Iraq.................

Good morning badboy

It's all looking very grim. Sectarian and or terrorist activity is breaking out all over I couldn't even begin to list all the countries where the daily terrorist bombing or sectarian killing is becoming the norm. Afghanistan to Yemen.

On a slightly side note, I see the Omanis (they are predominantly Ibadhis) are considering retaining Blair as an advisor. Now I know the Sultan is exceptionally pro British, and therefore so are the people, but Blair with his record? I just hope Sultan Qaboos knows what he's letting himself in for.

Apart from being flaming hot (no pun intended) Oman is a beautiful country and they love the British. I just hope Blair doesn't find a way to screw it all up.

IRAQI FORCES ARE TRYING TO RETAKE TIKRIT.

Good evening badboy

At least they are rallying and fighting back. Perhaps not always effectively. Apart from anything else I think Nouri al Maliki has to go.

katertaif wrote:Good evening badboy

At least they are rallying and fighting back. Perhaps not always effectively. Apart from anything else I think Nouri al Maliki has to go.

I AGREE MALIKI SHOULD GO.

Good evening badboy

Yes, he should, and the sooner the better. he is creating sectarian hatred. - Not that they need any encouragement in that but it's fostering terrorism in yet another theatre. especially if the Sunnis cause any damage in Karbala, or any other Shi'ite holy places. That would really set the cat among the pigeons, and not just in Iraq.

Personally I believe it is typical of the mindset that some 1300 years after the event, they are still arguing over who got the job after their alleged prophet. does it matter at this distance in time?

Is it really so important how you hold your hands while praying?

That is in essence what they are arguing over. Can that really be worth bombing and killing for? If they ever got their global caliphate, they would continue this intertribal war anyway what a prospect. I'm so pleased it is a religion of peace and forgiveness. God knows what they would do to each other (and us) I they were at all violent.

katertaif wrote:Good evening badboy

Yes, he should, and the sooner the better. he is creating sectarian hatred. - Not that they need any encouragement in that but it's fostering terrorism in yet another theatre. especially if the Sunnis cause any damage in Karbala, or any other Shi'ite holy places. That would really set the cat among the pigeons, and not just in Iraq.

Personally I believe it is typical of the mindset that some 1300 years after the event, they are still arguing over who got the job after their alleged prophet. does it matter at this distance in time?

Is it really so important how you hold your hands while praying?

That is in essence what they are arguing over. Can that really be worth bombing and killing for? If they ever got their global caliphate, they would continue this intertribal war anyway what a prospect. I'm so pleased it is a religion of peace and forgiveness. God knows what they would do to each other  (and us) I they were at all violent.

if they destroy karbala, iran might GET INVOLVED,NOW THAT MIGHT BE A FIGHT ISIS WOULD LOSE.

IRAQI FORCES HAVE HIT A FORMER PALACE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN.

Good afternoon badboy

I didn't think he had any left after the so called shock and awe bombing. One thing I was wondering, was where the Iraqi air force was in all this. I was aware of course that scores of their pilots defected to Iran when the dog fighting started. I though the US had built it up again. it seems I was mistaken, and now the Russians are the heroes of the hour. Of course they are old aircraft, as are the ones the Iranians are brushing off, but nevertheless, the Russians are putting advisors in, as are the US. It remains to be seen whether this is a good thing or not. I am, and always have been deeply suspicious of Obama.

helicopter gunshiPs ARE INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT FOR TIKRIT, DID I READ SOMEWHERE RUSSIANS ARE SUPPLYING MISSILES,OR AM I CONFUSED.

Badboy wrote:helicopter gunshiPs ARE INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT FOR TIKRIT, DID I READ SOMEWHERE RUSSIANS ARE SUPPLYING MISSILES,OR AM I CONFUSED.

It says in this report its warplanes Bb.

Baghdad has agreed to buy more than a dozen Sukhoi warplanes from Russia and Belarus in a deal that could be worth up to $500m (£295m).



http://news.sky.com/story/1291470/iraqi-troops-strike-back-in-tikrit-offensive

Badboy wrote:helicopter gunshiPs ARE INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT FOR TIKRIT, DID I READ SOMEWHERE RUSSIANS ARE SUPPLYING MISSILES,OR AM I CONFUSED.

No badboy, you aren't confused at all. You are in fact better informed than most. Helicopter gunships are being used as you say. These are second hand fighter aircraft that Maliki has bought from the Russians. I also understand that Iran is refurbishing some of the fighters flown there by defecting pilots. Old now, by some standards but still serviceable, as will be these Russian built ones.

That is what I was querying, I'm just a little surprised with Russian advisors, alongside US advisors.

IRAQI TROOPS HAVE SUPPOSEDLY SECURED THE ROAD FROM BAGHDAD TO SAMARRA
KURDS HAVE LAUNCHED AN ATTACK TO CAPYURE A TOWN OR VILLAGE IN THE NORTH OF IRAQ.
ISIS HAS DECLARED A CALIPHATE.
MANY SHIAS HAVE SAID MALIKI SHOULD GO BECAUSE HE IS A DIVIIDSE?///? FIGURE.
KNG ABDULLAH OF SAUDI ARABIA HAS HEIGHTENED SECURITY IN HIS KINGDOM.
IRAN HAS SAID IT WILL INTERVENE IF SHIA SHRINES ARE DESTROYED.

Good morning badboy

As you say the picture is very confused with both sides claiming victory. This declaration of a Caliphate while expected is disturbing. Especially with their leader who among other things calls himself Abu Bakr al Baghdadi declaring himself the Caliph.

That could go either way, with Muslims agreeing that the Caliphate is a done deal, or they may in their usual splintered fashion be unable to reach any conclusive decision. Some will rally to his call, that is certain How many is another story.

If the Iraqis can contain them in the next few days, I don't think it will matter but then I don't think they can. If ISIS continue on into Jordan that could get very hairy. Obama's reaction to that is completely uncertain. As long as the Israelis can keep out of it. Any involvement by them at all would without any doubt be the best recruiting agent ISIS could have. I understand they are somewhere near the Golan Heights as it is.

katertaif wrote:Good morning badboy

As you say the picture is very confused with both sides claiming victory. This declaration of a Caliphate while expected is disturbing. Especially with their leader who among other things calls himself Abu Bakr al Baghdadi declaring himself the Caliph.

That could go either way, with Muslims agreeing  that the Caliphate is a done deal, or they may in their usual splintered fashion be unable to reach any conclusive decision. Some will rally to his call, that is certain How many is another story.

If the Iraqis can contain them in the next few days, I don't think it will matter but then I don't think they can. If ISIS continue on into Jordan that could get very hairy. Obama's reaction to that is completely uncertain. As long as the Israelis can keep out of it. Any involvement by them at all would without any doubt be the best recruiting agent ISIS could have. I understand they are somewhere near the Golan Heights as it is.

IT IS BEING SAID THAT HE HAS EFFECTUALLY MADE ZAWAHIRI,ALQAEDA LEADER REDUNANT.
SOME SUPPORT A KURDISH STATE AS A COUNTERWEIGHT TO ISIS.

katertaif wrote:Good morning badboy

As you say the picture is very confused with both sides claiming victory. This declaration of a Caliphate while expected is disturbing. Especially with their leader who among other things calls himself Abu Bakr al Baghdadi declaring himself the Caliph.

That could go either way, with Muslims agreeing  that the Caliphate is a done deal, or they may in their usual splintered fashion be unable to reach any conclusive decision. Some will rally to his call, that is certain How many is another story.

If the Iraqis can contain them in the next few days, I don't think it will matter but then I don't think they can. If ISIS continue on into Jordan that could get very hairy. Obama's reaction to that is completely uncertain. As long as the Israelis can keep out of it. Any involvement by them at all would without any doubt be the best recruiting agent ISIS could have. I understand they are somewhere near the Golan Heights as it is.

I SAW A MAP,THIS GUY WANTS A CALIPHATE THAT GOES FROM SPAIN TO INDIA AS WELL AS INDONESIA.

KURDISH AREA MIGHT HAVE REFERDENUM IN NEXT FEW MONTHS TO DECEIDE IF THERE WILL BREAK AWAY.

BAGHDADI IS A BILLIONAIRE!
HE WANTS MUSLIMS TO EMIGRATE TO HIS CALIPHATE,MAYBE ABU QATADA ETC WOULD WANT TO GO THERE.

Good afternoon badboy. As you know Iraq as such didn't exist until the British Mandate welded Mesopotamia together. the Kurds, most of whom are Sunnis, have always wanted an independent state. They will I have no doubt, as you surmise seize the moment. A referendum will almost certainly endorse a separate Kurdish state and may want to include part of Turkey, although I cannot see Turkey going a bundle on that. still there is a sizeable Kurdish enclave in the South.

Of course ISIS/ISIL or as they prefer plain IS now recognise no borders; this being the start of their global Caliphate as they see it. So it may spread beyond a Sunni/Shi'ite conflict, and we could get Sunni against Sunni. Then again it depends on how the rest of the world react to this Caliphate of Baghdadi's By the time the Kurds get around to a referendum the IS may have mutated. It is a hydra headed monster as we know so I personally think we are in for a very, to say the least unpleasant next few decades.

If their self appointed leader has so much money, and much more under his control, he could, and almost certainly will strengthen the other terror groups such as Boko Haraam al Shabaab Hamas, Hezbollah etc. etc.. He could buy an awful lot of highly sophisticated weaponry. I hate to say it but as soon as they have consolidated their positions at the Golan heights how long before they attack Israel? That would unite the Muslim world as nothing else would, even temporarily. With Mubarak no longer in control of Egypt, they will probably jump in.

Badboy wrote:BAGHDADI IS A BILLIONAIRE!
HE WANTS MUSLIMS TO EMIGRATE TO HIS CALIPHATE,MAYBE ABU QATADA ETC WOULD WANT TO GO THERE.

That would fill his Caliphate very quickly. Like the London Underground at rush hour it would be standing room only

The news report today says that the Saudis have deployed some 30,000 troops to the border in the wake of Iraqi troops leaving it. I'm not clear yet as to why the Iraqi troops left, whether to join the fighting elsewhere, or just plain funk. Doubtless it will be made clear shortly.

If it does turn out to be funk then it seems obvious that the Iraqi armed forces have absolutely no chance against these terrorists. I imagine the way they have of killing anyone who has fought them whether Sunni or Shi'ite is the main factor.

I hope the Saudi Soldiers I have seen over there are not typical. They always appeared to be wearing uniforms that had been recently used for storing potatoes. I saw one once with his gun barrel secured to the rest of the weapon with several yards of copper wire.

All joking aside the situation is getting more and more serious by the day. This new threat of a possible bomb not detectable by present means is to say the least the most dangerous for some time. especially as two terrorist groups are co-operating in making it.

They are undoubtedly lunatics but highly dangerous ones.

katertaif wrote:The news report today says that the Saudis have deployed some 30,000 troops to the border in the wake of Iraqi troops leaving it. I'm not clear yet as to why the Iraqi troops left, whether to join the fighting elsewhere, or just plain funk. Doubtless it will be made clear shortly.

If it does turn out to be funk then it seems obvious that the Iraqi armed forces have absolutely no chance against these terrorists. I imagine the way they have of killing anyone who has fought them whether Sunni or Shi'ite is the main factor.

I hope the Saudi Soldiers I have seen over there are not typical. They always appeared to be wearing uniforms that had been recently used for storing potatoes. I saw one once with his gun barrel secured to the rest of the weapon with several yards of copper wire.

All joking aside the situation is getting more and more serious by the day. This new threat of a possible bomb not detectable by present means is to say the least the most dangerous for some time. especially as two terrorist groups are co-operating in making it.

They are undoubtedly lunatics but highly dangerous ones.

Good morning katertaif.
The world's security forces must have some idea as to who the leaders of these people are and where they may be located. It makes some real sense for all governments to cooperate and target a pre-emptive strike at these people.

Good morning malena stool

I could not (as per usual) agree with you more. As you say, our security forces, especially Mossad and Shin Beth, (who must be extremely worried) know where these people are. I'm with you, a pre emptive strike would nothing more than they are planning to do to us.

On the one hand, it is extremely worrying that these terror groups are pooling their resources. On the plus side that should make a strike so much more effective.

I've always wondered about these so called leaders who exhort their followers to strap on a suicide vest on the grounds that they are martyrs destined for paradise. Surely if these alleged leaders actually do believe that they themselves would be first in the queue.

Sadly though my friend, there are a great many ready and willing to don this martyrs crown. having said that pre emptive strikes would reduce the pool of intelligence, and therefore their effectiveness. That is assuming you can use such a word in connection with such twisted minds.

Good evening katertaif,
I'm afraid there is no easy answer to this problem, other than they could perhaps find the same will to enjoy and live their lives to the full as they have to end them...