Fierce fighting in Tikrit; Russia, Iran, and Syria try to help Iraq while the USA tries political advice and drones

Saddam Hussein’s Former Palace in Tikrit

The fighting in Tikrit and other parts of Iraq is intense as ISIS forces are pushing hard:

June 29, 2014

Iraqi government forces have reportedly been forced to pull back from the northern city of Tikrit after an offensive to reclaim the city from Sunni Muslim militants was blunted by fierce fighting.

The BBC, citing eyewitnesses, reported Sunday that the Iraqi army had fallen back to the town of Dijla, approximately 15 miles to the south. The witnesses said that the government forces’ drive to retake Tikrit had been hampered in part my the large number of improvised explosive devices laid on the approach to the city. The witnesses said that security forces continued to shell the city, though what damage those shells may have done is unclear.

Iraqi officials had claimed that troops had pushed into the heart of the city in what was the biggest attempt yet by the Baghdad government to reverse a series of defeats suffered earlier this month at the hands of the Al Qaeda-inspired Islamic State in Iraq and The Levant (ISIS). The militants have surged across Sunni-majority areas of the north and west, menacing the capital and bringing the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to the brink of collapse in the process.

Tikrit, the hometown of former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein, was overrun by ISIS fighters on June 11 as part of an offensive that also swallowed up Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/06/29/iraq-forces-battle-militants-for-control-key-northern-city-tikrit/

June 29, 2014

DUBAI, UAE —Iran is ready to help Iraq fight an armed revolt using the same methods it deployed against opposition forces in Syria, an Iranian general said, suggesting Tehran is offering to take a larger role in battling Sunni militias threatening Baghdad.

Iranian leaders to date have said they would help defend Shi’ite Muslim shrines in neighboring Iraq if necessary, but have also said Iraqis are capable of doing that job themselves.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei on June 22 also said he rejected intervention in Iraq by Washington or any other outside power against Sunni militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militia.

ISIL has seized a broad swathe of territory in northern and western Iraq in recent weeks in their quest to topple the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi’ite backed by Iran, and to set up an Islamic caliphate. http://www.voanews.com/content/iran-general-says-ready-to-help-iraq-against-militants/1947138.html

Iraq says it has received several secondhand Russian fighter jets to use in the fight against the militants.

The operation comes shortly after U.S. officials said its military is flying armed drones in Iraqi airspace to protect U.S. military advisers sent to help counter insurgents.

U.S. President Barack Obama sent 300 military personnel to Iraq earlier this month to strengthen government security forces and help establish joint operation centers to combat ISIL.

Human Rights Watch said Friday analysis of photographs and satellite imagery “strongly indicates” that ISIL extremists conducted mass executions in Tikrit after seizing control of the city. http://www.voanews.com/content/iraqi-troops-launch-offensive-against-isil-in-tikrit/1946913.html

ISIS reportedly is killing various opponents, including people that it feels are simply ‘moderates.’ ISIS is a waring, killing, force intent on victory no matter how many need to be killed. Its brutality has encouraged some, while scaring others to not fight it. ISIS is against Shi’ites ruling them.

Iraq’s Shi’ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is turning to the governments of Syria and Iran, as well as Russia, to fight ISIS. The USA is in a quandary as officially it claims it wants ISIS to lose, Syria’s government overthrown, Iran isolated, and Russia sanctioned. So at this stage, the USA has supplied a lot of political advice which Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has tended to ignore. The USA has also supplied 300 other ‘advisers’ as well as some drones, and a plan to give money/arms to those that are fighting Syria and Iraq’s Shi’ite government.

ISIS has allegedly captured enough USA produced weapons (and also money) so far to support 200,000 troops according to a report I saw today in the Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-iraq-isis-arms-20140629-story.html#page=1). The situation looks bleak for Iraq.

Notice also what the Washington Post has reported:

THESE ARE heady times for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). It controls a wide swath of territory across the two countries in its name and boasts on the Internet of obliterating the boundary drawn by the French and British nearly a century ago. In conquering Mosul and other cities, it has come into possession of a vast trove of equipment, weapons and money to add to the bankroll that already enabled it to wage war with little apparent concern for financial constraints…

And for those whom ISIS cannot recruit with ideology or cash, there is the stark reality that, within its domain, opposition means death. Certainly that was the message sent by the group’s massacre of at least 150 unarmed men in Tikrit, publicized by ISIS and confirmed in excruciating detail in a new Human Rights Watch report.

So when people speak with resignation, or even a certain optimism, about the supposedly inevitable breakup of Iraq into Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish enclaves, they need to understand that the first of those three potential entities would be ruled, at least initially, by ISIS — with all the danger that entails for the people under the organization’s heel and for the rest of the world. This is a group that sees itself, in the long run, as not only a destroyer of Middle East states but also a beacon for all Islamic extremists and a global revolutionary force. Once entrenched in Iraq, it can be expected to promote terrorism everywhere, including in the United States and Western Europe…

Given this immense menace, the Obama administration’s efforts to shore up anti-ISIS forces in Iraq and now Syria are necessary, even if it’s not clear whether they will prove sufficient. Its $500 million request to Congress to train and equip an alternative Syrian force to battle both the Assad regime and ISIS represents a belated but welcome abandonment of the president’s reluctance to intervene…

We think the president is right to be pushing Iraqi politicians to form an inclusive government for which a multi-sectarian army would be willing to fight. But if that fails, it still will be intolerable, as President Obama has said, for the United States to allow a jihadist state to become established. Congress should ask him to explain his fallback plan. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-jihadist-state-in-the-middle-east/2014/06/28/9747ead0-fe13-11e3-8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html

ISIS wants to establish an Islamic caliphate. The Washington Post, which tends to back the Obama Administration, is raising concerns that his Administration is not handling this correctly and that the USA and others are subject to terrorism because of what is going on in Iraq. Sadly, the Washington Post is correct. Terrorism (Leviticus 26:14-17; Ezekiel 21:12; Proverbs 1:25-27) and and a transnational ‘Islamic’ caliphate is coming (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8). As far as Europe goes, we have a video of related interest titled War is Coming Between Europeans and Arabs.

As far as Iraq possibly breaking up into three of more pieces goes, I have been warning about that for many years. It seems to be getting closer to possibly happening. The world is changing and it will not end up as well as most hope for a long time.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here is a related video Iran In Prophecy.
What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy Do you know the Turkish people descended from? Did the Ottoman Empire possibly fulfill a promise in Genesis? Will Turkey support the European King of the North or Arabic King of the South? Will it betray one of them? Will Turkey be involved in the encouraging the destruction of Israel? Is Turkey going to become Catholic? Is Turkey mentioned in Psalm 83, Daniel 11, and elsewhere in the Bible? This video provides answers.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Egypt in Prophecy Does Egypt have a special role in end time prophecy? Will Egypt rise up and then be defeated. What does God teach will
What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy Do you know the Turkish people descended from? Did the Ottoman Empire possibly fulfill a promise in Genesis? Will Turkey support the European King of the North or Arabic King of the South? Will it betray one of them? Will Turkey be involved in the encouraging the destruction of Israel? Is Turkey going to become Catholic? Is Turkey mentioned in Psalm 83, Daniel 11, and elsewhere in the Bible? This video provides answers.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Why Were You Born? Why did God make you? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. You may also wish to read the article What is Your Destiny? or watch the video, also titled What is Your Destiny?
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Arabic Nazarenes May Have Kept Original Christian Practices Were their faithful Arabs who held to original Christianity?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.