Iraqis launch counterattack against ISIS near Ramadi. Perhaps there is hope after all?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 23 May 2015 16:07:09 -0400

After days of ISIS fighters advancing east out of Ramadi, an alliance of Iraqi forces opposed to the terror group have launched a counterattack -- hoping to push them away from a key Iraqi military base and the country's capital.

The Iraqis repelled an ISIS attack on the town of Khalidiya and then launched their own offensive to the west Saturday, toward the town of Husayba, which ISIS captured just a day earlier, said Faleh al-Eissawi, deputy governor of Anbar province.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/23/middleeast/isis-iraq-syria/index.html

Iraqis launch counterattack against ISIS near Ramadi - CNN.com

After days of seeing ISIS fighters advance east out of Ramadi, an alliance of Iraqi forces who oppose the terror group say they've launched a counterattack.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made May 23 at 2015 4:18 PM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Sat, 23 May 2015 16:18:09 -0400

We can hope.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 6:00 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 18:00:01 -0400

ISIS is smarter than the Iraqi government. They are much more tactically proficient also. If they attacked a small town they might have been probing it. When ISIS does a major attack they have yet to be stopped. Also what is troubling is that you didn't see the Iraqi Military counter attack. The reason why you didn't see that is due them not really being there. It was mostly militias. That is the best hope of Iraq. These militias are fighting for their tribes and Emans. After the conflict is over they usually turn to the same tactics. If they win they will be a Shite militias in a Sunni area. So with they fight they will destroy everything. They don't care. At this point I think the ISIS attack on Baghdad is only a matter of time.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made May 23 at 2015 6:42 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Sat, 23 May 2015 18:42:59 -0400

Gunny,

I know there is hope but hope comes with "some" ground troops from the US Military. We really need to get Ramadi back. I finally watched American Sniper last night and Ramadi was mentioned in the movie. Yeah I cried at the end when they played "TAPS" for Chris and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Real men cry too! The sad fact about Iraq today is that as soon as we leave the Iraqi Army will jump out of our tanks, throw down their weapons and run! The Iraqi Army needs to "man up"! Rick

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 23 at 2015 7:38 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 23 May 2015 19:38:55 -0400

Of the Iraqi forces getting defeated, yes.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 23 at 2015 9:04 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 23 May 2015 21:04:41 -0400

The reality of what is going on in Iraq should not be determined by what channel we decide to watch on tv. POTUS says "all is well, they are just experiencing tactical setbacks." Tactical setbacks.......well isn't that just an adorable term. Meanwhile, Sen John McCain is screaming the sky is falling and is in complete disbelief of what POTUS claims as "tactical setbacks." What channel am I supposed to turn to to get any semblance of the truth?