The long fight over an Iraq oil town whose importance is now debatable
After more than a year of near-constant fighting, there is still no sign that the battle for the Iraqi town of Baiji and its massive oil refinery is coming to a conclusion anytime soon, despite remarks by Iraq’s prime minister on the importance of the town in the fight against the Islamic State. “The Baiji […]Thomas Gibbons-Neff reports for the Washington Post:
After more than a year of near-constant fighting, there is still no sign that the battle for the Iraqi town of Baiji and its massive oil refinery is coming to a conclusion anytime soon, despite remarks by Iraq’s prime minister on the importance of the town in the fight against the Islamic State.
“The Baiji battle is a challenge to the heart of Daesh and the fundamental existence of Daesh,” said Iraq prime minister Haider al-Abadi, using an Arabic name for the Islamic State on Monday, according to Reuters. “Victory in this battle is critical to ending Daesh’s presence in Iraq.”
