Libyan forces capture mosque, prison from ISIS
Libyan forces renew their push to oust ISIS from its former North African stronghold of Sirte, saying they had seized the city’s main mosque and a jail run by the militants’ morality police. The forces, mainly brigades from the city of Misrata, say that they are close to capture Sirte after taking most of the city in a three-month campaign, and have restricted militants to a residential area in the city. They have been supported by U.S. air strikes. At least nine brigade fighters are killed.
Iraqis push through Ramadi
Iraqi forces are fighting Islamic State (ISIS) fighters as they try to reach the center of Ramadi. Six hundred to 1,000 Islamic State fighters were said to have been in Ramadi when the overall offensive began two weeks ago, but several hundred of them have been killed in fighting and airstrikes since then. Iraqi forces face heavy fire and are assaulted by car bombs. The Islamic State destroys three bridges over the Euphrates River to slow the security forces’ advance. Iraqi Army:
We went into the center of Ramadi from different axes, and we started clearing residential areas. The city will be cleared within the coming 72 hours.
500 oil tankers destroyed
Two airstrikes, the most recent over the weekend, destroy almost 500 tanker trucks ISIS uses to smuggle oil and sell it on the black market. It is estimated the attacks have destroyed roughly half the trucks ISIS uses to bring in $1 million a day in revenues. To avoid civilian casualties, the U.S. planes first dropped leaflets warning the drivers and then conducted staffing runs to scare them away. Previously, a strike would be called off if any civilians were spotted in the area. For these attacks, if there were more than five civilians in the target area the strike would be called off.
France bombs Syria
French fighter planes carry out their biggest bombing raid in Syria, dropping 20 bombs on the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa. The fighters were launched from the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. French foreign minister Laurent Fabius said France had the “legitimacy” to take action against ISIS after the terror attacks in Paris. ISIS casualties are reported, but no civilian casualties. The French Defence Ministry
The first target destroyed was used by ISIS as a commanding post, a jihad recruitment center and a depot for arms and munitions. The second target housed a terrorist training camp.
Kurds launch offensive
A Kurdish force of up to 7,500 soldiers is on the offensive to reclaim Sinjar from ISIS. With help from collation air strikes the Kurdish forces attack from three fronts to recapture the town. By recapturing the town they will cut off ISIS main supply line to Mosul, allowing for a future attack on Mosul sometime in the future. By controlling Highway 47, which is used by ISIS to transport weapons, fighters, illicit oil, and other commodities that fund their operations, the Coalition intends to increase pressure on the group and isolate their components from each other
Russia destroys 448 ISIS targets
Through the last three days, Russia has been targeting and destroying key ISIS facilities in Syria. Kremlin has been using airstrikes to target key terrorist facilities. At least 448 facilities have been destroyed throughout the country. A Kremlin spokesman warned that Russia’s ongoing campaign has meant terrorists have changed their tactics
Russia sends 4000 troops to Syria
President Putin is sending 4000 troops to Syria to fight the Islamic State. Russia’s foreign ministry has stated that these troops will not serving a combat role, and are to guard Russian bases and working with the Syria military. The figure has doubled since Moscow began airstrikes against the terror group, according to US officials
Six F-16s arrive in Turkey
U. S. High Command in Europe says six U.S. F-16 fighter jets plus 300 support personnel. have arrived in Incirlik, Southern Turkey, increasing the unit equipment of the United States Air Force-led coalition against ISIS. The detachment is part of the 31st Fighter Wing based at Aviano Air Base, in Italy. Turkish media reports say the U.S. is expected to deploy around 30 fighter jets at Incirlik for strikes against ISIS. Incirlik is located close to ISIS strongholds across the border in Syria.
Airstrikes in Syria and Iraq
The U.S., and its allies launch coordinated airstrikes on the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. At least 23 airstrikes are conducted over the two nations, with nine launched over Syria and 14 launched over Iraq. These airstrikes target tactical units and fighting positions in seven cities between the two countries.
Attacks Kobane, 120 killed
ISIS conducts a 24-hour “killing rampage” through the Kurdish town of Kobane, Syria. A majority of those slain are mainly women and children. Over 120 civilians are reported executed in their homes or killed by rocket and sniper fire. The killings are widely seen as vengeance for a series of defeats inflicted on ISIS by Kurdish militia in recent weeks.
Raise Black Flag over Ramadi
Islamic State militants take over the local government compound in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, raising their black flag. An Iraqi parliamentarian states the city is not in complete Islamic State control, however. Iraqi government forces continue to hold out in several other government buildings,while coalition aircraft bomb militant positions. Anbar provincial council member says that Ramadi is experiencing a “catastrophe.” He says the militants launched a massive attack, using over a dozen suicide vehicles and causing numerous casualties.
Army recaptures central Tikrit
The Iraqi army recaptures central Tikrit from ISIS. Spokesperson of Iraqi PM, Jaboori:
Iraqi forces reached the center of Tikrit, raised the Iraqi flag and are now clearing the city
PM Al-Abadi announces the liberation of Tikrit and congratulates Iraqi security forces and popular volunteers on the historic milestone
— Haider Al-Abadi حيدر العبادي (@HaiderAlAbadi) March 31, 2015
Forced out of Tikrit
Iraqi forces regain control of northern section of Tikrit, an important city held by ISIS since June 2014. Security official:
Iraqi security forces and the different supporting groups are winning the battle against ISIS in Saladin, it is a matter of time and we will release the news of taking over Tikrit within few days.
Iraq launches offensive against ISIS
The Iraqi army with the help of some Shia militant groups launches an operation to clear ISIS from Tikrit, hometown of former dictator Saddam Hussein. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think-tank:
The Shia militias participating in the operation to retake Tikrit are highly motivated to deal a counterblow in this symbolic area
Ground troops considered
The Pentagon says it is considering modest numbers of ground troops to fight alongside Iraqi forces. Joint Chiefs chairman Dempsey to the House Armed Services Committee:
I’m not predicting at this point that I would recommend that those forces in Mosul and along the border would need to be accompanied by U.S. forces, but we’re certainly considering it
The statement comes after Baghdadi releases an audio recording saying that the air campaign has failed.
UK troops to return to Iraq
Training teams will be sent to the semi-autonomous Kurdish zone, the first UK troop presence in the country since its withdrawal in 2011. Whitehall spokesman:
If Iraq fails or the government becomes sectarian then that is a massive problem
The number of troops isn’t specified.
Air strikes kill 232 civilians in two weeks
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says airstrikes by the Assad government have killed at least 232 civilians in the last two weeks. Among the weapons deployed, the regime has dropped least 401 barrel bombs on rebel-held areas in eight provinces. The regime says that it only uses the weapons against terrorists. A refugee camp in Idlib was hit. A man who says his house in Anadan has been destroyed by barrel bombs three times:
Barrel bombs kill those we love most, they destroy houses, dreams and memories, and leave us without any hope that the killing will ever stop.
U.S.-armed groups surrender to Al Qaeda
Harakat Hazm and the Syrian Revolutionary Front, who were meant to form the main line of attack against ISIS and have been receiving heavy weapons including GRAD rockets and TOW anti-tank missiles, surrender military bases and weapons supplies to Nusra, the Syrian Al Qaeda affiliate, as it storms villages in Idlib. Nusra members announce on Twitter that they have seized the TOW missiles. Some of the rebels are reported to defect to Nusra.
Airstrikes haven’t slowed recruiting
Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. Kirby says ISIS is still able to recruit in large numbers:
They are facing some attrition through these operations not just from the air but from the ground. But there’s no question that they still possess the ability to reconstitute their manpower and that’s just an indication of the strength of their ideology right now, which is why we’re working hard to counter that, and the fact that this is going to be a long struggle.
He confirms ISIS personnel have been targeted and killed, along with vehicles and installations.
Sends Chechen commander to city
ISIS orders al-Shishani to leave the Shingal area in northern Iraq to take over operations in Kobani. Another shift in strategy will be to remove its heavy weapons and artillery from near Kobane, in order to avoid airstrikes. ISIS also plans to increase the number of car bomb and motorcycle suicide attacks in the city.