29th June: On the first of Ramadan, Daash has declared itself and the territory it holds an Islamic State. It has changed its name to Daulat Islamia or Islamic government/state or its acronym DI. The new caliph and “successor” of Muhammad (sawa) and the “commander of the faithful (Amerul Momineen)” of Daulat Islamia is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. DI has asked all fighters within its borders to pay allegiance to their caliph.
NB: The title Ameerul Momineen (Commander of the faithful) is one that Sunnis have used for nearly every single Caliph or Sultan. The Shias only refer to Ali Ibn Abi Talib (as) by this title, not even the other Imams are called by this title.
Other notables who have called themselves Amerul Momineen in recent times:
The King of Morocco
Mullah Umar of the Taliban
Nawaz Sharif tried to add it to his title but failed.
Reportedly, Zia ul haq of Pakistan
30th June: Other Islamist groups in Iraq and in the region, along with some Salafist clerics, have reacted with disappointment at DI’s declaration of a DI, Stating that such a state and the allegiance sought may undermine the gains made by Islamists everywhere.
30th June: Transcript of a video message by DI, A DI fighter pointing to the now defunct border: “The Safavi army used to stand here. But there is no border. This is the so called check point, the soldiers of Maliki used to stand…” he later steps on a army battalion board, “the only battalion here is of Allah. Abi Bakr al Baghdadi used to say that he is the breaker of borders. We will inshallah break the borders of Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan. There will be only one flag of DI. All the flags of kufr will be no more. We are one country all muslims, and we have one imam.”
30th June: A very important link by David Hungerford in the comments to the previous SITREP: http://www.brussellstribunal.org/article_view.asp?id=1623#.U7B5pcvD9Ah
The article shows a broad based resentment of the Government in Baghdad and the firm resolve of Iraqi Sunni society to get rid of the “sectarian puppet corrupted government” of Nouri Al Maliki.
The rebels against the government consist of Iraqi Sunni Arab tribes, ex army officers, Ex Ba’athist and Islamic Jihadist. The government refers to all its enemies as Daash. The Kurdish authorities and press have a similar tendency of calling the Sunni revolution as Daash.
30th June: The leader of the largest Sunni tribe in Iraq, Ali Hatem Suleimani, has stated that his tribe will continue to back the Islamists as long as Maliki is in power.
30th The government has played down the importance of the eastern towns of Rawa, Ahna, and al-Qaem. It is stating that nothing of strategic importance is located there.
30th June: Iran is pushing as priority gas supply to Iraq to feed Iraq’s four gas power plants.
30th June: CNN reports that most of the Shia volunteers have been given between 7-10 days of training, but are full of conviction, before being sent to fight DI.
30th June: A woman claiming to be a resident of Tikrit sends a video message to CNN: “June 28, 2014. Thank God, Tikrit is safe and still in the hand of tribesmen and not troops of ‘al-Haliki” (al-Haliki is a derogatory reference to Maliki, it refers to his death)
30th June: Rear Adm. John Kirby of the Pentagon stated that the American jets were not slow in coming and that the first two jets still to be delivered would have made little impact on the ground. Russian officials must have a higher regard for the SU-25 than the Americans have of their F-16.
30th June: His Holiness the Pope, Francis I, has asked the authorities in Baghdad to form a national unity government and end the vilence in the country. He has expressed solidarity with the refugee Christian population of Iraq.
30th June: The king of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah has sacked the deputy defense minister Prince Khaled bin Bandar bin Abdul-Aziz on the recommendation of the Defense Minister Prince Salman.
30th June: An Iranian military commander Hassan Firouzabadi has expressed alarm at the death sentence handed to Shia Saudi cleric Ayatollah Nimr al-Nimr. He has expressed his hope that the government of Saudi Arabia (land of turbulent Princes, aging monarchs and caged princesses) will overrule this unjust sentence.
30th June: Shimon Peres has expressed hope that the presence of Daash will help unite Arabs and Israelis to a bigger threat.
30th June: In other news from the promised/cursed land, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the creation of an independent Kurdish state.
30th June: This article by the New York Times claims that the State Department investigator of the Blackwater atrocities in Iraq has had his work hampered by death threats.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/30/us/before-shooting-in-iraq-warning-on-blackwater.html?_r=0
30th June: Obama has pointed out the threat returning European Jihadist fighters pose to the National Security of the USA.
What all schoolchildren learn, Those to whom evil is done Do evil in return.
30th June: The Iraqi Governments tally for the day:
The police have made five arrests in Basra
An IED has exploded in al-Ghazaliya suburb, west Baghdad killing one and injuring seven
Government kills three militants in Injana, north of Diyala, in air strikes
The Baghdad operational Command claims to have stopped an infiltration attempt by DI
Three civilians are killed in north east of Baqouba by mortar fire
“The rebels against the government consist of Iraqi Sunni Arab tribes, ex army officers, Ex Ba’athist and Islamic Jihadist.”
The first 3 groups have only to look across the border into Syria to see what the 4th group did to see what they are aligned with and what will be in store for Iraq.
@Everybody,
This is a must read article from the SkyesPicot.net:
“Iraq: “The nail in the coffin” of the Syrian Revolution.
……………..
Forget about ‘extending the war indefinitely’ – nobody wants that anymore. Forget that Iran is the enemy – its services are now essential for the security of the Middle East and western world. Even the services of Iran’s most potent proxy, Hezbollah, may be needed. Whichever approach the powers of the world take, whether it is accepting a different regime figure in Syria (to save face), or it is wiping the slate clean with Assad, the goals of The Syrian Revolution, in their original form, are history. Further, the Syrian Opposition, in their current form, are being walked helplessly to their permanent demise. We cannot help but recall what President Assad said back in April during a meeting with former Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin:
‘This year the active phase of military action in Syria will be ended. After that we will have to shift to what we have been doing all the time – fighting terrorists’
Everyone laughed at him, even his die-hard supporters. Nobody is laughing now.”
http://sykespicot.net/2014/06/26/iraq-the-nail-in-the-coffin-of-the-syrian-revolution/
Best regard,
Mohamed.
@ Everybody,
This is very, very interesting:
“International meeting for ISIL in France.”
http://www.voltairenet.org/article184507.html
Best regards,
Mohamed.
At first I didnt believe Shimon Peres said that shit, but he did, two days ago. Shaking my head in disbelief still.
‘Greater Threat’ being Iran I assume.
Of Course, things MAY have changed now that ISIS has rebranded itself the Islamic Caliphate, claiming to defend all muslims including theoretically palestinians, but probably still wont change much.
The matrix is always the same.
It was written ISIL, now it’s written Daulat Islamia, it will be written in other pompous name in future.
It’s read always the same: SAUD bin USRAEL! All the rest is noise…………….http://www.statopotenza.eu/12861/la-guerra-contro-liraq
Based on this Summary I seem to be inferring that the Shia forces have not made much progress today.
Thanks for a comprehensive SITREP.
Mindfriedo what’s the true score on Al-Maliki? (according to you). Who is supporting him (Iran?, who else), who other than the Sunnis and M-as-Sadr are against him and want him to go?
Do you believe that Al-Maliki was brought into the picture by the Americans, during their occupation, because he’s a devisive character?
If Al-Maliki is as putrid as is being claimed by his detractors? Who’d be the ideal candidate to replace him?
Finally some questions about Islam:
What is the proper way to wish someone a happy Ramadan?
(a) in English
(b) in Arabic
Any differences in this salutation between Sunni and Shia?
Any differences in the Ramadan traditions and celebrations between Sunnis and Shia?
What is the difference between a Masjid and a Mosque?
One final question/request can we refrain from calling the Daash/ISIS: Daulat Islamia (DI). Why should we give these bastard (literallly) human excrement spawn of of MI6/Saudi-Intelligence/CIA/GRU/Etc. any credence? I suggest we keep calling them Foreign-sponsored Salaafist/Daash terrorists/ISIS. What do you think?
Based on this Summary I seem to be inferring that the Shia forces have not made much progress today.
Thanks for a comprehensive SITREP.
Mindfriedo what’s the true score on Al-Maliki? (according to you). Who is supporting him (Iran?, who else), who other than the Sunnis and M-as-Sadr are against him and want him to go?
Do you believe that Al-Maliki was brought into the picture by the Americans, during their occupation, because he’s a devisive character?
If Al-Maliki is as putrid as is being claimed by his detractors? Who’d be the ideal candidate to replace him?
Finally some questions about Islam:
What is the proper way to wish someone a happy Ramadan?
(a) in English
(b) in Arabic
Any differences in this salutation between Sunni and Shia?
Any differences in the Ramadan traditions and celebrations between Sunnis and Shia?
What is the difference between a Masjid and a Mosque?
One final question/request can we refrain from calling the Daash/ISIS: Daulat Islamia (DI). Why should we give these bastard (literallly) human excrement spawn of of MI6/Saudi-Intelligence/CIA/GRU/Etc. any credence? I suggest we keep calling them Foreign-sponsored Salaafist/Daash terrorists/ISIS. What do you think?
“Russian officials must have a higher regard for the SU-25 than the Americans have of their F-16.”
The advantage of the SU-25 is that Iraq has pilots who were trained in that plane. So they can go back after a short refreshment course. One article mentioned that Russia had offered SU-30s but that Maliki prefered the SU-25. It also makes sense when you consider that ISIS has no air force and only a very weak air defense. Why should one employ expensive new planes when cheap old ones will do just as well.
@ Observer,
I will wait till Mindfriedo to reply you, then I will add my thoughts to it.
BTW, Masjid is Arabic, and in English, I guess it is called, Mosque.
Yes, I myself like to call them ISIS, it reminds me the Goddess ISIS. It is purely the AngloZionist concept. lol
There is no difference in Ramadan salutation between Sunni and Shia. However, there is difference between Arabs and non-Arabs.
Best regards,
Mohamed.
“Observer said…,
One final question/request can we refrain from calling the Daash/ISIS: Daulat Islamia (DI). Why should we give these bastard (literally) human excrement spawn of of MI6/Saudi-Intelligence/CIA/GRU/Etc. any credence?
Hi Observer,
In a way, I like to call them, Daulat Islamia (DI). As, this puts a chill in the spines of the ruling classes of both Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Imagine, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi being the Caliph for all Muslims around the World. All Muslims including the Religion Class (Authorities) have to pay allegiance to him, and take the religion from him only.
It is probably a wake up call for all Muslims around the World, especially for them to stop their bullsh*t about sectarianism and the associated violence with it.
Best regards,
Mohamed.
@Mohammed
Dear Mohammed,
Thank you for both your answers.
Re: DI putting a chill down the spine of the other pretenders – Excellent Point! I didn’t think of that, but ISIS’s stupidity is showing through, they are creating enemies and jealousy out of their Allies and potentially creating a rift.
So if ISIS’s butcher-in-chief Al-Baghdadi gets displeased with the Saudis for not coughing up enough $$$ he could make a call (as caliph) for the Sunnis of Saudi Arabia to rise-up against the House of Saud; a very dangerous situation for them.
@Observer
I will be biased and answer your interesting questions. Others you can easily Google.
on Al-Maliki? (according to you). Who is supporting him?
If you believe the election results, 720000 Shia Iraqis before the current crisis. Presently, I have a feeling his votes are split down the middle, with some solidifying and others not so sure.
The American’s did probably bring him in, finding him easier than his predecessor. But the status of forces agreement probably changed things. I could not find this article on Bhadrakumar’s blog, but I found a repost here: http://inthesenewtimes.com/2011/12/19/the-untold-story-of-us-retreat-from-iraq/
Here’s another
http://www.ipsnews.net/2011/12/how-maliki-and-iran-outsmarted-the-us-on-troop-withdrawal/
This must have festered with the Americans. The delays in helping out are like the Americans telling the Iraqis “we told you so.”
Who’d be the ideal candidate to replace him?
It does not matter. Iran is going to have the same clout on any future Prime Minister. Since every time the Shias vote, 65%, a Shia man will be on top, The Iranian influence is something the Saudis, Ba’athist/Islamist, Americans will always resent. I don’t think the policies will differ much either. Chalabi was I remember, America’s man. They latter found him playing both sides as well. For instance, Sadr (not a candidate for PM) was initially pro nationalism, still is. But see where he’s studying. He’s become pro Iran too.
But a replacement by the Shia may be the pragmatic thing to do. Providing Maliki is willing. For the opposition it is a very easy way to split your enemy. We will work with him and not with him or with this and that issue and not this one. It forces the Shias to choose, leading to internal division and possibility for conflict.
“Any differences in the Ramadan traditions and celebrations between Sunnis and Shia?
A few that I can think of:
Moon sighting: From what I have read and observed locally, the Sunnis have to literally see the moon to decide the start and end dates. The Shias can base it on astrological calculations and don’t have to physically see the moon, although it is considered better. Ultimately the Marja (his office) decides on the issue and does provide clarity if there is no sighting. The dates of the Shias and Sunnis at times differ.
Timings of commencement and opening of the fast: The Shia Azan/time for prayer is sooner in the morning and later in the evening by 7 to 10 minutes. A few minutes before Dawn sets in and a few minutes after dusk sets in. This means that the Shia day is slightly longer. The Sunnis have to eat something when the fast breaks, they cannot wait for later. The Shias do not give importance to the actual eating at the time of breaking the fast, it opens automatically. Although, there is a prayer before eating.
Tarahwi: This practice involves praying recommended prayers in congregation by the Sunnis. Salat can be broadly divided into the compulsory and the recommended. Seventeen rakats of the day are compulsory for both Shia and Sunni, the others are recommended.
The Shias believe that praying “Sunat/Mustabah/recommended” prayers in Jammat (Congregation) is haram/unlawful. This is because in their tradition, Muhammad (sawa) did not offer recommended prayers in congregation. They view this as a practice started by the Second Caliph and thus an innovation. Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) during his Khilafa/rule sent his sons armed to the mosque to prevent this practice, but Muslims continued to observe it.
What is the difference between a Masjid and a Mosque?
They are the same thing being referred to in two languages.
One final question/request can we refrain from calling…
I see what you are saying. Both for clarity and not giving them what they want, I’ll call the state they have created the DI of Daash and their militants as Daash fighters.
@mindfriedo01 July, 2014 11:28
Dear Mindfriedo,
Thank you for such a detailed and comprehensive answer. It is greatly appreciated. I knew that their were subtleties that only a person from the culture could correctly answer (and one that is trusted).
Extremely interesting and practical information.
I get the impression that many of the practices of Shia Islam are consistent with a personal relationship with God/Allah (if I understood your point of praying in congregation as being Haram [did I misunderstand?]). Re: Maliki (I hope he doesn’t turn out to be a deep cover witting agent or unwitting agent who was chosen because his personality would ensure a divisiveness). I personally have nothing against the man since I am ignorant of his policies and cannot ascribe to accusations against him w/o more knowledge on the topic.
Thanks again.
Ramadan Kareem to both you and Mohammed.
@Observer
Thank you
The salat that are compulsory (17 rakat daily) can and should ideally be prayed in congregation. It is Mustahab (better if you do) to pray these in congregation.
Recommended Salah cannot be prayed in congregation. It is haram (unlawful).
If you want to see the Gnostic/spiritual parts in Shiasm then there is the life of Ali ibn Hussain (as) referred to as Zayn al-Abedin (jewel of the worshippers) and in prose there are prayers such as Dua e Kumayl and Dua e Mashlool that are perfect examples.
reg Maliki
I’m not sure about him being an agent, possibly just a more temperable ally of sorts.
That his administration/officers were corrupt, I have no doubts here. The lure of oil money is too great.
mindfriedo