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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.

Hertz Global Holdings has announced that Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC) has entered into a franchise agreement with the Khudairi Group for the exclusive license to provide rental equipment in Iraq using the "Hertz Equipment" brand and proprietary system.

This move will significantly add to HERC's existing network in the Middle East, with HERC Iraq offering one of the largest light-to-medium equipment fleets in the country, serving oil and gas, construction, industrial, and government customers through a branch network that will include locations in Erbil, Baghdad, Basra, and Sulaimani.

Larry H. Silber, President and Chief Executive Officer, HERC, said:

"This agreement reflects our long-term global-business strategy to license franchises, establish joint ventures and, where appropriate, open company-owned branches in emerging and growth markets where the equipment-rental model is poised for continuing expansion.

"We are especially pleased to partner with the Khudairi Group, which is one of Iraq's most prominent commercial organizations and brings more than one hundred years of demonstrated success to the HERC Iraq franchise."

Jay Early, International Vice President, HERC, added:

"HERC Iraq is well positioned to support the country's ongoing development, with oil-related and industrial projects, commercial construction and infrastructure work underpinning Iraq's revitalization.

"The Khudairi Group's experience working with firms engaged in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), oilfield supply and service, and heavy machinery position HERC Iraq for immediate success.  In addition, HERC Iraq's access to a multitude of clients across all sectors throughout Iraq create a solid platform for long-term growth.

"Our success in Saudi Arabia, our recent expansion into Qatar and our franchise in Iraq reflect our confidence in the ongoing development of key markets in the Middle East.  With one of the largest and most diverse equipment line-ups in the industry, we are excited to play a role in the development of the region's important public and private projects."

President of the Khudairi Group, Subhi Khudairi (pictured), said:

"Our experience and expertise across the oilfield, construction, industrial and government sectors enables us to understand and meet customer requirements in these demanding markets.  

"We are committed to providing best-in-class equipment backed with superior service and support with a highly trained and professional team across our locations."

HERC Iraq will offer for rent a diverse range of earthmoving, power, aerial, material handling, electrical and compressed-air equipment, beginning January 2016.

(Source: Hertz)

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.

Airstrikes in Syria

Attack and fighter aircraft conducted four airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Manbij, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL structures, two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL resupply point.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber and fighter aircraft conducted 14 airstrikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq:

• Near Kisik, six strikes struck an ISIL vehicle bomb facility and destroyed five separate ISIL staging areas.
• Near Ramadi, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL command and control node, an ISIL bomb, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
• Near Sinjar, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 14 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL light machine gun, and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike suppressed ISIL mortar fire.
• Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed 16 ISIL fighting positions.

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 on Monday.

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

Airstrike in Syria

• Fighter aircraft conducted an airstrike near Manbij, which destroyed three ISIL tactical vehicles.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter, remotely piloted aircraft and rocket artillery conducted 17 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

• Near Baghdadi, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed an ISIL bunker and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Beiji, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar system.
• Near Fallujah, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL building, and an ISIL mortar system.
• Near Kisik, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed an ISIL vehicle and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Ramadi, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units; destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL buildings, four ISIL heavy machine guns, and two ISIL vehicles; and denied ISIL access to terrain.
• Near Sinjar, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 17 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL assembly area, and two ISIL command-and-control nodes.
• Near Tal Afar, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed an ISIL vehicle and four ISIL fighting positions, and wounded an ISIL fighter.

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, Canada, 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 on Thursday.

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

Airstrikes in Syria

Remotely piloted and fighter aircraft conducted eight airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Bab, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL tactical vehicle and damaged an ISIL excavator.
• Near Hawl, two strikes destroyed an ISIL crude oil collection point and an ISIL oil pump.
• Near Raqqah, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Manbij, a strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece.
• Near Tal Jibbin, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Washiyah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL tactical vehicle and an ISIL artillery piece.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Bomber, fighter, attack, ground-attack and remotely piloted aircraft, along with rocket artillery, conducted 17 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

• Near Baghdadi, three strikes destroyed an ISIL weapons cache and denied ISIL access to tactical terrain.
• Near Huwayjah, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Beiji, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL explosives cache.
• Near Habbaniyah, a strike destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle.
• Near Hit, a strike destroyed an ISIL excavator.
• Near Kisik, a strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Ramadi, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun position, an ISIL mortar position, an ISIL fighting position and two ISIL tactical vehicles.
• Near Sinjar, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 21 ISIL fighting positions and five ISIL staging areas.

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, the region, 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, Canada, France, Jordan, 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)

Iraq’s youngest airline, FlyBaghdad, is in talks to start flying to Dubai and plans to launch European routes in early 2016, according to a report from Gulf News.

The airline’s Regional Commercial Manager, Mohammad Abdali, told the news agency that the Iraqi-owned airline started domestic flights to Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Najaf and Basra from its hub at Baghdad International Airport in July, and also flies to Istanbul in Turkey, Tbilisi in Georgia, Kuwait and Bahrain.

The company will start flights to the Iranian cities of Tehran, Isfahan and Mashhad on October 16, and is also planning on flying to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Abdali said.

London, Stockholm and Dusseldorf are potential future destinations.

It expects to break even in its first year of operation.

(Source: GulfNews.com)

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 Monday.

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

Airstrikes in Syria

Fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted two airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building.
• Near Washiya, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter, remotely piloted aircraft and rocket artillery conducted 18 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq:

• Near Baghdadi, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Bayji, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units, destroyed an ISIL fighting position, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
• Near Fallujah, one strike destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery piece and an ISIL tactical vehicle.
• Near Kisik, one strike suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun position.
• Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Ramadi, seven strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL trench, three separate ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, two ISIL front-end loaders, an ISIL building, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL tactical vehicle, an ISIL home-made explosives cache, denied ISIL access to terrain and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Sinjar, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed and ISIL fighting position.
• Near Tal Afar, one strike struck and destroyed an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Waleed, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

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, Canada, France, Jordan, 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)