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Nouri al-Maliki announced he would step down and support Haider al-Abadi’s nomination as Prime Minister, ending the political crisis that intensified on August 10, 2014 and existentially threatened Iraq’s political system.
ISIS and the Peshmerga continue to challenge one another for territorial control along the Kurdish internal boundaries in northern and eastern Iraq.
The sub-district of Jalula was reported to be taken by ISIS after launching a major assault that pushed the Peshmerga out of the area.
Baghdad security has become a heightened concern given the uncertain leadership of the Iraqi Security Forces.
On Saturday, June 14, Afghanistan held its second round, run-off presidential election since no presidential candidate was able to secure at least 50 percent of the votes in the first-round election on April 5. In that first contest, the two front-runners, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Dr. Ashraf Ghani, won 45 percent and 31.56 percent of the vote, respectively.
ISF and ISOF were reportedly heavily deployed around the Green Zone and in strategic areas in Baghdad yesterday in what appeared to be a military coup.
Key Takeaway: Iraq’s incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki maneuvered elite military units in Baghdad overnight on August 10, cutting off entrances to the protected Green Zone, in an effort to secure power by use of force. This is currently serving as a demonstration of force.
The “largest bloc” was not tasked by the Iraqi president to form the government today, missing the deadline that was already extended for three days per a request from the president.
Peshmerga forces clashed heavily with ISIS in the area of Gwer, located 30 miles southwest of Arbil city.
U.S. military engagement against ISIS remains limited.