ISIS On The Threshold of Baghdad

From Townhall:

ISIS encroached on the outskirts of Baghdad today when three militants, disguised as Iraqi military, attacked a government office in Amiriyat Al-Falluja. The attack involved a suicide bombing and took the lives of at least eight people, leaving 17 wounded. Two of the three militants are said to be still at large. 

ISIS claimed credit for the attack, saying it had killed “dozens of apostates.” ISIS has continued to take large swaths of Iraqi territory, despite the ongoing US-led air campaign. ISIS is now positioning itself around Baghdad, the heart of Iraq’s remaining stronghold. 

Located on the western fringe of Baghdad, Amiriyat al-Falluja is one of the few remaining pockets of territory under government control in Anbar province, most of which is held by ISIS. Since overrunning the provincial capital Ramadi last month, the insurgents have sought to consolidate their gains in Anbar by attacking the last government strongholds, strung out along the Euphrates river valley. 

Iraqi security forces and Shiite paramilitaries are meanwhile edging towards Ramadi ISIS has also released a new propaganda video, in which the group vowed to “liberate” Baghdad soon. Baghdad is home to America’s $750-million embassy, which is situated in the Green Zone and is protected by over 800 marines. 

Meanwhile, President Obama recently admitted that he lacks a “complete strategy” for training Iraqi troops to confront ISIS: “When a finalized plan is presented to me by the Pentagon, then I will share it with the American people,” Obama said, adding, “We don’t yet have a complete strategy.”