U.S. Aircraft hitting targets in support of Shiite militia around Tikrit
The United States began conducting airstrikes around Tikrit on Wednesday, joining an offensive that is being largely carried out by Iranian-backed Shiite militia, the Pentagon announced. Ref. USAToday
Report Shows US Invasion, Occupation of Iraq killed 1 Million:
A recently published report has revealed that the US invasion and occupation of Iraq was responsible for the deaths of approximately 1 million Iraqis, which is 5 percent of the total population of the country. Ref. Source 9
Talk grows of U.S. Boots on the ground in Iraq:
Last week, two key architects of George W. Bush's 2007 troop surge told the Senate that up to 20,000 additional U.S. Troops are needed to defeat the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. They've found an ally in Sen. John McCain, a longtime Republican hawk. Ref. Source 5t
The Obama administration plans to train Sunni tribal fighters as part of its move to send up to 450 additional U.S. Forces to Iraq, the White House said.
The United States is also sending weapons to Sunni and Shia tribes, as well as the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, who are operating under Iraqi command, to fight ISIS.
There are currently 3,050 U.S. Forces in Iraq. Ref. CNN
Defense Secretary Carter: Not enough good Iraqi recruits to train against ISIS
The fight against the Islamic State in Iraq is hampered by a lack of quality Iraqi recruits, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Wednesday. The Pentagon anticipated 24,000 recruits, but so far only 7,000 are available. Ref. USAToday
Foreign troops in Kabul targeted by suicide attack
A huge explosion shook the Afghan capital of Kabul on Tuesday in an attack believed to have targeted foreign forces, local media and the BBC reported. A suicide bomber attacked a convoy of foreign troops serving with NATO on the main road running between Kabul's airport and the U.S. Embassy, police and security officials told Reuters. The BBC, citing Afghan media, reported at least seven people were killed. Ref. USAToday
Defense Secretary Ash Carter: More U.S. Special forces headed to Iraq
The Pentagon plans to send additional U.S. Special operations forces to Iraq to conduct raids on Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told Congress on Tuesday. Ref. USAToday