Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Iraq snapshot

Wednesday, June 27, 2018. Is ISIS defeated is the bigger question before arguing over credit for it's alleged defeat.

Starting with David DeGraw:

Here's a 20 minute interview that I just did w/ Lee Camp. We discuss the latest news on the unaccounted for $21 Trillion & the insanity of dropping 121 bombs a day... (Watch Video)

* I haven't been able to keep Changemaker.Media online without insanely long load times, another topic we discuss in this interview. You can watch the full interview via YouTube here.

There are two short excerpts from the interview posted to Facebook...

2 Minute Version Here
5 Minute Version Here

Here's the 5 Minute Version on my new YouTube channel.

Staying with bombs being dropped, the US Defense Dept announced the following yesterday:

On June 18, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against ISIS targets near Rutbah. The strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS vehicle.
On June 19, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of three engagements against ISIS targets:
-- Near Rutbah, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.
-- Near Kisik, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.
On June 20, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of three engagements against ISIS targets near Rutbah. The strike destroyed three ISIS caves.
On June 21, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of one engagement against ISIS targets near Tal Afar. The strike destroyed an ISIS tunnel.
There were no reported strikes in Iraq on June 22.
On June 23, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of one engagement against ISIS targets near Basheer. The strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building.

There were no reported strikes in Iraq on June 24.

Now let's stop a minute for a claim that pops up in e-mails from time to time. US President Donald Trump has not defeated ISIS. ISIS remains. Every now and then someone e-mails the public e-mail account insisting that we (this site) are not giving Donald credit for defeating ISIS and neither is the media. ISIS has not been defeated. Go back to the so-called 'liberation' (destruction) of Mosul. We did not run with the lie that ISIS was defeated. We noted that their original plan was never to seize cities. That's not why they came into being. Because Iraq was run so poorly (Nouri al-Maliki), ISIS was able to seize control of cities.

If there's some outlet you're watching or reading that's claimed ISIS has been defeated? By all means, slam them for not giving Donald credit for that. But we have never said ISIS was defeated -- and it's not defeated -- no matter how lazy some outlets are.

Not only is the US still dropping bombs on Iraq, supposedly to target ISIS, but ISIS continues fighting on the ground in Iraq. For example, Mohammed Ebraheem (IRAQI NEWS) reports:

Six Iraqi pro-government fighters were killed and wounded Wednesday in an attack launched by Islamic State on a village in Kirkuk.
A security source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper that “IS militants stormed al-Bashir village in southern Kirkuk, and clashed with the security forces and al-Hashd al-Shaabi fighters deployed there for two hours.”

“The fierce clashes between the two sides left a member of al-Hashd al-Shaabi dead and five others wounded,” according to the source.

On the topic of the militias -- al-Hashd al-Shaabi -- let's again note this Tweet:

‏ @LawkGhafuri

2 weeks ago #US air jets targeted a group of Hashd Al-Shaabi Militants on the border of #Iraq-#Syria near #Anbar. Yesterday Head of Hashd Al-Shaabi Militia Al-Muhandis stated that the Militia will not stay silent and will target the Americans for targeting the #PMF.

1:17

428 views

5:52 PM - 24 Jun 2018

8 Retweets
8 Likes

3 replies8 retweets8 likes

This is not the first time that the Hashd al Shaabi has publicly threatened US troops (most recently, they did so last November). These threats are among the reasons that the US government designates Hashd al Shaabi as a terrorist organization. Of course, Hashd al-Shaabi is also part of the PMU (militias) and they came in second in the May 12th national elections in Iraq.

Bryant Harris (AL-MONITOR) reported earlier this month:

The House of Representatives unanimously voted last week on legislation requiring President Donald Trump to sanction “persons that are officials, agents, affiliates of or owned and controlled by” two prominent Iran-backed militias that operate in Iraq and Syria. The amendment from Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, to a must-pass annual defense authorization bill targets Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, both of which are part of the Shiite-led Popular Mobilization Units battling the Islamic State.

Both militias joined with other Iran-backed military forces as part of the Fatah, or Conquest, political coalition, which came in second in the May 12 elections with 47 out of 329 parliamentary seats. Asaib Ahl al-Haq won 14 of those 47 seats, according to Iraq analyst Kirk Sowell, while Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba did not field any candidates.

“The US Department of Treasury will ultimately determine if the political wing constitutes an affiliate or entity controlled by” Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a Poe aide told Al-Monitor. “Congressman Poe believes [Asaib Ahl al-Haq] will likely be subject to these penalties unless it completely breaks all ties with the armed wing, renounces violence and acts solely as [an] Iraqi political party with no backing from Iran.”

Which makes for interesting relations between the governments of Iraq and the US.

Shi'ite cleric and movement leader Moqtada al-Sadr came in first in the elections, followed by the militias, followed by current prime minister Hayder al-Abadi. Moqtada and the head of the militias, Hadi al-Ameri, teamed up. Now they have been joined by Hayder al-Abadi. 163 seats are needed to form a government -- seats in Parliament. Those three represent 143 seats. (That's a CORRECTION to my math on Monday.) They are twenty seats shy of forming the government.

‏ @andre__levy

«May 12’s Iraqi parliamentary election led to a surprising result, with cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s bloc winning a plurality. Sadr, a nationalist with long opposition to both US and... 

Michael Jansen (IRISH TIMES) reports:

Although Abadi and the US were deeply disappointed by the result of the election, he could emerge as a compromise candidate for prime minister. Sadr cannot aspire to the post because he is not a member of parliament.

Sadr, who led two violent uprisings against the US and whose followers killed hundreds of Sunnis during inter-sectarian warfare, has projected himself as an anti-sectarian man of the people. His electoral alliance, which included communists, secularists and Sunnis, rejected all foreign intervention and promised to fight corruption, build schools and hospitals and provide for the poor.

What's in it for Hayder? Possibly he will remain prime minister. IRAQI NEWS notes:

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has agreed to fulfill a condition set by Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to retain his post as prime minister in the new government.
According to Alkhaleej Online, Sadr his requested Abadi to withdraw from the Islamic Dawa Party to enter into an alliance and allow him to retain his prime minister’s post.

The long-awaited alliance deal between Abadi’s Victory Alliance, which came third in a May parliamentary election, and Sadr’s Sairoon list, which won the largest number of seats, is expected to help in forming the new government after weeks of political tensions as a result of vote-ragging.

Let's move over to the topic of burn pits:

Amy Klobuchar‏Verified account @amyklobuchar 22 hours ago

Amie Muller of Woodbury died of cancer at 36. She served in Iraq & was around toxic burn pits. I’ve worked with her husband Brian who's fighting to save others. Yesterday my bill to help treat these health issues passed the Senate. Time to get it thru the House & signed into law.

14 replies88 retweets341 likes

And let's pair that with the latest from Burn Pits 360:

June Newsletter

House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Held Hearing on Health Impacts of Burn Pits on Veterans

On June 7, 2018, the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health held its first hearing on how exposure to burn pits is impacting the health of veterans, and how VA plans to address the issue. Although we were not invited to testify, Burn Pits 360 attended the hearing and was on site lobbying lawmakers the day of the hearing as well as the days leading up to it.

As many know, burn pits have caused severe health problems in many veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and VA has been slow to conduct research into the problem or provide exposed veterans the specialized care that they need. At the hearing, VA's chief consultant for post-deployment health, Ralph Erickson, told members of the committee that VA is currently working on six studies regarding the issue of burn pits and veterans' health, as well as working to expand the VA Burn Pits Registry to collect more data on veterans' post-deployment health.

However, many advocates, veterans, and committee members expressed concern that the studies would not be finished soon enough to help veterans with grave health conditions. While veterans and advocates are pushing VA to recognize the link between burn pits and certain illnesses, VA has stated that they do not yet have sufficient evidence.

For more information on burn pit claims and VA, watch this video by Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD with Burn Pit 360 Board Member Kerry Baker.

Burn Pits 360 Holds Press Conference with Lawmakers

Prior to the hearing on June 7th, Burn Pits 360 held a joint press conference with Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) to discuss the issue of burn pits and how Congress can act to help veterans who were exposed. Burn Pits 360 Founder Le Roy Torres spoke of the health issues he experiences due to burn pit exposure and how they have impacted his life post-deployment.

Army Staff Sergeant Will Thompson spoke during the press conference of the respiratory issues he has faced since his return from service. He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis when he returned from his deployment in Iraq, and has since had two double-lung transplants.

Susan Zeier also spoke at the press conference on her son-in-law's cancer diagnosis and how they believe it is due to his exposure to burn pits in service.

Click here to read more on the press conference.

Burn Pits Accountability Act Introduced to Congress

Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Brian Mast (R-FL) have introduced new legislation called the Burn Pits Accountability Act that would require VA to monitor service member's health in-depth, and require VA and DoD to share information about service members exposed to burn pits with each other.

Burn Pits 360's Legislative Asks

The Congressional hearing on June 7th was the first step in a long journey to getting our veterans the specialized care and recognition of their conditions caused by burn pits. Burn Pits 360 has four legislative asks in order to keep up the momentum on this issue:

1. That VA grant a presumptive category for constrictive bronchiolitits.
2. That veterans exposed to burn pits get specialized care and compensation.
3. That the Department of Defense (DoD) recognize constrictive bronchiolitis as a disability based on an injury or disease received in the line of duty as a direct result of armed conflict or caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in the line of duty during a war period as defined by law.
4. We request that a hearing be scheduled to include the participation of medical experts and veterans.

Take Action to Prove the Connection Between Burn Pit Exposure and Illness by Participating in the Burn Pits 360 Registry Research Study
The Burn Pits 360 Registry is a research study, collecting data on burn pit exposures and related illnesses. The goal is to prove the connection between burn pit exposure and illness. Before now, this information was only available to the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. So far, over 5,000 individuals have participated. Your data will enable Burn Pits 360 to advocate and lobby on behalf of the veteran community for VA benefits, policy change, and specialized health care. To participate, visit us on our website here.

PARTICIPATE NOW

Burn Pits 360 Welcomes Dr. Daniel Brewer and SFC Geoff Dardia to Advisory Board
Burn Pits 360 welcomed two new members to the Advisory Board this month: Dr. Daniel Brewer and Sergeant First Class Geoff Dardia.

Dr. Daniel Brewer is a retired Lieutenant Colonel with 34 years of military service. Among his military awards are the Bronze Star, Ranger Tab, Senior Army Aviator Wings, and Combat Action

badge among many others. While in the military, he worked to recover Desert Storm era military equipment in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, including depleted uranium munitions and debris. He also worked on environmental guidance and practice management for US bases.

SFC Geoff Dardia served in the United States Navy, US Army Reserves, and the US Army. He served over 10 years on a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) as a Senior Weapons Sergeant, then later as a Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant, Static Line Jumpmaster, and Dive

Supervisor. He had four combat deployments to Afghanistan and two overseas deployments to Jordan and Chad. After his military service, SFC Dardia created the Special Operations Forces Health Initiatives Program (SHIP) for the Task Force Dagger Foundation in 2012.

Burn Pits 360 Honors a Soldier
Each month, Burn Pits 360 honors a fallen solider. Staff Sergeant Jennifer Kepner served in the US Air Force as a medic from 2001 to 2007. At age 39, she lost her life to pancreatic cancer as a result of exposure to burn pits during her service in Balad, Iraq.

Legal Help for Veterans

Disability Benefits: If VA has denied your disability compensation claim, assigned you the wrong impairment rating, or if you are entitled to an earlier effective date, contact Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick for assistance. CCK is also experienced at helping eligible veterans get VA benefits for special monthly compensation (SMC) or total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Contact CCK toll free at 844-291-8569 or visit CCK online at https://cck-law.com.

Donate to Burn Pits 360

Burn Pits 360 Needs You! The success of our mission depends on the generosity of individuals like you. We ask you to consider a monthly donation to help us advocate for our community and its needs.

DONATE TODAY!

Connect with us on Facebook

Burn Pits 360 is community of veterans with burn pit-related illness, their families, and advocates with the common goal of exposing the harms of toxic burn pit exposure and obtaining benefits and policy change. Join us. Like us on Facebook!

Meet the Burn Pits 360 Team

Founder: CPT (Ret.) Le Roy Torres
Executive Director: Rosie Torres
Secretary: Tammy McCracken
Program Manager: Will Wisner
Legislative Liaison: Cindy Aman
Director of Development:Daniella Molina

Advocates Advisory Board
Diane Slape (Texas)
Rocio Alvarado (California)

Advisory Board
Ret. Colonel David Sutherland
Dr. Steven Coughlin
Ret. Lt. Col. Gregg Deeb
Dr. Robert Miller
Ret. Lt. Col. Brian Lawler
Kerry Baker
Solomon Ortiz Jr., former Texas House of Representatives, District 33
Solomon Ortiz Sr., former Congressman for the 27th District of Texas
SFC Geoffrey Dardia
Dr. Daniel Brewer

Copyright © 2018, Burn Pits 360 Veterans Organization, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Burn Pits 360 Veterans Organization
201 N. 4th Street
Robstown, TX 78380

The following community sites -- plus Jody Watley and PACIFICA EVENING NEWS -- updated: