52 US-Made Howitzers,Now in ISIS's Hands
Written by : Mohamed Abdel Fattah
Jul 16, 2014
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISISL) , the Sunni extremist group militants may be in a position to strike Baghdad due to US-made weapons the group seized when it swept into the major Iraqi city of Mosul last month , Mitchell Prothero reports for McClatchy DC.
ISIS militants group captured American-made weapons which is upwards of 52 155mm M198 howitzers. Artillery pieces have a range of up to 20 miles and are outfitted with GPS aiming systems.
The howitzers' range could place Baghdad, as well as many other major Iraqi cities, squarely within bombardment range of ISIS.
The ISIL and associated Sunni rebel forces have seized large swaths of Iraq's north and west in recent weeks and seeks to create an Islamic territory across both sides of the Syria-Iraq border.
ISIS militants last week captured and temporarily held an Iraqi post on the Jordan border, a crossing that is roughly 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Saudi territory.
Saudi Arabia, who shares an 800km long border with Iraq sent 30,000 troops to guard its border after Iraqi soldiers withdrew from the area.
Weeks ago, the group declared the establishment of a caliphate ruled by Shariah law in the land it controls in Iraq and neighboring Syria.
The leader of the Islamic State jihadist group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, purportedly ordered all Muslims to obey him in a video released last week.
A video posted on at least two websites known to be used by the organization show Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a long black robe and a black turban with a long greying beard addressing worshippers at weekly prayers at Al-Nur mosque in central Mosul.
“I am the wali (leader) who presides over you, though I am not the best of you, so if you see that I am right, assist me,” said the man, purportedly Baghdadi.
“If you see that I am wrong, advise me and put me on the right track, and obey me as long as I obey God.”
The recording would seem to be the first known footage of the jihadist leader,
Meanwhile, the United Nations reported that the death toll for June, in all of Iraq except Anbar province, was 2,417 people, three times more than the 799 killed in May, before the insurgents began their advance. Most of those killed in June 1,500 were civilians.
According to officials, the rebels now control two airports, three airstrips and 30 military bases across the country, including ones once well-known as centres of the American occupation.
Sources
businessinsider.
Jul 16, 2014
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISISL) , the Sunni extremist group militants may be in a position to strike Baghdad due to US-made weapons the group seized when it swept into the major Iraqi city of Mosul last month , Mitchell Prothero reports for McClatchy DC.
ISIS militants group captured American-made weapons which is upwards of 52 155mm M198 howitzers. Artillery pieces have a range of up to 20 miles and are outfitted with GPS aiming systems.
The howitzers' range could place Baghdad, as well as many other major Iraqi cities, squarely within bombardment range of ISIS.
The ISIL and associated Sunni rebel forces have seized large swaths of Iraq's north and west in recent weeks and seeks to create an Islamic territory across both sides of the Syria-Iraq border.
ISIS militants last week captured and temporarily held an Iraqi post on the Jordan border, a crossing that is roughly 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Saudi territory.
Saudi Arabia, who shares an 800km long border with Iraq sent 30,000 troops to guard its border after Iraqi soldiers withdrew from the area.
Weeks ago, the group declared the establishment of a caliphate ruled by Shariah law in the land it controls in Iraq and neighboring Syria.
The leader of the Islamic State jihadist group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, purportedly ordered all Muslims to obey him in a video released last week.
A video posted on at least two websites known to be used by the organization show Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a long black robe and a black turban with a long greying beard addressing worshippers at weekly prayers at Al-Nur mosque in central Mosul.
“I am the wali (leader) who presides over you, though I am not the best of you, so if you see that I am right, assist me,” said the man, purportedly Baghdadi.
“If you see that I am wrong, advise me and put me on the right track, and obey me as long as I obey God.”
The recording would seem to be the first known footage of the jihadist leader,
Meanwhile, the United Nations reported that the death toll for June, in all of Iraq except Anbar province, was 2,417 people, three times more than the 799 killed in May, before the insurgents began their advance. Most of those killed in June 1,500 were civilians.
According to officials, the rebels now control two airports, three airstrips and 30 military bases across the country, including ones once well-known as centres of the American occupation.
Sources
businessinsider.
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