"The battle for Tikrit " Topic

"Iraqi armed forces and pro-government militias today launched a major offensive to retake Tikrit from the Islamic State extremist group, in part of a push to capture swathes of lost territory.

The assault began early on Monday and included government troops and police alongside allied Sunni and Shia militias, according to state television and other local media outlets. Military jets and helicopters were also reported to be involved, as well as around 30,000 troops…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Very interesting turn of events. This op is under Persian control. And Iraqi Gov'tal forces, Shia' and Sunni militias are involved. The US was not told about this, from what I hear on CNN/FOX. Which is probably a good idea or it most likely would have been on the News within hours … Finally … someone else beside just the Kurds are doing something … With all the fations involved we'll have to see. In the short run, I don't care what group of forces purges Deash … The aftermath may be an interesting conundrum, however … Persian and Iraqi Shias, Iraqi Sunni + the Kurds, even a tiny Christian militia …

Agree!

Amicalement
Armand

Man, talk about a fratricide rich environment.

Just saw on CNN/FOX, the Iranian lead Iraqis and various Militias have not made much headway … But it is only the first day or so. So I'll withhold any judgement …

Mines, bombs slow Iraqi advance on Islamic State-held Tikrit

" Iraqi troops and Shiite militias battled the Islamic State group on Tuesday on the outskirts of militant-held Tikrit, unable to advance further on Saddam Hussein's hometown as roadside mines and suicide attacks slowed their progress.

Soldiers found some 100 mines and bombs scattered along an 8-kilometer (5-mile) stretch of road on the way to this strategic city on the Tigris River, Salahuddin deputy governor Ammar Hikmat said…"
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Amicalement
Armand

That is a standard and effective tactic used by Deash and their precursor forces when the West was in combat in Iraq. And the Iraq/Persian/Militias don't have the advantage of the mine clearing, etc. capabilities. Of course the Iranians can use a version of their old tactic from their war with Saddam's Iraq in the '80 … Human waves of "Death volunteer" youths willingly walking into known or suspected mined, booby trapped, IED, etc., areas to be martyred … I'd see that as a win-win … link

Iran introduces the human wave attack … Since the Iranians suffered from a shortage of heavy weapons[68]:225 but had a large number of devoted volunteer troops, they began using human wave attacks against the Iraqis. Typically, an Iranian assault would consist of the following: First, the poorly trained Basij would launch the primary human wave assaults to swamp the weakest portions of the Iraqi lines en masse (on some occasions even bodily clearing minefields).[68][89] They would be followed up by the more experienced Revolutionary Guard infantry, who would breach the weakened Iraqi lines.[68][76] Afterwards, the regular army using mechanized forces would maneuver through the breach and encircle and defeat the enemy.[68][77]

According to historian Stephen C. Pelletiére, the idea of Iranian "human wave attacks" were a misconception. Instead, the Iranian tactics consisted of using groups of 22 man infantry squads which moved forward to attack specific objectives. As the squads surged forward to execute their missions, that gave the impression of a "human wave attack". Nevertheless, the idea of "human wave attacks" remained virtually synonymous with any large-scale infantry frontal assault Iran carried out.[90] Large amounts of troops would be used, aimed at overwhelming the Iraqi lines (usually the weakest portion manned by the Iraqi Popular Army) regardless of losses.[68]

The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Tikrit Is Intensifying

"Wearing military fatigues and a white turban, the Shi'ite cleric gave an eve-of-battle address to Iran-backed fighters preparing to attack Islamic State militants in Tikrit, praising them for defending their faith and urging them to fight honorably.

Seated in front of him in rows, crossed-legged in the grass, were dozens of armed men from Iraq's largest Shi'ite militia, the Badr Organisation, the main element of a force now advancing on Tikrit's eastern flank against the Sunni Muslim Islamic State militants who now dominate most of northern Iraq…"
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Armand

Fleeing for their lives: 28,000 Sunnis escape Tikrit amid fierce fighting between ISIS and the Shia militias – who they fear even more

"* Thousands of Sunni residents of Tikrit have fled the ISIS-held city in fear of Iraqi regime forces and Shia militias
* Locals have been living under the terror group's oppression for months – but they fear the Shia troops even more
* Although the Iran-backed Shia volunteers aim to liberate Tikrit, they are accused of ISIS-style atrocities themselves
* Now the Sunni locals are cutting up white clothes and fabric to make flags of surrender in fear of their lives…"
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Poor people!

Amicalement
Armand

The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Tikrit Continues

"As the battle for Tikrit rages between Islamic State militants and Iraqi security forces and Shi'ite militias, two major concerns have emerged: the role of Iran and the fear that sectarian divides will grow wider.

Days of fighting around Tikrit have yielded slow progress against Islamic State militants, who have held the city since last June.

''Our troops are now advancing according to the drawn up plan, though there are so many bombs planted by Islamic State militants to hinder our progress," Iraqi Lieutenant General Abdul Amir al-Zaidi said…"
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Armand

The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Tikrit Continues

"Iraqi security forces and allied Shiite militias seized large parts of Tikrit on Tuesday, amid reports that most of the Islamic State militants battling to hold the city had begun retreating, security officials said.

The progress came after a week of heavy fighting to retake Tikrit, a city in the so-called Sunni Triangle that holds both strategic and emotional importance in the effort to roll back the Islamic State's lightning advance toward Baghdad in June…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Again, I do see the Iran-Iraqi jihad against Daesh a good thing … I think in the long run. The Mid East and near-by regions may eventually divide up on religious, tribal, ethic lines. Not by the lines drawn on maps by some long dead European politicians …

I agree Legion. I just wonder how long that will take. Looking at Europe as an example it took a few hundred years to go from the 17th century wars of religion to today's relatively stable status. And there were multiple continent-wide wars in between.

May take a very long time … old habits, etc. …

The Mid East and near-by regions may eventually divide up on religious, tribal, ethic lines. Not by the lines drawn on maps by some long dead European politicians …

Which is honestly what the US should have done at the end of OIF. Kurdistan in the north, Shiastan in the east, Sunnistan in the west and south.

It may end up that way, but not anytime soon …

Iraq's Army Is Becoming More Dependent On Militias And Iran In Its War Against The Islamic State

"The campaign to retake the city of Tikrit from ISIS, also known as the Islamic State, involves a curious mixture of Iraqi forces -- the army and air force, federal police, powerful Shia militia as well as Sunni tribal fighters.

It's a cast of about 30,000 fighters with an opaque command structure. And that makes it tough to be precise about numbers -- but by several estimates only one-third of those fighters are from the regular army…"
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If you can, read it all.

Amicalement
Armand

The Iran-Iraq forces seemed to have taken Tikrit and some of the nearby towns, etc. … I see this as a very good turn of events. I have not heard any real detailed casualty lists, etc. … I hope the high losses, collateral damage, ethnic cleansing, etc. that I thought may occur did not. Save for to Daesh, of course … I hope this is a trend. And the beginning of the end of Daesh. at least in Iraq. Of course, the real next test, IMO will be retaking Mosul. And in the distant future, if/once Daesh is no longer effective or gone. What is going to happen to all the factions in Iraq ? The Shia majority and their militias support by Iran. Who it appears have many troops in both Iraq and Syria. I've heard estimates as high as over 10,000 in both countries ? The what is the Sunni minority … which includes the Kurds, going to do ? Plus the other tiny minorites, like the Christians, Yazidis, Chaldeans, etc. … Another 3 way plus "civil war" ?

Expected Shiite victory in Tikrit seen as cementing Iran's influence in Iraq

"Iraqi security forces and Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim militias appeared Thursday to be on the verge of victory in a two-week effort to recapture Saddam Hussein's hometown from the Islamic State, which has held the symbolically important city since June.But the seemingly certain triumph of a force with little Sunni Muslim participation in the center of Iraq's Sunni heartland has raised another troubling issue: the extension of Iran's influence in a country where the Shiite Muslim neighbor is already the most significant outside player.The forces that appeared Thursday to have cornered the last Islamic State fighters in central Tikrit are dominated by Iranian military advisers. The Iraqi Shiite militias are all Iranian trained. And the offensive itself is being directed on the ground by Iran's most influential general, Qassem Suleimani, who's been a thorn in American efforts to pacify Iraq since the early days of the U.S. occupation of this country…"
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Amicalement
Armand

ok . Here we go again!

The Battle To Retake Tikrit From The Islamic State Has Been Stalled

" Iraqi forces and mainly Shi'ite militia battling to wrest full control of the city of Tikrit from Islamic State militants paused their offensive for a second day on Saturday as they awaited reinforcements.

A source in the local military command center told Reuters military commanders had "reached a decision to halt the operation until a suitable, carefully set plan is in place" to break into central Tikrit.

The source, speaking by phone from near Tikrit, said the Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias known as Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) were waiting for reinforcements from "well-trained forces". He did not give a timeline for the arrival of the reinforcements…"
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Armand

An Analysis On Why The Iraqi Offensive For Tikrit Has Stalled.

"Iraqi forces' operation to retake the city of Tikrit has stalled as troops suffer heavy casualties at the hands of Islamic State militants, raising concerns about whether the pro-government fighters are ready for major offensives.

After two days of little activity on the battlefield, Iraq's interior minister, Mohammed al-Ghabban, confirmed Monday that the offensive has "temporarily stopped." The steady flow of coffins arriving in Iraq's Shiite holy city of Najaf suggests a reason for the pause; cemetery workers say as many as 60 war dead have been arriving each day.

Since last week, Iraqi forces have hemmed in the Sunni militants in Tikrit, claiming control of the majority of the former Islamic State stronghold. But the operation has come at a cost, with soldiers saying the fight has been tougher than expected. As the momentum has slowed, some Iraqi officials have begun to publicly call for U.S.-led air support…"
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Armand

Iraq's Offensive To Retake Tikrit Stalled By Booby Traps And Hundreds Of Determined Islamic State Fighters

"Iraq's offensive to retake Tikrit from the Islamic State group was stalled Tuesday because of streets and buildings rigged with booby trap bombs and by the several hundred jihadists still holding out there.

Troops, police and militia fairly easily boxed the jihadists in over recent days, but mopping them up is proving to be far harder.

"The battle to retake Tikrit will be difficult because of the preparations (IS) made," said Jawwad al-Etlebawi, spokesman for Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a Shiite militia playing a major role in the operation…"
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The above Al jazeera video report on the battle for Tikrit is very revealing on how difficult it has become for Iraq's army and Shiite militias to seize Tikrit. In short …. even the best trained Iraqi forces are being butchered by sniper fire and booby traps

Amicalement
Armand

The above Al jazeera video report on the battle for Tikrit is very revealing on how difficult it has become for Iraq's army and Shiite militias to seize Tikrit. In short …. even the best trained Iraqi forces are being butchered by sniper fire and booby traps

I may be a little off in my prediction of a massive moslem blood bath that is going to occur in defeating Daesh … I hope I am wrong. But … well with this recent news … we'll just hope I am wrong … and wait and see …

Tikrit is very revealing on how difficult it has become for Iraq's army and Shiite militias to seize Tikrit. In short …. even the best trained Iraqi forces are being butchered by sniper fire and booby traps

And that's different from how the US was dealing with snipers and booby traps how, exactly?

The Military Operation To Retake Tikrit Has Resulted In 1,000 Iraqi MIlitiamen Their Lives

"The much ballyhooed Iraqi government operation to capture the central city of Tikrit from the Islamic State has stalled three weeks after it began, amid widespread reports that Shiite Muslim militias and the government are badly divided over tactics and roiled by claims that the militias have engaged in war crimes against the local Sunni Muslim population.

A two-day pause supposedly intended to give the Iraqi government time to bring up reinforcements has stretched into a week, as reports circulate that Iraqi government troops and the militias took heavier than anticipated casualties in their first efforts to dislodge Islamic State fighters. At least 1,000 militiamen died in the early days of fighting, according to some reports, roughly 5 percent of the 20,000 men the militias have committed to the operation…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Seems like they're having the same problems as everyone else in fighting insurgents in Iraq.

When comparing casualty rates, worth noting the Iraqis don't have access to the same medical facilities as the Americans did.

I suspect roughly the same number of soldiers are being hit, just more a dying.

Yes, recent news reports point out the Iraq-Iran force is having problems with Daesh…

When comparing casualty rates, worth noting the Iraqis don't have access to the same medical facilities as the Americans did.

I suspect roughly the same number of soldiers are being hit, just more a dying.

I suspect that is only part of the situation. I may be wrong, but I don't think so, I suspect the Iraq-Iran forces engaged, may lack some tactical expertise that Western Forces demonstrated previously. If you look at the Iraqi Army in GW I and II and the Iran-Iraq War of the '80s. Neither side generally showed any real tactical or strategic savvy or effectiveness, etc. … And is considered by some that the Iran-Iraq conflict of the '80s appeared to be more akin to WWI with modern equipment. Than any real understanding of modern combined arms mobile warfare. I think we may be seeing similar here. Plus I can think of few situations that are harder than fighting an insurgency in urban terrain …

The Battle For Tikrit -- news Updates March 23, 2015

"The offensive on the ISIS-held Iraqi city of Tikrit has slowed to a halt because of hundreds of explosives planted in the city's centre as the terror group await a final assault by Iraqi forces, according to experts.

The Iraqi offensive on the city, supported by the Shia-majority Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU), had initial success, with a number of towns on the city's outskirts captured quickly and PMU spokesman, Karim al-Nuri, declaring the city would be liberated in "no more than 72 hours" earlier this month.

Yet, the assault on the hometown of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has taken longer than expected, now entering its fourth week. Iraq's defence minister today claimed that the army has slowed down its operation to prevent potential casualties which could occur if they rushed the assault on the explosive-laden city centre…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Legion – I understand your point, and to some extent agree with it. But the militias are, in large part, those who we were fighting and hence probably have some urban fighting skills themselves.

Since the 1980s the average Iraqi has, unfortunately, had plenty of opportunity to hone his skills.

Yes, we, the US, UK, etc. fought some of those militias in the past. Al Sadr's come to mind, but there were many others, IIRC. And yes, no doubt all those militias have experience and skill in an insurgency in urban terrain. So they should actually, in theory, do pretty well fighting those similar to themselves in terrain they know … Plus they have Iranian support on the ground with them. So I'd think they should do well or may be at least better than they are. It is literally their backyard. In some cases on both/all sides … So we shall see, but at this rate, it is going to take a very, very, long time to get Daesh out of Iraq. Let alone all the other places they sprend to, like some sort of disease …

After Suffering Heavy Casualties Iraq Is Now Consolidating Their Positions Against The Islamic State

"As a small force of Islamic State militants holds out in parts of Tikrit for a fourth week, Iraqi forces have been compelled to shift tactics, officials say: Rather than storming in to clear the city at any cost, the security forces are trying to seal off the area and begin preparing for even more challenging battles to the west and north.

The Iraqi forces' progress has put them closer to the doorstep of Nineveh Province, where the city of Mosul looms as the most important battle against the Islamic State. But the hard lessons of the Tikrit offensive, with a heavy cost in casualties for the Shiite militiamen and soldiers involved, have Iraqi officials thinking more cautiously about their next steps.

To that end, officials say, their next goal will be securing the western province of Anbar, in part to keep Islamic State fighters there from ambushing and harassing the main Iraqi force to the east…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Legion – well Sadr's mob are involved in the current fighting.

But, given the US are now helping out, seems they've discovered being the home team is always easier…

It was never going to be easy, and has doubtless proved harder than anticipated. But to be fair to them, they've stuck at it.

After US airstrikes, Iraq troops start final push for Tikrit

"Iraqi troops started the final phase of an offensive to recapture Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit on Thursday, a military official said, just hours after the United States launched airstrikes on the Islamic State-held city.

The push, however, is going ahead without the country's Iran-backed Shiite militias, which had been instrumental to the operation so far and which backed out in protest over the U.S. action.

Late Wednesday, the U.S. began airstrikes on Tikrit at Iraq's request and in support of the stalled ground offensive, Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, the commander of the U.S.-led campaign to defeat the Islamic State group…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Legion – well Sadr's mob are involved in the current fighting.

But, given the US are now helping out, seems they've discovered being the home team is always easier…

It was never going to be easy, and has doubtless proved harder than anticipated. But to be fair to them, they've stuck at it.

Yes, I heard his name mentioned in the media. That his militias are in the fight. And it's now known that the US is flying CAS for the Tikrit ops. But yes, they, the Iranians, etc., they are all up to their necks in the battle. And really they have no real choice … but to fight …

The Battle For Tikrit Resumes

"After two days of U.S. airstrikes, the stalled Iraqi offensive to rout Islamic State fighters from Tikrit has resumed, the Pentagon said Friday.

As Iran-backed Shiite militiamen withdrew from the fight, thousands of Iraqi government forces sought to capitalize on the new American airstrikes to dislodge hundreds of Islamic State fighters hunkered down in the city center.

The push is the first by Iraqi forces into Tirkit since U.S. planes started hitting Islamic State positions on Wednesday. The U.S.-led coalition has carried out 20 airstrikes on Islamic State forces in and around Tikrit, officials said Friday…"
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Armand

In The Battle For Tikrit 400 Islamic State Fighters Are Holding Back 30,000 Iraqi Troops And Militia Fighters

"A force of Islamic State fighters believed to number about 400 according to one general, is holding at bay about 30,000 Iraqi troops and militia.

After the offensive launched without US air support and led by an Iranian general stalled on the outskirts of Tikrit, the Shia militia and the Iranian commander who was heading the offensive have faded into the background. However many militia remain in the surrounding area and even a few checkpoints on the outskirts of Tikrit. For the last three days, the US has been bombing the centre of Tikrit where the Islamic State fighters so far have been able to fend off the Iraqis even though outnumbered by over seventy to one. This standoff does not auger well for any attempt to recapture the larger city of Mosul. The campaign to recapture Tikrit has been going on for almost a month now…"
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Armand

I haven't watched much footage from the Tikrit operations, but….

The anti-ISIS coalition should really be learning from the Syrian Army. Has anyone watched combat footage by ANNA News of the fighting in Damascus/Jhobar? Working within their limitations, Syria's elite and motivated mechanized forces are reasonably tactically proficient. You can watch the videos and see how they employ all the essential components of a combined-arms urban attack. Suppressing enemy fire positions (direct-fire SPGs or tanks), isolating the objective (usually with tanks covering streets), laying smoke to cover the advance of the IFV's, and disembarking the assault element infantry in/near the objective. My only real complaints are an excessive amount of direct control by their officers, and attacks stall if their junior officers get killed (in one vid, they lost ~10 guys in a booby-trapped house, including the platoon commander).

If Iran's proteges in Syria can do it, I dunno why their other minions in Iraq are punting the Tikrit operation into the stands. Seems like the Tikrit operation has equal or superior material/heavy weapons support compared to Damascus, so the tools are there.

Still … I'm a little disappointed in the Iran-Iraq ops to take back Tikrit. Thought with the Iranian support and now US CAS, the Iraqis might have had a little more success. Now it sounds a little like the "RattenKrieg" of Stalingrad …

The Islamic State Has Been Driven Out Of Central Tikrit

"Iraqi troops aided by Shi'ite paramilitaries have driven Islamic State out of central Tikrit, Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said on Tuesday, but the fight to retake all of Saddam Hussein's home town continued.

Government forces have been in a month-long fight for the city, which became a bastion for the Sunni jihadists who are at war with Baghdad and have been targeted by U.S.-led air strikes.

Hundreds of insurgents ready to fight to the death are still holed up in Salahuddin province's capital city and at least three neighborhoods remain under Islamic State control, along with a palace complex in the city's north.

The further Iraqi forces push into the city, the greater the risk of ambushes…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Heard similar on CNN just now … Hopefully this is true and the start of a Iran-Iraq/Coalition continuing series of offensive ops. To purge the world of Daesh. Hopefully, the West/Europe will mind it's own business. And let the locals "terminate Daesh with extreme prejudice". So to speak. It serves no one's interests to let any of Daesh's membership [or AQ, etc.] survive. I don't think they can be rehabilitated and become productive members of civilized society.

Yes my friend, very good (if they are true! (smile)).

The path to Mosul is open?

Amicalement
Armand

The US is saying that most of Tikrit is out of Daesh control. But some remains … So may be the Iraqis are being a bit premature ? However, it was stated that the US/Coalition CAS effectively assisted in this op. Regardless Daesh booby-trapped/IED'd everything. Also just saw a video on CNN from Tikrit. Iraqi fighters were holding the head of a Daesh fighter. They were saying things like, "See what we did, we are coming for you!", etc., etc. … Don't really have too much of a problem of giving Daesh a taste of their own medicine. And based on Daesh's previous actions, this is not an unexpected occurrence. And will probably happen again and again. But it still is a war crime … However, it appears no one in the region [or maybe anywhere else ?] really cares. Daesh has cashed in the last of their humanity a long, long time ago …

Also just saw a video on CNN from Tikrit. Iraqi fighters were holding the head of a Daesh fighter. They were saying things like, "See what we did, we are coming for you!", etc., etc. … Don't really have too much of a problem of giving Daesh a taste of their own medicine. And based on Daesh's previous actions, this is not an unexpected occurrence. And will probably happen again and again. But it still is a war crime … However, it appears no one in the region [or maybe anywhere else ?] really cares.

I somehow doubt that there will be any prosecutions for War Crimes after this. If only because there won't be any DAESHbags left alive to prosecute.

Our good and ever-so-loyal ally Turkey and our new friend Iran will split Syria and Iraq between them, while the Saudis and their allies are busy in Yemen.

Southern Iraq (Shia) will be part of Iran, or an Iranian puppet state, while ISIS keeps the Iraqis busy up north, under Iranian supervision. Iranian troops in Tikrit have given Iraqis a sense that their alliance with Iran was the right thing to do.

How much of the north of Iraq will fall under Shia (Iranian) control is still a mystery. But you can bet al Qaeda will find a nice home there.

That's my guess.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

Dan

After Iraqi forces take Tikrit, a wave of looting and lynching

"On April 1, the city of Tikrit was liberated from the extremist group Islamic State. The Shi'ite-led central government and allied militias, after a month-long battle, had expelled the barbarous Sunni radicals.

Then, some of the liberators took revenge.

Near the charred, bullet-scarred government headquarters, two federal policemen flanked a suspected Islamic State fighter. Urged on by a furious mob, the two officers took out knives and repeatedly stabbed the man in the neck and slit his throat. The killing was witnessed by two Reuters correspondents…"
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This is bad and will only guarantee one thing, the Sunnis in Mosul (and elsewhere) are now all going to fight to the death to protect their lives and properties from these Shiite militias.

Amicalement
Armand

This is bad and will only guarantee one thing, the Sunnis in Mosul (and elsewhere) are now all going to fight to the death to protect their lives and properties from these Shiite militias.

Some people might consider these parties all fighting to the death a good thing….

I kind of like the idea of the two sides fighting to the death.

I somehow doubt that there will be any prosecutions for War Crimes after this. If only because there won't be any DAESHbags left alive to prosecute.

I hope that is the case … if they are dead, justice has already been done, IMO …

How much of the north of Iraq will fall under Shia (Iranian) control is still a mystery.

I'm thinking the Kurds may have something to say about this. And they still seem to be a more effective combat force, than any Iraqi faction.

Then, some of the liberators took revenge.

Near the charred, bullet-scarred government headquarters, two federal policemen flanked a suspected Islamic State fighter. Urged on by a furious mob, the two officers took out knives and repeatedly stabbed the man in the neck and slit his throat.

Not really unexpected, for better or worse. "Sowing what you reap" comes to mind. But chance of mistakes occurring are fairly high, IMO …

Some people might consider these parties all fighting to the death a good thing….

I too do not this as a negative outcome. It's seems many of the factions won't be satisfied until some event like this occurs.

Southern Iraq (Shia) will be part of Iran, or an Iranian puppet state, while ISIS keeps the Iraqis busy up north, under Iranian supervision. Iranian troops in Tikrit have given Iraqis a sense that their alliance with Iran was the right thing to do.

How much of the north of Iraq will fall under Shia (Iranian) control is still a mystery. But you can bet al Qaeda will find a nice home there.

Unless you meant AQ setting up shop to kill Shia, not very likely.

AQ is a bunch of Sunni(ish) nutjobs that executes other Sunnis for not being Islamic enough. Shia are heretics to Sunnis in general. AQ and DAESH will take that to the level of genocide.

What really happened in Tikrit after ISIL fled

"Every province in Iraq has a local police force whose members hail exclusively from the residents of that province [AFP]Baghdad – Arson and looting incidents in Tikrit after the Iraqi army recaptured the city last week from fighters with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have highlighted the deep divisions between the Sunni tribes that supported ISIL and the Sunni tribes that opposed it, local and federal security officials said.
Those divisions threaten to tear apart the Sunni community in the areas still under ISIL control, Iraqi officials said.
Hundreds of homes and stores were set ablaze after they were looted by unidentified people last week in Tikrit, one of the biggest Iraqi cities dominated by a Sunni Muslim population. It was seized by ISIL last summer…"
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