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| Iraq |
| Largest Iraqi Refinery Under Seige |
| 2015-05-01 |
| [Rudaw] ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A suicide attack by ISIS jihadists in the disputed Iraqi town of Baiji has killed at least 16 members of Iraqi security forces, local agencies reported Friday. Earlier on Friday, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced that a tense battle was ongoing between national security forces and extremists trying to capture parts of Baiji, including its refinery complex which is the biggest oil facility in Iraq. A police officer in Salahaddin province, where Baiji is located, said Iraqi fighters protecting the refinery were under intense attacks by the jihadists. According to the officer, ISIS fighters have been able to surround Iraqi forces inside the refinery and cut off military support. The Iraq Oil Report, an independent news outlet, reported Friday that after a series of assaults the jihadists now control most of Baiji refinery. *** [Subject Back Ground - US Perspective Two Weeks Ago Link A more vital battleground is to the north at Beiji, home to a major oil refinery that the Islamic State group has been targeting for months, Army Gen. Martin Dempsey said at a joint news conference with Defense Secretary Ash Carter. Dempsey said IS fighters, who already control the town of Beiji, have "penetrated the outer perimeter" of the sprawling oil compound. He said, however, that "the refinery itself is at no risk right now." The U.S. is focusing a lot of airborne intelligence, surveillance and aerial bombing on Beiji, said Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.] |
| Posted by:Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 |