Iraqi commander: Fallujah 'fully liberated' from ISIS - Polidicks

[IMG]http://a57.foxnews.com/images.foxnews.com/content/fox-news/world/2016/06/26/iraqi-commander-fallujah-fully-liberated-from-isis/_jcr_content/par/featured-media/media-0.img.jpg/876/493/1466929992648.jpg?ve=1&tl=1[/IMG] [QUOTE]Five weeks after a military operation began, a senior Iraqi commander declared Sunday that the city of Fallujah was "fully liberated" from the Islamic State group, giving a major boost to the country's security and political leadership in its fight against the extremists. Recapturing Fallujah, the first city to fall to the Islamic State group more than two years ago, means that authorities can now set their sights on militant-held Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, visiting central Fallujah with the celebrating troops, vowed that the Iraqi flag would next be raised above Mosul. But that campaign has been progressing in fits and starts, revealing the deep divisions among the different groups that make up the security forces.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/06/26/iraqi-commander-fallujah-fully-liberated-from-isis.html[/url]

Finally, some good news from that region. Hope this provides the morale boost they need to finish the job.

Somehow I have my doubts. I'm getting strong vibes like the Bush administration declaring 'victory' in Iraq. Or the time the US declared 'victory' when they were kicked out of Vietnam. I think IS is far from done. After all, we've heard there's still fighting happening.

The only good Daesh is a dead Daesh.

[QUOTE=archangel125;50605929]Somehow I have my doubts. I'm getting strong vibes like the Bush administration declaring 'victory' in Iraq. Or the time the US declared 'victory' when they were kicked out of Vietnam. I think IS is far from done. After all, we've heard there's still fighting happening.[/QUOTE] [IMG]http://www.bruceongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/George-Bush-Mission-accomplished.jpg[/IMG]

So what are the changes that have suddenly enabled the Iraqi army to drive IS out?

[QUOTE=Im Crimson;50606040]So what are the changes that have suddenly enabled the Iraqi army to drive IS out?[/QUOTE] I don't know for sure but my assumption is a few divisions of USMC tanks with CAS and infantry supporting.

[QUOTE=archangel125;50605929]Somehow I have my doubts. I'm getting strong vibes like the Bush administration declaring 'victory' in Iraq. Or the time the US declared 'victory' when they were kicked out of Vietnam. I think IS is far from done. After all, we've heard there's still fighting happening.[/QUOTE] They only mentioned Fallujah being liberated. I mean, they managed to recapture Ramadi, and use that additional avenue of approach to punch through Fallujah. Baby steps! Onward to Mosul!

[QUOTE=archangel125;50605929]Somehow I have my doubts. I'm getting strong vibes like the Bush administration declaring 'victory' in Iraq. Or the time the US declared 'victory' when they were kicked out of Vietnam. I think IS is far from done. After all, we've heard there's still fighting happening.[/QUOTE] I'm not sure what declaration of victory this is(I'm not young enough to remember much of Bush), but [QUOTE=Chaitin;50606030][IMG]http://www.bruceongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/George-Bush-Mission-accomplished.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] I know for a fact that this picture is posted all the time and is used as some sort of attempt to slander Bush. Even though that picture is Bush congratulating the crew of that ship on an actual military mission they did in fact accomplish, not a victory in Iraq. [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Accomplished_speech[/url] Here's a wiki page on it by the way.

[QUOTE=Tinter;50606672]I'm not sure what declaration of victory this is(I'm not young enough to remember much of Bush), but I know for a fact that this picture is posted all the time and is used as some sort of attempt to slander Bush. Even though that picture is Bush congratulating the crew of that ship on an actual military mission they did in fact accomplish, not a victory in Iraq. [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Accomplished_speech[/url] Here's a wiki page on it by the way.[/QUOTE] I'm referring to that more because he then announced an "end to major combat operations in Iraq". Which even he knew was bullshit at the time.

[QUOTE=TestECull;50606434]I don't know for sure but my assumption is a few divisions of USMC tanks with CAS and infantry supporting.[/QUOTE] I thought America did not have dedicated ground forces?

[QUOTE=TestECull;50606434]I don't know for sure but my assumption is a few divisions of USMC tanks with CAS and infantry supporting.[/QUOTE] The US provided air support, but their role on the ground was a lot more limited. My guess is that they didn't want to get mixed up with the Iranian-backed militia units. Iraqis brought their own M1A1M variants. Anyways, last time they said they almost had full control over Fallujah, it turned out that they captured a little less than a third, so I'd take any official statements by Iraqi officials with a grain of salt.

[QUOTE=archangel125;50606899]I'm referring to that more because he then announced an "end to major combat operations in Iraq". Which even he knew was bullshit at the time.[/QUOTE] Uhm well he wasn't wrong. Major combat operations referring to the multiple country spearheaded invasion that toppled Sadam Hussein. I get what you're saying though.

Frankly, I don't have that many issues with Bush himself. His only crime was being a complete idiot. Maybe he was honestly well intentioned. But his puppeteer, Cheney, most certainly was not. He made billions over the invasion and ravaging of Iraq.

[QUOTE=Im Crimson;50606040]So what are the changes that have suddenly enabled the Iraqi army to drive IS out?[/QUOTE] Among others: -ISIS being disorganised or not properly communicating -Supply lines being destroyed -Figthers realizing they may die for a shitty cause and dropping weapons -Pulling back to re-organise. It's bullshit. You can't COMPLETELY liberate a city where the enemy was part of the local population or you can't distinguish among the civilians who's who. It's not like the Wehrmacht could shed their uniforms and keep waging the war in Paris, you know what I mean? Plus all those IED's. We won't hear anything, but a lot of people is going to surely die in the incoming days.

[QUOTE=Slacker101;50606933]I thought America did not have dedicated ground forces?[/QUOTE] Not in a direct combat role. Just training and logistics.

[QUOTE=Cyke Lon bee;50607722]Not in a direct combat role. Just training and logistics.[/QUOTE] To be fair, they said the exact same thing of US involvement in the later stages of Vietnam, so it's a pretty suspicious excuse :v:

[media]http://twitter.com/ABC/status/748357595358863361[/media] This took place on the southern outskirts of Fallujah. I guess this is the Highway of Death 2?