a large tactical unit and two ISIL buildings.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter, remotely piloted aircraft and rocket artillery conducted 20 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

• Near Huwayjah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Abu Hayat, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle bomb, an ISIL mortar position, an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL building, and an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Beiji, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Fallujah, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL bunkers and an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Mosul, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Ramadi, three strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit, and destroyed 18 ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL mortar position, an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL motorcycle, two ISIL resupply warehouses, and damaged three ISIL buildings.
• Near Sinjar, eight strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL weapons caches, two ISIL assembly areas, eight ISIL fighting positions, and six ISIL staging areas.
• Near Sultan Abdullah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL heavy machine gun.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Wednesday.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Attack, bomber, fighter, ground attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted six strikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Hawl, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed three ISIL cranes, four ISIL rigs, two ISIL excavators, an ISIL front end loader, and two ISIL pipefitters.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter, ground attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 19 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

• Near Baghdadi, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Albu Hayat, two strikes struck two separate large ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle bomb, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL building, and four ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Beiji, one strike wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Ramadi, five strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle bomb, an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL building and denied ISIL access to terrain.
• Near Sinjar, nine strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL bomb-making facility, an ISIL staging facility, three ISIL staging areas, four ISIL weapons caches, an ISIL headquarters location, an ISIL bed-down location, 10 ISIL fighting positions, and two ISIL vehicles.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Tuesday.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Fighter, bomber, and remotely piloted aircraft conducted seven strikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Mar’a, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL structure.
• Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes struck an ISIL oil pump and destroyed two ISIL front end loaders, three ISIL cranes, and an ISIL pump truck.

Strikes in Iraq

Using bomber, fighter, attack, remotely piloted aircraft and rocket artillery, coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes against ISIL targets, coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq:

• Near Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Albu Hayat, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Beiji, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL artillery piece.
• Near Habbaniyah, one strike suppressed two ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Kisik, one strike suppressed an ISIL rocket position.
• Near Mosul, three strikes struck an ISIL vehicle-borne bomb-making facility, an ISIL roadside bomb-making facility, and an ISIL weapons cache.
• Near Sinjar, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL staging areas, two ISIL headquarters, two ISIL weapons caches, and one ISIL tunnel system.
• Near Ramadi, three strikes destroyed two ISIL buildings, two ISIL command and control nodes, an ISIL vehicle-borne bomb storage area, damaged an ISIL building, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct operations.

Coalition nations conducting strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Tuesday.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 10 airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hawl, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle bomb.
• Near Hasakah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL rocket, two ISIL vehicles, and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and wounded three ISIL fighters.
• Near Mar’a, six strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL ammo cache, an ISIL staging area, and three ISIL buildings.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter, ground attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 17 airstrikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

• Near Beiji, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Habbaniyah, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL tactical vehicle.
• Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Makhmur, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Mosul, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns, three ISIL fighting positions, and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.
• Near Ramadi, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, and destroyed two ISIL tactical vehicles, an ISIL vehicle bomb, two ISIL command and control nodes, four ISIL buildings, two ISIL fighting positions, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
• Near Sinjar, five strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL weapons cache, and two ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported in releases at the weekend.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Fighter, attack, bomber, ground-attack, and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 16 airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Al Hawl, five strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL fighting complex and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Mar'a, six strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), and wounded two ISIL fighters.
• Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL headquarters building.
• Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes struck an ISIL crude oil collection point, an ISIL petroleum pump, an ISIL pump station, and destroyed an ISIL crane and an ISIL mobile pump.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, ground-attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted  30 airstrikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

• Near Al Huwayjah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint.
• Near Al Qaim, one strike struck an ISIL logistical facility.
• Near Bayji, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Mosul, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL artillery pieces, and another fighting position in a separate strike.
• Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL staging area.
• Near Ramadi, seven strikes struck three separate tactical units and destroyed two ISIL rocket rails, an ISIL trench, 12 ISIL fighting positions, eight ISIL buildings, an ISIL recoilless rifle, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL weapons cache, three command and control nodes, suppressed an ISIL fighting position, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
• Near Sinjar, 11 strikes struck 10 separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 10 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL VBIED, an ISIL homemade explosives cache, an ISIL assembly area, two ISIL bunkers, wounded an ISIL fighter and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.
• Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL excavator and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Tal Afar, two strikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL checkpoint and wounded two ISIL fighters.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

By Mustafa al-Kadhimi for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

A weak and divided Baghdad has been unable to play an effective role in solving the various central administration-related crises in Iraq, such as the Iraqi Kurdistan crisis. The opposition is accusing Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani of seeking to extend his presidential term, in light of ongoing popular protests in Kurdish cities. Competing political parties are accusing each other of being behind the protests, when for many years the Kurdistan Region had witnessed political stability.

Given the protests and acute political rifts among the Kurdish parties, it is necessary to raise questions about Baghdad’s ability to help contain the crisis, provide solutions and an appropriate environment for dialogue and mediate among the conflicting parties to restore political stability.

The conflict — among the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the Movement for Change and the Kurdistan Islamic Union — broke out in August toward the end of Barzani's presidential mandate, which according to the region’s electoral law, cannot be extended.

Kurdistan is facing major obstacles to holding elections: a lack of necessary funds and security in light of the war against the Islamic State. This is in addition to the existing crisis over the region's form of governance, which pushed the PUK, the Movement for Change and the Kurdistan Islamic Union, as well as the Kurdistan Islamic Group, to propose a shift from a parliamentary to a presidential system.

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Thursday.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber and fighter aircraft conducted 13 airstrikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

• Near Huwayjah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL weapons and staging areas.
• Near Mosul, one strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece.
• Near Ramadi, two strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL recoilless rifle, two ISIL rocket rails, eight ISIL boats, two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL heavy machine gun, suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
• Near Sinjar, three strikes destroyed 33 ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL fighting position and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.
• Near Tal Afar, three strikes suppressed two ISIL mortar positions and an ISIL heavy machine gun position.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

By John Lee.

In a statement to the markets covering the first nine months of the year, Zain Group said that the implementation of a new 20 percent sales tax on mobile servicesin Iraq, as well as wide-ranging tax increases on other sectors in the country, that commenced 1 August 2015, have hit spending on mobile services:

"Zain Iraq launched 3G services at the beginning of the year and is actively rolling out 3G services across the country. This contributed to data revenues growth of 39% Y-o-Y for the nine months. Zain Iraq’s performance has been severely hampered by the escalation of social instability that has resulted in several million people being displaced internally.

"Zain Iraq also has to endure frequent temporary network shutdowns and associated higher network operational costs. In addition, the implementation of a new 20% sales tax on mobile services together with a wide range of tax increases in other sectors in Iraq were introduced on 1^st August, 2015, impacting spending on mobile services.

"These exceptional circumstances coupled with intense competition and currency fluctuations, adversely affected the operation’s financial performance. Revenues for the first nine months of 2015 reached USD 924 million, with EBITDA reaching USD 359 million (representing an impressive 38.8% margin), while net income amounted to USD 102 million.

"It is worth mentioning that the Q3 2015 KPIs grew by revenues 7%, EBITDA 13% and net income 60% as compared with Q2 2015. The Zain Iraq team is committed to maintaining a resilient and efficient network despite the domestic situation. The operator also foresees significant growth in all key financial indicators due to the impact of mobile data revenue growth given the pent-up demand for broadband services. The operator now serves 11.4 million customers."

Zain Group CEO, Scott Gegenheimer (pictured) noted:

“We are pleased to see the continued growth in data usage and related revenue metrics across all our operations, reflecting the success of the company’s primary focus to upgrade its networks and commitment to delivering an affordable and compelling digital lifestyle experience to our customers.

"Despite not witnessing year-on-year growth in several key aspects of the Group’s consolidated financial results predominantly due to the unavoidable circumstances facing our operation in Iraq, our impressive EBITDA margin of 43.5% reflects the success of Zain Group’s operational efficiency drive.”

“The positive momentum and improving financial performance of our operations in Saudi Arabia and Sudan bodes well for the future of both companies. We continue to grow our customer base in our home base of Kuwait and we are working closely with the management team there to address the major competitive challenges in this lucrative market.

"It is gratifying to see both the Bahrain and Jordan operations continue to grow their customer base and data related revenues on the back of their respective upgraded and newly installed 4G networks. We are hopeful that the social unrest in Iraq subsides soon, so the operation can fully capture its growth potential with its newly operational 3G service."

(Source: Zain)

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Sunday.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 22 airstrikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq:

• Near Beiji, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Fallujah, one strike destroyed five ISIL rocket rails.
• Near Kisik, eight strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, four separate ISIL staging areas, and suppressed an ISIL mortar position and an ISIL heavy machine gun position.
• Near Mosul, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL heavy machine gun, and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Ramadi, five strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed ten ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL sniper positions, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL weapons cache, and denied ISIL access to tactical terrain.
• Near Sinjar, five strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 16 ISIL fighting positions, seven ISIL assembly areas, and an ISIL cache.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

By Mustafa al-Kadhimi for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

The conflicts in Iraq and Syria are becoming increasingly convoluted by the day. Russia's engagement has been an additional complication to the overlapping battles.

This international interference is undoubtedly a major challenge to the regional countries, whose security, political composition and political undertakings are vulnerable, as is the fragile concept of citizenship within their borders.

Iraq is one of those weak countries in the region that did not deal with the developing situation in a way that would protect its interests and distance it from repercussions of the religious conflict raging between the major countries in the Middle East.

The Iraqi joint operations command (covering the army, Popular Mobilization Units and internal security forces) said in a statement Sept. 27 that Iraq has signed security and intelligence agreements in coordination with various countries as part of the fight against the Islamic State (IS). The countries include disparate parties such as Russia, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Germany and France, in addition to members of the US-led coalition against IS, in which 60 countries are participating.

The press office of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Sept. 30 that Iraq, Syria, Iran and Russia agreed to set up a joint information center in Iraq. Russian airstrikes against Syrian opposition forces coincided with that announcement.

On Oct. 1, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced his country was ready to carry out air raids on IS positions in Iraq as well. Lavrov had said May 21 that Russia would meet Iraqi, Syrian and Egyptian demands for Russian support to expel terrorists from their territories.