On Tuesday, Iraq's state-run TV broadcaster reported that Iraqi security forces have started to break a five-month siege of the nation's largest oil refinery, Baiji, by Islamic State militants. A small contingent of Iraqi forces has kept central control of the Baiji refinery out of ISIS's hands, but the siege has halted operations, forcing Iraq's government to import gas at a huge cost.
"If God is willing, Baiji will be the main key to liberating each span of Iraq," Abdel Wahab al-Sa'adi said on TV. Saleh Jaber, a colonel in the Baiji refinery protection force, told Reuters the same thing: "The first Iraqi force, the anti-terrorism force called Mosul Battalion, entered Baiji refinery for the first time in five months." If confirmed, this is a pretty sizable loss for ISIS and a promising boost for Iraq's struggling U.S.-trained army.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Tea app hack: user data stolen from women's dating safety appIn The Spotlight Data leak has led to fears users could be targeted by men angered by the app's premise
-
The Assassin: action-packed caper is 'terrific fun'The Week Recommends Keeley Hawes stars as a former hitwoman drawn out of retirement for 'one last job'
-
The EPA wants to green-light approval for a twice-banned herbicideUnder the radar Dicamba has been found to harm ecosystems
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs saySpeed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign portSpeed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'Speed Read
