Mediaboss Marketing

The Islamic State group carried out more attacks in the first half of 2024 in Iraq and Syria than it did in all of 2023, officials at U.S. Central Command said on Wednesday as the terror group continues to reconstitute in the region. ISIS conducted 153 attacks in the first six months of 2024 a rate of nearly one every day, CENTCOM said. That number is far ahead of the 121 attacks in 2023, a defense official told Task & Purpose on Wednesday.

The increase in attacks indicates ISIS is attempting to reconstitute following several years of decreased capability, a CENTCOM news release says.

The surge in ISIS violence comes as U.S. and partner forces have continued to pressure the group. U.S. troops and partner forces have launched 196 operations against ISIS, of which 137 took place in Iraq and 59 were carried out in Syria, according to CENTCOM. These missions have resulted in 44 suspected ISIS operatives being killed and another 166 being detained in the first half of 2024. During 2023, the U.S. military conducted more than 400 operations against ISIS in both countries.

CENTCOM estimates that roughly 2,500 suspected ISIS fighters remain at large in Iraq and Syria.

We continue to focus our efforts on specifically targeting those members of ISIS who are seeking to conduct external operations outside of Iraq and Syria and those ISIS members attempting to break out ISIS members in detention in an attempt to reconstitute their forces, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of CENTCOM, said in the news release.

Subscribe to Task & Purpose today. Get the latest military news and culture in your inbox daily.

It has been more than five years since a U.S.-led military coalition to defeat ISIS and partner forces on the ground captured ISIS last enclave in Syria, effectively ending its caliphate. Since then, the terrorist group has become an insurgency in Iraq and Syria.

In an exclusive interview on June 20, Army Maj. Gen. Joel JB Vowell, the commanding general of Operation Inherent Resolve told Task & Purpose that ISIS no longer controls large swathes of territory, but it remains capable of conducting small attacks and ambushes in both Iraq and Syria.

Vowell also said that the underlying causes of instability that allowed ISIS to emerge have not been resolved in Syria, where dictator Bashar al-Assad has effectively emerged victorious from his countrys ruinous civil war.

The root causes of instability that gave birth to ISIS are still there, Vowell said. Theres economic challenges in the Sunni areas, quite frankly. Those instability challenges are there: lack of education, lack of opportunity, lack of jobs. And extremism is still fomenting out in the deserts in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, in the Sunni tribes.

U.S. troops deployed to the Middle East face the dual threat of ISIS and Iranian-backed militia groups, which began attacking American forces in the region after Hamas launched its Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel.

Three U.S. soldiers were killed in January by a drone attack on a military base in Jordan known as Tower 22. Following the attack, the U.S. and partner nations increased drone defenses at their bases, Vowell told Task & Purpose.

We leveled the field with force protection, Vowell said. We dug a lot more earth. We poured a lot more concrete. We went back to school on ourselves: Where are we still holding risk thats just unacceptable?

Vowells mission is focused on defeating ISIS, so Iran is not part of his focus. Still, Iran exerts a great degree of control over the militia groups that have attacked U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, he said.

The revolution, in their mind, must continue since 1979, Vowell said.

Link:
ISIS attacks in Iraq and Syria up dramatically from 2023 - Task & Purpose

Yet again, a crisis in Iraq threatens to disrupt a region which has seen too much instability since Saddam Hussein came to power in 1979. In recent weeks, there have been verified reports of mass displacement by villagers in the border areas of Duhok province in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. They are fleeing escalating military attacks by neighboring Turkey, abandoning their homes in search of safety.

Through egregious violations of international law, Turkish forces are establishing checkpoints and patrols on Iraqi sovereign territory in the guise of hunting down the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters whom they accuse of terrorism. The Turkish army has already begun operations near Kan Masi and Mount Metina, while heavily armed soldiers are patrolling the areas near the villages of Kani Baze, Dargale, Balave, and Belizani.

These are not isolated incidents; Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), a U.S.-based human rights organization and conflict monitor, said Turkey has launched more than 800 attacks on the Kurdistan Region so far in 2024. Kurdish and Assyrian villagers fear mortars and constant gunfire, and many report that they have been warned by Turkish soldiers to evacuate their homes within 24 hours or face forced removal and bombardment by the Turkish army.

This is not new. As far back as 2020, a report issued by a parliamentary committee of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) noted that 500 villages had been deserted across the Kurdistan Region because of Turkish cross-border incursions. The numbers continue to increase.

At a time when both Baghdad and Erbil are shutting down the camps for over 1 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), with claims that it is now safe for them to return to their homes, we have a new displacement crisis unfolding in Duhok. Kurdish villagers, all Iraqi citizens, are now being displaced to new camps.

Over the years, Baghdad has repeatedly called upon Ankara to cease such unilateral actions that threaten Iraq's security and violate our sovereignty. But this time, the actions are more than temporary cross-border incursions. It is an occupation. According to international law, occupation refers to a situation when during an international armed conflict, a territory, or parts of it comes under the provisional control of a foreign power, even if it is not met with armed resistance.

In March, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara is close to completing a zone that will "permanently resolve" the security issues along the border by summer. The Turkish army has been constructing a new 9-kilometer military road in the Barwari Bala area of Duhok. This road will connect Turkish military bases and outposts in the Kani Masi sub-district, extending to other military roads in the Batifa district and reaching as far as Hakkari province in Turkey. The Turkish effort in Northern Iraq bears a resemblance to the "Safe Zone" Turkey has been seeking in Northern Syria since 2011. Citing a national security imperative for a buffer zone to prevent cross-border attacks in the border regions between Turkey and Syria, it sought to establish a zone in Syria between Kobane and Afrin, where Turkish forces could unilaterally operate threats to Turkish national security. While initially opposed by the United States because of the ongoing fight against Daesh, also known as ISIS, the U.S. later accepted the "No-Daesh" zone, which has led to a continuous presence of Turkish military forces in parts of Northern Syria to this day. There is no reason to expect that Turkey has any lesser ambitions in Northern Iraq.

Let me be clearIraq is not Syria. There are established government entities at the federal level in Baghdad and at the regional level in Erbil. Both the central Iraqi government and the KRG have agreed upon the need to protect the sovereignty of this country.

Tens of thousands of lives have been lost and sacrificed for every inch of this land during decades of incessant conflict. The Iraqi public deserves to know how, why, and who gave permission to our neighbor to establish checkpoints and station hundreds of troops in Duhok. The Iraqi public needs to know of the crossing of more than 300 military tanks and hundreds of Turkish soldiers establishing checkpoints between Kurdish and Assyrian villages in Duhok.

Both the federal and regional government must unequivocally reject the growing Turkish occupation of our country and make it clear to Ankara that its military presence is illegitimate, its forces have no authority to displace our citizens from their homes and villages, and its operations must have oversight and clearance by the Iraqi Security Forces.

I fear for the legitimacy of the federal and regional governments because of their inaction at best, and their complicity at worst, because both are silent and have failed to address the ongoing attacks and violations of our sovereignty.

It falls upon Baghdad and Erbil to act in coordination and hold back what is sure to become a dangerous first step toward occupation. Why are those most opposed to the continued presence of U.S.-led troops in Iraq silent on the growing presence of Turkish troops in Iraq?

Iraq's citizens, especially those most affected, would be right to question why the Turkish military buildup and growing occupation is in the best interest of Iraq. If it is not in our best interest, then Iraqsupported by the international communitymust take the proper actions. All of our citizens deserve this, especially those confronted by the Turkish threat, every day, in our northern provinces.

Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed is the first lady of Iraq.

The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Read more here:
Iraq's Sovereignty Is in Jeopardy. Why Is Nobody Speaking Up? | Opinion - Newsweek

Home NEWS UPDATES Iraq Is Surging The Tourism Industry With New Visa Free Entry Policy For 8 Countries Including UAE, Qatar And Bahrain

Friday, July 5, 2024

Iraq, often referred to as the cradle of civilization, offers a rich tapestry of history and culture that attracts adventurous travelers. From the ancient ruins of Babylon and the legendary city of Ur to the bustling markets of Baghdad, Iraq is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders allowing Visa Free Entry to 8 Countries the country also boasts religious significance with sacred sites such as Najaf and Karbala.

Tourists can explore the marshlands of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known for their unique ecosystem, or wander through the Kurdish regions scenic landscapes. Despite past conflicts, Iraqs historical and cultural significance makes it a fascinating destination for those seeking to explore the roots of human history.

Iraq stands as the cradle of many of the worlds earliest civilizations, including the Babylonians and Assyrians. The country hosts five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and boasts tens of thousands of archaeological sites scattered across its landscape.

Up until the late 1970s, Iraq ranked as one of the premier tourist hotspots in the Middle East, thanks to its rich array of historical, religious, and pilgrimage sites, snow-capped mountains peaking at 3,500 meters, and vibrant ancient towns and bazaars.

The Travel & Tourism sector in Iraq is poised for substantial revenue growth in the near future. Projections indicate that by 2024, revenues will hit US$1,857.00m, with an annual growth rate of 6.47%, leading to a market volume of US$2,386.00m by 2028. The Package Holidays segment, the largest within the market, is set to reach US$932.90m in 2024, with user numbers expected to climb to 6,908.00k by 2028. Furthermore, the user penetration rate is anticipated to rise from 18.3% in 2024 to 20.6% by 2028.

Greece and Iraq agreed to update a 1981 tourism agreement through a new memorandum of understanding (MoU). The agreement focuses on renewing cooperation to enhance bilateral ties, with priorities including the initiation of direct flights between Athens and Baghdad, boosting tourist exchanges, sharing expertise, and fostering private sector partnerships.

TTW CEO Mr. Anup Keshan Said, Iraqs green flag to the construction of a tourism resort and a residential complex at a historical port in Basra, located in the southern oil hub. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance and expand several of the OPEC producers ports, including ambitious projects to construct one of the worlds largest container terminals and a 1,200-km railway connecting Basra to Turkey in the north.

The Iraqi Minister of Culture and Tourism, announced that over 400,000 European tourists have visited Iraq since the start of the year. He emphasized the critical need to implement strategies to boost tourism and attract more visitors. Annually, over four million foreign pilgrims visit Iraqs sacred sites, while thousands of tourists from Asia come to explore the nations archaeological treasures, which include around 15,000 sites.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) declared that the region has welcomed 1.7 million tourists since the start of the New Year.

During the Islamic feast of Eid al-Fitr, which commenced on April 10, approximately 200,000 tourists visited the region, contributing to a total of 1.7 million visitors in 2024 thus far. The KRG has set an ambitious target to draw 20 million tourists annually by 2030.

Tourism figures show that the region hosted 4 million visitors in 2021, which escalated to 6 million in 2022 and surged further to 7.279 million in 2023. Additionally, 2.5 million residents of the region participated in local travel and tourism activities.

In southern Iraq, plans have been approved for the construction of a tourism resort and a residential complex at a former port in the oil-rich city of Basra, according to a government official.

Visa Free List

Bahrain Kuwait Lebanon Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Turkey United Arab Emirates

Plan to visit Iraq for business purposes, you must obtain an Iraq Business visa from the Iraqi embassy in London, UK. GulfVisa, an accredited visa agent in the UK, offers this service for individuals traveling to Iraq. They can secure the visa and handle the entire process for you, saving you the time and hassle of navigating the procedure on your own.

This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance and expand key ports in Iraq, including the construction of one of the worlds largest container terminals and a 1,200-kilometer railway that will connect Basra to Turkey in the north.

Travel Itinerary for Iraq:

Recommended Hotels in Iraq:

Iraqi Airways, the national carrier of Iraq, operates both domestic and international flights from its hub in Baghdad. Established in 1945, it connects Iraq to destinations across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Despite challenges from regional instability, the airline has modernized its fleet and aims to enhance air travel for Iraqi citizens and international travelers alike. Iraqi Airways operates both domestic and international flights from its main hub at Baghdad International Airport, servicing 45 destinations worldwide.

Baghdad International Airport, the largest in Iraq, is situated 24 kilometers west of Baghdad. It resumed regular flight operations in the third quarter of 2004, managed by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority. The airport houses three terminals, with one dedicated to Iraqi Airways and the others serving various airlines and flight companies.

Tags: Baghdad International Airport, bahrain, Business Travel, Grand Palace Hotel, greece, gulf cooperation council, international travel news, Iraq News, iraqi airways, kuwait, lebanon, Oman, QATAR, Ramada By Wyndham Erbil Gulan Street, saudi arabia, Tourism news, travel industry news, Travel News, Turkey Travel News, UK Embassy, United Arab Emirates, Visa Free news, Visa free travel

See the original post:
Iraq Is Surging The Tourism Industry With New Visa Free Entry Policy For 8 Countries Including UAE, Qatar And Bahrain - Travel And Tour World

(Bloomberg) OPECs crude production remained steady for a third month, while some key members continued to pump above agreed limits.

OPEC produced an average of 26.98 MMbpd in June, or 80,000 bpd less than during the previous month, according to a Bloomberg survey. Small reductions in Iraq and Nigeria drove the decline.

The survey showed that Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have yet to fully implement cutbacks agreed in tandem with other leading members at the start of this year. Baghdad has also failed to follow through on additional compensation curbs pledged to offset earlier cheating.

The cuts by OPEC and its partners, spearheaded by group leader Saudi Arabia, have had some success in balancing global markets against a tide of new supplies from the U.S. and other parts of the Americas. Brent crude futures are trading near $87 a barrel, close to the highest in almost two months.

The recovery while potentially painful for consumers still reeling from years of inflation should bolster revenue for OPEC+ members, who largely rely on petroleum sales to cover government spending. However, it may still not be enough: Riyadh requires prices close to $100 a barrel to finance an ambitious economic overhaul, according to the International Monetary Fund.

To push crude higher the alliance may need to fully deliver its pledged reductions, but efforts to improve implementation have shown limited results.

In June, Iraq reduced output by 30,000 bpd to 4.25 MMbpd. A pullback in exports brought the country closer to its designated ceiling, but Baghdad still remains about 250,000 bpd above that quota, even before the lack of extra compensation cuts are factored in. The nation has chafed for years against OPEC+ limits as it seeks to rebuild a war-shattered economy.

Saudi Arabias production remained broadly steady at 8.99 MMbpd, according to the survey. It reduced exports sharply, by 9% to 5.61 MMbpd, though shipments often fall at this time of year as the country burns more fuel at home for power generation and air conditioning.

Last month, the OPEC+ coalition outlined plans to gradually reverse its supply restraints and begin to revive production from the fourth quarter. But when prices immediately slumped, ministers emphasized that the increases are provisional and could be postponed.

The alliance is due to review its next move when major members hold an online monitoring meeting on Aug. 1.

Bloombergs survey is based on ship-tracking data, information from officials and estimates from consultants, including FGE, Kpler Ltd. and Rapidan Energy Group.

See the original post here:
OPEC crude oil production remains steady as Iraq, UAE pump above quota - WorldOil

On April 11, 2004, then-Staff Sgt. Luis Barsallos platoon was hit by a perfectly executed ambush on behalf of the insurgents in Samarra, Iraq.

We were getting shot at from 12 oclock, 6 oclock, 3 oclock, and 9 oclock so 360 degrees, Barsallo told Task & Purpose. Mortar rounds were coming in, bullets were flying. We could see the insurgents running around with the RPG [rocket-propelled grenades], trying to maneuver. They had plenty of time to set something like that up. Hollywood couldnt have made a better scene.

More than 20 years later Barsallo was finally recognized for his bravery in Iraq in April and May 2004 by receiving the Bronze Star with the V device for valor last month. Barsallo, who retired from the New York Army National Guard in 2020 as a master sergeant, said he views the award as a team trophy.

Its kind of in a sense humbling, because I know that without my guys, my squad, if it wasnt for them, I wouldnt have been able to be the leader that I am, Barsallo said. This was for the squad. Of the entire platoon, were the only squad that made it back with a complete squad.

In 2004, Barsallo was assigned to the New York Army National Guards C Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, which was attached to the 1st Infantry Division, a National Guard news release says.

He was serving as a squad leader when his soldiers were ordered to go into Samarra and sweep a section of the city. The resulting fight became known as the Battle of Easter Sunday.

Subscribe to Task & Purpose today. Get the latest military news and culture in your inbox daily.

As their convoy approached the city, the 5-ton truck in front of Barsallos vehicle was hit by an RPG. One soldier was killed: Army Pvt. 1st Class Nathan Brown. Six other soldiers were badly wounded.

At the same time the truck was hit by an RPG, a roadside bomb exploded, Barsallo recounted. He moved his vehicle off to the side of the road and ordered his squad to dismount. They started to fight the insurgents to break the ambush.

Barsallo and his soldiers were taking mortar fire from their left, and if they tried to push into Samara, they faced small arms and RPG fire, he said. For Barsallo, the situation felt a lot like the Omaha Beach scene from Saving Private Ryan when the movie goes into slow motion.

The only way I can explain it is it was something out of Hollywood, Barsallo said. As we were moving the vehicle, we were getting [shot at]. When we dismounted, it was even worse because you could hear the bullets whizzing by and then you could see them when they impacted the buildings.

With the battle raging, Barsallo went into the kill zone and drove the 5-ton truck to a blocking position so that his squad could fire at the insurgents from cover while the wounded soldiers were evacuated.

We just needed to get our guys out of there, Barsallo said. We needed to get the wounded out of there. That was more important. And we did not want to be the next casualties in that kill zone.

Barsallo then led an assault by his squad on the insurgent positions until a quick reaction force arrived. When help arrived, Barsallo had his soldiers clear several blocks on foot before he felt it was safe enough for them to get back in their vehicles.

Army Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, credited Barsallo with saving the lives of fellow soldiers by staying calm and directing fire on enemy positions.

He put himself in immediate and direct harms way to save his fellow Soldiers, Shields said in a National Guard news release. Luis was determined that others would not die that night.

The following month, Barsallo once again seized the initiative under fire. On May 29, his squad came under fire from insurgent rocket propelled grenades and small arms.

Barsallo braved enemy fire to run to a machine gun position, taking charge of the crew and directing fire at the insurgents. Two enemy fighters were killed, and the rest of the enemy force retreated.

As was the case during the April battle, the enemy fire was intense, Barsallo said. One soldier told him afterward that before he broke cover to run to the M-240B machine gun, so many rounds had hit the wall behind him that they drew an outline of his body.

The reason why Barsallos Bronze Star with V device was awarded 20 years after these battles is the original paperwork for his award was lost, said Major Katie Schin, the executive officer of the New York National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion. nSchin and others resubmitted the award, and that involved finding officers who would signed the awards in 2004, the National Guard news release says.

Barsallo said he understands how the paperwork for his award was misplaced. The ops tempo at the time was very heavy, so the 1st Infantry Division was sent back to Iraq after getting some time home to recover from the deployment.

His Bronze Star with V award packet was submitted four times and rejected over administrative issues, said Barsallo, who added he believes a soldier who served in Samarra at the time eventually received the paperwork and he recognized the names of the commanders, so he knew it was a real event.

Receiving the award after so many years brings back both good and bad memories for Barsallo, who has been contemplating what he and his unit could have done better in Iraq. He also said that his award shows that leaders can only succeed if they have good people, like the soldiers in his squad.

They give you the responsibility of taking care of people, he said. So, now you have the responsibility of peoples lives in your hands with the decisions that you make and you cannot be careless with them. So, they make you better as a leader and you learn just as much and without them, you cant be that leader because you cannot concentrate on leader tasks if the people underneath do not respect and have confidence in your ability.

Read more:
Army vet receives Bronze Star with valor 20 years later for bravery in Iraq ambush - Task & Purpose