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ISIS executes 300+ in Mosul
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Page 2: WoT Background
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
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Afghanistan
37 Daesh, Taliban killed in security operations
37 militants have been killed in newest security operations in different parts of the country, the Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday morning.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, six of the terrorists killed were number three's commanders of Taliban group. They include Qari Bashir and Haji Khalid who were collecting intelligence information for Taliban in Dand-e-Ghori District. Other important members of Taliban killed during these operations include Mullah Ismail, Mullah Mutahid, Haji Mullah and Mutaqi, the group’s commanders for Nad Ali and Marjah districts of Helmand District.

Ministry of Defense press release adds that 21 other insurgents from Taliban and 14 from Daesh have been wounded in these operations.

The operations were carried out in Kot District of Nangarhar, Guzara District of Herat, Dand-e-Ghori District of Baghlan, in Suzma Kala of Sar-e-Pul, Ali Abad of Kundoz, Nad Ali and Marjah districts of Helmand province.

Four suspects were also reluctantly detained by security forces during these operations.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Unidentified gunmen kill three health workers in Kunar
A group of unidentified gunmen have killed three health workers in Ghazi Abad District of eastern Kunar province.

Officials say the health workers were kidnapped from Sira Gul area of the same district a few days before and gunned down last night. Motive behind the incident is unknown but police say they have launched investigation into the case.

Kunar which shares a long border with Pakistan is comparatively one of the restive provinces of Afghanistan where on several occasions efforts have been made for disrupting the medical and educational systems.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Faryab police rescue 80 passengers abducted by Taliban
Faryab police rescue abducted passengersThe Afghan National Police (ANP) forces have managed to rescue 80 passengers abducted by the Taliban militants in northern Faryab province of Afghanistan.

The provincial police commandment in a statement said the abducted passengers were rescued during a military operation. The statement further added that the passengers were kidnapped by Taliban militants around 5:00 pm local time from Maimana-Andkhoi highway in Qaramqol district.

The passengers were travelling in two buses when the Taliban militants stopped their buses and kidnapped the civilians, the statement said, adding that the police forces immediately launched the operation following the incident.

Provincial police chief Syed Aqa Andarabi said the Taliban militants managed to take six passengers with them but four of them were released later, however two others are still kept by the militants.

The Taliban militants group has not commented regarding the report so far.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Landmines Slow Down Military Operation in Baghlan
The Defense Ministry said Sunday that insurgents have planted landmines in areas which lead to the embattled Dand-e-Ghori area of Baghlan province, an issue which is slowing down the military operation against the Taliban insurgents.

Dawlat Waziri, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed that the military campaign by Afghan forces has been slowed down due to landmines planted by the Taliban, adding that the security forces have also halted their air strikes and artillery shellings in a bid to ensure the security and safety of the civilian population.

When asked about the number of militants fighting Afghan troops in Baghlan, Waziri said that insurgents have joined local militants from Takhar, Maidan Wardak, and Badakhshan provinces in their fight against the security forces in Baghlan.

"We prefer to lessen our air and artillery assaults so that civilians are not hurt. The second issue is that Taliban has planted landmines in the area," he said.

Baghlan, strategically is an important province in the northern region and is the main gateway to northern and northeastern provinces. The security forces launched their military campaign against the Taliban in the area two weeks ago.

"At the moment, the war is going on in two areas including Dand-e-Ghori and Baghlan-e-Markazi. However the enemy struggled to disperse our forces, and failed to reach their objectives," head of Baghlan security department Ewaz Mohammad Naziri said.

As the operation against the militants continues, a number of residents have criticized the security institutions for failing to eliminate the Taliban. Criticism has also been lodged over the nonparticipation of the US forces in the Baghlan operation. Dand-e-Ghori and Dand-e-Shahabuddin areas of Baghlan are two strategic locations in the province.

There are serious concerns that the Taliban will strengthen in summer if the government does not take serious action against the Taliban now and a capable Taliban means serious threats for the highway connecting Kabul to northern regions, say analysts.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Taliban Kidnap Two Passengers In Faryab
The Taliban stopped three passenger buses in Daulatabad district of Faryab province and after interrogating about 100 people they took two passengers hostage.‎ The incident took place on Saturday night and the fate of the two passengers is still unclear.
So the bodies have yet to be recovered...
"Individuals wearing masks stopped our vehicle and forced off four people from our bus and three to four people from other busses. They asked all passengers to get off the buses and then they picked a number of them and told others to leave," said Abdul Hadi, a passenger.

Police in the province confirmed the incident.

"They forced off a large number of people and they took away six civilians with them and fortunately four of them were later released but two of them are still with the armed men," said Sayed Aqa Andarabi, Faryab police commander.

Meanwhile, drivers of passenger buses in the north of Afghanistan, expressed their deep concerns over insecurity on highways.

"The highway to the north was very good before. However, now the situation is very bad. It is not clear who is involved in highway robberies, Taliban, police or others," said Sayed Ghulam, a bus driver.

Nabi, another driver, said that thieves rob their buses in areas close to police checkpoints and police are doing nothing. "The robbers come by motorcycles and they either take money or behead people," he added.

Lawmakers from the province accuse security forces of negligence in this regard.

"When we talk to authorities about insecurity and kidnappings, they are more unhappy with the central government than us," said Bashir Ahmad Tayanj, a lawmaker from Faryab.

Kabul-Mazar-e-Sharif highway that connects the capital with northern Afghanistan was until recently one of the safe highways. However, recently it has become dangerous to travel along this route. The Taliban sometimes blocks Baghlan-Kunduz highway and openly interrogate passengers.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Africa Horn
Mortar Shells Hit Kismayo University
KISMAYO, Somalia-A barrage of mortar rounds dropped on a university compound in the southern port city of Kismayo on Saturday, Garowe Online reports.
Kismayo has a University? What's the team mascot?
The shells struck Kismayo University where Somali government forces and African Union peacekeepers are co-located shortly after a military retreat from Bulo Gadud village, some 30km off Kismayo.

Jubaland forces and Ethiopian-AMISOM troops have mobilized themselves for recapture of Bulo Gadud.

The fresh military endeavor in the region has come after Jubaland President Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) unveiled anti-militant push that could see areas remaining under the control of Al Shabaab liberated over coming weeks.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Africa North
Fresh shelling in Benghazi
Some 16 rockets were fired at north east Benghazi’s Hay Salam district this evening, locals have told the Libya Herald. They said they came from the direction of Hawari. smome is in Hawari, witnesses

The district was reported be on the verge of being fully liberated by the Libya National Army some weeks ago, but militants still control areas, particularly around the cement works.

“They were trying to hit the power station,” one Hay Salam resident suggested. The Benghazi North Power station is nearby.

There are no reports of anyone being injured in the attacks.
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


4 die as air raid targets hospital in eastern Libya
BENGHAZI: An airstrike hit a hospital in Derna in eastern Libya on Sunday, killing four people including a woman and her child and two anti-government fighters, a doctor said.

“There are four dead — a nurse, her 10-year-old son and two members of the Shoura Council,” radiologist Dr. Mohamad Al-Jeddayimi at Al-Wehda hospital told AFP.

In its own statement, the Mujahedeen Shoura Council said the attack was in the area of the Faculty of Medical Technology Science in the Bab Tobruk district of eastern Derna came at 0400 GMT.
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Unknown aircraft carry out deadly raids in Derna
Four local people were killed this morning in three air raids on Derna. Homes as well as the local hospital were hit. The dead included a 10-year old boy and his mother, aged 39. Also killed were young men, said to be members of Derna Shoura Council, fighting Islamic State (IS) forces in the area.

The Libyan air force at Benina airbase in Benghazi has denied carrying out the operation and any knowledge as to who did it, leading to suggestions that foreign aircraft were responsible. More than one aircraft was said to be responsible for the raids which took place at dawn this morning,
Must have been the Ruritanians...
Among the places hit, in addition to ordinary homes in the town’s Bab Tobruk district, were a local armory mosque, the kidney unit at the Alwahda hospital, doctors’ accommodation, a car park where members of the Shoura Council are based, and the area south of the town knows as Kurfat Sebaa or seven curves. This refers to the seven hair-pin bends on the road leading to Fataiah, the area mainly full of farms still which is still partly controlled by IS.

A number of vehicles were also reported destroyed.

That Kurfat Sebaa was bombed suggests that forces opposed to IS were responsible for the attacks, but it is equally clear from the fact that civilian areas were hit that whoever was involved did not know Derna.

The civilian deaths are likely to reinforce public opposition to any foreign air raids in Libya, even against IS forces. There is growing belief that, however well prepared they are, there is bound to be collateral civilian damage. This, for Libyans, is unacceptable.
Everything is unacceptable to the Libyans, including taking responsibility for their own affairs...
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Arabia
Houthis Moving Military Camps to Sana’a
Aden- The leader and spokesman of Popular Resistance in Sana’a, Abdullah al-Shandaqi, said yesterday that the Houthis and their ally, the ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, have closed all the doors and obstructed all the initiatives that aimed at reaching peaceful solutions to stop the ongoing war for nearly a year now as a result of a coup against the constitutional legitimacy and outputs of the national dialogue, which was agreed on by the Yemenis.

Al-Shandaqi confirmed that both the popular resistance and the national army have no other choice than the military option to spare the blood of the two parties.

Abdullah al-Shandaqi added to his statements for Asharq Al-Awsat saying: “sparing the blood depends on how quick we arrive to Sana’a since the more
the National Army and the Resistance are late in reaching Sana’a, the more both parties will have victims and casualties.” He added: “Thus, the military option is the only choice to save our people”.

He pointed to the existing arrangements that aim to speed the work of local authorities in the liberated areas, and that as soon as Nihm District is completely freed, the local authority (Municipal Council) will start practicing its work meeting the needs of the citizens.

Confrontations in Maswara of Nihm district between the national army and popular resistance, in one hand, have continued yesterday against the Houthi militias and forces loyal to ousted Ali Abdullah Saleh, on the other hand.

A field source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the military backups are still arriving to the sites, which have become under the control of the legitimate forces.

The field source added that the reinforcements are modern and sophisticated military vehicles in addition to human reinforcements, who were composed of military battalions who are highly trained and qualified to deal with modern military equipment.

According to the field source, there are major collapses among the militia forces in war zones, east of Sanaa. He called the tribal people to spare the blood of their children from their involvement, by the militias, in the midst of an armed conflict, which will be “lost by Houthis soon”, he said.
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Houthis


Cross-border Yemeni shelling kills two in Soddy-Controlled Arabia
A Saudi soldier and a civilian have been killed in cross-border shelling from rebel-controlled northern Yemen, authorities said late on Saturday.

A Saudi patrol was hit on Saturday morning in the southwestern region of Assir, killing the soldier, the interior ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency SPA. Later in the day, the southwestern city of Najran was struck, leaving dead a foreign resident, a civil defence spokesman said in a statement on SPA.

About 90 civilians and soldiers have died from shelling and skirmishes along the border since March, when a Saudi-led military coalition began air and ground action in Yemen.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Houthis


Europe
Spain Arrests Seven With Suspected Islamist Militant Links
Spanish police arrested seven people with suspected links to Islamist militant groups on Sunday (Feb. 7) in a dawn raid in the Mediterranean regions of Alicante and Valencia and in Spain's north African enclave Ceuta, the Interior Ministry said.

It said those arrested were suspected of operating a supply network for Islamist fighters in Syria and Iraq, sending money, guns, computer equipment and material for making explosives in sealed containers under the guise of humanitarian relief.

Five of the suspects were Spaniards of Syrian, Jordanian and Moroccan descent
So they were "Spaniards"...
and the remaining two were a Syrian and a Moroccan, the ministry said in a statement. Police searched homes, businesses and warehouses as part of the operation.

Sunday's swoop was the result of two years of investigation into the ring by authorities. The arrested people had carried out their activities in other European countries before settling in Spain, the ministry said.

Spain arrested 102 people with suspected links to Islamist militants last year, more than twice the number arrested in the previous year as police stepped up security measures following attacks in Paris in January 2015.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Salafists

#1  Five of the suspects were Spaniards of Syrian, Jordanian and Moroccan descent and the remaining two were a Syrian and a Moroccan

and a Moroccan...and a Syrian
Posted by: Frank G || 02/08/2016 10:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Non-spaniard Moroccan or Syrian?
Posted by: Sven the pelter || 02/08/2016 10:28 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Two militants killed in crackdown after Quetta blast
QUETTA: Frontier Corps and Police personnel arrested 35 suspects and killed two suspected militants during an exchange of fire on Sunday. The law enforcement agencies (LEAs) were conducting raids in various parts of the city following yesterday's bloody suicide attack.

Four security personnel and a 13-year-old girl were among those who lost their lives in the attack targeting an FC convoy.

Frontier Corps Spokesman Khan Wasey claimed two Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan members were killed during an encounter with security forces, and 35 people were taken into custody during raids at Sariab road and in surrounding areas.

The raids come as the death toll from Saturday's TTP-claimed suicide bombing targeting FC personnel rose to 11 after a person injured in the attack died while undergoing treatment. Some 35 people, including 15 FC personnel, were injured in the attack.

Wasey said an operation has been launched against miscreants belonging to a banned outfit.

The arrested suspects will be interrogated by security personnel with regards to their alleged links to outlawed militant groups, he said. "The innocent will be freed after interrogation."

"Such cowardly incidents will not stop us from acting against terrorists," Inspector General FC Major General Sher Afgun said, referring to the suicide attack in the vicinity of the Quetta district courts.
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Iraq
Bad Guys knock over residence in Kirkuk
(IraqiNews.com) Kirkuk – A security source in Kirkuk Province announced on Sunday, that unidentified gunmen stole 8 million dinars from a house in eastern Kirkuk.

The source said in a press statement received by IraqiNews.com, “This morning, unidentified gunmen stole eight million dinars from a house in al-Qadesiya neighborhood in eastern Kirkuk.”

The source added, “The police opened an investigation into the incident and carried out a raid to search for the robbers.”
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  $7200
Posted by: Bov Flimbers || 02/08/2016 23:46 Comments || Top||


30 ISIS Bad Guys die in Salahuddin
(IraqiNews.com) Salahuddin – Salahuddin Province Administration announced on Friday, that 30 fighters of the so called ISIS were killed in clashes with the security forces near Alas and Ajil oil fields east of Tikrit, while denied any reports about ISIS progress in the battles against the security forces.

The governor of Salahuddin Raed Ibrahim al-Jubouri said in a statement followed by IraqiNews.com, “The security forces and al-Hashed al-Shaabi fighters repulsed ISIS attack on Ajil and Alas oil fields east of Tikrit,” pointing out that, “The Federal Police forces and the army’s 5th brigade managed to kill 30 members belonging to ISIS, as well as burning five vehicles and a booby-trapped excavator.”

Jubouri also denied the advance of ISIS toward Alas and Ajil oil fields and added, “The local government is in direct contact with the security services and military leaders.”
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


ISIS commander dies in air strike in Ninevah
(IraqiNews.com) Nineveh – A local source in Nineveh Province said on Sunday, that the so-called military commander of Wilayat Nineveh and eight leaders of ISIS had been killed in an airstrike by the international coalition aviation south of the province.

The source said in a statement obtained by IraqiNews.com, “In the late hours of yesterday, the international coalition aviation bombarded a headquarters belonging to ISIS in the district of Hamam al-Alil (35 km south of Nineveh),” pointing out that, “The bombing resulted in the death of the military commander of Wilayat Nineveh Abu Majd al-Kanani, who was a Saudi national, along with eight leaders, most of whom were Saudis.”
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


ISIS executes 300+ in Mosul
(IraqiNews.com) Nineveh – On Sunday, al-Hashd al-Shaabi media official Mahmoud al-Sourji announced, that the so-called ISIS executed more than 300 persons in Mosul, while pointed out that the executed people were police and army personnel, as well as civil activists.

Sourji said in a brief statement followed by IraqiNews.com, “ISIS executed more than 300 police and army personnel, in addition to civil activists by firing squad in Mosul.”

Noteworthy, Mosul is suffering from major security and humanitarian crisis due to ISIS control on the city.
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  But we won't bomb a cluster of militants for fear of killing a civilian or two.
Posted by: gorb || 02/08/2016 0:15 Comments || Top||

#2  Well that's one way to alleviate a shortage problem.
Posted by: Charles || 02/08/2016 10:11 Comments || Top||


Anbar Antics: 44 die
ISIS executes several in al-Anbar

(IraqiNews.com) Anbar – The Commander of Anbar Operations Ismail Mahalawi revealed on Sunday, that ISIS executed a number of civilians including women and children east of Ramadi.

Mahalawi said in a statement followed by IraqiNews.com, “Today, ISIS executed a number of civilians including women and children by firing squad in Juwiba east of Ramadi,” adding that, “The civilians were executed after trying to escape from ISIS.”

Noteworthy the security forces managed to retake Sijariya area east of Ramadi, while advanced to liberate Juwiba and Husaiba east of the city.

Security forces evacuate 71 besieged civilians west of Ramadi

(IraqiNews.com) al-Anbar – The security forces evacuated 71 civilians, mostly women and children, that were blockaded by ISIS militants west of the city of Ramadi.

The commander of Jazeera Operations Ali Ibrahim Daboun said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com, “The security forces managed to evacuate 71 civilians, mostly women and children, that were blockaded by ISIS in the district of Heet (70 km west of Ramadi) as well as the modern village of the district,” pointing out that, “The civilians were placed under scrutiny and had been evacuated.”

Security forces kill 44 ISIS militants north of Ramadi

(IraqiNews.com) Anbar – The Commander of Anbar Operations Ismail al-Mahalawi announced on Sunday, that the security forces killed 44 fighters of the so-called ISIS, while detonated seven booby-trapped vehicles north of Ramadi.

Mahalawi said in a brief statement obtained by IraqiNews.com, “The army’s 10th brigade backed by al-Hashd al-Shaabi fighters and the international coalition aviation managed to repulse different ISIS attacks on the northern axis in Ramadi.”

Mahalawi added, “The security forces killed 44 ISIS fighters during the attack, while detonated seven booby-trapped vehicles.”

Iraqi Security forces liberate al-Sijariya area east of Ramadi

(IraqiNews.com) Anbar – The official journalists with the Ministry of Defense announced on Friday, that the security forces managed to liberate al-Sijariya area east of Ramadi, while raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings.

The official journalists with the Ministry of Defense said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com, “The Anti-Terrorism forces managed to liberate al-Sijariya District (17 km east of Ramadi), and raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings.”

The statement added, “The operation resulted in the killing of a large number of ISIS fighters, as well as dismantling of dozens of improvised explosive devices that had been planted by ISIS to hinder the progress of security forces.”

8 suicide bombers killed while trying to sneak into Baghdadi District

(IraqiNews.com) Anbar – A security source in Anbar Province announced on Friday, that the security forces killed eight suicide bombers who tried to sneak into Baghdadi District west of Ramadi (110 km west of Baghdad).

The source said in a statement followed by IraqiNews.com, “A force from the army’s 7th brigade killed eight suicide bombers who tried to sneak into the defense line of al-Joba in Baghdadi west of Ramadi.”

The source added, “The security forces destroyed a vehicle and killed its occupants in al-Barazariya area.”

Noteworthy, most of Anbar Province’s cities were controlled by the so-called ISIS, while the security forces began wide cleansing battles and managed to retake the majority of Ramadi areas after fierce battles.
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Baghdad Bomb and Bullet Bulletin: 2 die
1 cop dies in Baghdad bomb attack

(IraqiNews.com) Baghdad – A source in the Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday, that five police elements were either killed or wounded in a bomb blast targeted their patrol south of Baghdad.

The source said in a brief statement obtained by IraqiNews.com, “A bomb exploded, this morning, near a police patrol while passing in Iin Arab Jabour Village south of Baghdad, killing one police personnel and wounding four others, in addition to causing material damage to their vehicle.”

The source, on condition of anonymity, added: “A security force rushed to the area and transferred the wounded to a nearby hospital for treatment and the dead body to the forensic medicine department, while carried out a raid to search for the perpetrators of the bombing.”

1 dead in Baghdad bombing

(IraqiNews.com) Baghdad – A source in the Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday, that ten people had been either killed or wounded in a bomb blast south of Baghdad.

The source said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com, “On Thursday, a bomb exploded near a popular cafe in the neighborhood of al-Siha in al-Darwa area south of Baghdad, killing one person and injuring nine others.”

The source, on condition of anonymity, added, “A security force rushed to the area and transferred the wounded to a nearby hospital for treatment and the dead body to the forensic medicine department, while carried out a raid to search for the perpetrators of the bombing.”
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Over 150 Escape Is-Held Hawija
KIRKUK – At least 150 people escaped from Islamic State-held Hawija district to Peshmerga bases in Kirkuk late Saturday before being settled in Ala Gherin village.

NRT correspondent in Kirkuk, Rokan Jaff, said Peshmerga commanders would not allow the group to enter Kirkuk city, the eponymous provincial capital.Commanders cited security concerns and said they feared militants could be among the group, which also included women, children and elderly people.

The group was taken to an area near Ala Gherin, west of Kirkuk city where three existing camps for displaced Iraqis have been established.

Hawija district lies 30 miles south of Kirkuk, and has been a militant stronghold since Islamic State overran large areas of northern and western Iraq in 2014.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Syrian rebels counterattack in Aleppo
ARA News

ALEPPO – Clashes broke out on Sunday between rebel fighters and Syrian regime’s army in the northern countryside of Aleppo, military sources reported Sunday.

Fighters of the Levant Front and Nusra Front bombed headquarters of pro-Assad forces in the Ratyan town in the northern Aleppo province.

Subsequent to the attack, fierce clashes took place between the Islamist rebel factions and regime’s army –backed by Hezbollah militia– in the vicinity of Ratyan, where heavy machine guns were used.

“At least 12 pro-Assad fighters were killed and a dozen more wounded in the clashes,” the Levant Front’s spokesman Saleh Zein told ARA News in Aleppo.

The source added that three rebel fighters were killed in Sunday’s clashes.

This comes just few days after pro-Assad troops and allied militias reported advance against rebel factions in northern Aleppo with support of a Russian air cover.

“The rebels are trying to impose a siege on Ratyan town in order to cut off the regime’s supply route and regain the town, which has been taken as a military base by pro-Assad militias after forcing the residents to escape their homes,” Zein said.

Also on Sunday, rebel fighters of the Levant Front and Ahrar al-Sham launched a joint attack on Syrian army’s command centers in the towns of Hardanten, Nubul and Zahra, bombing army buildings with dozens of mortar shells.

The attack has reportedly caused large losses in the ranks of the pro-Assad troops centered in the targeted towns. It was not immediately clear how many casualties fell under rebels’ bombardment.

In the meantime, Russian warplanes backed pro-Assad forces by bombing rebel fighting positions with several airstrikes across Aleppo province, forcing the rebel factions to halt their attacks and retreat.

The recent developments in Aleppo countryside have caused the displacement of thousands of civilians. More than 15,000 people crossed into Turkey on Friday subsequent to heavy airstrikes by Russian fighter jets.

Reporting by: Taim Khalil

Source: ARA News
Posted by: badanov || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  Iran's footpads in Yemen have SRBMs. It would only be fair play to return the favor in Syria. That Russian air base would be a tempting target....

Just saying.
Posted by: Sven the pelter || 02/08/2016 10:38 Comments || Top||


Syrian army tightens noose on militant-held town in Aleppo
Iran PressTV in case you can't tell
The Syrian army and its allied forces are pushing ahead with a major offensive against a militant-held town in the northern province of Aleppo near the Turkish border.

The government troops are just seven kilometers away from the town of Tal Rifaat, which is located around 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from the Turkish frontier, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Sunday. Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the SOHR, said that the Syrian government troops intend to push north to the border with Turkey to stop the flow of militant recruits and weapons into the Arab country.

The strategic town is considered the last militant stronghold in the volatile border region. Syria’s Arabic-language newspaper al-Watan has said that the recapture of Tal Rifaat would be a major blow to the militants.

Meanwhile, the Syrian army backed by allied forces also took full control of a strategic hilltop in the Eastern countryside of Aleppo. The Barlaheen hilltop came under army control after daylong clashes with the terrorists.

Syrian fighter jets bombed militant hideouts in the Rasm al-Alam and al-Sin villages in the troubled region over the past hours.

The Syrian military backed by volunteer forces has recently inflicted heavy losses on foreign-backed militants during mop-up operations on different fronts. Over the past few weeks, the Syrian forces have also gained more ground against militants north of Latakia.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


35,000 Syrians Reached Turkish Border In 48 Hours
Russian and Syrian government forces intensified an assault on rebel-held areas around the Syrian city of Aleppo on Saturday (Feb. 6), prompting tens of thousands to flee to the Turkish border to seek refuge. The local governor of Kilis, Suleyman Tapsiz, said around 35,000 Syrians had reached Oncupinar in the space of 48 hours.

"We have established living conditions (on the Syrian side of the border) for 30-35 thousand of people who fled there. Therefore, for the moment, there is no need to take them to Turkey but if there will be an extraordinary crisis, both my office as the governor and the Turkish government has made all the necessary preparations in the past two years. But there is no need for the time being. We have provided them with everything they need to live there," Tapsiz said.

Mevlut Cavusoglu, Foreign Minister of Turkey, which has already taken in 2.5 million Syrians, said up to 55,000 were now fleeing to the frontier.

Cavusoglu said the border was open, but at the Oncupinar crossing near the Turkish city of Kilis, which has been largely shut for nearly a year, refugees were being shepherded into camps on the Syrian side.

"We came to the camps with children, including toddlers only a month old. We are turning to Turkey where there is safety, there are no bombings and like he helped us in the beginning, Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the Syrians that he was their brother, he shouldn't desert them, he should open the doors, he should go back to helping them - all these people have nowhere to go now, where are we supposed to go? They can't go back to their homes," Syrian man, Mouhammed Idris said.

"They should start opening the doors for us to go through to Turkey because we cannot remain here. Syria is now destroyed and we can't just stay here - look at the circumstances here, war and attacks and planes over us, we can't even sleep here," Syrian woman, Dilal Cuhmani added.
There you go, Europe: you can either grab a piece of Syria, put in a force protection package, and put the refugees there, or you can settle them in Europe. Either way you're going to pay.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Terror Networks
US, allies conduct 17 strikes against ISIS
The United States and its allies targeted Islamic State (ISIS) group militants with 10 strikes in Iraq on Saturday and seven strikes in Syria, the US military said on Sunday.

In Iraq, there were three strikes apiece near Mosul and Ramadi to destroy ISIS fighting positions and weapons caches. Near Sinjar, two strikes struck two separate tactical units. There were also single strikes near Kirkuk and Qayyarah.

The strikes in Syria took place near Ayn Isa, Mar'a and Manbij. They destroyed three ISIS buildings and also struck a large tactical unit and anti-air artillery position, the US military said.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/08/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State



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