The Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham's media wing in Wilayat Ninewa released a series of photos yesterday to social media sites illustrating the group's staggering gains. They also demonstrate wide public support for ISIS in the northern Iraqi province. The ISIS has divided its "state" in Iraq and Syria into 16 administrative units, or wilayats.
The first series of photos shows the advance of ISIS fighters through Ninewa province and depicts the group's control over various military installations, such as headquarters of the Iraqi Army's Second Regiment in Ninewa. ISIS proudly displays the ammunition, weapons, vehicles, and even airplanes left behind by the Iraqi military that are now in the terror group's hands. All of these pictures are captioned "Pictures from the Invasion of Asadullah [Lion of Allah] al-Bilawi Abu Abdul Rahman." As The Long War Journal previously reported, ISIS has named the current offensive after a now deceased ISIS commander, 'Adnan Ismail Najm, also known as Abu Abdul Rahman al Bilawi.
The second group of photos displays mass demonstrations in Ninewa province in support of the ISIS. The demonstrators hold banners expressing the solidarity of some of northern Iraq's tribal confederations, including the al Sada and the al Jabbour, with the ISIS.
Last week, the ISIS took control of Ninewa and most of Salahaddin province, as well as parts of Diyala province. Most of Anbar province fell under ISIS control in January.
An Iraqi Air Force Air command base in Ninewa taken over by ISIS:
Tail sections of bombs left behind by Iraqi military:
Aging Saddam-era airplanes left behind by Iraqi military:
Iraqi government trucks left behind:
Headquarters of the Iraqi Infantry 2nd Regiment, 26th infantry brigade:
What was once the headquarters of Ninewa's Second Emergency Regiment:
This banner from demonstrations in support of ISIS in Ninewa announces the al Sada tribe's solidarity with ISIS:
These three black banners congratulate ISIS on behalf of the Jabbour, al Madi, and Maadeed tribal confederations:
