Hundreds of Troops Remain Surrounded in Iraq's Key Refinery, Says US Official

[Raptureholic]

Hundreds of Troops Remain Surrounded in Iraq's Key Refinery, Says US Official​

Hundreds of Iraqi troops battling for control of the vital Baiji oil refinery are outnumbered, surrounded and remain trapped inside the facility, a U.S. official told ABC News.

The battle for the refinery was in its fifth day today, although fighters for the radical Islamic militia ISIS have apparently taken control of much of the facility and are willing to keep the government forces isolated until they run out of food and ammunition, sources said.

"There is very little the Iraqi government can do to save or liberate those guys," a U.S. official told ABC News.

Hundreds of Troops Remain Surrounded in Iraq's Key Refinery, Says US Official - ABC News

 

[Lujack Skylark]

Hundreds of Troops Remain Surrounded in Iraq's Key Refinery, Says US Official​

Hundreds of Iraqi troops battling for control of the vital Baiji oil refinery are outnumbered, surrounded and remain trapped inside the facility, a U.S. official told ABC News.

The battle for the refinery was in its fifth day today, although fighters for the radical Islamic militia ISIS have apparently taken control of much of the facility and are willing to keep the government forces isolated until they run out of food and ammunition, sources said.

"There is very little the Iraqi government can do to save or liberate those guys," a U.S. official told ABC News.

Hundreds of Troops Remain Surrounded in Iraq's Key Refinery, Says US Official - ABC News

Thousands of Shite Iraqis volunteering to fight and they can't save their own troops?

 

[Raptureholic]

Thousands of Shite Iraqis volunteering to fight and they can't save their own troops?

I know I was wondering the same thing, where are all the so-called volunteers? You would think they would be able to handle this situation, but one makes you wonder what is really going on over there.

 

[mattfivefour]

We have a brother in Christ who is currently performing quasi military work in Iraq. He is providing security for a news crew and is currently with the Kurdish military Peshmerga. I have been in conversation with him via email. Here is part of our exchange today that may shed some light on the topic of this thread.

Our brother on Jun 21, 2014 12:23 PM:
*

Hey Bro, got to within 2 kilometers of Mosul city yesterday, was pretty much on the outskirts of the city itself. Could only get as far as the last Peshmerger checkpoint and couldn't go any further because of an ISIS checkpoint about 350 meters to our front. Not sure if you can make it out but the pic with the line of cars is the last Peshmerger checkpoint, in the distance approx 350 - 400m was the ISIS checkpoint my brother. Ill attempt to get the better imagery from the crew I went in with once we have finished, my small digital camera didn't have the zoom to be able to get the ISIS flag and fighters at the checkpoint in the frame.
*
The photo with the three Iraqi army vehicles are what's left of them at that checkpoint. The vehicles were shot up and they'd dumped their uniforms on the ground and run for it.
*
All glory to Jesus Christ*for watching over us and getting us as far as was humanly possible, our God is good and without him it would not have been achievable.

Me on 21 Jun 2014 12:30:57:

I don't blame those Iraqi soldiers for running. When al Maliki got rid of the good officers and put his cronies into their positions, the Iraqi army lost its American trained leaders.* The "officers" who replaced them ruined their morale (such as they had) and then took off when danger threatened leaving the men without command or leadership.

Our brother on Jun 21, 2014 12:39 PM:

Bro, those US trained Iraqi officers are now being hunted down and systematically executed by ISIS and the affiliated Sunni tribes.
*
There's a video which gives a very good insight into ISIS ideology, propaganda and tactics. Basically my brother, ISIS want to kill anything that is not Sunni. I'd like to send it to you but its very graphic...let me know ok.
*
3 days ago we interviewed Anbar provinces most powerful Sheik...when asked about ISIS he responded "we have no problem with*them". ISIS takeover of Mosul was completely unachievable without the support of the Sunni tribes. Yes, Maliki takes part of the blame, but this new breed of Sunni radicals detest the Shia, Jews, West and anything else that won't bend to their will.

*

 

[Carl]

I don't blame those Iraqi soldiers for running. When al Maliki got rid of the good officers and put his cronies into their positions, the Iraqi army lost its American trained leaders.* The "officers" who replaced them ruined their morale (such as they had) and then took off when danger threatened leaving the men without command or leadership.

This tells it all.