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ISIS resumed its effective spectacular attacks in Baghdad, which had dropped since the fall of Mosul. The mobilization of Iraqi Shi'a militias and deployment of CTS in Baghdad organization have not neutralized ISIS’ attack capabilities in the capital.
The ISIS elements departed Alam and the area is controlled by Anti-ISIS Iraqi Sunni Tribes. See today’s Iraq Situation Report for more details.
The situation in Alam remains unclear and fluid. The area was a pocket of Iraqi Sunni tribal resistance to ISIS recently, the area is under watch rather than Contested because there are no reports of clashes and no evidence of ISIS presence inside the area
ISIS is pursuing objectives closer to Baghdad, attacking Balad Airbase while maneuvering around the facility. This will impede the ability of IA Aviation to support isolated ISF contingents. ISIS most likely activated a contingent previously placed in the vicinity of Balad. If successful, ISIS could gain important military and aviation assets at the base. ISIS is consolidating gains in the north by attacking Shi’a Turkmen villages and seizing natural gas fields.
ISF and possible Iraq Shi'a militias cleared Udhaim in Diyala province. Nukhaib in Anbar province is important given the possibility of an ISIS push towards southern Iraq.
ISIS has not culminated. ISIS has shifted its efforts toward western Iraq, and the fall of border crossings in Anbar to ISIS is a sign of the further collapse of the Iraqi state.
ISIS took control of Rawa and Ana to block the ISF's freedom of movement in Anbar. The ISF will likely deploy Iraqi Shi'a militias to slow ISIS' advance. The Sadrist parade is a major show of force as the Sadrists position themselves as defenders of the Iraqi Shi’a. ISIS and JRTN have violently clashed in pockets of terrain in northern Iraq.
The towns of Rawa and Ana are under ISIS control. Khanaqin is now controlled by the Peshmerga.