Knew this was gunna happen. Funeral for LH fighters was at 10am local time in Karrada and what came next was undeniable
*KH
Minister of Interior just arrived.
Minister of Interior just arrived.
The security cameras on the walls were destroyed and the Ambassador is in Erbil.
The towers are being evacuated. Pretty sure Iraqi Forces are heading there now.
The towers are being evacuated. Pretty sure Iraqi Forces are heading there now.
The fighters' families are among the protesters and right now the MOI is trying to calm the situation.
Some stills to show the size of the protests. These people came directly from the funeral. 
There's always a Security Forces detachment from the Marines at the Embassies but we'll see what happens next. These guys are trained for this kind of scenario but even then it's unpredictable.
MOD on his way to the Embassy grounds now.
Still from a 20-second video which was recorded from the protester side of the windows
No truth to ICTS receiving tasking to respond to the Embassy crisis, this is not part of their mission guidelines.
Current response to situation is being treated like Crowd/Riot Control so this is a MOI tasking.
Current response to situation is being treated like Crowd/Riot Control so this is a MOI tasking.
24 people wounded so far during attempts to storm the compound.
Adel Abdul-Mahdi is asking the protesters to leave the front of the Embassy immediately.
AAM declared 3 days of mourning and stated that assaults on embassies are strictly prohibited, emphasizing that those involved will be punished according to the law which includes the strongest penalties.
Iraq Army Special Forces Division is blocking any new force entering the Green Zone to prevent a clash with the protesters.
Like I mentioned in other threads, 56th Brigade has the security file for the Green Zone.
Like I mentioned in other threads, 56th Brigade has the security file for the Green Zone.
Speaking of which, some of the protesters already started setting up tents. So unless the situation is able to be defused within the next few hours then this could last a few days.
Qais Khazali apparently made some ridiculous demand for the Coalition to hand over the pilots responsible for the strikes within 48 hours.
President Trump is holding Iran "fully responsible" for any attacks that happen at the Embassy and calls on Iraq Govt to use its power to protect the site in Baghdad.
These are soldiers from the 56th Special Forces Brigade, they have nothing to do with the banner or graffiti.
Iraq MOD denies the presence of Najah Shammari at the US Embassy.
Another image of the same vicinity showing the Iraq Army Special Forces troops. They're literally posted at the gate but I guess context doesn't matter to some people.
Even in the Brigade 50 commander's video, you can see that the SF troops are actively blocking the entrance to the Embassy grounds.
PMF seem to have accepted this and are instead showing up for photos. Hence why Kaldani is there.
PMF seem to have accepted this and are instead showing up for photos. Hence why Kaldani is there.
Here's the Iraq Army Special Forces Division logo, on the Lieutenant Colonel's uniform.
Some more photos.
Even regular Army troops (in desert cammies) are present now, a few of them were also visible in Kaldani's video as well.
Even regular Army troops (in desert cammies) are present now, a few of them were also visible in Kaldani's video as well.
Second gate was just burned by the PMF protesters.
Reports of heavy air activity over the Green Zone now.
From the event
Pretty sure these are non-lethal 40mm sponge rounds
Pretty sure these are non-lethal 40mm sponge rounds
some confirmation now that it's US Army AH-64s making their orbit and dispersing flares. Video in a bit.
Also to note that it's starting to get dark so obviously things can change rather quickly.
As mentioned earlier in the thread
US Army helicopters active over the Green Zone dropping flares earlier. Having trouble uploading the video but here are stills.
They only filmed one helicopter in the 26-second clip.
US Army helicopters active over the Green Zone dropping flares earlier. Having trouble uploading the video but here are stills.
They only filmed one helicopter in the 26-second clip.
Backtracking on this, if the funeral took place in Karrada, then that means they crossed into the Green Zone via the July 14th Bridge.
Security must've been minimal because there has been no protest activity in Karrada, the gatherings have been consistently to the east of GZ.
Security must've been minimal because there has been no protest activity in Karrada, the gatherings have been consistently to the east of GZ.
Karrada on the other hand is located to the south of the Green Zone. Was it just that the MOI had its units committed to the Republic, Ahrar, and Sinak bridges? Who knows.
so when you consider the level of security and the size of the mob, it's easy to see why they crossed without issue.
The last group that entered the Green Zone via Sinak Bridge was significantly smaller and they made it to the King Faisal statue in Salhiya.
The last group that entered the Green Zone via Sinak Bridge was significantly smaller and they made it to the King Faisal statue in Salhiya.
By now it's been 9 hours and most of the mob left earlier in the day.
It's been reported in media, but reinforcements for the Embassy are arriving at some point if they haven't already. 100 Marines from Security Forces since that's their job.
It's been reported in media, but reinforcements for the Embassy are arriving at some point if they haven't already. 100 Marines from Security Forces since that's their job.
I guess tomorrow will determine who's left. I'd say it's probably just PMF personnel and not so much their supporters or the families of the victims.
ISOF-1 commander and Deputy Commander of Joint Operations are trying to convince the protesters to leave.
M-ATV flipped over earlier tonight without knowing the reasons why.
Minister of Interior and Federal Police Commander present tonight as well. ISOF-1 unit was mobilized as well.
ICTS guys earlier
My guess is they chose the Type 07 Arid camo to distinguish themselves from the Army SF personnel present on the Embassy grounds.
My guess is they chose the Type 07 Arid camo to distinguish themselves from the Army SF personnel present on the Embassy grounds.
By the way, media claimed that the Ambassador was evacuated as a result of the protests outside of the Embassy, the reality is that he's been away on Holiday Leave.
From last night when a section of MV-22s arrived on the Embassy grounds. The USMC Security Forces are trained to deal specifically with Embassy crises and specialize in close quarters combat on top of the infantry training they already have.
Via FLIR from an orbiting AH-64
Via FLIR from an orbiting AH-64
Also noticed that some media are calling these 25th ID guys "snipers"
Those ACOGs or ACOs, whatever the US Army calls it, have a magnified zoom. That's all they could do at that distance, only observe.
Even the SALUTE report on the notepad proves this.
Those ACOGs or ACOs, whatever the US Army calls it, have a magnified zoom. That's all they could do at that distance, only observe.
Even the SALUTE report on the notepad proves this.
And yes it's true that PMF got orders to withdraw and they complied. The personnel withdrew back to Karrada which is where they came from originally. They did so in response to the Prime Minister's request.
It wasn't possible during the earlier hours due to civilians presence.
It wasn't possible during the earlier hours due to civilians presence.
Security Media reported within the hour that the perimeter of the Embassy grounds has been fully secured.
I guess I'll keep this thread going.
About the reports regarding USMC F/A-18: those guys out of Beaufort are the Corps contribution to the Carrier Wing.
In other words they were already sitting afloat which is why they got to Kuwait so quickly.
About the reports regarding USMC F/A-18: those guys out of Beaufort are the Corps contribution to the Carrier Wing.
In other words they were already sitting afloat which is why they got to Kuwait so quickly.
The 82nd Airborne deployment is pretty self-explanatory in terms of moving troops and supplies on a large scale, hence why so many planes were involved. A C-17 can hold over 100 troops, while their equipment can be carried on pallets via additional aircraft.
Some things to note since it was disputed today:
Yes, Qais Khazali was present with Hadi Amiri at the Embassy grounds.
The photo with Falih Fayyadh is from Hurriya Square in Karrada, which he published on his FB page.
Yes, Qais Khazali was present with Hadi Amiri at the Embassy grounds.
The photo with Falih Fayyadh is from Hurriya Square in Karrada, which he published on his FB page.
Muhandis was present as well, this photo was taken at the gate to the July 14th Bridge, which they later crossed. The security there was minimal, staffed by a security detachment and two Humvees.
I don't think any media exists of Fayyadh present at the Embassy though.
I don't think any media exists of Fayyadh present at the Embassy though.
so besides Amiri, Khazali, and Muhandis making an appearance, the only othet notable commanders was Kaldani (Babylon Brigade is Badr) and Hamid Jaziyari who is the religious leader for Brigade 18 / Saraya Khorosani. Jaziyari is usually at Anbar.
coming back to this for a second. If I had to give an opinion on why they were moved off the Carrier and ashore, it's because these 12 jets were put on Strip Launch Alert status. The squadron is ready to respond to any emergency.
ISOF at the Embassy this morning:
Another photo to show the spread of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces this morning:
Kata'ib Hezbollah political office stated that the reason why they chose to move their sit-in after the PM order was because they expect Parliament to start legislation for the troop withdrawals next week.
Pretty sure they re-staged near Babylon Hotel.
Pretty sure they re-staged near Babylon Hotel.
Minister of Interior assessing some of the damage today:
Now
Reports that Coalition took over Airspace Control Measures at Joint Operations Command in the Green Zone.
Reports that Coalition took over Airspace Control Measures at Joint Operations Command in the Green Zone.
The reports are FALSE.
Media suggested that actual equipment was seized, when the Joint Operations building doesn't possess these for Command & Control operations.
Media suggested that actual equipment was seized, when the Joint Operations building doesn't possess these for Command & Control operations.
Had I known they were talking about "seizing Iraqi airspace" I would've never published that tweet.
Totally not how it works and it's a show of genuine ignorance. The Coalition Airpace Control Measures are dictacted by their own Controlling Agency.
Totally not how it works and it's a show of genuine ignorance. The Coalition Airpace Control Measures are dictacted by their own Controlling Agency.
*dictated
I can tell you all right now that the sort of itinerant guidance the Coalition fighters would need is something that doesn't come from within Iraq. Iraq green lights scheduled flights per Host Nation protocols, but handles their own surveillance operations.
I can tell you all right now that the sort of itinerant guidance the Coalition fighters would need is something that doesn't come from within Iraq. Iraq green lights scheduled flights per Host Nation protocols, but handles their own surveillance operations.
"green light" is actually kind of an improper military term to define the air operations
my point is that Iraq gives clearance for Coalition flights beforehand, per Host Nation protocols. The Qa'im strike being the obvious exemption.
my point is that Iraq gives clearance for Coalition flights beforehand, per Host Nation protocols. The Qa'im strike being the obvious exemption.
Reports about 3 explosions at Baghdad International Airport.
Reports of heavy air activity now.
Reports that they fell on the perimeter with no human losses.
Security Media just now confirmed the destruction of 2 vehicles and injuries to civilians. No human losses.
It was a total of 4 rockets.
-1 fell near a building housing Coalition forces
-1 fell on the tarmac from the military airport
-1 fell on the ICTS building
-the final one hit the outside road which resulted in the destruction of the 2 vehicles and injuries
-1 fell near a building housing Coalition forces
-1 fell on the tarmac from the military airport
-1 fell on the ICTS building
-the final one hit the outside road which resulted in the destruction of the 2 vehicles and injuries
Reports of 3 dead, among them is Mohammed Redha who is a PMF official.
Full name is Mohammed Redha Al-Jabri.
Here's Mohammed Redha Al-Jabri at the Embassy.
The others present were Abu Madhi Al-Muhandis and Hamid Al-Jaziyari.
The others present were Abu Madhi Al-Muhandis and Hamid Al-Jaziyari.
Syrian currency.
Some reports claiming Muhandis was in the strike but there is nothing to substantiate this.
List of names:
1) Mohammed Redha Al-Jabri
2) Hassan Muqawama
3) Muhammad Al-Shaibani
3 others are mentioned with media claiming they are Iranians despite presence of Syrian currency. Hope people realize there are Iraqis in Syria too.
1) Mohammed Redha Al-Jabri
2) Hassan Muqawama
3) Muhammad Al-Shaibani
3 others are mentioned with media claiming they are Iranians despite presence of Syrian currency. Hope people realize there are Iraqis in Syria too.
Media denies the deaths of Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis and Qassim Soleimani.
Iraqiyah is stating otherwise.
PMF is confirming the deaths of Qassim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.
Right now Hadath is claiming that Marines launched a raid to arrest Hadi Amiri and Qais Khazali
Jadriya has a pretty big PMF presence, doubtful at the news because it's only coming from them at the moment.
Jadriya has a pretty big PMF presence, doubtful at the news because it's only coming from them at the moment.
Just now
NO TRUTH to this. PMF official Jawad Al-Talibawi denies the reports.
NO TRUTH to this. PMF official Jawad Al-Talibawi denies the reports.
No truth to the arrest of National Security Advisor Falih Fayyadh, USMC did not carry out any raids at all.
The Security Forces are tasked with protecting the Embassy, not making House Calls like a SOF would.
The Security Forces are tasked with protecting the Embassy, not making House Calls like a SOF would.
Iraq Army, the Special Division, and ICTS are cordoning off the Green Zone.
Funeral Detail going this morning in Najaf for the fighters from the Qa'im airstrikes.
The bodies were brought to Imam Hussein shrine the night before. Pretty sure Qassim Soleimani was supposed to attend this with Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.
The bodies were brought to Imam Hussein shrine the night before. Pretty sure Qassim Soleimani was supposed to attend this with Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.
Impact site this morning:
Reports that Muhandis and Soleimani were moved to Muthanna Hospital.
Parliament is holding a session tomorrow concerning the expulsion of the Coalition from Iraq.
Sadr orders formation of Mahdi Army and Promised Day Brigades.
Sadr orders formation of Mahdi Army and Promised Day Brigades.
Joint Operations mourns the death of Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, bulletin was posted by General Yarallah earlier.
The parliamentary meeting is going according to Article 58 of the Constitution.
AAM condemned the attacks prior to ordering the special session.
The parliamentary meeting is going according to Article 58 of the Constitution.
AAM condemned the attacks prior to ordering the special session.
The operation that killed Qassim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis is called Blue Lightning. It's meant to be continuous.
Speaking of which, I might as well add to this thread that Brigadier General Ismael Qa'ani has been appointed commander of the Quds Force.
A total of 10 people were killed last night during the Blue Lightning assassination, it was 5 PMF and 5 IRGC.
By the way here's a photo from the emergency meeting ordered by Sadr earlier.
