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Islamic State strengthens hold on key Iraqi cities
5/11/15
The Islamic State has strengthened its grip on the Iraqi cities of Ramadi and Beiji, the Pentagon said Monday.
"Both cities remain highly contested," said Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren, noting that the Iraqi city of Beiji is "firmly in enemy hands," while its oil refinery "remains contested" with Iraqi security forces fighting to keep the refinery from falling to Islamic State control.
U.S. and coalition airstrikes have hit Beiji more than two dozen times in the last week, potentially damaging oil infrastructure that has already been damaged by battle. In the case of Beiji's refinery, "the majority of it is nonfunctioning" at this point, Warren said.
The Beiji refinery is among 152 oil infrastructure targets throughout Syria and Iraq hit since Operation Inherent Resolve began in August 2014. The destroyed infrastructure presents a challenge for Iraq, as its oil export revenues are a critical part of its budget. Iraq is reporting about a $23 billion deficit for 2015 and has been hit not only by the violence but also by the global slide in oil prices.
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5/11/15
The Islamic State has strengthened its grip on the Iraqi cities of Ramadi and Beiji, the Pentagon said Monday.
"Both cities remain highly contested," said Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren, noting that the Iraqi city of Beiji is "firmly in enemy hands," while its oil refinery "remains contested" with Iraqi security forces fighting to keep the refinery from falling to Islamic State control.
U.S. and coalition airstrikes have hit Beiji more than two dozen times in the last week, potentially damaging oil infrastructure that has already been damaged by battle. In the case of Beiji's refinery, "the majority of it is nonfunctioning" at this point, Warren said.
The Beiji refinery is among 152 oil infrastructure targets throughout Syria and Iraq hit since Operation Inherent Resolve began in August 2014. The destroyed infrastructure presents a challenge for Iraq, as its oil export revenues are a critical part of its budget. Iraq is reporting about a $23 billion deficit for 2015 and has been hit not only by the violence but also by the global slide in oil prices.
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