Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: black sky, Iran, Iraq, ISIS, oil, Peshmerga, poisoned air, Qassem Soleimani, sabotage, scorched earth, Shiite, Tikrit
The army, backed by Shiite militia and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, has yet to reconquer and secure any city held by Islamic State, despite seven months of air strikes by a U.S.-led coalition, as well as weapons supplies and strategic support from neighboring Iran.
Tehran, not Washington, has been the key player in the current offensive, with Iranian Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Soleimani seen directing operations on the eastern flank, and Iranian-backed militia fighters leading much of the operation.
via Islamic State torches oil field near Tikrit as militia advance | Reuters.
Filed under: maps, Uncategorized | Tags: protests, Qatif, Saudi Arabia, Shia, Shiite
Saudi security forces have clashed with protesters in the country’s Eastern Province, home to a large Shia minority, killing one person, the interior ministry and activists reported.
via Saudi forces clash with protesters in Qatif – Middle East – Al Jazeera English.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: civil war, Iraq, Sadr City, Shia, Shiite, Sunnis
The bombers choice of Sadr City as a target appeared designed to cause as much rage among Iraq’s Shia majority as possible.
The district, home to more than 3m Shias, is one of the most sensitive in the country, providing many of the recruits that have served in radical militias like the Mahdi Army of Moqtada al-Sadr, the firebrand Shia cleric.
via Wave of bombings across Iraq leaves more than 70 dead – Telegraph.
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