Iraq launches airstrike targeting ISIS across the border with Syria.

Iraqi Prime Minster Haidar al-Abadi sits in an Iraqi F-16. AFP. 

The Iraqi Air Force launched an airstrike targeting ISIS militants across the border with Syria. AFP. Iraqi Prime Minster Haidar al-Abadi ordered the airstrikes because the threat that ISIS poses to Iraq. The strike was carried out by two F-16's who hit ISIS targets in Dier Ez Zor province.

Reuters is reporting that the airstrike were coordinated with the Syrian government and was allowed to take place by the al-Assad regime. 

My Comment:

This isn't surprising to me at all. Prime Minster al-Abadi had said that he might send forces in to Syria early this month, in a story that flew under the radar. Back then I said that Iraq has an obvious interest in defeating ISIS in Syria and would be willing to commit their forces to stop cross border raids or worse from ISIS. 

I think the facts on the ground influenced the raid as well. ISIS has been making a bit of a comeback in Syria and has taken some territory back. This is due to several reasons. First, the Syrian government is very focused on the Damascus area and are aggressively targeting the last remaining holdouts in that region, to the point that they are neglecting anything else. 

The US led coalition has fallen apart as well, thanks to Turkey. Their invasion of the Afrin area essentially forced the Kurds to abandon the fight against ISIS so they could attempt to keep the Afrin pocket. That effort failed but the Kurds fear that the Turks will threaten Manbij. That is their priority now, not ISIS. 

Finally, the war in Syria has slipped into a new phase. Instead of everyone being united against ISIS, everyone is back to fighting their proxy wars. The US bombed Syria for chemical weapons, the Israelis and Iranians are fighting it out and now the Turks and Kurds are fighting as well. With everyone fighting each other, there is no one left to fight ISIS. 

Nobody except Iraq, apparently. I don't know how far Iraq is going to go against ISIS. I am guessing that as opportunities present themselves Iraq will continue to attack ISIS, with permission of the Syrian government. They may even launch commando raids into Syria or even regular troops. 

It isn't too surprising that Syria and Iraq are working together against ISIS. It makes a lot of sense for both sides. Syria obviously benefits by having their ISIS enemies taken care of for them at no cost to them. Iraq gets to reduce the threat of ISIS raids. It's a win win for both countries and I expect it to continue.