The US has reversed its decision to avoid assisting Iranian-backed Shiite militias and is now providing direct air support in the battle for Tikrit. Many militia leaders and one militia fighting in Tikrit are on the US terrorism list.
A Human Rights Watch report says that the militias looted, burned thousands of buildings, and abducted at least 11 people during the Amerli offensive last summer. “The widespread burning of civilian homes by the militia groups in areas under their control appeared to have had no clear military objective and to represent collective punishment against residents of local Sunni villages,” HRW stated.
Shiite militias closely linked to Iran and Qods Force commander Qassem Suleimani have taken control of key towns surrounding the central Iraqi city.
Several photos have been released by the semi-official Iranian news agency Fars showing Qassem Soleimani on the battlefield near Tikrit. Other photos circulating on social media show the leader of the Qods Force with various Shiite militias taking part in the current offensive in central Iraq.
A video posted online shows the Iranian-backed Hezbollah Brigades, a designated terrorist organization, transporting an American-made M1 Abrams tank and other US military equipment in Iraq.
A video posted online shows the Iranian-backed Hezbollah Brigades, a designated terrorist organization, transporting an American-made M1 Abrams tank and other US military equipment in Iraq.
The Northern Baghdad Belt remains contested ground between the Islamic State and Iraqi government forces and their Shiite militia allies.
The League of the Righteous, a Shiite militia that is responsible for killing hundreds of US soldiers in Iraq between 2006-2011, helped Iraqi forces take control of Baiji. The US provided air support.
Hezbollah Brigades, which was listed by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2009, now controls access to Amerli.
Prime Minister Maliki’s crackdown on the Sunni leadership threatens to plunge Iraq into civil war.
The Hezbollah Brigades threatened to continue attacks on US forces in Iraq unless the US fully withdraws from the country by the end of 2011, and called for the release of all captive fighters. The Hezbollah Brigades is supported by Iran’s Qods Force.
Iran continues to back the League of the Righteous, the Mahdi Army spin-off Promise Day Brigade, and the Hezbollah Brigades.
Hezbollah Brigades has imposed an “increased threat” over the past several weeks, the US’ top commander in Iraq said. The terror group remains tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.
