An ‘Islamic State’ Is Born

By Jonathan Spyer, MIDDLE EAST FORUM

[..] The ISIS offensive into Iraq was well-planned, and its execution shows the extent to which ISIS sees its activities in Iraq and Syria as part of a single conflict.

The movement withdrew forces from outlying parts of Syria’s Idlib and Aleppo provinces in January.

At the time, this was presented by Syrian rebels as a defeat they had inflicted on ISIS, but eyewitnesses confirmed that hardly any fighting took place.

The offensive operations against the Kurdish YPG militia in the Kobani (Ayn al-Arab) area also tailed off.

The reason is now clear: ISIS was withdrawing forces and consolidating the western border of its “Islamic state,” in order to focus on expanding the eastern border deep inside Iraq.

The “Syrian” civil war long ago burst its borders, to become a sectarian conflict taking in the territory of Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. ISIS’s tactical offensive has cast this fact into bold relief.

It is also, by necessity, bringing about cross-border cooperation between those elements targeted by ISIS.

The area to the north of ISIS’s “Islamic state” is controlled by the Kurds. But relations between the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) of Massoud Barzani in northern Iraq and the (PKK)-associated PYD’s three areas of control in northern Syria have worsened in recent months. Intra-Kurdish violence has not occurred, but the KRG has kept the border between the two areas tightly sealed – leading to PYD accusations that the KRG’s close strategic relations with Turkey were causing it to support the Turkish position against Syria’s Kurds.

The ISIS offensive appears to have repaired relations between the two Kurdish areas.

The latest gains by the movement in Mosul bring it within a few kilometers of the first checkpoints of Barzani’s Peshmerga forces. Thus, there is a common ISIS-Kurdish border stretching across PYD and KRG-controlled areas.

The result: YPG and Peshmerga commanders have conducted meetings at the border crossings over the last few days, to coordinate their defensive actions against ISIS. The Samalka border crossing, closed for three months, was opened this week to allow refugees to travel back to Syrian Kurdistan, according to Wladimir van Wilgenburg, a Dutch journalist and researcher at the Jamestown Foundation, currently reporting in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan.

So the cross-border Islamist entity is facing a renewed Kurdish alliance to its north. But what of the Baghdad government? Maliki’s armed forces may have performed atrociously in recent days, but he remains part of the Middle East’s single most powerful functioning alliance – the Iran-led regional bloc.

The emerging reality in western Iraq creates difficulties for the Iranians. Their client in Damascus, the Assad regime, has largely recovered its fortunes in recent months. Aided by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps and Hezbollah, Syrian regime forces are close to encircling rebel-controlled eastern Aleppo.

This little-reported process is causing deep alarm among supporters of the rebellion. Should Syrian President Bashar Assad succeed in besieging and starving out Aleppo, this will definitively end the long stalemate between the regime and the Sunni rebels, possibly paving the way for a regime attempt to roll up the remainder of rebel-controlled Syria.

But even as one Iranian client triumphs, another – Maliki – has lost large portions of his territory to a jihadi force, in the opening moves of what could be a renewed sectarian war on the soil of Iraq. And while the Syrian rebels may be disunited and poorly organized, this is not true of ISIS – a disciplined, determined and savage force.

This means that the Iranians may in the weeks and months ahead be forced to increase support and attention to their beleaguered client in Baghdad, even as he struggles to form a new government following the parliamentary elections in April.

Maliki’s declaration of a general mobilization is more likely to produce a Shi’ite sectarian military response, and hence continued sectarian fighting against a background of political paralysis.

Therefore, the key point is that the “Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham” is no longer the name of a movement, or the expression of an aspiration. As of now, it is a descriptive term applying to a de facto sovereign space, taking in a large swath of western Iraq and eastern and northern Syria.

The powerful Iran-led Shi’ite alliance will in the period ahead undoubtedly seek to destroy this state.

The Kurdish entities to the north will seek to defend themselves against both sides.

The result of all this cannot be known. The reality is one of sectarian war over the ruins of Iraq and Syria.

Jonathan Spyer is a senior research fellow at the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and a fellow at the Middle East Forum.

June 14, 2014 | 57 Comments »

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50 Comments / 57 Comments

  3. @ yamit82:
    Is Turkish intelligence helping fighters?

    Ediboglu further stated: “Fighters from Europe, Russia, Asian countries and Chechnya are going in large numbers both to Syria and Iraq, crossing from Turkish territory. There is information that at least 1,000 Turkish nationals are helping those foreign fighters sneak into Syria and Iraq to join ISIS. The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) is allegedly involved. None of this can be happening without MIT’s knowledge.”

    Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/business/2014/06/turkey-syria-isis-selling-smuggled-oil.html?utm_source=Al-Monitor+Newsletter+%5BEnglish%5D&utm_campaign=8db3943fde-January_9_20141_8_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_28264b27a0-8db3943fde-100371289#ixzz34p8TxZ7q

    Like I said, ISIS is the latest sunni jihadi group controlled and funded by the GCC/US/Turkey/Jordan…….ISIS uses the methods that get them what they want but with whom they must deny all connections. All the “usual suspects” deny and demonstrate their disconnection from ISIS.
    But who does ISIS benefit in the sunni shia proxy war?

  4. @ yamit82:
    Opposition MP says ISIS is selling oil in Turkey

    Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/business/2014/06/turkey-syria-isis-selling-smuggled-oil.html?utm_source=Al-Monitor+Newsletter+%5BEnglish%5D&utm_campaign=8db3943fde-January_9_20141_8_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_28264b27a0-8db3943fde-100371289#ixzz34p58Sk3d
    and yet, ISIS took turkish diplomatic hostages in Mosul. could be a false flag to distance the main sunni jihadi supporters from the most merciless but competent jihadis when it comes to achieving their goals.

  5. yamit82 Said:

    Iran ‘sends 2,000 troops’ to help Maliki in Iraq

    ISIS’ Iraq offensive could trigger Hezbollah to fill gap left in Syria

    Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Analysis/2014/Jun-16/260266-isis-iraq-offensive-could-trigger-hezbollah-to-fill-gap-left-in-syria.ashx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=Newsletter#ixzz34oxMHqEy
    (The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)

    interesting developments whereby the ISIS attacks in Iraq are mobilizing sunnis but are causing the shia proxies to spread out their forces thin. Hezbullah must commit more forces to syria while Iraqi shias leave to protect bagdad, Iranian shias are being sent from Iran. both lebanon and Iran will have less forces at home. This appears to me to be a tactic for spreading their forces thin. a preparation, a feint. It reminds me of Israeli tactics: the counter attack across the suez after the egyptians started pouring into sinai.
    If hezbullah fills the gap there is more likelihood for an Israeli attack on hezbullah in lebanon or syria as hezbullah and Israel are ongoing direct combatants.

  6. @ bernard ross:

    Iraqi winds of Islamist chaos

    The road to hell is paved with America’s good intentions. The U.S. has spawned chaos in Egypt, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, North Korea and across Africa. American adventurism nearly cost Israel dearly in the Golan Heights and Judea and Samaria. The U.S. itself has paid a high price for its recklessness in countless deaths, substantial capital, sworn allies and weapons that disappeared amid its various enterprises. Battered and torn, the U.S. has withdrawn to policing the world from history’s back seat and, as we all know, back-seat driving is a surefire recipe for disaster.

    The U.S., in its state of confusion, has equipped the “good, moderate Muslims” with advanced weaponry to fight the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad while being defeated on the battlefield. Thanks to Islamist mobility and loyalty, that U.S. aid has boomeranged, emboldening the likes of al-Qaida and ISIS.

    The Islamist code demands that al-Qaida and ISIS focus their attention on battling the enemy that is near first, saving the distant enemy for later. This is precisely why the modern caliphate’s military leaders are stuck in a predicament: whether to finish off the work that the Arab Spring started, overthrowing heretical Sunni-dominant governments in Egypt, Yemen, Jordan and the Gulf states, then turning their attention to the great Shiite enemy in Iran — or continuing to confront Iran’s Revolutionary Guards along bloody lines in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

  10. @ bernard ross:
    http://www.clarionproject.org/analysis/isis-takeovers-iraq-biggest-islamist-victory-911

    In addition to the weapons taken from deserted cops and soldiers, ISIS captured over 400,000 weapons from two stockpiles including artillery shells, mortars, RPGs and AK-47s. About one-fourth of the armory was sent to Syria. It also raided the Central Bank of Mosul, taking about $430 million in cash, making it the world’s richest terrorist group. That single bank heist gave ISIS revenue that is over a dozen times the $30 million annual budget of Al-Qaeda in 2001.

    The group also released about 1,400 inmates—certainly including a large number of Islamist terrorists—from one prison in Mosul. ISIS says it has freed a total of 3,000 prisoners from three sites. It also controls a number of important facilities, including banks, police stations, military bases and two airports. Earlier reports that ISIS had taken Baiji, home to a critical oil refinery, were denied by the U.S. and Iraqi governments.

  11. @ bernard ross:

    ISIS Takeovers in Iraq: Biggest Islamist Victory Since 9/11

    In addition to the weapons taken from deserted cops and soldiers, ISIS captured over 400,000 weapons from two stockpiles including artillery shells, mortars, RPGs and AK-47s. About one-fourth of the armory was sent to Syria. It also raided the Central Bank of Mosul, taking about $430 million in cash, making it the world’s richest terrorist group. That single bank heist gave ISIS revenue that is over a dozen times the $30 million annual budget of Al-Qaeda in 2001.

    The group also released about 1,400 inmates—certainly including a large number of Islamist terrorists—from one prison in Mosul. ISIS says it has freed a total of 3,000 prisoners from three sites. It also controls a number of important facilities, including banks, police stations, military bases and two airports. Earlier reports that ISIS had taken Baiji, home to a critical oil refinery, were denied by the U.S. and Iraqi governments.

    The West needs to understand that ISIS’ motivation is explicitly ideological, Islamist and anti-democratic.

  13. @ bernard ross:

    Iran’s uncertain intervention in Iraq

    In the long term, the current crisis could ruin Iraq’s economy, which is a multibillion dollar export market for Iranian non-oil products. Further, Iran has plans to start exporting gas to Iraq this year, with Iran hoping to earn $3.7 billion a year.

    There could also be domestic repercussions against Rouhani’s interests. The head of the Basij organization, Gen. Mohammad Reza Naghdi, has already accused the United States of being behind the ISIS attacks. The spokesman for parliament’s National Security Commission, Mohammad Hossein Naghavi Hosseini, has publicly accused the Saudis (as well as Israel and the United States) of being behind the ISIS attacks.

  17. IDF preparing for siege of Hebron

    Reinforcement Forces

    Paratrooper forces in the Hebron area Photo: Yoav Zitun
    Paratrooper forces in the Hebron area Photo: Yoav Zitun

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    Infantry battalion deployed to Hebron, IDF calls in reservists

    Hundreds of fighters from the Shimshon Battalion of the Kfir Brigade stop training session in Golan; soldiers expected to participate in closure procedures on Hebron.

    Forces load concrete barricades loaded trucks, spread out bulldozers, prepares to impose closure on one of the largest cities in the West Bank

  19. Yaalon Vows: Hamas Will Pay for What it Did

    http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/181751#.U54TCqIk1Is

    “The same Palestinian Authority that some like to call ‘moderate’ forged a treaty with Hamas, a terror group that in its very essence proclains the need to kill Jews. It is on their shoulders that the responsibility for the kidnapping of the youths rests. We shall make the leaders of Hamas pay, and they will pay when we decide the time has come to collect the debt. This will be the fate of anyone who tries to injure Israeli citizens,” Yaalon said.

  20. Yaalon Vows: Hamas Will Pay for What it Did
    Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon on Sunday night said that Israel would make Hamas pay for kidnapping three Israeli teens

    “The same Palestinian Authority that some like to call ‘moderate’ forged a treaty with Hamas, a terror group that in its very essence proclains the need to kill Jews. It is on their shoulders that the responsibility for the kidnapping of the youths rests. We shall make the leaders of Hamas pay, and they will pay when we decide the time has come to collect the debt. This will be the fate of anyone who tries to injure Israeli citizens,” Yaalon said.

  21. Ben-Ari: Would Netanyahu Send His Wife to Gaza Hospital?
    Former MK Michael Ben-Ari is disgusted by the fact that the wife of Mahmous Abbas is getting care at one Israel’s top hospitals.

    Ben-Ari suggested keeping her in a “dark cell,” similar to the ones the youths were most likely being held in. “It’s time for us to show the world that we, too, care about our children,” he said.

  22. Bennett: Israel’s ‘Fist of Steel’ Will Make Terrorists Pay
    http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/181754#.U54Q4qIk1Is
    “

    Right now the government is planning a series of actions that will be taken against those involved that will ensure that the understand that these actions are not in their best interests. We also must figure out ways to prevent the next kidnapping,” Bennett said. “We are very strong, and we will show them a fist of steel for this crime.

  27. yamit82 Said:

    So you think the Saudis and Qatar supporting the ISIS are in lock step with Obama?

    Yes. The only thing different than originally planned was the US entry into the war against assad and Iran proxies due to the expsures at bengazi. However, the GCC proxies are doing the job and preparing the ground for the next steps. I see nothing spontaneous here.

    yamit82 Said:

    And that if Obama decides to bomb them, which seems likely….

    I dont agree, why would he bomb them to aid the Iranian axis?
    yamit82 Said:

    Leadership of ISIS is on record as saying that Qatar is on his takeover list…

    Yes, lots of “sayings” on record but I ignore the rhetoric. ISIS has turkish hostages in Mosul but I do not buy it….Turkey is now also distanced from sunni terrorists…..ISIS threatened to slaughter Jordan’s absullah and now Jordan is distanced from sunni terrorists…..Suddenly everyone is agianst the sunni terrorists and only supprot the moderate terrorists(LOL)
    Obama, Saudi, GCC, Turkey…..All want to distance themselves from appearing connected to sunni terrorists……but who put them there and why…..whose interests are the sunni terrorists serving…..

    yamit82 Said:

    With the money they looted in Mosul and all the weapons they confiscated from the Iraqi Army any leverage Qatar and the Saudis have over them would seem to have dissipated.

    this could change things but it remains to be seen.

    yamit82 Said:

    Now they will be a magnet for every Jihadi fighter around the world.

    I would think the world would be happy to ship their jihadis somewhere to kill each other.
    yamit82 Said:

    Don’t think the Genie can be put back in the bottle without massive boots on the ground and only the Iranians are capable and even if no choice are willing.

    Iranians, Iraqis , sunnis shias, killing each other instead of Jews….I thought this would make you happy.
    When the genni is put back in the bottle it hopefully wil have left many dead jihadis behind.

    yamit82 Said:

    If they are successful and consolidate their power I see them going after Jordan which will bring Israel into it because Jordan Monarchy is a better choice.

    You have always said a terror state in Jordan would allow Israel to drive out the Pals, have you changed your mind? If Israel goes into Jordan I would expect first that they would like to see many arabs kill each other FIRST and then pickup the pieces afterwards.
    yamit82 Said:

    Wife of Abbas had orthopedic surgery in my hospital in Tel Aviv and he has been at his wife’s side through this kidnapping story. I think she was released today. A few weeks ago the wife or son I forget which of Hamas Leader in Gaza was also treated in Israel while he was sending Missiles into Israel.

    In the last few months Israel has treated haniye grandaughter and mother in law. This is another reason why I believe there are understandings. That things are not what they appear to be.

    Meanwhile, those who libel and seek to kill Jews are in consternation and chaos. Instead of bemoaning Iraq we should give out sweets:

    can you imagine a better situation for Israel right now without Israel having done anything to make it happen?

    Lets not look gift horses in the mouth or fail to see our blessings. Meanwhile the world has another problem to distract them from the Jews: what’s not to like. The false atrocities they put on Israel are returning to haunt them. for all we know the atrocities are fabrications like at Jenin.
    yamit82 Said:

    BB after Blaming Hamas for the Kidnapping is going to go after Hamas to bring it down once the kidnapping event concludes.

    this is an interesting idea, if hamas is deposed the “unity” gov can go through which will encourage land giveaways. If hamas is deposed they can avoid agreeing to any deal. Ihaven’t seen this one.

  30. yamit82 Said:

    In the words of Col Hunt: ” Let them fight it out alone” There isn’t much any of us can do or should do at this point.
    Once it settles and stabilizes then act if necessary

    From G-d’s Mouth to yours and Col. Hunt’s ear !!! Did you ever know of an Army Ranger named Adrian Lewis now a militarily Historian and Military Tactician. He is on a program I am watching on D Day. A very interesting man to listen too.

  33. yamit82 Said:

    “Madam, the problem is that you have buttered the wrong side of the bread

    I am always most careful how my bread is buttered.

  34. Ovomit supporting the hostage business.
    World needs to wake up, time to cease all aid of every kind to the Palestinians.

    What don’t they understand about the Pals (Hamas controlled).

    Yamit, you once said Israel should shut off the utilities to Gaza. Should put that up for a vote.

    Raining rockets into Israel is not a humanitarian act.

  35. @ rongrand:

    Missed you!!!

    In the words of Col Hunt: ” Let them fight it out alone” There isn’t much any of us can do or should do at this point.

    Once it settles and stabilizes then act if necessary.

  37. We are in trouble with the present administration and we are going to have to rely on Israel to keep the world safe.
    We have no other choice.
    I have to believe before Iraq falls in the hands of these nuts Israel will lower the boom omn them. PLEASE
    We can thank the fu-king ovomit kool-aid drinkers for this mess.

  38. @ bernard ross:

    So you think the Saudis and Qatar supporting the ISIS are in lock step with Obama? And that if Obama decides to bomb them, which seems likely will in effect aid the Iranians?

    Leadership of ISIS is on record as saying that Qatar is on his takeover list… With the money they looted in Mosul and all the weapons they confiscated from the Iraqi Army any leverage Qatar and the Saudis have over them would seem to have dissipated. Now they will be a magnet for every Jihadi fighter around the world. They are not alone but have the general and even active support of Iraqi Sunnis…Don’t think the Genie can be put back in the bottle without massive boots on the ground and only the Iranians are capable and even if no choice are willing. If they are successful and consolidate their power I see them going after Jordan which will bring Israel into it because Jordan Monarchy is a better choice.

    In the meantime oil might hit in the near future $200 and set off the major market correction which in turn along with the price of oil might bring on the long predicted Global economic Armageddon.

    2 reports I heard over the news today.

    BB after Blaming Hamas for the Kidnapping is going to go after Hamas to bring it down once the kidnapping event concludes.

    Wife of Abbas had orthopedic surgery in my hospital in Tel Aviv and he has been at his wife’s side through this kidnapping story. I think she was released today. A few weeks ago the wife or son I forget which of Hamas Leader in Gaza was also treated in Israel while he was sending Missiles into Israel.

    Ever hear of the wise men Chelm???

    The town of Che?m decided to build a new synagogue. So, some strong, able-bodied men were sent to a mountaintop to gather heavy stones for the foundation. The men put the stones on their shoulders and trudged down the mountain to the town below. When they arrived, the town constable yelled, “Foolish men! You should have rolled the stones down the mountain!” The men agreed this was an excellent idea. So they turned around, and with the stones still on their shoulders, trudged back up the mountain, and rolled the stones back down again.

    A young housewife living in the town of Che?m had a very strange occurrence. One morning, after buttering a piece of bread she accidentally dropped it on the floor. To her amazement, it fell buttered side up.

    As everyone knows, whenever a buttered piece of bread is dropped on the floor, it always falls buttered side down; this is like a law of physics. But on this occasion it had fallen buttered side up, and this was a great mystery which had to be solved. So all the Rabbis and elders and wise men of Che?m were summoned together and they spent three days in the synagogue fasting and praying and debating this marvelous event among themselves. After those three days they returned to the young housewife with this answer:
    “Madam, the problem is that you have buttered the wrong side of the bread.”

    After the assassination of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, a government official in Ukraine menacingly addressed the local rabbi, “I suppose you know in full detail who was behind it.”

    “Ach,” the rabbi replied, “I have no idea, but the government’s conclusion will be the same as always: they will blame the Jews and the chimneysweeps.”
    “Why the chimneysweeps?” asked the befuddled official.
    “Why the Jews?” responded the rabbi.

    Post-Soviet Russia. Rabinovich calls the Pamyat headquarters: “Is it true that we Jews sold out Mother Russia?” “Damn right, you filthy kike!” “Oh good. Could you tell me where I might get my share?”

  39. Iran President: We’ll Help Battle Militants in Iraq if Asked

    As Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered the U.S.S. George H.W. Bush to the Persian Gulf to prepare for “military options.”
    Fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria stand guard at a checkpoint in the northern Iraq city of Mosul, June 11, 2014.

    Obama: We’re Not Sending American Troops Back to Iraq
    Turmoil in Iraq as Extremist Militants Make Gains

    Iran’s president said Saturday the country would consider assisting U.S. efforts to fend off violent Sunni militants threatening Iraq’s heartland, as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf to prepare for “military options.”

  40. yamit82 Said:

    @ bernard ross:

    another indication that ISIS works for the GCC/US

    What???

    President Obama Urges Action on Climate Change During UC Irvine Address

    Commander-in-chief delivers speech about dangers of climate change before around 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students

    Like a stock broker his investment works for him while he sleeps or plays golf. Everything proceeds along the desired lines of the GCC and western interests. what is there for Obama to do if everything is being done for him by GCC proxies. Forget the noise, smoke and mirrors and rhetoric. there is no doubt that ISIS attacks benefit GCC goals which in turn benefit western interests. Everyone can condemn ISIS while playing golf.

  41. yamit82 Said:

    Sunnis, Shi’ites and Kurds Leap into Battle in Iraq, Risking a Split

    from your article:

    Where the Iraqi forces failed to confront ISIS, dropping their weapons and shedding their uniforms as the militants approached, the Kurdish militia, known as the peshmerga, triumphed in battle. An extremely disciplined and effective fighting force, the peshmerga was able to protect several towns from ISIS’s advance. They also benefited from the Iraqi army’s retreat, claiming long disputed territory in the name of shielding it from ISIS’s reach. The peshmerga nowI repeat, the ISIS attack has allowed the emergence of Kurdistan, beginning with Iraqui Kurdistan. Turkey has defacto recognized it with its massive deal bypassing the central Iraqi gov.
    hold Kirkuk, an oil city officially controlled by the Iraqi government, but claimed by Kurds as their historic capital. It is unlikely that they will ever give it up.

    yamit82 Said:

    Don’t confuse Kurds in Iraq with those of say Turkey. The Kurds have been fighting a clan war for decades.

    I dont confusee them and in the past I have posted articles of political analysis of the 3 and their political infighting. There are the Kurds of Iraq, turkey and Syria.
    You might remember that before Obama backed out of the syria attacks that I asserted that Tukey was part of the grand deal and that it was forming undersatndings with the Iraqi and Turkish Kurds. although they were enemies they made a deal in turkey and now Iraq Kurdistan. Turkey wants to be the main pipeline to the med and europe from Iraq and the Caspian. Note that the Syrian Kurds and Iraq kurds have opened their border AND their political infighting DID NOT result in violence.
    I have not read of any battles between ISIS and the Iraqi Kurds. I suspect that they will appear in opposition but have coordinated their moves.
    Iraq and Syria are being redrawn and I do not belive that Iran will do more than protect the shias in eastern iraq. I do not see Iran attempting to retake sunni Iraq or Kurdistan. I expect soon to see internal disturbances of some kind in Iran to keep it busy and its forces spread. I expect this after Iran commits more forces in the foregin lands. In the end I think that settlements will be negotiated with new facts on the ground.
    yamit82 Said:

    Abu Mohamad al-Adnani urged his fighters in a radio address on Thursday to march on the “filth-ridden” Shi’ite-city of Karbala and on “Najaf, the city of polytheism”

    What’s not to like, blessings keep flowing to Israel, the enemy is slaughtering each other. Now all that remains is for the euro enemy to be further drawn into the mess. The head choppers, funded and supported by BDS churches, are chopping christian heads to the dismay of the supersessionist churches who were hoping to see Jewish heads chopped. Let’s hope the current drama proceeds as it already has been proceeding.
    yamit82 Said:

    Karbala is the Shia Holy and the place where their Mahdi is supposed to come from. I see no option than Iran invading Iraq sooner or later especially if America does not intervene.

    I believe that Iranian troops will be lured into those areas to protect their shias and their face. I do not see any overt american intervention in Iraq on the horizon of significance, only smoke and mirrors. The ISIS move has provided massive funds and massive arms, some of which are already being transferred to Syria. This is the best way to have transferred US arms, like the libyan transfers at benghazi, without seeking approval or being connected to terrorists. whoever came up with this one is a genius.

    After drawing Iranian troops into Iraq I see internal Iranian unrest from the major ethnic minorities of Kurds, Baluchis(sunnis) and azeris. The azeris are 25% of the population of Iran and raising them up would be a sensible tactic for anyone seeking destabilization. Israel has good relations with azerbaijan and it was rumored that Israel planned to launch attacks from there. In any case if one ignores rhetoric, rumor and chicken little futures the current situation is excellent.
    Of course, you and I will agree, and Israel should know, to be cynical, untrusting, vigilant and ready for changes in goals in any of the players.

  42. bernard ross Said:

    The ISIS victories enable the emergence of Kurdistan. Are they, or will they, cooperate?

    Don’t confuse Kurds in Iraq with those of say Turkey. The Kurds have been fighting a clan war for decades.

    Sunnis, Shi’ites and Kurds Leap into Battle in Iraq, Risking a Split

    The group’s leaders indicate that they want nothing less than complete domination of Iraq and the eradication of its Shi’ite majority, which they deem apostates. In a direct threat to Shi’ites, ISIS spokesman Abu Mohamad al-Adnani urged his fighters in a radio address on Thursday to march on the “filth-ridden” Shi’ite-city of Karbala and on “Najaf, the city of polytheism” — and home to Shi’ism’s major center of learning.

    Karbala is the Shia Holy and the place where their Mahdi is supposed to come from. I see no option than Iran invading Iraq sooner or later especially if America does not intervene.

  44. Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government signed a 50-year accord for the export of oil from the autonomous region in northern Iraq.
    http://www.worldtribune.com/2014/06/13/turkey-kurdistan-sign-50-year-oil-deal/

    turkeys defacto recognition of Iraqi Kurdistan

    The latest gains by the movement in Mosul bring it within a few kilometers of the first checkpoints of Barzani’s Peshmerga forces. Thus, there is a common ISIS-Kurdish border stretching across PYD and KRG-controlled areas.

    The ISIS victories enable the emergence of Kurdistan. Are they, or will they, cooperate?
    yamit82 Said:

    Obama Freed Al Qaeda Leader Now Overrunning Iraq

    another indication that ISIS works for the GCC/US

  50. They are a very violent untrained mob who likes to random kill.

    40 well armed soldiers from IDF units, or American, or French Foreign Legion units could hold up the whole army.

    They win because they are fighting fellow Arabs.

    They are not a state; but rather murderers who are out of control.