Article

2014-06-14 Iraq

Kurdish Forces are Pushing Back Against ISIS, Gaining Ground Around Mosul

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Posted by OldSpook 2014-06-14 02:18|| || Front Page|| [9662 views ] Top

#1 FYI, the Peshmerga operate battalion sized formations, including a few heavies that have T-62/72 MBTs, BMP1 AFVs, and BRDM scouts, 2S1 SP Arty, and D30 howitzers. The Kurds took full advantage of rearming themselves after OIF. And better yet, they are well led and relatively well trained with several hundred hours on their heavy weapon systems. Allegedly they also are operating MI-8/MI-17 air assault/transport and OH-58 scout/AT helicopters.

They also benefit from a decade of liaison with US 10th group SF for training & leadership and operations, prior to OIF, and a lot of strong support for, and from, US forces in Iraq prior to the Obama bug-out in 2011. Plus, this is their home region.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-06-14 02:45|| 2014-06-14 02:45|| Front Page Top

#2 Thanks for the info OS. I just hope the Turks stay out of it.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-06-14 02:47|| 2014-06-14 02:47|| Front Page Top

#3 I Back the Kurds. Never turn your backs on them again.

Posted by newc 2014-06-14 02:51|| 2014-06-14 02:51|| Front Page Top

#4 How likely is that, newc?

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2014-06-14 04:23|| 2014-06-14 04:23|| Front Page Top

#5 Grom good point. If I were the Kurds I would not trust the US at all as long as that asshole Obama is in office.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-06-14 06:27|| 2014-06-14 06:27|| Front Page Top

#6 As you are no doubt aware, the Kurds are quite familiar with Western betrayal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the division of Kurdistan amongst Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey is the direct result of Western collusion in pursuit of its colonial and neo-colonial goals. Kurdistan could not have been divided if it were not for the hypocrisy and duplicity of the Western superpowers. After more than nine decades in allowing these racist nations to subject the Kurds to the policy of genocide, one could say it is about time for the Western powers, especially America to revisit their outdated policies vis-ŕ-vis the Kurds and correct them by supporting independence of Kurdistan. Additionally, Americans first-hand experience with the Arabs in Iraq since 2003 has proven more often than not that, it is not easy to establish a working relationship with the Iraqi Arab society due to the deep sectarian and ideological division, and the chauvinistic and myopic political culture. Therefore, it is in the interests of the Western nations to support independence of the people of Kurdistan. It is important that the Western political mentality rises above the paranoia created by the regional countries against the Kurdish statehood. Future reality will prove that to stabilize the larger Middle East is to support Kurdish independence. It is the only just solution. This eventually enables America to remain in the region in this beautiful island in peace and tranquility while saluted by the loyal and friendly people of Kurdistan.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-06-14 07:17|| 2014-06-14 07:17|| Front Page Top

#7 Michael Totten wrote about the shocking difference between what he saw of the Iraqi Kurds when he finally visitied them, starting from the Turkish side of their border crossing, in Where The West Ends. Clean, organized, civil, safe... and immediately fond of, and trusting, the Americans that happened in their midst, even as impulsive tourists crossing over from Turkey in a rather disheveled state and incomplete paperwork. I have only read the kindle sample so far, but as I am referencing it in conversation, thought I ought to pause to purchase the thing. ;-) So as to have other bots to quote, as appropriate. He clearly could top even Mr. Wife's travel stories, a very good thing indeed.

Posted by trailing wife 2014-06-14 07:26|| 2014-06-14 07:26|| Front Page Top

#8 This is half of the reason that Iran QUDs has go an oar in the water now, because the Kurds have been successful in fighting ISIS. The Kurdistan that the Pershmurga is campaigning for includes a swath of southern Turkey, northern Iraq, and northern Iran. According to the maps the way the Kurds draw them, everything from Tabriz to Tehran is part of the Kurdish homeland. As you can imagine, the government of Iran takes exception to this picture.
The other main reason QUDs is involved is Sadr and his group are still in east Baghdad, Sadr City being on the east bank of the Tigris and, they're basically the forward observation post for the Iranian frontier.

Posted by ed in texas 2014-06-14 07:47|| 2014-06-14 07:47|| Front Page Top

#9 Quds involved because of Ayatollah Ali Sistani - he still has direct and close ties to the Shia clerics in Iran. And Sistani is the biggest Shia cleric in Iraq, even Tater is subordinate to him. So if Sistani calls for help, Iran will send it.

See my other post on the burg about Sistani's call to arms

Posted by OldSpook 2014-06-14 08:18|| 2014-06-14 08:18|| Front Page Top

#10 Ed, that;s the beauty of it. Give the Kurds their homeland, and you cut the nuts off Turkey (payback is a bitch, Erdogan), and lop a slice of northern and western Iran that is 75-100% Kurdish. And you get a westernized society that is fiercely independent, and very aware of just how fragile freedom is. And also predisposed to being friendly to the US, thanks to the No Fly zone and our treatment of them during OIF.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-06-14 08:30|| 2014-06-14 08:30|| Front Page Top

#11 Needs a seaport OS, I suggest Latakia.

Posted by Shipman 2014-06-14 09:20|| 2014-06-14 09:20|| Front Page Top

#12 so ISIL/S has moved towards Baghdad. Didn't leave an occupying-level force behind? Thy don't have enough crazies

Posted by Frank G 2014-06-14 09:53|| 2014-06-14 09:53|| Front Page Top

#13 Frank, remember this from earlier in the year?

Syrian opposition group unveils Assad, ISIS linkage.

If so, it explains how ISIS can be so lean, and not have to worry about being there for the Long Haul. They're just there to do enough to justify the Quds force presence in Iraq.

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2014-06-14 10:11|| 2014-06-14 10:11|| Front Page Top

#14 Don't F*** with the Kurds

Posted by bbrewer126 2014-06-14 11:17|| 2014-06-14 11:17|| Front Page Top

#15 I'll second that, Saddam stayed out of Kurdistan except for his WMD exploits.

The Kurds are well armed, have a large Christian component AND don't like Arabs or Turks.

Posted by Bill Clinton 2014-06-14 11:49|| 2014-06-14 11:49|| Front Page Top

#16 The Kurds have a history of making things happen in government. The govt of Iraq p*ssed away the gift that the US made to them, and the sacrifices our military made for Iraq. Iran and Turkey need to have some reality bites where it hurts.

Good luck to the Kurds. They deserve good luck.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2014-06-14 12:05|| 2014-06-14 12:05|| Front Page Top

#17

Posted by 3dc 2014-06-14 12:21|| 2014-06-14 12:21|| Front Page Top

#18 During OIF, US Soldiers walked unarmed in Kurdish towns. I have seen a picture of a US Enlisted Soldier's Re-Up ceremony occurring in such a town.

Posted by TopRev 2014-06-14 13:34|| theological-geography.net 2014-06-14 13:34|| Front Page Top

#19 Walter you got rare footage of Young Elvis with Heavy Machine Gun. Should be on black velvet.

I think this was an out take from Pioneer Go Home.

Posted by Shipman 2014-06-14 14:21|| 2014-06-14 14:21|| Front Page Top

#20 The Kurds could not be happier right now. They've expanded their front yard. Soon can start taking crude orders, while sitting back and watching their two hated enemies have at it.Now if only a western nation with a leader that has a spine, would get and hold their back. Anyone know of a government like that?

Posted by bbrewer126 2014-06-14 16:33|| 2014-06-14 16:33|| Front Page Top

#21 Anyone know of a government like that?

Israel. The Kurds have oil money. Israel has the region's preeminent military. I know that Kurd's are Muslim but wouldn't that be one heck of a way to thumb your nose at the Jihadist?

Israel sells military gear to India. "Kurdistan" is a shorter trip.

Posted by Squinty 2014-06-14 17:04|| 2014-06-14 17:04|| Front Page Top

#22

Needs a seaport OS, I suggest Latakia.

Stretch their territory north to the southern coast of the Black Sea. Give them Trabzon.

Posted by Rob Crawford 2014-06-14 21:43|| 2014-06-14 21:43|| Front Page Top

#23 http://news.yahoo.com/video/raw-kurds-clash-isil-iraq-094818427.html

Posted by OldSpook 2014-06-14 22:20|| 2014-06-14 22:20|| Front Page Top

23:59 Uncle Phester
23:59 OldSpook
22:57 lord garth
22:43 SteveS
22:25 OldSpook
22:20 OldSpook
22:00 John Frum
21:52 John Frum
21:43 Rob Crawford
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21:17 Squinty
21:00 49 Pan
20:55 Omolump Thud8081
20:47 Thing From Snowy Mountain
20:22 swksvolFF
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20:21 Frank G
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19:52 Uncle Phester