Iraq

The ISIS assault in Bashir, 30km south of Kirkuk city, continued with attacks upon Shi’a religious centers, shrines, and political party headquarters.

ISIS continues its offensive into Kurdish areas along Kirkuk City and along the Arab-Kurd contested Green Line along the Hamrin Ridge.

ISIS is likely seeking to establish a presence in Kirkuk city. The pattern of attacks in the city indicates an early replication of previous ISIS effort in other parts of Iraq where ISIS was seeking to soften defenses and establish control.

ISIS is launching attacks into Baghdad with a series of VBIEDs in and near the capital in order to set the terms of battle by probing the defenses of pro-government forces and demoralizing them.

The Institute for the Study of War held a conference on July 11, 2014 to discuss the current state of capabilities between ISIS and the ISF.

ISIS is trying to continue its maneuver campaign along the Tigris and the Euphrates. ISIS launched an attack on Haditha for the second time in two days, which indicates that its previously reported negotiations with the tribes did not succeed.

ISIS launched an attack on Dhuluiya after damaging a bridge that connected the area to Balad in order to prevent the arrival of reinforcements.

The ISIS attack in Haditha demonstrates the continuation of its urban offensive to control cities in the middle Euphrates.