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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, which took place yesterday, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 15 airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, 10 airstrikes struck eight ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL staging area, two ISIL bunkers, an ISIL excavator and three ISIL check points.
• Near Raqqah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.
• Near Kobani, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar position, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL heavy weapon and an ISIL fighting position.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 15 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

• Near Beiji, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Fallujah, one airstrike destroyed two ISIL bridges.
• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike destroyed eight ISIL rocket rails.
• Near Haditha, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and ISIL terrain denying ISIL a tactical advantage and destroyed an ISIL sniper position and an ISIL mortar position.
• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns.
• Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL heavy machine gun and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL excavator, an ISIL building and an ISIL vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.
• Near Tal Afar, four airstrikes struck an ISIL rocket firing position and destroyed six ISIL bunkers.

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

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, 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.

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

Airstrikes in Syria

Fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted nine airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Aleppo, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL bunker.
• Near Hasakah, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Raqqah, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL vehicle bomb production facility and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and six ISIL minefield sections.
• Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Bomber, attack, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 14 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

• Near Huwayjah, one airstrike struck an ISIL mortar position.
• Near Fallujah, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL recoilless rifle and an ISIL tunnel in support of the 1st Iraqi Infantry Division.
• Near Habbaniyah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles.
• Near Mosul, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL weapons cache and an ISIL tank.
• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Tal Afar, six airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL rocket firing position, an ISIL machine gun, and an ISIL mortar position and destroyed four ISIL bunkers, two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL machine guns, and an ISIL tunnel.

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, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia 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.

Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted nine airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, eight airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and seven ISIL small tactical units and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL vehicles, two ISIL weapons caches, an ISIL vehicle bomb and an ISIL bunker system.
• Near Raqqah, an airstrike destroyed eight ISIL T-walls.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 16 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

• Near Huwayjah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL tunnels and an ISIL building.
• Near Makhmur, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL building.
• Near Mosul, an airstrike struck an ISIL mortar and destroyed an ISIL building.
• Near Ramadi, six airstrikes struck four ISIL small tactical units and destroyed two ISIL improvised explosive devices, three ISIL tanks, three ISIL armored personnel carriers, an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL weapons cache.
• Near Sinjar, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL light machine guns, six ISIL buildings and an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Tal Afar, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL bunkers, two ISIL buildings and an ISIL light 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, 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, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

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

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

It's All Lies: How Propaganda Wars in Extremist-Controlled Mosul, Iraq, are Being Fought

From the very beginning of its prominence in Iraq, it has been very obvious that the leaders of the extremist group known as the Islamic State are aware of the importance of propaganda and the effect of the media on their activities and followers.

A lot of people in Mosul, the city that the extremist group took over last June, even credit the rout of the city's security forces back then to a particularly cunning use of propaganda.

As British analyst Charlie Winter writes in a recently published report on the Islamic State, or IS, group's media strategy, the extremists' “strategists rightly deem that a good image not only brings symbolic influence, but tangible power too”.

This is true not just outside of Iraq, but inside the country too. And another thing that is certain is this: The traditional Iraqi media is lagging behind the efforts of the Islamic State group.

Since the very first days of its control of the northern city of Mosul, which it managed to take over last June, the IS group set up what may best be described as “media hubs” in busy neighbourhoods in the city. These are small kiosks that show films and other material that the IS group has produced – subjects include battles that the group says it won, public executions and other punishments meted out to locals as well as speeches by the IS group's leaders and senior members.

The media hubs also broadcast new statements, orders and instructions from the IS group. At the beginning of the month of Ramadan, the IS members opened new media hubs in a number of popular spots around the city.

One example: On a road leading into the neighbourhood known as New Mosul, in the west of the city of over a million, the IS group's media office have erected a large screen and loudspeakers. In front of the screen there are chairs scattered around.

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.

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

Airstrikes in Syria

Bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 15 airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL tank and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and two ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Aleppo, two airstrikes destroyed four ISIL towed artillery pieces, three ISIL bunkers and an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Raqqah, five airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL structure and an ISIL checkpoint and destroyed an ISIL excavator and two ISIL vehicles.
• Near Ayn Isa, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL fighting position and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Tal Abyad, two airstrikes struck two ISIL large tactical units and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL staging area.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Bomber, attack, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 16 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

• Near Fallujah, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL mortar system.
• Near Habbaniyah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL vehicle and destroyed two ISIL vehicles.
• Near Kirkuk, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Makhmur, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL heavy machine gun position and destroyed an ISIL bunker.
• Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL improvised explosive device, an ISIL vehicle and two ISIL armored personnel carriers.
• Near Sinjar, an airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit, destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL command and control center and an ISIL building.
• Near Tal Afar, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, and two ISIL heavy machine guns and destroyed an ISIL building and an ISIL tunnel.

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, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia 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 today.

“In the past 48 hours, coalition airstrikes hit five vehicle-borne [improvised explosive devices] and a factory producing these weapons in Ramadi,” said Army Lt. Col. Thomas Gilleran, task force spokesman. “Removing these weapons from the battlefield is a high priority for the coalition.”

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

Airstrikes in Syria

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 16 airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, six airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and five ISIL tactical units destroying two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL bunker, an ISIL tunnel entrance, an ISIL vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery weapon, an ISIL artillery piece and two ISIL checkpoints.
• Near Aleppo, six airstrikes struck 27 ISIL staging areas.
• Near Raqqah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Dayr Az Zawr, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Kobani, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Tal Abyad, an airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 17 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

• Near Huwayjah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Fallujah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery weapon and an ISIL mortar.
• Near Kirkuk, four airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, an ISIL tactical unit and seven ISIL staging areas and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and suppressed ISIL mortar fire, destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL buildings and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, destroying an ISIL vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, four ISIL vehicles and five ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL heavy machine gun and destroyed two 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, 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, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia 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.

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

Airstrikes in Syria

Bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted seven airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Aleppo, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL towed artillery piece.
• Near Dayr Az Zawr, two airstrikes struck nine ISIL staging areas.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Bomber, attack, and fighter-attack aircraft conducted 20 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

• Near Fallujah, six airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units destroying two ISIL excavators, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL heavy machine gun position, an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike destroyed two ISIL vehicle bombs, an ISIL armored personnel carrier and an ISIL excavator.
• Near Haditha, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units destroying an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL structure.
• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL rocket position.
• Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL mortar position and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Ramadi, five airstrikes destroyed an ISIL excavator, an ISIL vehicle bomb factory, an ISIL armored vehicle, an ISIL structure and four ISIL vehicle bombs.
• Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying five ISIL buildings, two ISIL light machine guns, and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Tal Afar, one airstrike had inconclusive results.

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, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia 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.

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

Airstrikes in Syria

Bomber, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted nine airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, seven airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and five ISIL tactical units, destroying seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL armored personnel carrier.
• Near Raqqah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Kobani, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Bomber, attack, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 39 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

• Near Huwayjah, an airstrike struck an ISIL rocket position.
• Near Habbaniyah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL bunkers, an ISIL cache and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Hit, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Makhmur, an airstrike struck an ISIL rocket position.
• Near Ramadi, 29 airstrikes struck 67 ISIL staging areas, destroying two ISIL excavators, an ISIL armored personnel carrier and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL personnel carrier, four ISIL buildings and an ISIL light machine gun.
• Near Tal Afar, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL rocket position, suppressing ISIL heavy machine gun fire and destroying an ISIL fuel tanker and an ISIL building.

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, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia 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.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place July 11, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Separately, Syrian aircraft conducted airstrikes within Raqqah near the timeframe of coalition forces, the officials said, noting the Syrian airstrikes were not coordinated with the coalition.

The nearest coalition airstrike to the Raqqa city center was 6.75 km away and targeted four bridges, they said.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, CJTF-OIR chief of staff, said:

“Coalition airstrikes continue to protect gains made by partners on the ground while opening up new avenues to further diminish [ISIL] capabilities.

“With more than 5,200 strikes in Syria and Iraq since the beginning of the air campaign, the coalition continues to show its commitment to supporting anti-[ISIL] forces.”

Airstrikes in Syria

Bomber, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 16 airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, eight airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and five ISIL tactical units destroying three ISIL vehicles, five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL sniper position and three ISIL motorcycles.
• Near Aleppo, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL bunker.
• Near Raqqah, six airstrikes struck five ISIL staging areas and an ISIL personnel carrier destroying an ISIL t-wall and two ISIL excavators.
• Near Kobani, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Bomber, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 11 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

• Near Huwayjah, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and an ISIL rocket position, destroying two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL cache and two ISIL buildings.
• Near Beiji, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit destroying two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL fuel tanker.
• Near Fallujah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit destroying an ISIL rocket rail, an ISIL bunker and an ISIL artillery piece.
• Near Habbaniyah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical destroying an ISIL rocket launcher, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL boat.
• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL rocket position.
• Near Ramadi, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL structure.
• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit, destroying two ISIL vehicles and four ISIL buildings.
• Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL tunnel.

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, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

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

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Sudden Silence? Why Local Media Have Shut Up About Iraqi-Saudi Arabia Wikileaks Scandal

In late June, the whistle blowing organisation, Wikileaks, published a raft of formerly confidential documents said to have come from inside Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

While some Western media said that the documents seemed to “contain no shocking revelations about Saudi Arabia”, their contents made big news in Iraq.

The main reason for this is that senior Iraqi politicians were implicated in the papers, having allegedly been working behind the scenes with Saudi diplomats. Just the fact that the politicians have contact with Saudi officials is arousing enough, given the strained ties between the two countries.

But other documents also implied that the Iraqi politicians were given favours or money in return for some kind of assistance within Iraq – mostly this assistance had to do with countering Iranian – and in some cases, therefore Shiite Muslim - influence, inside Iraq.

For example, as the New York Times reported: “Cables about Iraq suggest efforts to support politicians who opposed [Nouri] al-Maliki, then the Shiite prime minister of Iraq, who was close to Iran. One said the [Saudi Arabian] kingdom had given 2,000 pilgrimage visas to Maliki’s chief rival, Ayad Allawi, to distribute as he saw fit”.

Other cables noted that Saudi Arabia donated money to certain Kurdish political groups in Iraq's north and another claimed that senior Sunni Muslim politician Osama al-Nujaifi, currently one of Iraq's three deputy Presidents, who previously represented serious Sunni opposition to the Shiite government, received many millions of dollars in funding.

As a result of all of this and more, there have been calls inside Iraq for those implicated to be trialled for treason and potentially executed for spying; locals in Iraq remain very suspicious about outside interference in their country from neighbours like Iran and Saudi Arabia.