Updates from Iraqi Kurdistan 8/11: Helicopter Transporting Refugees Crashes; Peshmerga Collaborate with Iraqi Army

August 13th, 2014

David Schulberg

*A Helicopter escorting 20 Yezidi refugees from Sinjar mountains has reportedly crashed after losing balance.

Vian Dakhil, Iraqi MP (whose video in which she pleads the Iraqi government to stand in unity with the Yezidis can be found here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qvqezt7jiY) was also a passenger on the helicopter, and suffered injuries.

*August 12th, 2:15 PM, Southern Kurdistan time:

The governor of Duhok (a Kurdish city in Northern Iraq) declares state of emergency after flocks of refugees pour into the city. Source

*August 12, 6:19 PM, Southern Kurdistan time:

Dwgrdkan, a village in Makhmur retaken by Peshmerga forces from the unworthy hands of IS militants.

Peshmerga forces also retook Makhmur, after the area was under siege of IS militants for a few days. Source

*August 12th, 9:37 PM, Southern Kurdistan time:

Iraqi air force bombards IS occupied parts of Daquq in the villages of Wahda, Saad, Khayd.

5 civilians reported to have been killed in the bombardment. Source

*August 12th, 9:50 PM, Southern Kurdistan time:

‘Security’ forces have withdrawn from Baghdad after a two day internal occupation of the city.

The troops are not known to have been deployed for IS-related security issues, or for a possible coup d’état suspected to be conducted by former Iraqi prime minister, Nuri Al-Maliki.

Sources confirm that Baghdad is currently stabilized. Source

*August 12th, 11:15 AM, Southern Kurdistan time:

Video of supposed IS member threatening Turkey, saying that IS will hopefully overtake Istanbul (which follows that, if, in the impossible prospect of such a thing happening, ever, Istanbul will be part of a larger Islamic Caliphate. Source

*August 12th, 10:01 PM, Southern Kurdistan time:

Peshmerga fighters disintegrate IS terrorist attempts to seize control of Jalawla.

Peshmerga forces quelled a barrage of attacks in Jalawla that left a number of IS militants dead. Source

*August 12th, 10:24 PM, Southern Kurdistan time:

Peshmerga and Iraqi forces work cooperatively in new operative to exterminate IS threat in Garmyan.

Sources say that IS terrorists have resorted in areas of Garmyan, installing posts and congregating, and that the Iraqi army is working hand in hand with Peshmerga to stabilize the region. Source

*Brief and mildly informative article on Al-Abadi, the newly elected PM of Iraq.

The U.S. immediately recognized Al-Abadi as prime minister, referring to him by the title in an official readout of a phone call between him and Vice President Joe Biden. Al-Abadi “expressed his intent to move expeditiously to form a broad-based, inclusive government capable of countering the threat of the Islamic State … and building a better future for Iraqis from all communities[…]“

note: We feel inclined to doubt the ‘immediate addressing’ of Abadli as prime minister. It leads me to question US intention, as history has shown that they would never support something if it doesn’t benefit them in some way. Source

*US foreign minister reaffirms plans to supply Peshmerga with arms that can effectively go against IS.

The US believes that the Iraqi army has worked well in cooperation with the Peshmerga. Source

*August 12th, 10:24 PM, Southern Kurdish time:

YPG (People’s Protection Units) takes in 500 people from the Shengal refugees where they are militarily trained and prepared for war against IS.

YPG has also revealed that 10 of their combatants have been killed until now by the hands of the IS. Source