On May 15, the Islamic State released its latest video announcing a new campaign in Iraq. it said it was starting a battle of attrition aimed at the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). It included footage of some of its recent attacks and promised more in the future. It said that it would break its followers out of prisons. That followed a statement in March where the group called for an increase in operations to take advantage of the coronavirus outbreak. It considers Covid-19 a punishment from God that would assist the jihadists.
The insurgents are currently in the middle of the second
month of increased attacks in Iraq. April saw the most incidents since
December 2019, and the last time there were two consecutive months of increased
violence occurred in January and February 2019. Just as the video claimed the
security forces have been the main target instead of civilians which have
traditionally been the victims since the defeat of the militants on the
battlefield. For the last two years the group has been focused upon preserving
and rebuilding its cadres rather than using them for operations. It’s yet to be
seen whether this will be a sustained campaign or just a two month jump and
then things will go back to normal.
SOURCES
Ghafuri, Lawk, “ISIS
vows to break supporters out of Iraq’s jails,” Rudaw, 5/15/20
Iraq Newspaper, “The
terrorist organization ISIS announces the start of the battle of attrition and
kills soldiers and police in Al-Meshahada, Tarmiya and Samarra,” 5/15/20
Lead Inspector
General Report To The United States Congress, “Operation Inherent Resolve,
January 1,2020-March 31, 2020,” 5/13/20
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