Cockburn.

This is coolbert:

From the Ron Unz web site we have some articles regarding ISIL, Iraq, the current situation in the Middle East.

"Isis Winning Its War on Two Fronts"

"Militants have conquered Sunni regions of Iraq and are now consolidating their hold on north-eastern Syria"

During that month of July combatants of ISIL hardly inactive. Most intense fighting occurring in Syria. ISIL now the predominant opposition to the regime of Assad.

That truck bomb a favorite tactic of ISIL when reducing an enemy strong point.

Also, YES, there are Chechen fighters embedded within the combat units of ISIL. Combatants I would have to think with a lot of military experience and also possessing a fanaticism almost unmatched and without peer.

THIS ONE PARTICULAR ISIL VIDEO AS SEEN ON THE INTERNET DOES SHOW A RED-BEARDED WHITE GUY SPEAKING RUSSIAN. MORE THAN LIKELY A CHECHEN.

See here from the Ron Unz website the entire Cockburn archive. Lots of entries concerning ISIL and the Middle East in general.

My thoughts [albeit belatedly so] is that the grand offensive of ISIL on Baghdad was not going to commence until the end of Ramadan. Fighting by the Muslim not allowed [haram] during that period. Those ISIL Salafists adhering strictly to the pattern of behavior as established by Mohammad.

From a forum some discussion of what is haram and halal during Ramadan, warfare the specific topic in this instance:

"It's haram but it depends on the circumstances. If you're a Muslim and the people you fight are identically Muslim. It's haram (unless in cases of self defense). If say Israel attacked an Arab nation during the Holy month of Ramadan then its Halal, because again it's retaliation [or self-defense]. Starting a war or a fight with anybody is Haram during Ramadan."

Evidently the Muslim not allowed to INITIATE A NEW WAR DURING RAMADAN!

As was suggested by an authoritative source prior to the end of Ramadan ISIL for more practical matters not continuing the march on Baghdad:

"No, I think the attack on Baghdad never happened because it was a bite too big to chew on for the 10,000 to 15,000 reported ISIL folks.  Even with help from Sunnis in Baghdad, there are millions of Shia and several well organized Shia militia in that city of 6.5 million people, notably Mutada al Sadr's Mahdi Militia, with strong points just across the river from the Green Zone"

coolbert.