Baiji Confirmed Nearly Overrun, US Sends Air Support

Earlier this week on Free Fire we noted Islamic States’ counter attack to retake Baiji refinery, and how Islamic State appeared ready to overrun and take the refinery, having fully surrounded Iraqi troops defending the facility. A senior US official has recently confirmed that Islamic State controls around 80% of the facility, the largest refinery in Iraq. Though currently inactive, Baiji also lies on a road between Kirkuk and Mosul, and is a key approach point for the latter city held by Islamic State. With air strikes an inconclusive option due to possible damage to Baiji and Islamic State’s maneuverability, the Iraqi military will be forced to launch a ground attack in order to relieve the 200 government troops still in Baiji and reclaim the refinery.

The US military has launched 26 airstrikes against Islamic State troops and supply lines near Baiji and has dropped in pallets of supplies to the stranded government forces over the past few days. Pentagon spokesmen have commented that they believe retaking Mosul will be impossible as long as Baiji remains in Islamic State hands. Islamic State moved to retake Baiji and Ramadi after news of a U.S. supported offensive to retake Mosul became public knowledge. Because of its location the Iraqi military will need to secure Baiji before they can begin a push on Mosul.

Meanwhile in Washington, argument over an official Authorization for Use of Military Force continues. Civil libertarian-minded Congressmen are pushing for Congress to vote on an AUMF as not to set a precedent for the President being able to deploy armed forces anywhere on the globe without further approval from Congress. Thus far, Congress has not voted on any bill regarding the further deployment of US troops against Islamic State, despite President Obama issuing an AUMF letter back in February. Much of the opposition to the current AUMF is due to its unclear language and the President’s reticence to commit to decisively defeating Islamic State.  The Center for Security Policy has proposed language for a draft AUMF which would more accurately define the threat posed by Islamic State and other global jihadist organizations and provide the Executive branch with the authority and ability to take effective action.