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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. xplored.garda-world.com Page 4/8
Defence Minister possibly targeted by sniper during Baiji visit Daily Iraq September 7, 2015 Northern Iraq (Federal Iraq only – does not include the Kurdish Region) In Mosul there was a report of resistance shooting attacks yesterday that killed 5 Al Khansa Brigade female enforcers and, in a separate, incident three other insurgents. To the west an IS attack in the Sinjar area was reportedly repulsed with a number of insurgent casualties. COMMENT: Further evidence of resistance attacks against IS in Mosul may indicate a weakening of their hold on the area despite their harsh punishments against dissenters. Reports of similar attacks in Sharqat may also be an indication that their hold is weakening more widely. COMMENT ENDS. xplored.garda-world.com Page 5/8
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