Iraqi, Shiite forces sweep into Tikrit with U.S. on the sidelines

Iraqi security forces and militias fought their way into Saddam Hussein’s home city of Tikrit on Wednesday, advancing on two fronts in their biggest counter-offensive so far against Islamic State militants. The offensive serves as a major crucible for Iraqi forces against IS. But U.S. forces, despite their deep investment in Iraq’s war, have been watching from the sidelines, highlighting a few top security officials’ apparent unease about Iran’s involvement. However, Secretary of State John Kerry and top defense officials again implored the Senate foreign relations committee for a united vote to use military force against IS, saying this was a “pivotal hour.”

It’s clear to me that the Iranian policy is based upon Shia dominance of the new Iraqi state, and that effort in itself feeds the Sunni opposition, which ISIL then lives off of to resurrect their movement.

Former CIA chief Michael Hayden

IS seems to have ramped up its propaganda war in what some analysts see as a possible sign of desperation by a movement on its last legs. French officials identified the man and boy featured in the latest chilling propaganda video by IS showing the killing of Mohamed Musalam, a 19-year-old Palestinian. Investigators are looking into whether the man is related to an extremist who attacked a Jewish school in southern France in 2012. In the video, the man praises attacks on Jews “in your own stronghold in France” as he and the boy stand behind Musalam, who is about to be killed. Musalam’s father, Said, said that his son was no Israeli spy but was lured into joining the militants with promises of women, money and cars. He then regretted his decision and wanted to come home.

God knows that one day we’ll meet, whether in paradise or in hell, and we’ll settle the accounts.

Said Musalam to Islamic State group’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

World Islamic State