Israel preparing for a offensive in Lebanon

Israel preparing for an offensive in Lebanon

   Israel makes it clear that any violation of arms proliferation in Hezbollah would end up with war. Earlier Israeli military intelligence analyzed about the possible shipment of the advanced surface to air missile system Pantsir S1 and the P 800 Yakhnot anti-shipping missile to the Hezbollah terrorists from Syria. Russians also confirmed about the loss of one P 800 system in Syria.

Hezbollah is a banned terrorist organization who get active support in Lebanon and also from Iran. However due to the Israeli superiority in the region for past couple of years, there is no bigger terrorist attack was staged against Israel by the Hezbollah.

Earlier last year, Hezbollah used an anti-tank missile to destroy an Israeli border patrol vehicle humvee, where the attacks kill two Israeli soldiers and injuring another 15 soldiers. Israel replied the attack with heavy artillery and Apache gunships.

Israel and Hezbollah engaged in several wars earlier, Almost all wars Israel proved that they have an upper hand against them. and Hezbollah also labeled as a terrorist organization by most western nations and Americans. and weeks ago the Arab nation councils also labels Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. that's a major setback for them. Nations like Russia, Iran are among them who keeps Hezbollah with arms and economic support.

Hezbollah involved in the war against ISIS. where the Shia-Sunni battles in Iraq and Syria. Hezbollah armed by the Iran and Russia to fight against ISIS and other Sunni terrorists in the middle east. However, they fight less in the war and smuggle the supplied arms into their strongholds to keep their stockpiles fill for the next major war against Israel.

Israel closely watching the Hezbollah presence in the ISIS conflict, where they get arms training and weapon support by the Iranians and pro-Assad forces. Earlier last year, Israel attacked a Hezbollah training center in Lebanon that they were assembling an older Russian-made surface to air missiles SA 2, who can target any flying objects below 60,000 feet. A threat to the Israeli civil airliners.

During the initial days of Syrian civil war, there were many reports of Israeli airstrike inside Syria, All those air strikes are targeted the alleged Hezbollah arms transportation. Those strikes are well advanced before the terrorists managed to put them in operational.

Days ago Israel confirmed, Hezbollah successfully smuggled a modern highly mobile SA 22 QR-SAM into Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon territory. However, Israel failed to trace the SAM battery after it was reached in Lebanon. It's believed that the system somewhere close to the Israeli-Lebanon border.





There is another report also leaked, that they also managed to smuggle some of the Syrian coastal missile batteries based on the Yakhnot, It's based on the Brahmos supersonic missile. The Barak 8 with India intended to develop to counter the Yakhnot and other supersonic anti-shipping missiles. Both of these reports were confirmed by the Russians.

Once Israel identifies the location of those smuggled weapons, They will launch air strikes against those positions. If they didn't, Israel will launch a massive ground offensive in coming days. Same as how they did in early 2006.

GCC nations, get some advanced warnings from the Israeli's, about the invasion, That they asked it's citizens living in Lebanon get back to their respective nations for some security reasons. All those indicates the middle east once again in the spring.

Hezbollah is same like JeM, LeT who attacks India with the support from the Pakistani government. Hezbollah gets support from Iran and Lebanon to attack Israel. Here India always goes for defensive, where Israel always prefer offensive. Another lesson from Israel to Indian lawmakers.

Chabahar Port development, Ministry allocates $150 million

Chabahar Port development, Ministry allocates $150 million

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to the proposal of the Ministry of Shipping for provision and operationalization of credit of 150 million USD from EXIM Bank for development of Chabahar Port in Iran.

Chabahar Port lies outside the Persian Gulf in Iran and will help in expanding maritime commerce in the region. India is negotiating this project to facilitate the growing trade and investment with Iran and other countries in the region, notably Afghanistan and also to provide opportunities to Indian companies to penetrate and enhance their footprint in the region.

An MoU was signed between India and Iran on 06.05.2015 by Shri Nitin Gadkari. Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways and his Iranian counterpart. As per the MoU, India is to equip and operate two berths in Chabahar Port Phase-I with capital investment of USD 85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of USD 22.95 million on a ten year lease.

 Ownership of equipment will be transferred to Iranian side on completion of 10 year period or for an extended period, based on mutual agreement. The Iranian side had requested for provision of a credit of USD 150 million in accordance with the MoU. As per the MoU, operation of two berths will commence within a period of maximum 18 months after the signing of the Contract.

The two berths will be operated by the India Ports Global Private Limited, a Company promoted by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Kandla Port Trust - two major ports working under the Ministry of Shipping.

The Union Cabinet has now authorized the Ministers of Finance, External Affairs and Shipping to approve the final contract with Iran and for resolution of any issue arising in implementation of the project.

The Union Cabinet has also authorized the Ministry of Shipping to form a Company in Iran for implementing the Chabahar Port Development Project and related activities.

Who is leading in Syria even after the Russian Bombing

Who is leading in Syria even after the Russian Bombing

The known SAA - Cheering a small victory

    It's more than a month since Russian forces deployed it's forces inside Syria and launched air combat, Intelligence support and small special operations. However the Syrian Regime didn't get any good results even after the bigger campaign. The Syrian forces gets good support from Iran Russia and Hezbollah terrorists, where they can starts a major offensive near to Aleppo, a three front battle between ISIS vs FSA vs SAA. The battle starts more than 20 days ago still the ISIS hold it's grounds near Aleppo.

    Before the offensive, It's the Rebel forces who controlled the Aleppo suburbs and city center. The Rebel forces captured cities around Aleppo and they move towards Idlib and captured then they advances into Latakia Port. However the Syrian and Russian forces has only hope of using the port as a Military resupply pump. Once the Rebels tries to advances close to the Latakia port. The Russian fighter jets and special forces driven out the Rebels and pushed back from Latakia a successful operation lead by Russian Infantry.

    The Syrians main objective is to capture the Western Syria from the rebel forces, then only they can drive out the Rebels to engage the ISIS in eastern side cities like Palmyra and Al Raqqa. The Russians tried as much as possible to provide air cover to the Syrian regime forces, however they didn't perform much better. Since the Rebels has good equipment's supplied by Saudi's and West.

    The Rebel forces shown their best to defeat the Syrian regime and the ISIS. The Syrian rebels also have good strategy of special operation missions. Team of Rebel anti tank crew destroyed more than hundred Syrian armor, which include BMP personnel carrier and T 72 main battle tanks. Usage of the anti tank missile increased from less than fifty to more than one fifty within a month. The Rebel forces also enraging a assassination mission by killing key military commanders in the conflict zone.

    The Saudi's are the major arms supplier to the Syrian Rebel forces, KSA Supplied most of the US made TOW anti tank missiles to the Syrian Rebels. The Saudi's para dropping those weapons close to the Syrian border near Turkey, later it was transported through ground vehicles before reach to the Rebels hands. The Syrian rebels using US made Tow missile, Russian made Konkrus and Fagot missiles and the French milan's. Those are all second generation missiles need a crew keep guiding the missile till it hits the Target.

    Meanwhile The US forces contentiously dominating the Iraqi forces and brings number of good victories along with the Iranian, Kurdistan and Iraqi forces support. The Americans and west clearly co ordinate the ground forces and gives good air support, which liberated most of the ISIS stronghold in Iraq. However major cities like Fallujah and Mosul still under the ISIS control.

Pakistani produced HJ 8 Anti tank missile

   Weeks ago, US Army's Delta Special forces along with Kurdistan special forces launched a surprise attack deep inside the ISIS heart center of Sinjar mountain valley. The special operation ends by killing more than fifty ISIS terrorists and rescuing more than seventy Kurdish, Yazedi and Iraqi civilians. During the battle  US Army's delta force special operator Master Sgt. Joshua killed during the daring rescue operation. Joshua is the first US Soldier who killed by the ISIS.

    Within next two to three days ISIS surprised the US and Iraqi forces by airing a new video killing civilians close to the earlier targeted building. This forced the Americans Kurdistan and Iraqi forces to fix the next target as Sinjar. 24 hours ago Kurdistan and Iraqi soldiers lead by US special forces and US Air force start a major offensive operation to driven out the ISIS from Sinjar. The Biggest battle is currently ongoing in Sinjar which is same like the Tikrit offensive lead US collation Forces

    Days ago, President of the United States announced deploying special forces inside Syria close to Kurdistan and Iraq, to carry out Special mission deep inside ISIS stronghold to give continuous shock. This allows the US forces to gather more intells about the ISIS advance moves by hitting their nerve center. The US Special forces also support the Kurdistan forces to carryout counter assault mission against ISIS. Reports also reveals that US may support Syrian rebels too. However sources clearly mentioned they will assist the Kurd forces only.

Israeli F 16 Fighters

 

 The Middle east surprise man Israel also carried out a air strike just outside from Syrian capital Damascus. The Strike carried out by Israeli air force by destroying Hezbollah bound SCUD missiles. The missiles are in convoy's transported by the Hezbullah terrorists. As Israel earlier stated that "we won't involve any mess inside Syria or Iraq, If any one who threatens Israel, will be neutralized" . The Hezbollah's main objective is attack Israel and killing Jews, Since the start of Syrian civil war Israeli's bombed many times inside Syria by stopping advanced weaponry in hands of Hezbullah.

     These all shows a good lesson that Syria is free for every one, that any one can attack their enemies, The Shia controlled Syrian regime have only hope of Russians and Iranian forces for their survival. While the battle will continue for long time.  

One week of Russian intensive Bombing inside Syria

One week of Russian intensive Bombing inside Syria

    Russia almost take full control of Syrian air space, since the beginning of tactical air deployment, Russia gets full support from the Syrian officials about the target locations, and feed those target co ordinates into the Fighters mission computers, with the use of satellite guided bomb, they striking the target with very good precision. however striking co ordinates seems they just only started bombing ISIS Positions, as first they strike targets close to the Latakia port, which was besieged by radical Islamist force called as Free Syrian army, the Rebels who armed by west and America to fight against Assad's forces.

     While many western analysts confirms the  initial stages of Air strike conducted over Rebel held area's not the ISIS held area's like Palmyra and Rakka, after some pressure from international community, Russia initiated first air strike over Palmyra which is under controlled by ISIS, those smart bombs from Su 34 targets directly towards the ISIS positions, which almost destroyed each and every ISIS positions in Palmyra, so far Syrian air forces used dumb bombs, which lacks precision kill, without having real time battlefield information about actual target positions, they use ground forces radio communication to strike enemy targets in real time, when ISIS hear about the Fighter jets, they moves from the position, So most of the Airstrikes causes no real damages,

    The Russians comes with complete preparation, they deployed one or two Il 20 coot electronic intelligence plane,which is used to collect ground intelligence, intercepting communications and capture real time SAR imaginary, the same data can be transferred to other Russian aircraft's operating within the zone, Russia uses the Su 34 for Precision bombing for surgical strikes, and uses Su 24 Fencer and Su 25 Frog foot for heavy bombing, these two were armed with unguided bombs.

      All of the Russian planes fly above some 20,000 feet to evade from ISIS manpad threat, during the ISIS Rising days, bunch of pictures released which shows ISIS using MANPAD's, even recently ISIS shot down Iraqi reconnaissance light attack helicopter, and recently Russia announced there is no threat from ISIS manpad's inside Syria, while they still fly above some 20,000 feet, where MANPAD can't have the capability to reach that altitude, meanwhile the west and American sponsored terrorists doesn't have any manpad's, that's why Russian Helicopters and Syrian Helicopters enjoys full air superiority over entire Syrian air space.

     Cities like Idlib and Aleppo is contentiously targeted by the Russians, which is under controlled by the Syrian rebels, The Su 34 armed with 500 kg GLONASS guided bombs heavily used in that places to push back the Rebels. which is the Russians major challenge and that's why they deployed the forces very quickly, Russia still have no plans to deploy combat soldiers inside Syrian battlefield, however some 2000 Russian infantry soldiers still inside Syria, to safe guard Russian interests like protecting the air base and the Naval outpost, which was vulnerable to Syrian rebels.

     As Russian Military planners stepped into anti ISIS Strikes, they initially planning to cut the military supply, the known Russian tactics since decades, Russia forced to conduct parallel bombing over Syrian Rebels and ISIS. Russia almost managed to collect information about the ISIS Resupply, So in coming days they plan to conduct more fire bombs over ISIS positions, It's hard to comes for an conclusions within a week, what Russian forces did, so far a year US and allied forces conducted nearly some 10,000 of sir strikes killing some thousands of ISIS Terrorists and equipment's, ISIS doesn't "expanded" after International Coalition attacks heads by the USA, actually they lost 25% of the territory,

    Unlike American air strikes, Once Russian forces conduct air strike Friendly forces suddenly deployed and hold the positions,  not only the Assad Regime, Iran already deployed some two thousand Combat soldiers inside Syria to assist the Assad's shia regime, Iran plans to deploy more troops in Syria coming days, another Syrian ally is the Hezbullah Terrorists, who is a Shia terrorists, who supports Assad from the beginning of the Civil war, the Hezbullah supported by Syria and Iran, now Russia too transferred some odd older T 72 Battle Tanks, where Hezbullah's main target always Israel, Israel bombed Hezbullah positions many times, they attacked Hezbullah position's inside Lebanon, and Syria earlier.

    There is some reports earlier mentioned that Israel too joined with the Russians to pound the ISIS positions, however Israeli ministry denies the same, Israel fighting enemies since decades, yet they never publicly acknowledges their actions, also some reports mentions that Russian ministry ordered to all allied and American fighter jets leave from the Syrian air space, however America and France says they will keep striking ISIS positions inside and outside Iraq and Syria.

     

    Anyway, It's clear Russia could intensify his attack in coming days, that we can see more ISIS targets, and some Russian American confrontation too.  

Lessons from Yemen war

Lessons from Yemen war

  The Arabs successfully completed the Air campaign in Yemen, and now they moving the ground units for final assault on enemy positions, by looking How Saudi Successfully destroyed strategic ground targets without losing any air crafts in the Combat, Truth is most of the Yemeni Air forces and Air defense units are out of actions, due to lack of spare parts and maintenance, also their Air defense  networks also out of action except some manpad units and AAA batteries, so The Arab Air forces easily gets the Air superiority in Yemeni airspace within the 24 hours of first strike, plus the  intelligence support from US and Saudi Special forces,

   Before the Strike, the Saudi Air force used the RE 3A ELINT plane to conduct large surveillance mission across the Yemeni Soil, and acquired target positions and strategic points, at the mean time the Egyptian, US navy ships starts naval blockade along with the Saudi and GCC Navy's, by cutting Iranian Resupply to the Houthi Forces,  after getting some thousand of target co ordinates, the Saudi Air force Fighters like Typhoon and F 15 E Multi role Fighters starts bombing the pre designated targets, the Saudi forces flown above the AAA shells range to escape from the ground fire, also there is no reports of infrared homing Manpad strike against the Saudi fighters, It's believed that the defensive and electronic countermeasure systems in the advanced 4.5 generation fighters easily spoof the manpads.

    The Saudi Airforce First strike designated all strategic positions like Airports Runway, civil and military Radar networks, supply dumps and fuel Storage Tanks, because of small in size the Yemeni strategic positions are all destroyed in the first 24 hours, The Saudi's used the Tornodo Ground attack Strike Fighters along with F 15 E Fighter escorts, One F 15 E lost due to Mechanical malfunctions, and Crew rescued by the US Navy, another one Morocco  F 16 crashed in enemy zone and the pilot executed by the Houti's, This shows Saudi's are not willing to conduct Search rescue of Downed Pilots,

    After month of serious Bombing, now the small Arab state the UAE leads the Ground offensive by deploying large amount of latest AMX Lecrelc Main Battle Tanks, BMP 3 infantry Fighting vehicles and Large number of Mine protected vehicles for Troop transport, also the Saudi Special Forces deployed in the Airports to secure any Resupply coming from the friendlies, the Aden Port also under control by the Arabs, where the UAE Ships unloads the Cargo of Ground offensive Vehicles, but they didn't start the ground offensive till now, and still the Saudi Fighters Bombing some missed Houti positions.

   The Lesson from this warfare is simple, You need large amount of air to ground smart munitions to attack enemy positions, for that you need a good number of smart weapon stockpile and good launching platform, even if the Houti forces gets their hands in the Yemeni MiG 29, the Saudi's can easily shoots it down, because of Saudi's support planes, likes the E 3 sentry airborne control plane, even the E 3 can stay out of the Yemeni air space,but still it can scan entire Yemeni Airspace for activities,

    Also during the strike the Houthi forces managed to get the SCUD's missiles and launched several missiles into Saudi, nearly 80% of them intercepted by the Saudi patriot missile Batteries, but one or two hits the Saudi bases killing key commander, the Houti's don't have any chemical weapons if they have Chemical warheads then it's a major breakthrough if launched towards Saudi Positions,

    The Saudi's managed to fortified their Borders, which stops the Houti infiltrations into Saudi soil, But Houti managed to shell Saudi Border City Najran, damaging infrastructure and killing several Saudi and foreign workers.

    Till now the Saudi's attacked pre designated Target positions from the Air, but never conducted any Special operations inside Yemen, even zero number of Helicopter raid, so they don't have any option of how the Asymmetric warfare looks like, So in coming days the GCC states could start the Ground offensive and see how a Normal civilian quickly transform into a armed militia, and how can the GCC ground forces manages to score the Victory. 

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Situation in Yemen

Situation in Yemen

Houti Rebels Outpost somewhere near Sana

         It's again a worsening Situation and a Full scale Air war in Middle East this time it's near to border of leader in Arab Nation, Yemen is sharing it's most border with Saudi Arabia. unlike other Muslim countries there were Shia majority otherwise Sunni Majority. which makes the country little peace from Religion extremists. but in Yemen it's different. it's having equal number of Sunni shia Population, So there is always a clash between both of them. recent days the situation becomes more worsen. the key to the Situation led by the Houti Rebels. with peoples support they successfully operating freely along the state. each every government in the world has biased, here is also the same. last September Bunch of Houthi rebels  who were inspired by the Shia government from Iran tries to stop the Saudi influence in Yemen, for developing it's Strategic Interests near to the Saudi Border, where Saudi and Iran were enemies since decades.

       The Houti rebels successfully thrown out the Yemeni President and the elected prime minister from the Power and seized the Control of Government. for the next few days they take full control of Yemeni Capital and the biggest city of Yemen Sana. and they conducted regular patrols along the captured cities and Presidents palaces. and most of the Government forces also switched their side to Houti Rebels. that gives Houthi more power. and they placed a puppet government in the presidents Palaces. One side Sunni Dominated ISIS in Iraq sponsored sunni Middle east government other side Shia Dominated Houti Rebels sponsored by Iranian Government. even after the puppet government the  houtis not satisfied his action so again they retake the control of President's Palace. and themselves decided to Place a Revolutionary Committee same like Caliph in ISIS.

     And the beginning of 2015 makes worse the situation by Bombings and beheading in Yemen done by Houtis against Sunni Citizens inside Yemen. the government forces almost lost it's control of most of Populated cities around Yemen and It's capital. they also taken control of the Yemen's Biggest Port city Aden by Capturing Aden Airport and Port most of the International Airliners stopped it's service some of them runs only by their governments requests to bring their nationals from the war torn country. at the end of January bunch of Peoples rally's in Yemens Aden city by showing it's solidarity with the Houti rebels shouting Slogans of Death to America Death to Israel and of-course crush the Jews. their numbered more than some ten thousands.

     The beginning of February Iran starts shipping of Anti Air craft Missiles and Fighter Jets to the Yemen's Aden Port to equip the Houti's to fight against the pro government forces and saving them from the big arab master Saudi Arabia. after situation worsening during the Months Houtis taken control of more number of Cities and almost gather more number of Fighters to their Team. Meanwhile due to the Situation Most of the western and Arab embassies withdrew it's officials from Yemen and bring back to them respective countries.

     Meanwhile Indian External Ministry also warned that Indian should avoid Traveling Yemen. and the embassy also arranged special facilities to evacuate Indians from Yemen. there were Reported that some 5000 Indians there in Yemen at February.

          Middle of the March 2015, the Sunni Terrorists  inside Yemen carried out a Biggest Suicidal attack against a Shia Mosque in Sana that killed more than some 150 lives. and ISIS taken responsibility of that attack showing it's resistance towards Houti domination inside Yemen. when Sunni Shia situation worsens most of the Foreigners get off from Yemen. and US also evacuated it's Special operational forces who assist the Earlier government to tackle Al qaida Militants and Shia insurgents.

      when situation worsening more the Yemeni interim president escaped from Yemen using a Fishing boat and his status unknown that was happens March 25,  on the end of  March 25 KSA announced war against Yemen named Operation Deceive Storm to end the Houti domination inside Yemen. earlier they warned both Iranian and Houtis to stop advancing further if do so Saudi will attack them for the instance Saudi Started Mobilizing it's massive hundred thousand army Backed by Bigger Armored column and moved near to the Yemeni Border. also asked the GCC countries to participate in the strike.

    on March 26 earlier 1'o clock the Saudi Fighter Tornodo and F 15 Strike Eagels started it's first Attack run, that was meant to attack and destroy entire Houti and Yemeni Air defence Missiles such as newly supplied Irani Fabricated Soviet era KUB SAM missiles which the same model who downs the MH 17 in Ukraine by Russian Separatists.  by countinously strike those targets early Morning Saudi Defence Minister Announce that Saudi Gained Complete Air superiority around the Yemeni Air space destroying most of the Yemeni MiG 29 in grounds. possibly the intel provided by Americans they claimed after the Attack. they also blocked the Yemen Aden Port and further stopping the Resupply of arms through Sea routes,

        March 26, 2015 at 6.00 GMT Saudi announced that the Aden Port the complete Yemeni Sea under control of Saudi Government and closed both the Air and Naval routes, and restricted the sea and Air space till next words from Saudi Government, here too Saudi get assistance from Most of the GCC and non GCC Arab Muslim Countries, they too part of the attack by providing fighter jet sorties and Joining the Attack missions, importantly Jordan Qatar and UAE. Also Pakistan and Egypt also promised to take part of this operation. Saudi also Planned to be bigger ground offensive inside Yemen to demolish the Houtis.

        As of now most of the Countries Supported the Saudi Led Operation. and giving testimonials to the Saudi government, but still there is no words from Countries like  China and Russia, and Iran said in a official statement that Saudi should stop attacking Yemen and further said that these attacks only worsen the situation more worsen. one thing to remember that Saudi didn't ask permission from UN to carry out the Strikes.

       But as Indian Point of view, as of now we have to Bring back our 3500 Indian Nationals along Yemen. MEA setup ed special mission in SANA, that would help Indians to go back India Safely.  

  

Houti's Posing infront of BUK sam

Houti's In Patrol

Houti Outpost

Recapturing the city of Tikrit from ISIS

Recapturing the city of Tikrit from ISIS

Iraqi Special Operation Forces in Tikrit

Recapturing the city of Tikrit from ISIS

      ISIS Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or known more dreadfully as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has been spreading more fear and terror throughout the world. The group has named Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as its caliph. The group has claimed religious, political and military authority over all Muslims worldwide and that "the legality of all emirates, groups, states, and organisations, becomes null by the expansion of the khilāfah's (caliphate's) authority and arrival of its troops to their areas". The United Nations has held ISIL responsible for human rights abuses and war crimes, and Amnesty International has reported ethnic cleansing by the group on a "historic scale". The group has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Syria, Egypt, India, and Russia. The group gained notoriety after it invaded Iraq and engaged Iraqi government forces and has taken over key cities in western Iraq. On the other hand at Syria, it has staged well planned and coordinated ground attacks against government forces and has notably engaged rebel factions. In early 2014, the group initiated an offensive against ground forces in western Iraq and Syria. ISIS successfully annexed major parts of western Iraqi territories and has taken over strategic installation in Syria. The rise of ISIS has been termed as the re-emergence of Sunni insurgents and al-Qaeda militants in the long troubled Middle East. The group has overtime involved itself in Attacks on civilians, Iraqi Government and security forces, foreign diplomats and soldiers, and American convoys. The group has pledged to expel U.S. forces from Iraq, establishing an Islamic authority as a caliphate, spreading the conflict to Iraq's secular neighbours, and clashing with Israel. ISIL is known to be well-funded from sources that were believed to be once funding Al Qaida and other terrorist organizations. ISIS has used web and social media propaganda, which includes Internet videos of the beheadings of soldiers, civilians, journalists, and aid workers, as well as the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage sites to help spread its mission throughout the globe thus helping to raise funds and mostly importantly to help substantiate its recruitment drive which is essential for its notorious activities. To finance its activities, the group is also stealing ancient artefacts from Syria and Iraq.

         ISIS began the Northern Iraq offensive on 5 June 2014, ISIL and various other terror organisations captured several cities beginning with Samarra. ISIS continued its onslaught on the Iraqi forces and by 10 June captured Mosul. Faced with an unprecedented enemy and having faced several loses and causalities on the western front the Iraqi forces started their retreat. Faced with minimal opposition ISIS continued its campaign of terror on key western Iraqi cities and on 11 June captured the significant city of Tikrit. Tikrit was a strategic city both for the pro Iraqi forces and to the ISIS which mainly consisted of former Baath political party leaders. The war on Tikrit was an emotionally charged war with Tikrit being the birthplace of the former Baath party leader Saddam Husain. To check the onslaught of ISIS and to mainly demoralize its forces the Iraqi parliament under the leadership of Nouri al-Maliki launched an counter offensive on the western province with an aim to recapture to the lost cities, strategic installations and to rout out the top leadership of ISIS. To overtake the city of Tikrit the government launched a ground based and air coordinated offensive on ISIS by 26 June. On 26 June the government forces launched an airborne assault on the city of Tikrit. On 28 June the forces launched an unplanned coordinated ground offensive on the city. But by 30 June the assault had stalled abruptly with the ground forces pushed still further south of Tikrit.  Faced with a defeat on all fronts the Iraqi forces again on 15 July launched a new assault on Tikrit from Awja.The forces were ambushed by the waiting militants and launched an well laid out and coordinated attack on Iraqi forces. 

    Faced with a sickening defeat and suffering several hundred causalities Iraq looked out to its immediate neighbor Iran and requested for support to capture Tikrit. Acknowledging the request of Iraq, Iran dispatched top ranking Military officials headed by Islamic Revolution guard chief, Major General Qasem Soleimani and also sent over thousands of Hezbollah Terrorists. Working closely with his Iraqi counterpart the preparation of the assaults were laid out, planned and rehearsed before the main assault was staged against the ISIS fighters. By March 2015 the forces started mounting well coordinated attacks across various strategic points on the peripheral of Tikrit. Backed by the Coalition forces and the Iranian forces on 3 March, Iran launched an all-out offensive on the city. U.S. sources placed in Pentagon estimated that about 23,000-plus fighters were engaged in the offensive on ISIS in Tikrit alone. ISIS was greatly outnumbered with its forces being reduced to a mere number of 400 and 1,000. Continuing its offensive extensively throughout the outer peripheral of Tikrit the ground forces successfully expelled the ISIS forces and captured the entrance of Tikrit. With the morale of the Iraqi forces boosted with the initial victory forces backed with Coalition forces resorted to heavy artillery fire and this extensively co-ordinated with the advancement of the Ground forces and helped pave the way to enter the city which was once inaccessible even with a close air-ground support. With the civilians fleeing Tikrit even before the assault was mounted the Combines forces enjoyed the factor of mounting artillery fire and air support deep within the city as well. But faced with the constant threat of AAA and MANPAD threats the involvement of air support was limited deep within the city which has turned out to be a main stronghold of ISIS. With the involvement of Iranian forces the involvement of Coalition forces led by US forces was drawn to a minimal. But backed with artillery support and well placed sniper forces the ‘Combined forces ‘inflicted heavy damage on ISIS forces forcing them to retreat even further into the streets of Tikrit.

 

    With the threat of AAA and MANPADS reducing Iraqi forces started receiving the much needed air support. Several squadrons of assault helicopters were pushed into action which coordinated for closer ground assaults deep within the city. ISIS faced abrupt onslaughts resorted to rig the streets of Tikrit with several hundred mines at once. Reports of more than 5000 IED’s are being planted across the cities were reported by sources in Pentagon. ISIS has destroyed bridges, forcing Iraqi forces to clear out streets slowly and systematically. ISIS has destroyed the bridge over Tigris River that leads to Tikrit, this has forced the Iraqi forces to travel 40 miles north to the next bridge. With the Combined forces strategically cordoning off the city and rounding the peripheral of the city, ISIS has been effectively cut off from receiving any much needed backup. ISIS is now known to be fighting a losing battle against a formidable enemy that looks to be just growing and mounting offensives with an zeal that remains unmatched by ISIS.

      But Military Think tanks insists that only a Coalition backed air strike would rout out the remain ISIS forces which has taken refuge deep within the cities. The need for UAV has doubled over time, ‘Combined forces ‘have suffered huge rate of casualties due to the hidden mines and IED's. An all-out ground offensive is under progress and if this attack can be staged and pulled together this would be a major defeat to ISIS. Iraqi forces are moving in quickly from the northwest and southwest of Tikrit but they will inevitably face a tough fight from ISIS unwilling to lose the last city it holds in Salahadin province.

Interesting model of Rocket Launcher

Interesting model of Rocket Launcher

Iraqi SOF Watching for IED Planters

Iraqi's Modified AA into Infantry Killer

Artillery Pounding ISIS Positions Tikrit

Interesting model of Gun Placed in a HUMVEE

M1A1 Abrams in Iraqi Soil

 Article by  Karthik Kakoor