One, who knew Iraq had any jet aircraft?
Iraqi jets dropped leaflets over Mosul telling residents that Islamic State fighters would soon be driven from the northern city, saying details of the operation would be broadcast on a new radio station.
Did Iraqis really drop leaflets from Su-25s?
Yet aside from Iraq in the recent past expressing the desire to focus on Anbar first, there is this:
Despite that promise, there has been no sign of an imminent military operation against Islamic State in Mosul.
My question is whether this is a feint to disguise the imminent main effort against ISIL in Anbar.
If so, this leaflet isn't the first misdirection.
A recent round of air strikes has focused on tactical units.
And a large wave on July 4th around Raqqa sought to limit the ability of ISIL to reinforce Iraq:
U.S.-led coalition aircraft unleashed a wave of airstrikes targeting the Islamic State group's stronghold of Raqqa in eastern Syria in what the coalition said Sunday was one of its most sustained aerial operations carried out in Syria to date. ...
"The significant airstrikes tonight were executed to deny Daesh the ability to move military capabilities throughout Syria and into Iraq," said coalition spokesman Lt. Col. Thomas Gilleran, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.
"This was one of the largest deliberate engagements we have conducted to date in Syria, and it will have debilitating effects on Daesh's ability to move" from Raqqa, he said.
Hmm. Why is it important right now to reduce the ability of ISIL in Syria to reinforce Iraq?
And if we are about to go on offense in Anbar, I'll ask again if Jordanian troops will participate.
Enjoy the rocket's red glare, asshats.
