Daily Iraq

Defence Minister possibly targeted by sniper during Baiji visit
Daily Iraq
September 7, 2015
International/National Reporting
Defence Minister Khalid Al Obeidi visited military bases in Salahadin today on a morale boosting trip to
encourage Iraqi forces and see the current situation. He also visited Tikrit and Baiji where it was said his convoy
came under sniper fire injuring one of his guards; this was however denied. The visit coincides with reporting
that Iraqi Air Force F-16 aircraft have conducted their first offensive missions against IS carrying out 15 airstrikes
in the north of the country in the past few days. COMMENT: The sniper incident has been widely reported with
some calling it an assassination attempt. It is more likely that the incident was an opportunist shooting though
the sniper may well have realized who was visiting. Reporting yesterday indicated that the new aircraft had
begun flying navigational flights in Iraqi airspace. The news that they are flying combat missions will be a
morale booster for the Iraqi forces. COMMENT ENDS.
France is reported to be preparing to carry out surveillance flights over Syria with a view to start offensive
airstrikes in the near future against IS. This will be an expansion of their current commitment which has seen
them carry out some 200 airstrikes in Iraq.
The National Guard Law is due to go before parliament on Tuesday and appears to be in trouble with a
spokesman for the State of Law Coalition saying that they would be voting against, claiming that it is a law
designed to split up the country into Shia, Sunni and Kurdish regions. COMMENT: The National Guard Law
has seen many months of negotiations and changes and even at this late stage, when it was said to have a
majority of political blocs in agreement, it may yet fail again. If there is doubt that it will pass it is possible that
the vote may see further delays. COMMENT ENDS.
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