Marines Battle ISIS To Defend Iraqi Oil Fields
By Erin Banco
The Islamic State group is trying
to retake control of the oil fields it lost two years ago in the
semi-autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan by launching rockets at
Kurdish and Iraqi soldiers. In an attempt to earn back the massive
amount of cash it used to fund its international terrorism in 2014, the
group has focused its resources on attacking Makhmur, a city just 75
miles miles from the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. So far, the group, also
known as ISIS, has succeeded in outgunning the Iraqi forces in the city,
but a new contingent of American Marines might change the outcome on
the ground.
to retake control of the oil fields it lost two years ago in the
semi-autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan by launching rockets at
Kurdish and Iraqi soldiers. In an attempt to earn back the massive
amount of cash it used to fund its international terrorism in 2014, the
group has focused its resources on attacking Makhmur, a city just 75
miles miles from the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. So far, the group, also
known as ISIS, has succeeded in outgunning the Iraqi forces in the city,
but a new contingent of American Marines might change the outcome on
the ground.
“Several weeks ago, thousands of Iraqi troops began occupying a
tactical assembly area in Makhmur. This is part of the force generation
associated with the liberation of Mosul,” Col. Steve Warren, spokesman
for the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, said in a press briefing
this week. Mosul is the de facto ISIS headquarters in Iraq. “These Iraqi
forces, along with their coalition advisers, require force protection,”
Warren said. “So we constructed a small fire base to do just that.”
The U.S. Marines in Iraq are on the front line and have been tasked
with protecting Iraqi units in Makhmur — a scenario President Barack
Obama wanted to avoid as long as possible during his time in office.
In a statement before meeting with congressional leaders on Sept. 3,
2013, Obama talked about his plan to combat ISIS and said: “The key
point that I want to emphasize to the American people: The military plan
that has been developed by our Joint Chiefs — and that I believe is
appropriate — is proportional. It is limited. It does not involve boots
on the ground. This is not Iraq, and this is not Afghanistan.”
There are now more than 3,200
U.S. personnel in Iraq. Many have been tasked with training Iraqi
soldiers, but others, such as the new contingent of Marines, are in
active battles or are leading special operations to rescue hostages. Two
American soldiers have died in Iraq since the U.S. deployed soldiers
last year.
U.S. personnel in Iraq. Many have been tasked with training Iraqi
soldiers, but others, such as the new contingent of Marines, are in
active battles or are leading special operations to rescue hostages. Two
American soldiers have died in Iraq since the U.S. deployed soldiers
last year.
