Flaunting Wider "Latitude," US Military Confirms More Strikes in Iraq

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/09/07/flaunting-wider-latitude-us-military-confirms-more-strikes-iraq

?itok=wreE1yrm

Assaults on houses, towns and bakeries allegedly harboring fighters affiliated with Islamic State

Flaunting Wider "Latitude," US Military Confirms More Strikes in Iraq
Lauren McCauley, staff writer
Sunday, September 07, 2014

Broadening the scope of the United States latest military assault on Iraq, officials confirmed on Sunday that a new round of attacks have been launched throughout the country targeting fighters affiliated with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Speaking at a press conference with Georgia Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel confirmed that airstrikes were launched Friday and Saturday around the Haditha Dam complex in the western part of the country allegedly to prevent the group from gaining control of or destroying the dam.

The New York Times reports, "soldiers and officers in the area around the Haditha Dam said that United States warplanes carried out airstrikes on several towns beginning around 11 p.m. on Saturday, striking what were described as ISIS positions in the towns of Rawa and Ana, as well as in Barwana, which is about nine miles from the dam."

With no mention of potential civilian casualties, Iraqi officers told the Times that the strikes continued Sunday morning targeting houses were ISIS fighters were reportedly gathering while the Iraqi military, including Special Forces units, were attacking the town from two sides with artillery and mortar fire.

--

President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize is getting a workout.

Note to Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Committee:

You really should award these things for people that have actually done something. "Hope" should not be in your criteria.