U

sing civilians as human shields is common practice with the Islamic State (IS) movement. So is their willingness to kill anyone who raises a white flag. The liberation of the Iraqi town of Ramadi draws closer and as reported by United Press International, IS militants have threatened to kill Ramadi residents if they raise a white flag.

For months, Kurdish forces have been advancing gradually not only in Syria but also in Iraq. These forces also do have practical experience fighting IS within cities and towns.

In Iraq, the Kurdish Peshmerga are right now in the process of liberating yet another city called Sinjar and have today raised the Iraqi flag over the Sinjar District Council building.

Keep in mind that IS has gained fighters and weapons from several other countries. Furthermore, IS got all the weapons and ammunition it needed for a war in Syria and Iraq from the army soldiers and police that the group killed. Furthermore, IS bolstered its stock from captured armories within police stations and military bases. They even have tanks and armored personnel carriers, heavy artillery and machine guns. Basically everything that a large army would need to fight a ground war.

IS received finance from many countries. Even from Indonesia. Earlier on, IS supporters in Indonesia gathered in public and donated money to help support IS. Most of IS'€™ finance has been obtained by plundering banks and businesses within the areas that they captured. They have also sold oil. IS have everything they need to fight a war.

Eddy Saf
Jakarta