Every day during the 2014 ISIS crisis in Iraq, the Institute for the Study of War publishes a Situation Map that indicates significant activity for that day with an analysis of what it means for the current situation as well as what to watch for in the near future. Subscribe to all updates at www.understandingwar.org

1. Iraq Situation Reports
July 3-21, 2014
ISW Iraq Team
Institute for the Study of War
Subscribe to Iraq SITREPs here:
http://www.understandingwar.org/iraq-blog

2. Iraq Situation Report: July 3, 2014
Repercussions from the clashes between the ISF and the followers of Mahmoud al-Sarkhi continue to unfold. Sarkhi is a Shi’a cleric who
positions himself as a marja‘a, or Shi’a religious authority, of Iraqi and Arab origin. This is seen as a direct challenge to Grand Ayatollah Ali
al-Sistani. On June 26, Sarkhi criticized Sistani’s June 13 anti-ISIS fatwa. Sarkhi followers have clashed with U.S. forces in the past, in
addition to engaging in skirmishes with the Iraqi Security Forces in the spring of 2012. Further clashes in the south are likely to stretch the
ISF’s already limited resources, creating instability in areas that the ISF need to remain under control as they seek to focus on ISIS.
100km
Qaim
9
by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team, and Nichole Dicharry
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
ISIS
ISF
Followers of al-Sarkhi
Major Cities
Major Clash
Kidnapping
Armed Drones
SVEST
4
1
7
3
2
6
1 According to an unnamed activist in Mosul, criminal
activity, including kidnapping for ransom, is on the rise
primarily in western Mosul.The perception is that ISIS is
not tackling this issue because it is prioritizing other
missions. In general, reports indicate difficult living
conditions in the city due to lack of payment for
government officials since the fall of Mosul on June 10.
ISF ordnance teams are reportedly
dismantling large numbers of IEDs
emplaced by ISIS in the Salah ad-Din
provincial government building in the
southern outskirts of Tikrit.
2
On July 2, a suicide bomber wearing
an SVEST attacked a Husseiniyya — a
Shi’a religious center — in the Jihad
neighborhood in southwestern Baghdad
killing at least 5 individuals and
injuring at least 13 others.
3
5
The Iraqi Police in Babil arrested 28
armed Sarkhi supporters in Hilla who
were reportedly inciting violence and
calling on supporters to head to Karbala.
7
The Iraqi Security Forces have
besieged the neighborhoods of Saif Saad
and Molhaq in southern Karbala city where
Shi’a cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi and his followers
have a strong presence.The security forces are
searching for Sarkhi who is believed to have taken
shelter in one of these neighborhoods after the ISF
burned his office and residence.
Forces from the 31st Brigade, 8th IA Division, FP,
and popular committees launched an operation against
ISIS in the areas of Buhairat, al-Ruaia, and Fadhliya,
northern Babil.The ISF used air assets and artillery in
the operation.
5
The IA and IP in Diyala, supported
by IA Aviation and artillery, launched
an operation in villages around the
sub-district of Mansouriyah, located
north of Muqdadiyah.
6
Raid
4

3. Iraq Situation Report: July 4, 2014
ISIS targeted the Baiji refinery and IA positions south of Tikrit, likely to divert attention and resources from the ISF counter-offensive in
Tikrit. Clashes and indirect fire continued in Samarra, indicating that ISIS has forces that can operate in the vicinity of Baiji, Tikrit, and
Samarra simultaneously. There is also increased Iraqi Shi’a militia activity south of Baghdad. The protection of Mahmudiyah and Madaeen
is a priority for the Iraqi Shi’a militias in order to prevent ISIS advance into Baghdad from the south, in addition to securing the shrines in
Samarra and Karbala.
100km
Qaim
9
by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team, and Aaron Reese
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
ISIS
ISF
Unknown gunmen
Major Cities
Major Clash
Airstrikes
Kidnapping
SVBIED
Armed Drones
ISF and Militias
4
1
3
Forces from the Counter-Terrorism Services (CTS), 9th
IA Division, and IA Aviation repelled an ISIS attack against
the Baiji refinery.
2
1
A Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised
Explosive Device (SVBIED) targeted a
gathering of the Iraqi Army (IA) in the
Dijla district, south of Tikrit.The attack
resulted in the death of 12 soldiers and
injury of 27 soldiers.
2
Clashes took place in Samarra that
resulted in the death of 10 ISIS members
and the injury of two members of the
Sadrist Peace Brigades (PB).The source
added that ISIS shelled PB Headquarters
with mortars.
3
5
SU-25 jets bombed three locations in Hawijah
southwest of Kirkuk, where ISIS members are
believed to concentrate in order to “maintain weapons
and prepare explosives.”
The head of the Baghdad provincial
council, Riyadh al-Adhadh, stated that there
are cases of kidnappings and killings in
Baghdad province, specifically in the areas of
Mahmudiyah and Madaeen.
5
4

4. Iraq Situation Report: July 5, 2014
ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi delivered a public sermon in his proclaimed role as Caliph Ibrahim, the leader of the Islamic State,
presenting a major challenge to al-Qaeda senior leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. The public appearance of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Mosul and
the destruction of shrines and mosques in Mosul and Tal Afar indicate that ISIS control in northern Iraq is uncontested. Meanwhile, ISIS
went on the offensive against the ISF in Tikrit and Baiji, indicating that their northern campaign has not culminated. Additionally, ISIS
projected explosive attacks in other provinces. The bridge attack in Ramadi likely aimed to isolate the ISF in Anbar in order to facilitate the
capture of Ramadi, Haditha, and Hit. The VBIEDs in Basra demonstrate the far reach of ISIS and their capability to attack the Shi’a heartland
while the ISF and Shi’a militias concentrate forces elsewhere.
100km
Qaim
9
by ISW Iraq Team and Aaron Reese
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
ISIS
ISFMajor Cities
Major Clash
Armed Drones
Anti-ISIS Tribes
VBIED
Execution
Shia militias
Basra
4
1
3
ISIS released a video of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi leading
Friday prayers in a mosque described as the Grand Mosque,
located in central Mosul.This is his first known video
appearance.
2
1
ISIS released images that illustrated
the destruction of shrines and Shia
mosques in the city of Mosul and in Tal
Afar. Salafi Islamists believe that such
shrines are representations of polytheism
and should therefore be destroyed.
2
Security forces in Tikrit University,
located north of Tikrit proper, reportedly
repelled an attack by ISIS on the university.
4
5
Anti-ISIS tribal elements targeted an ISIS leader
near the area of Rashad, south of Kirkuk.The attack
was successful in killing the ISIS figure.
Two VBIEDs detonated sequentially in
central Basra, resulting in the death of at least
two individuals and the injury of at least six
others.
8
6
ISIS launched an attack on the Baiji
refinery from two axes, initiating heavy
clashes that lasted throughout the night.
The ISF is still in control of the facility.
3
ISIS targeted a strategic bridge in the area of Saqlawiah,
northwest of Fallujah, using IEDs.The bridge was on the
highway that connected Baghdad to Ramadi.
5
The IP found two unidentified dead bodies in
the area of Shula, northwestern Baghdad.This was
most likely the work of Iraqi Shia militias.
7
6
7
8

5. Iraq Situation Report: July 6-7, 2014
ISIS attacked the northwest Baghdad neighborhood of Kadhmiya for the second time in a week, this time employing an SVBIED. This
indicates that ISIS can still attack heavily protected areas in Baghdad with vehicles. The attack upon the 6th IA Division commander west
of Baghdad, indicates that anti-government forces in the area are conducting visual observation of ISF movements. Meanwhile, ISIS went
on the offensive in Tikrit and also attacked ISF and Shi’a militia elements at Camp Speicher. It is unclear if ISIS attacked from within
downtown Tikrit or from outside the city, but ISIS is still able to go on the offensive in the north. Nevertheless, ISIS is meeting with
resistance from some tribes in northern Salah ad-Din as they attempt to enter new villages. The ISF response to ISIS now includes airstrikes
against bridges deep within ISIS control zones, such as the Zab Triangle connecting northern Salah ad-Din to Hawija. The precision of the
airstrike against a bridge in this zone indicates that the pilot of the SU-25 was likely Russian or Iranian. The overt activities of Shi’a militias
in northern Babil indicate that Jurf al-Sakhar may become a principal attack zone as ISIS and Shi’a militias face off directly. The task
organization of multiple Shi’a militia groups and Federal Police to protect Samarra demonstrates orchestrated role management.
100km
Qaim
9
by ISW Iraq Team, and Heather L. Pickerell
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
ISIS
ISF
Unknown gunmen
Major Cities
Major Clash
Airstrikes
SVBIED Shi’a militias
SVEST
7
1
On July 7, an airstrike targeted the
Rashedeya area, north of Mosul, killing and
injuring 40 individuals and damaging 20
houses, prompting 75 Turkmen families to
flee the area.
1
8
6
2
3
5
4
On July 6, ISIS launched an attack on
Camp Speicher, west of Tikrit, where IA,
CTS, and Iraqi Shi’a militias are positioned.
2
On July 7, heavy clashes took place
between ISIS and tribal elements from the
villages of Zowiya and Mishak in northern
Salah ad-Din after ISIS attempted to enter
the villages.
3
6 On July 6, an SU-25 aircraft targeted a bridge
connecting Zab, south of Kirkuk, to an area north of
Salah ad-Din.
On July 6, the Babil local
government announced that it will
create a 50 km sand berm extending
from the Owissat area in northern
Babil to the Razaza Lake.The berm is
intended to disrupt ISIS supply lines.
Also, a local government official stated
that Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH),
Katai’b Hizb Allah, and Abu Fadhil
al-Abbas Battalions are operating in
northern Babil.
8
On July 7, an SVBIED targeted
a security checkpoint in Kadhmiya,
northwestern Baghdad, killing at
least five individuals and injuring 15
others. On July 6, an SVEST attack
on a local café in the area of
Washash, western Baghdad, killed 5
individuals and injured 12 others.
On July 7, the commander of the 6th IA Division was killed in an
area west of Baghdad.There were conflicting reports whether he was
killed by mortars or sniper fire.
5
On July 7, Badr and AAH
forces were reportedly tasked with
protecting the Askari Shrine in Samarra
while forces from the Federal Police were
deployed to the area of Jalam, northeast of
Samarra. Meanwhile, forces from the Sadrist
Peace Companies are protecting the area
around the city.
4
7
Anti-ISIS Tribes

6. Iraq Situation Report: July 8, 2014
ISIS continues to threaten tribes as it attempts to enforce the pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS and the
self-proclaimed Caliph of the Islamic State. The fall of Zowiya indicates the challenges the tribes in rural villages will face in countering ISIS,
which may be focusing on rural areas in order to gain control of lines of communication and, eventually, other urban areas. ISIS continues
to attack the Samarra area where the Sadrist“Peace Brigades”are currently consolidated as a holding force. ISIS’s effort in Samarra is
intended to divert resources from Tikrit, although the Iraqi Security Force likely deems the Peace Brigades sufficient to secure Samarra
without reinforcement. ISIS is establishing a system by which it can financially benefit from controlling oil fields, such as Ajil, in northern
Iraq. Further gains of oil resources by ISIS hinge on the fate of the Baiji refinery, which the Iraqi government continues to try to secure.
100km
Qaim
9
by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team, and Heather L. Pickerell
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
ISIS
ISF
Unknown gunmen
Major Cities
Major Clash
Airstrikes
SVBIED
Shi’a militias
Anti-ISIS Tribes
Anti-Government Armed Groups
On July 7, two SU-25s reportedly targeted buildings
located in central Tuz Khurmatu, which is Peshmerga-
controlled. One of the damaged buildings belonged to the
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).These attacks resulted
in the death of one child and the injury of eight other
individuals.This has generated discontent among the local
government, the Peshmerga, and the PUK.
5ISIS elements established control of Zowiya village,
northern Salah ad-Din after heavily clashes with local tribes
that had resisted. ISIS fired approximately 60 mortar rounds,
killing 13 individuals over the course of the fighting. ISIS
gunmen also blew up 10 homes in the village and searched
homes for weapons. Other reports indicated that 50
tribal members were executed by ISIS.
1
5
2
1
7
3
4
6
According to an anonymous source
in Jalula, Peshmerga forces are using
tribal elders as mediators to negotiate
with gunmen in order to peacefully
take control of the predominantly Iraqi
Arab neighborhoods of al-Tajnid and
al-Wihda.
6
An SVBIED detonated at an IP
checkpoint in southern Samarra.The attack
resulted in the death of two IP members,
two civilians, and the injury of six others,
half of whom were civilians. Also, multiple
IEDs detonated on an IP patrol in southern
Samarra, killing three IP members and
burning four IP vehicles.
2
The deputy chairman of the
Anbar Provincial Council, Falih
al-Issawi, stated that ISIS militants killed
several leaders of anti-government armed
groups at a July 6 meeting in Fallujah after the
leaders refused to pledge allegiance to the leader of
ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Issawi added that the
incident heightened tension in the city and called for the
Iraqi Government to take advantage of this opportunity
to reach out to these groups.
3
4 An anonymous medical source at the Fallujah General Hospital stated that
four Katyusha rockets fell on the hospital and on the Fallujah College of Medicine.
Sources from the hospital also added that mortars landed on civilian homes in the
Fallujah neighborhoods of al-Askari, al-Jughayfi, al-Nazal, al-Shuhada, and Jubail,
wounding seven civilians.
The Mayor of Tuz Khurmatu, Shalal
Abdul, stated that ISIS has been
extracting oil a Hamrin Ridge area and
the Ajil Oil Field north of Salah ad-Din
and selling that oil to generate revenue.
According to Abdul, ISIS is selling
tankers of oil to smugglers for $ 10,000-$
14,000 each.
7
Peshmerga
Execution

7. Iraq Situation Report: July 9, 2014
ISIS has expanded its posture in Diyala, an area in which it has clashed for territory. Iraqi Shi’a militias have, however, held a line against
ISIS advances at Khalis. The seizure of the nearby Sudur mini-dam is significant in particular if ISIS continues to control it. ISIS has experi-
ence with utilizing dams as assets to demobilize the ISF, as evident in the April flooding of areas around the Fallujah dam. The discovery of
bodies in Babil is a significant event as well. The identities of the victims and perpetrators are unclear. However, on June 23, 70 prisoners
were killed in an attack targeting a convoy transporting prisoners from Hillah to Nasriyah. ISW assessed that they were likely killed by the
ISF to prevent their escape and no bodies were found. If the bodies discovered are those of the victims of the June 23 attack, the Iraqi
Sunni community will likely view this as a retaliatory sectarian attack.
100km
Qaim
9
Unknown Gunmen
by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team, and Aaron Reese
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
ISIS
ISF
Major Cities
Major Clash
Armed Drones
VBIED
Execution Shi’a militias
Airstrikes
Raid
Military Parade
A VBIED detonated in Jaza’ir neighbor-
hood, northern Hillah city near the federal
court building, and 2 VBIEDs detonated in
the Imam sub-district in Mahawil, northern
Babil. At least 11 individuals were killed and
wounded.The IP in Babil found 50
unidentified bodies in the al-Nil area, north
of Hillah.The bodies were reportedly
decomposed and had gunshots to the head
and some were handcuffed.
4
1
3
An airstrike targeted oil tankers in the area of Hamam al-Alil,
south of Mosul causing serious damage with no reported casualities.
The reserves included tanks of fuel.The incident was reported as a
drone strike, although the ISF is not known to possess this capability.
2
1
Three Syrian aircraft carried out
airstrikes in Qaim.The strikes targeted the
meteorological observatory center and the
city council, and caused damage to four
homes and three shops which resulted in the
death of seven civilians and injured six
others.
2
An anonymous police source in Anbar stated that ISIS
gunmen with light and medium weapons attacked the
Hurriyah IP station in the area known as “5 km,” western
Ramadi.The gunmen also attacked security checkpoints in
the “5 km” area leaving five IP members dead and three
wounded in addition to seizing a military transport vehicle
and IP weapons.
4
5
ISIS seized the Sudur mini-dam located approximately 3 miles east
of Khalis after clashing heavily with the ISF in the area. The ISF started
an effort to retake it. Earlier, ISIS targeted the Sudur IP station, in the
outskirts of Mansouriya, which resulted in the death of one captain and
the injury of five IP members. The IA and the IP, supported by IA
Aviation, carried out an operation in the orchards of Sudur.
8
6
IA aviation targeted four homes
in Dhuluiyah, south of Samarra, killing two
individuals and injuring 15 others from the
same family.The local government in the area
demanded an investigation by the MoD since the
“sub-district has no armed activities.”
3
According to a security source in Kirkuk, ISIS members
conducted an armed parade using 300 vehicles in the areas
of Hawija, Manzala, Multaqa, and Riyadh, located
southwest of Kirkuk. ISIS members paraded using
equipment recently seized from the Iraqi Army.
5
A member of Abu al-Fadhil al-Abbas Brigade was
killed and another one was injured in the area of
Snidij, northern Babil by a sniper attack.The
commander of the Federal Police (FP) brigade in Jurf
al-Sakhar was injured during an operation in the area.
7
6
7 8
Syrian Government Forces
On July 8, members from the Scorpion
Force carried out raids in the areas of
Iskandariyah and Mussayeb which
resulted in the arrest of “34 gunmen.”

8. Iraq Situation Report: July 10, 2014
ISIS may now possess 88 pounds of unenriched uranium that had been stored at Mosul University, elevating the terrorist threat that ISIS
poses. Meanwhile, the former IA officers kidnapped in Mosul were most likely targeted by ISIS in in order to minimize their influence over
a potential resistance to ISIS control of the city. It is not clear at this time who was responsible for the separate kidnapping of farmers near
Balad Airbase, but the presence of armed groups near the base continues to pose a threat to the facility. To the east, ISIS continued to
challenge the ISF in central Diyala for a second day while gunmen also clashed with the ISF near Tikrit University. The ISF conducted
airstrikes in Mosul and Tikrit, apparently selecting targets assessed to hold strategic value for ISIS.
100km
Qaim
9
by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team, and Heather L. Pickerell
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
ISIS
ISF
Unknown gunmen
Major Cities
Major Clash
Airstrikes
VBIED
Kidnapping
Armed Drones
6
2
5
7
4
1
3
ISIS kidnapped 30 senior officers of the former IA in
Mosul and took them to an unknown location.
1
On July 10, airstrikes targeted the
Ninewa Operations Command headquarters
building, which is reportedly now used by
ISIS as a headquarters. On July 9, airstrikes
also targeted a residential area in western
Mosul and a lumber yard in the eastern part
of the city, which resulted in the death of
three individuals and injury of nine others.
2
Heavy clashes took place between the
IA and unidentified gunmen near Tikrit
University, north of downtown Tikrit.
Also, an airstrike targeted the
real estate bank in the city.
3
A motorcycle-borne IED detonated near a gas station
in southwestern Kirkuk City, which resulted in the injury
of seven individuals including three members of the IP.
5
ISIS took control of the Sudur IP
station, northeast of Muqdadiyah after
the clashes with the ISF reported
yesterday continued today. Meanwhile
IA forces were reportedly able to
recapture parts of the 22nd IA brigade
base in the vicinity that were taken by
ISIS on July 9.
6
7 Unidentified gunmen stormed a
local vegetable market in the area of
Yathrib, three miles north of Balad
Airbase.The gunmen kidnapped 35
farmers at gunpoint and took them to
an unknown location.
The IA forces stationed outside
of Fallujah continued shelling the city,
which resulted in the death of eight
individuals and the injury of 35 others, including
women and children.
4

9. Iraq Situation Report: July 11, 2014
Armed groups south, west, and north of Baghdad are becoming increasingly active. ISIS may be on the offensive in Ramadi, Jurf al-Sakhar,
Samarra, and northern Diyala. ISIS’s attempt to move from strongholds near Fallujah toward southern Baghdad, in operational
coordination with elements in Babil, illustrates ISIS’s continued intention to penetrate the capital’s southern belt with maneuver forces as
well as terrorist cells. Ramadi is likely to be the next urban objective that ISIS seeks to control. Volunteers from Shi’a provinces deployed to
Anbar in order to shore up security, prevent or delay ISIS’s advance into Ramadi, and force the culmination of the ISIS middle Euphrates
offensive. The reinforcements may also increase sectarian clashes in the predominantly Sunni province. ISIS has a presence north of
Baghdad that should be considered a separate and available fighting force. Meanwhile, the displacement of populations in Diyala, Anbar,
and northern Iraq is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The depopulation of these urban and rural areas may further preclude the
development of tribal forces resisting ISIS.
by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team, and Heather L. Pickerell
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
4
2
1
5
7
2
Anbar Governor Ahmed al-
Dulaimi stated that 4,000 volunteers
arrived in Anbar from Baghdad, Karbala,
Najaf, and Basra.The governor added that the
volunteers will be deployed in Ramadi and the Upper
Euphrates areas to counter ISIS. On July 10, the ISF
engaged in heavy clashes with militants in the Albu
Hayes area in Ramadi. Militants were reportedly
targeting the 8th Brigade headquarters.
4
6
Peshmerga forces took control of the Bai Hassan oil field in
northwestern Kirkuk.The field produces 195,000 barrels per day.
The oil ministry called on the Peshmerga to withdraw from the
field. An SVBIED detonated at a Peshmerga checkpoint in
southern Kirkuk city resulting in the death of 2 people and injury of
at least 21 people.
1
3
3 Between July 10-11, ISIS destroyed 300
homes in the al-Zowiya village, north of
Baiji. ISIS reportedly ransacked the houses
before using explosives to destroy them.
ISF and Militias
2 An anonymous security source stated that
the Sadrist Peace Brigades (PB) prevented ISIS
elements from entering north Samarra.The PB
fired 20 mortar shells at ISIS elements at which
point ISIS elements were forced to withdraw to
neighboring houses, using civilian homes as
shields.
5 ISF and ISIS clashed near a military base
known as the 2nd Corps in Muqdadiyah,
northeastern Diyala, killing three ISIS fighters.
The source stated that ISIS fighters launched an
attack on the base from nearby orchards, but
were forced back with the help of IA Aviation.
7 On July 10, IA and volunteer forces
repelled an offensive by ISIS in Jurf
al-Sakhar as ISIS elements attempted to
cross the Fadiliyah Bridge linking
Amiriyat al-Fallujah and Baghdad.
Military forces were reportedly deployed
in Fadiliyah to prevent any possible ISIS
advancement towards Baghdad.
According to an official in Diyala’s
government, 14,000 families had been
displaced in the province as a result of
the ongoing security operations.
ISIS
ISF
Major Cities
Major Clash
Armed Drones
SVBIED
Shi’a militias
Airstrikes
Peshmerga
Volunteers Movement
Projected Movement
6
VolunteersV
V

10. Iraq Situation Report: July 12, 2014
The ISIS attack in Haditha demonstrates the continuation of its urban offensive to control cities in the middle Euphrates. The attack is also
likely intended to either control the city before the deployment of recently-arrived reinforcement to Anbar, or to divert those resources to
Haditha in order to weaken defenses around Ramadi and eventually control it. Either way, ISF defenses in Anbar and northern Diyala will
demonstrate how effectively the ISF can hold terrain against ISIS and other armed groups. The interdiction of an ISIS fuel tanker convoy by
the Iraqi Air Force demonstrates the intent of the ISF to disrupt ISIS logistics and finance. Meanwhile, ISIS low-level activity near Baghdad
continues. The presence of a weapons cache in Arab Jabour indicates that ISIS has established a presence in southeast Baghdad in
addition to the north and west. The visible activity of Iraqi Shi’a militia extra-judicial killings is indicative of their freedom of movement
and that their role in the defense of Baghdad affects security for citizens. The report of an ISIS police force in Mosul is consistent with their
measures of social control in ar-Raqqa, Syria.
by Ahmed Ali, Jessica D. Lewis, and Nichole Dicharry
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
4
1
5 7
2
ISIS attacked at 3:00am local
time in the city of Haditha in western
Anbar province.The Iraqi Security Forces
(ISF) repelled the attack and reportedly killed
13 ISIS elements and detained 31 others.
Four Iraqi Police (IP) members were killed
while 11 were injured.
4
An IED exploded in the Bayaa neighborhood in southwestern
Baghdad city resulting in the death of two people and injury of four
people. Unidentified gunmen stormed an apartment complex in
eastern Baghdad’s Zayuna neighborhood resulting in the death of
28 women and 2 males.The gunmen reportedly targeted specific
apartments in what ISW assesses to be morality executions by Iraqi
Shi’a militias.
1
3
3
An IED attack in a Mahmudiyah market resulted in the
death of one person and injury of seven. Mahmudiyah is
located in southern Baghdad province.
2 According to Shafaq News, ISIS has opened
a police department in the city of Mosul and is
now accepting volunteers to the department
which is known as the “Islamic Police.”
According to reports, ISIS is offering a salary to
its new police force estimated at over 400 USD,
but what time period that covers is unclear.
5
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced that it seized shells,
explosive material, and bomb-making material in the Arab Jubur area
in southern Baghdad.The operation was carried out by the 23rd
brigade of the 17th Iraqi Army Division
The ISF launched a clearing operation
in the northern parts of Muqdadiyah in
northeastern Diyala.The ISF is operating
alongside the tribes and with support from
the Iraqi Army Aviation to clear the areas
of the Sudur orchards and the villages of
Khamis, Sansal, and al-Jazeera.The ISF
reportedly cleared a neighborhood in Sudur.
Unidentified gunmen kidnapped
the head of the Independent High
Electoral Commission in Diyala,
Amer Latif, in Buhriz which is
located 8 km south of Baquba
ISIS
ISF
Major Cities
Major Clash
Armed Drones Shi’a militias
6
Kidnapping
Unknown gunmen
An IED targeted a police patrol in
the Corniche Street in southern
Kirkuk city.The attack resulted in the
injury of three police members.
7
9
9
A medical source in Fallujah stated that in Fallujah 3
people were killed while 18 were injured in mortar attacks
that targeted the neighborhoods of al-Jughaifi, Askari,
Nazal, Dhubat, Jolan, Shuhada, Nazal, and al-Jbeil. Women
and children were among the victims.
6 Iraqi Air Force jets targeted an ISIS “court building” in the Riyadh sub-district in
western Kirkuk resulting in damage to the building. ISIS members were wounded in the
attack in addition to three civilians who were in the vicinity.The Iraqi Air Force also
attacked an ISIS fuel-tanker convoy as it was passing the village of Safra in Riyadh.The
convoy was reportedly destroyed.
10
Airstrikes
10
8
8
Anti-ISIS Tribes

11. Iraq Situation Report: July 13, 2014
ISIS is trying to continue its maneuver campaign along the Tigris and the Euphrates. ISIS launched an attack on Haditha for the second
time in two days, which indicates that its previously reported negotiations with the tribes did not succeed. The reported presence of
volunteers who are likely Iraqi Shia creates an interesting dynamic and illustrates both the importance of Haditha to the government and
the strong desire of tribes in Haditha to prevent ISIS from entering the district. Dhuluiya is the route by which historically AQI and ISIS
transited from Diyala to Samarra. The attack upon Dhuluiya indicates the presence of an ISIS force in the vicinity of Samarra that is able to
go on the offensive despite the heavy presence of Iraqi Shia militias to the north and the ISF in Balad airbase to the south. Meanwhile,
Saddam Hussein's former vice president and Ba'athist leader, Izzat al-Duri, gave his first statement after the fall of Mosul. He highlighted
the role of JRTN and other armed groups participating in the offensive and gave a special highlight to ISIS describing its members as
“heroes and knights.”Duri also called for unity among the anti-government forces and urged them to postpone their disagreements in
order to achieve victory. Duri also called for the Jihadi and Islamic forces to transcend sectarian, ethnic, and regional differences. His
statement is significant because it highlights the strategic role that JRTN and other Ba'athist groups are playing in the ongoing offensive,
even though they likely support an end-state that collapses the Iraqi government more than establishing an Islamic Caliphate.
by ISW Iraq Team and Aaron Reese
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
4
12
The local government in Zubair District in
Basra created an operations room in order to
tighten security in Zubair and the sub-districts of
Um Qasr and Safwan.The mayor of Zubair stated
that 2,200 night guards were tasked with security
in order to fill the security gap due to the
deployment of some Basra-based ISF units to
other provinces.
4
Around 80 gunmen from ISIS launched an attack on Dhuluiya,
southeast of Samarra.The gunmen initiated the attack from the
north and clashed heavily with the IP and tribal elements from the
Jubouri tribe, resulting in the death of three ISIS members and the
injury of seven others while four IP members were killed. Clashes
are reportedly ongoing.The attack was preceded by a VBIED attack
on a bridge that connected the district to Balad in order to
prevent reinforcements from arriving.
1
3
3
2 Gunmen from ISIS riding in military and
4x4 civilian vehicles attacked Haditha District
from three axes and clashed with the IA, IP,
SWAT, volunteers, and tribal element from the
Jighaifa tribe for more than four hours.Thirteen
ISIS gunmen were reportedly killed and five
vehicles were destroyed while casualties from the
other sides were not reported.
The IA forces stationed outside
Fallujah shelled several neighborhoods in
the city, resulting in the death of seven
individuals including women and a child in
addition to the injury of 14 others.
ISIS
ISF
Major Cities
Major Clash
Armed Drones
Anti-ISIS Tribes
V Volunteers
V
V

12. Iraq Situation Report: July 10, 2014
ISIS is launching attacks into Baghdad with a series of VBIEDs in and near the capital in order to set the terms of battle by probing the
defenses of pro-government forces and demoralizing them. The efforts center on the northern belt. The VBIED in Taji's industrial area is
particularly significant as ISW continues to assess ISIS's northern approaches to Baghdad and intent regarding ISF bases. ISIS continues to
consolidate its gains in Dhuluyia. ISIS continues to destroy houses in ways consistent with the Soldiers' Harvest campaign it has conduct-
ed for the past year. ISIS need not be present to cause destruction in a place such as Udhaim, where ISW previously assessed it had a
headquarters that it reportedly left several weeks ago. Even though the ISF along with Iraqi Shi’a militias were able to remove ISIS from
the area, those forces do not fully control the terrain. The clashes within the ranks of anti-government forces illustrate that ISIS will
continue to impose its will on other groups, including the Islamic Army, an Iraqi Sunni insurgency group that fought US forces after 2003,
through the use of force despite a conciliatory tone from JRTN leader Izzat al-Duri towards ISIS in his weekend speech.
100km
Qaim
9
Iraq Situation Report: July 14, 2014
by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team, and Heather L. Pickerell
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
5
4
7
3
2
6
1
A Vehicle-Borne Improvised
Explosive Device (VBIED) exploded
near a car dealership in the al-Bayaa area,
southwestern Baghdad. A second VBIED
exploded on 6th Street in the al-Alawi area of
central Baghdad. Meanwhile, a third VBIED exploded
near an industrial district in Taji, northern Baghdad.
The attacks resulted in the death of four people and
injury of 21 people.
4
An anonymous security source stated that
the Sharia Court in Sharqat was targeted by
IA Aviation in the village of al-Sderah, in the
vicinity of Sharqat, in northern Salah ad-Din
province, resulting in the death of ISIS’s judge
in the area, Abu Hajir al-Iraqi.
2
ISF and Militias
ISIS
JRTN
Peshmerga
ISF
Anti-ISIS Tribes
Islamic Army
ISIS clashed with elements of the Islamic Army in
the eastern suburbs of Sadia in northern Diyala province.
A security source added that eight ISIS members were
killed in addition to 11 Islamic Army elements. An
additional source stated that ISIS executed 10 members
from JRTN and the Islamic Army in Sadia as well.
5
ISIS reportedly controls 40 percent
of Dhuluiya after two days of ongoing
clashes.The remaining 60 percent is
reportedly under the control of members
of the Juburi tribes and local police.
Residents report that there is no Iraqi
Army in Dhuluiya and that population
displacement from the area has taken
place due to clashes. On July 13, ISIS
published photos of its members raising
ISIS flags on top of government
buildings in Dhuluiya.
73 ISIS attempted to take control of
Amerli sub-district in eastern Tikrit.The
ISIS attack was repelled by a force likely
comprised of local and tribal elements in
Amerli.The attack has so far resulted in the
death of five ISIS members and injury of
15 anti-ISIS tribal figures. Amerli is
predominantly Iraqi Turkmen.
An SVEST attack targeted a Peshmerga checkpoint in the Qara Tapa area
in northern Diyala.The attack resulted in the death or injury of about 11
Peshmerga elements.
1
In the last two weeks, ISIS
destroyed 41 houses of local officials,
ISF, and Sahwa (awakening) members
in the Udhaim area in northern Diyala.
6
Major Cities
Major Clash
Airstrikes
VBIED
SVEST

13. Iraq Situation Report: July 15, 2014
ISIS is likely seeking to establish a presence in Kirkuk city. The pattern of attacks in the city indicates an early replication of previous ISIS
efforts in other parts of Iraq where ISIS was seeking to soften defenses and establish control. In Mosul, photos of the distribution of food aid
represent an attempt by ISIS to project a sense of normalcy and a functioning state while avoiding blame in light of reported difficult living
conditions in the city. Furthermore, ISIS is exhibiting signs of confidence by not protecting the identities of its members in published
photos. The Mujahidin Army, an Iraqi Sunni insurgent group founded after 2003, rejected ISIS’s attempt to establish a state. It will be
important to watch how ISIS reacts to smaller groups that reject its authority in areas it seeks to control.
by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team, and Aaron Reese
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
ISF and Militias
V Volunteers
Peshmerga
Mujahidin Army
4
1
5
7
2
Unidentified gunmen destroyed the Albu Ghaib Bridge in
the Saqlawiyah area in Anbar province.The bridge connects the
Saqlawiyah with Ramadi.
4
The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) published photos
of its members distributing food supplies to families, presumably in
Mosul.The supplies are provided in bags stamped with “Relief
Department-Islamic State”labels. Notably, ISIS members do not
have their faces covered or pixilated in the photos as is normally
ISIS procedure.The photos emerged as ISIS has reportedly
instructed food ration agents not to distribute food to Iraqi
Christians, Yazidis, or Shabak.
1
3
3
An IED attack targeted an IA patrol in the village of Arab Jassim in Yusufiyah,
resulting in the death of one IA member and the injury of four. A mortar attack targeted
Yusufiyah as well resulting in the death of a civilian and the injury of two children.
2 ISF launched a clearing operation in Tikrit,
reportedly involving counter-terrorism, IA, and
IP forces.The operation was named “al-Saif
al-Batar”[“The Severing Sword”] and was
launched from the southern and northern parts
of the city.There are reports that the ISF were
able to secure important locations in the city
including the Tikrit hospital and police academy.
However, other security sources indicate that
ISF push into the city was hampered by ISIS
snipers.
5
The Mujahidin Army, an Iraqi Sunni
insurgent group founded after 2003,
reportedly distributed leaflets in the
northern neighborhoods of Diyala in
which it rejected pledging allegiance to
ISIS head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Reportedly, the leaflets also criticized the
establishment of the ISIS “Caliphate.”
Two VBIEDs targeted an Iraqi Army
and a volunteers’ convoy near a restaurant in
southern Samarra.The attack resulted in the death
of five people and injury of 23 others.
ISIS
ISF
Major Cities
Major Clash
Armed Drones
6
7
Two VBIEDs detonated near
the Hay market in Sadr city that
resulted in the death of 7 people
and injury of 34 people.
6 Three attacks took place in the southern parts of
Kirkuk city. An explosion targeted a police patrol in the
Wasiti neighborhood in Kirkuk resulting in the injury of
one person. In the Aruba neighborhood, a “primitive”
bomb targeted the house of a member of the anti-crime
department in the city and also resulted in the injury of
his son who is a member of the Peshmerga. In the Sikak
neighborhood, an IED attack targeted the house of the
head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front’s office in Diyala.
8
8
V
VBIED

14. by ISW Iraq Team and Nichole Dicharry
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
Peshmerga
Airstrikes
4
1
5
7
2
Heavy clashes took place between ISIS and
the Peshmerga near the Tal al-Ward area, 20 km
southwest of Kirkuk city.The clashes are
reportedly ongoing and ISIS mortar attacks
resulted in the injury of 21 Peshmerga members.
4
A local leader of Ansar al-Sunna, an Iraqi Sunni armed group,
was found decapitated in the outskirts of Sadia after he disappeared
from the area last week.
1
3
3
Security forces found 12 unidentified
dead bodies in different areas of
Baghdad.
2 Two hundred families fled the area of Tajnid,
southern Julula, after ISIS gunmen took control
of large areas of the neighborhood. Also, the
Peshmerga clashed with gunmen in the area of
Wihda, southern Julula.
5
ISIS reportedly destroyed 20 houses that
belonged to ISF personnel in Hawija.
The members of the Iraqi Security Forces
that launched the assault on Tikrit yesterday
retreated from their positions.They faced heavy
clashes with ISIS and their progress was
hampered by booby-trapped buildings.
ISIS
ISF
Major Cities
Major Clash
Armed Drones
6
7
A VBIED detonated in central Hit
which resulted in the death of five
individuals and injured nine others.
6 ISIS cut the water supply from reaching the area of
Makhmur, located south of Mosul and controlled by the
KRG. ISIS reportedly cut the water after the local
government of Makhmur cut the electricity from Arab
villages in the vicinity. Residents in Makhmur
demonstrated for the restoration of services.
8
8
VBIED
Iraq Situation Report: July 16, 2014
ISIS continues its offensive into Kurdish areas along Kirkuk City and along the Arab-Kurd contested Green Line along the Hamrin Ridge.
ISIS’s attacks in Kirkuk escalated after July 9 when, according to security sources, ISIS conducted an armed parade of vehicles in the areas
southwest of Kirkuk, demonstrating its military capabilities around the city. ISIS’s contest for Jalula, along the Hamrin Ridge, has been
underway since the fall of Mosul. ISIS had engaged tribal elders in Jalula on July 8 in order to gain control of some Arab neighborhoods
there through negotiation after a series of clashes with Peshmerga in previous weeks. ISW assesses that ISIS is conducting a deliberate
campaign for Kurdish areas in Iraq, possibly to divert pressure by Peshmerga forces elsewhere and possibly to set conditions for further
operations. ISIS continues to prioritize the Middle Euphrates. ISIS has likely designed the attack in Hit to set conditions for further attacks
on Haditha or Ramadi by targeting local tribes and civilians. ISIS has so far failed to gain control of Haditha despite three attempts on the
city by force as well as by negotiation. ISIS continues to leverage its ability to control water resources to put pressure on inhabited areas,
cutting water to villages in Makhmur. ISIS has previously used its control of the Fallujah dam to deny water to Shi’a population centers and
to flood parts of Baghdad. The ISF counteroffensive in Tikrit continued, though the fighting forces retreated tactically after encountering
ISIS’s signature booby-trapped buildings. Iraqi Shi’a militias continue to be active in Baghdad as execution-style killings are again taking
place in the city.
Ansar al-Sunna
9
Airstrikes targeted a power station in Mosul University which rendered the
station inoperable and injured 10 individuals. Also, an airstrike targeted the
area of Rashediya, northwestern Mosul, which resulted in the death of two
individuals and injured four others from one family.
9
Shi’a militias

15. by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team and Heather L. Pickerell
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
7
5
1
6
9
3
4
8
2
Airstrikes
Major Cities
Major Clash
Kidnapping
Peshmerga
ISIS
ISF
Shi’a militias
Iraq Situation Report: July 17, 2014
The ISIS assault in Bashir, 30km south of Kirkuk city, continued with attacks upon Shi’a religious centers, shrines, and political party
headquarters. These indicate the level of control ISIS has in the area. Furthermore, ISIS may be attempting to split Peshmerga forces along
the extensive exposed border region between Sinjar and Jalula; it is, however, possible that ISIS will escalate attacks upon Kirkuk city if it
achieves sustained control of Bashir. ISIS has also launched an attack upon COB Speicher west of Tikrit, seizing an airfield that was likely key
to ISF aerial resupply and reinforcement in northern Iraq. The persistent effort by ISIS to establish control of Amerli, east of Tikrit suggests
that ISIS means to weed out this pocket of resistance. The Sadrist Peace Brigades charged with the perimeter security of Samarra have
reportedly launched operations in areas east of the city. Nevertheless, ISIS has wide operational presence to the east and west of Samarra;
these ISIS elements are likely to continue their activities south of Samarra in the vicinity of Balad and Taji. ISIS may also be encroaching
upon Ramadi from the west, indicating that they can flex among offensive efforts in Haditha, Hit, and Ramadi in order to maximize
resources to take all three cities. Meanwhile, ISIS mortar fire in northern Baghdad and an IED factory south of Baghdad indicate the
emergence of support zones in both areas. Continued reports of murdered civilians in Baghdad indicate the further pursuit of localized
control by Shi’a militias within the capital.
6 Airstrikes targeted the water treatment plan in eastern
Mosul which cut water supplies from reaching the eastern part
of Mosul. ISIS published images yesterday of the workers fixing
the pipes after they were damaged due to strikes.
7 Clashes continued for the second day near Tal
al-Ward, southwestern Kirkuk, between ISIS militants
and Peshmerga forces. So far, the clashes have resulted in
the death of two Peshmerga members and injury of 53
others.
8 Security sources and eyewitnesses in
Kirkuk reported that ISIS militants blew up
several Shi’a religious centers, shrines, and
political party headquarters in the village of
Bashir, 30km south of the city of Kirkuk.
2IA Aviation targeted the Abu-Ajil Hospital, located east of
Tikrit.The hospital reportedly houses wounded ISIS fighters.
3On July 16, ISIS fired mortar rounds for
the third day on the Amerli sub-district east
of Tikrit which resulted in the injury of
“dozens” of the residents.This area has been
surrounded by ISIS for 33 days and its local
leader stated that the IA aviation drops 10%
of the needed water and food supplies.
The Sadrist Peace Brigades fighters
reportedly launched operations in the
Al-Rusafi, Al-Shwarib, and Al-Jalam
areas in Samarra district. Sources
indicate that the areas have been cleared
of ISIS but that remains unconfirmed.
9
An attack targeted a Shi’a
religious center in the Shorja
neighborhood.There are conflicting
reports that it was either an IED or an
SVEST attack. Four unidentified bodies were
found in Zaarafia, Ur, and Shula areas.Two mortar
shells landed in the Sabaa al-Bur District in northern
Baghdad. Unidentified gunmen kidnapped the imam of a
mosque in the al-Baladiyat neighborhood in eastern
Baghdad. An IED exploded near a Sahwa force checkpoint in
the village of Albu Aitha, in Dora southern Baghdad. A force
from the 1st Federal Police (FP) division discovered an
IED-manufacturing plant in Kwerish District, southern
Baghdad.The attacks resulted in the death of 8 people and
injury of 29.
5
An anonymous tribal source stated that
dozens of civilians fled their homes in the
al-Tamim neighborhood, in western Ramadi,
after militants took control of the area.
Families reportedly fled to Hit and
al-Baghdadi, west of Ramadi.
4
Heavy clashes took place at the southern entrance of Tikrit last night between IA
and volunteers and ISIS. ISIS gunmen fired mortar rounds on Camp Speicher which
damaged two helicopters. ISIS now reportedly controls a runway at the base after
launching a wide attack on July 17.
1

16. by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team and Heather L. Pickerell
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
8
3
6
5
9
1
2
10
Major Cities
Major Clash
ISIS
ISF
Shi’a militias
Armed Drones
Iraq Situation Report: July 18, 2014
ISIS is gaining momentum in the fight for Tikrit, with multiple reports of ISIS infiltration of COB Speicher and clashes in areas of the city
where the ISF had previously established fixed positions. It is not yet clear whether the ISF will establish complete control over COB
Speicher, but its loss would disrupt the ability of the ISF to reinforce and resupply northern positions. ISIS also continued to strike positions
north of Balad airbase on the east and west of the river, south of the Samarra line. The bodies in the river near Samarra were most likely
victims of Shi’a militias that are participating in the layered defense of Samarra; however ISIS controls areas such as Dour to the north of
Samarra, and therefore attribution is uncertain. ISIS also clashed with the ISF, Shi’a militias, and popular forces in Amerli, Muqdadiyah, and
northern Babil. Clashes in Amerli will indicate whether the ISF can withstand an ISIS siege. Clashes in Muqdadiyah will indicate whether the
ISF can clear ISIS from an urban area and hold it. The departure of Christian families from Mosul indicates that ISIS is consolidating social
control in part by encouraging population displacement of religious minorities. ISW notes that no major cities have changed hands
between ISIS and the ISF since July 13, 2014, but attacks by ISIS and the ISF are ongoing on multiple fronts.
1 ISIS in Mosul gave Christian residents a deadline to depart
the city by tomorrow or they would be killed. Dozens of
Christian families already departed to areas southeast and north
of Mosul.
2 Heavy clashes took place between ISIS and the ISF
in Tikrit University.The university was previously
recaptured by the ISF.
3A security force found 20 unidentified
dead bodies floating in the Tigris near
Samarra.
10 ISIS launched an attack on Dhuluiya
from northwest of the city.The attack
initiated clashes between tribal forces
from the Jubur tribe, IP, and ISIS.
An SVBIED targeted a Federal
police (FP) checkpoint near the area
of Mahatat Balad, located on the
Baghdad-Mosul highway, northwest
of Balad Airbase.The attacks resulted
in the death of six FP members and
the injury of three others.
9
The ISF, with the likely participation of Iraqi
Shi’a militias, clashed with ISIS in the areas of
Haruniya,Tawakul, and Nawfal, in the district of
Muqdadiyah. Unconfirmed reports indicated that
the areas were cleared by the ISF. Meanwhile, ISIS
gunmen detonated IEDs on a bridge in Haruniya
that connected Muqdadiyah to Khanaqin.
8
6 Heavy clashes took place between ISIS and security
forces and volunteers in the areas of Seidat and Fariseya,
northern Babil.The clashes resulted in the death of five
volunteers and the injury of 10 others in addition to the death of 15
ISIS elements and the injury of an unspecified number of others who
were evacuated by other ISIS members to an unknown location.
The IA forces outside
Fallujah continued shelling the
city, which resulted in the death of 9
individuals and the injury of 19
others.
5
4
Dismounted gunmen from ISIS
infiltrated COB Speicher in the early hours
of the morning.The gunmen clashed with
security forces inside the base and carried out
at least one SVEST attack on IA helicopters,
which damaged at least three of them.
4
SVEST
Unknown Gunmen
7
7 ISIS launched an attack on the area of Amerli, south of Tuz Khurmatu,
using automatic weapons, mortars, and hand grenades.The area is predominantly
Iraqi Turkmen and is defended by the ISF, tribal forces, and forces from the
Popular Mobilization that most likely include Iraqi Shi’a militias.
Anti-Government Tribes
V
V VolunteersSVBIED
Anti-ISIS Tribes

17. by Ahmed Ali, Kimberly Kagan, Jessica D. Lewis, and Nichole Dicharry
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
VBIED
Peshmerga
ISF
ISIS
Asayesh
Armed Drones
Major Clash
Major Cities
3
5
2
1
4
Iraq Situation Report: July 19, 2014
ISIS’s VBIED command is active again, launching its first signature wave of Vehicle-Born Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) since the
beginning of the Mosul offensive. The last VBIED wave occurred on May 13, 2014. VBIED waves, defined as six or more attacks on a single
day, are the signature pattern of attacks that ISIS pursued as it gained strength in 2012 and 2013. The successful VBIEDs detonated in
Baghdad’s Shi’a neighborhoods. This renewed capability is particularly significant because the ISF and Shi’a militia groups have deployed
thickly through Baghdad, particularly in these Shi’a neighborhoods. The Shi’a militia group Asai’b Ahl al-Haq, for example, has been
prominent in Abu Dashir since late 2012, for example. ISW assesses that ISIS intends to continue VBIED waves in Baghdad and elsewhere
through the end of Ramadan. Meanwhile, ISIS has extended its campaign against primarily Kurdish-protected areas by attempting a
complex attack in Sinjar using both a VBIED and a Suicide Vest. Sinjar, which has been quiet since Tal Afar fell, may become a more signifi-
cant focus for ISIS as it attempts to complete its line of communication from Mosul, Iraq to ar-Raqqa, Syria. Events in Syria may also be
driving the timing of this attack, as ISIS completed its military operation to connect its line of communication between its strongholds in
ar-Raqqa and Deir ez-Zour. ISIS continued its campaign for social and religious control in Mosul. After driving out Christians yesterday, ISIS
imposed further measures on rents, marriages, and female dress. ISIS and the ISF continued their fight for areas outside of Muqdadiya,
which an anonymous source prematurely reported yesterday as having been cleared by Iraqi forces.
1 Peshmerga forces stationed in Sinjar stopped a VBIED
driven by a person wearing an SVEST before he was able to
detonate either one.The event occurred near the Tal Banat
residential complex south of Sinjar.This follows reported clashes
between the Peshmerga and ISIS in Sinjar on July 17 and recent
targeting of Tal Banat with mortars.The Tal Banat complex is
reportedly home to Yazidis and IDPs from Tal Afar.
2 A member of the Iraqi Kurdish security force
known as Asayesh was injured when an IED
targeted his house in the Askari neighborhood in
southern Kirkuk. His brother was also injured in
the attack.
3Clashes continued between ISF and ISIS
in the Tawakul, Nawfal, and Sudur areas near
Muqdadiyah.
Six Vehicle-Born Improvised Explosive
Devices (VBIEDs) exploded in five
neighborhoods in Baghdad city.The VBIEDs
exploded in Jihad in southwestern Baghdad;
Kadhmiyah in northern Baghdad near a Shi’a
religious center; in al-Bayaa in southwestern
Baghdad, in the Ilam neighborhood; the Abu
Dashir area in the Dora neighborhood, in
southern Baghdad, targeting an ISF checkpoint;
and in the Saydiyah neighborhood. Casualty
figures from the attacks range between 70 to over
90 killed or injured.
5
ISIS religious and judicial bodies in Ninewa
issued decrees specifying the amount of rent to be
charged for property, forbade marriages outside its
courts, and forbade clothing stores from selling
women’s gowns that are “tight, transparent, or
embroidered.”
4

18. by Ahmed Ali, Kimberly Kagan, and Aaron Reese
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
Airstrikes
8
3
6
5
1
2
Major Cities
ISIS
ISF
Shi’a militias
Armed Drones
Iraq Situation Report: July 20, 2014
The situation in the vicinity of Baghdad continues to intensify. ISIS has emplaced IEDs in places such as Mada’in, Yusifiyah, and Mahmudiyah
in the southern belts of Baghdad. ISIS has previously conducted IED or suicide attacks in these three locations. ISIS may use these locations
as possible avenues of approach if it decides to attack Baghdad from the southern belt of the city. ISIS may also be attempting to restrict
the ISF’s mobility corridors in those areas. Iraqi Shi’a militia executions inside Baghdad may increase in response to the VBIED wave in Shi’a
neighborhoods on 19 July. Kidnapping and reprisal killings will cause major concern for Iraqi Sunni civilians in the city. The deployment of
volunteers from southern Iraq to Kirkuk province signifies the spread of their role to protect shrines in areas where ISIS is making advances.
The reallocation of Iraqi Security Forces from Baghdad to Dhuluiya signals the real challenge that ISIS poses there. ISW has assessed that
ISIS may try to draw the ISF out of Baghdad in advance of more robust attacks there.
1 Four airstrikes reportedly targeted the Wihda neighborhood
in eastern Mosul and the Jawsaq neighborhood in southwestern
Mosul.The strikes resulted in the injury of 9 people and
destruction of 12 houses.
3 Sources from the Fallujah hospital reported that
15 people were killed, including women and
children, when shelling targeted various
neighborhoods in Fallujah. 20-27 were injured in
the attacks. According to the sources, the shelling
included mortars, barrel bombs, and rockets.
2 Iraqi Security Forces reportedly sent reinforcements from
Baghdad to the Dhuluiya area, north of Baghdad, to shore up
the defenses of the anti-ISIS tribes and forces in the area.
According to reports, ISIS is now based in the areas of
Kbeba in the east and Khazraj and Bajwari in the
north of the area. ISIS is reportedly targeting
Dhuluiya from these areas.
An IED detonated in the Mada’in area
resulting in the death of 3 civilians and
injury of five civilians.
8
6 An IED targeted a police patrol in the Yusifiyah area,
south of Baghdad.Two policemen were killed while five were injured.
Three people were killed
and three people were injured
when “multiple mortar rounds”
landed in the Mahmudiyah area,
south of Baghdad.
5
4
Security forces discovered four
unidentified bodies in the
neighborhoods of Amal,
Shaab, and Bayaa.
4
7
7 A Katyusha rocket landed in the Taza area, 20 km south of Kirkuk resulting
in the injury of nine people from the same family. Meanwhile, 200 volunteers
from southern Iraq arrived in Kirkuk.The volunteers flew from the Najaf airport
in southern Iraq to Sulaimaniyah’s airport and will be assigned to protect the
Imam Zain al-Abdin Bin Ali shrine in Daquq which is located approximately 40
km south of Kirkuk.
V
V Volunteers
Anti-ISIS Tribes

19. by Ahmed Ali, ISW Iraq Team and Heather L. Pickerell
100km
Fallujah
Baqubah
As Sulaymaniyah
ArbilMosul
Basra
An Nasriyah
An Najaf
Karbala
Al Kut
Ar Ramadi
Samarra
Tikrit
Kirkuk
Baghdad
Dahuk
Al Amarah
Al Hillah
Ad Diwaniyah
Muqdadiyah
Samawa
Rutba
Qaim
Haditha
Armed Drones
Major Clash
Iraq Situation Report: July 21, 2014
5 A security source in Diyala stated that clashes
occurred between Ansar al-Sunna elements and ISIS
elements in al-Asaker area, north of Sadia in
northeastern Diyala Province.The clashes resulted in
the death of six Ansar al-Sunna members and five
ISIS fighters.
5
6
4
2
1
3
Major Cities
ISIS
ISF
Shi’a militias
V Volunteers
Ansar al-Sunna
Airstrikes
6 Security sources in Salah ad-Din
Province stated that at least three
mortar rounds landed on the volunteer
headquarters located in Bank Street of
central Samarra City. Other sources,
however, claimed that the rounds fell
approximately 60-70 meters from the
Al-Askari Shrine.Twenty volunteers
were injured as a result of the attacks.
V
4 According to Lieutenant
General Rashid Fleih, commander
of the Anbar Operations Command
(AOC), the ISF launched operations in
al-Garma (east of Fallujah), al-Nuaimiya (south of
Fallujah), and ISIS bases in Saqlawiyah (north of Fallujah).
A source in Hawijah stated that 10 people
were killed and 20 were wounded after IA
Aviation targeted a residential area in central
Hawijah. A source added that these areas
contain the ISIS Shari’a courts.
2
ISIS published images of military training it is
carrying out in Ninewa for “volunteers.”The photos show
training that includes religious lessons and introduction
to light weaponry. Some trainees are dressed in Afghan-
style garments and children and youth are shown
receiving training as well.
1
3 ISIS published images of its forces
distributing flour to families in al-Qaim.
Those receiving the flour are
described as “poor families.”
The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) continues to consolidate its governance presence in Mosul and western Iraq. This state of
affairs contradicts reports that ISIS is ceding power in Mosul to other armed groups including the Ba’athist JRTN. On the other hand,
Diyala continues to be the front line where ISIS continues to vie for power with other groups. These dynamics and competition will
continue to be manifested as events unfold. It is difficult to confirm the veracity that ISIS is distributing aid to“poor families”in Qaim. It
is clear, however, that ISIS propaganda seeks to portray it as an organization that is responsive to local needs. It will be important to
watch the effect of this strategy on the population’s response. The Iraqi Security Forces’(ISF) multiple and repeated attempts in the last
seven months to regain parts of Anbar are indicative of the difficulties the ISF will face in retaking bigger urban centers such as Mosul
and Tikrit. Nonetheless, the ISF are likely launching these operations to prevent ISIS from taking control of Ramadi and Haditha in
Anbar province.

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