Iraq Situation Report: June 23 - 24, 2015
June 24, 2015 - Sinan Adnan![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/iraq%20SITREP%202015-6-24%20high_4.png?itok=yOWMmAz2)
Diyala Province will likely become the renewed focus of security efforts amidst an ISIS resurgence in the province.
Diyala Province will likely become the renewed focus of security efforts amidst an ISIS resurgence in the province.
ISW assessed in early June 2015 that one of ISIS’s most likely courses of action during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan would be to declare a governorate in Russia’s North Caucasus. ISIS indeed announced the creation of a new governorate, called Wilayat Qawqaz (Caucasus) in the region on June 23, 2015, after several senior militants in the area pledged allegiance to ISIS.
The influence of Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi’a militias is extending beyond Iraq’s security sector and creating political friction.
ISIS or other anti-government armed groups such as the Ba’athist leaning JRTN may attempt to foment ethnic violence between Arabs and Kurds as well as sectarian violence between Sunni and Shi’a.
ISIS Sanctuary: June 19, 2015
The Iraqi Interior Ministry (MoI) reportedly directed Iraqi Air Force (IAF) airstrikes that killed 53 would-be “suicide bombers,” 23 north of Hit and 30 in Fallujah, the latter reportedly staging for Baghdad.
ISIS launched a VBIED wave of at least 13 VBIEDS on Saturday, June 13 north and south of Fallujah, near Haditha, and south of Baiji.