Iraq has started bombing Takfiri Daesh targets with help from intelligence gathered by the Quartet including Iran, Russia and Syria.
Iraq, Iran, Syria and Russia have formed an intelligence-sharing center in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in their fight against Takfiri terrorists wreaking havoc in the region.
Hakim al-Zamili, the head of the Iraqi parliament’s defense and security committee, announced the beginning of the Iraqi airstrikes against Daesh on Tuesday.
The intelligence-sharing center comprises six representatives from each of the countries involved.
Earlier this week, the Iraqi air force hit a convoy thought to be transporting the so-called leader of Daesh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi based on information provided by the center, Zamili said. Later, however, security officials said Baghdadi was not in the convoy.
"We can get a lot of use from Russian intelligence, even if they don't do airstrikes," Zamili stated.
On the ground, battle goes on
The news comes as Iraqi security forces pushed ahead with their campaign against Daesh in the western province of Anbar.
A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the troops have gained ground in the town of Albu Faraj, located more than 120 kilometers (74 miles) west of Baghdad on Tuesday.
Russian airstrikes against Daesh in Syria
On September 30, Russia started airstrikes against positions held by Daesh across Syria upon an official request from the government in Damascus.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that its air force has carried out 88 sorties in Syria over the past 24 hours. Nearly 90 positions of Daesh have been targeted, the ministry added.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on October 4 that the coalition of Syria, Iran, Iraq and Russia ”must succeed” against the Takfiri terrorists.
“Otherwise,” the Syrian president added, “we will see the destruction of the entire [Middle East] region.”
“We are certain that this coalition will succeed.”