Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
I've disabled Sitemeter. Too many free riders. If anyone sees any ads let me know. Except for Phoebe and blogads (which I'm probably also gonna dump) there should be none.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 14:20 Comments ||
Top||
[Iran Press TV] Taliban Death Eaters have kidnapped 20 Shia people in Afghanistan's central province of Daykundi.
According to Zamen Pouya, the governor of the Kajran district of Daykundi, the Death Eaters kidnapped 20 drivers and passengers belonging to Balouch ethnic group on Sunday, state-funded BBC Persian reported on Wednesday.
The kidnapped individuals were later transferred to the neighboring province of Urozgan, the local official added.
He also said that Kajran has been the scene of fierce festivities between Afghan cops and Taliban Death Eaters for around 10 days, calling on the central government to deploy more troops to the violence-wracked district.
The security forces in Kajran are now in a defensive posture and Taliban Death Eaters may take over the district, he warned.
The new developments came days after Lieutenant General Murad Ali Murad, the deputy chief of staff of the Afghan National Army, said that Talibs have intensified their attacks in Daykundi in a bid to pressure the army into ceasing its anti-terror operations in the southern province of Helmand ...an Afghan province populated mostly by Pashtuns, adjacent to Injun country in Pak Balochistan... .
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Taliban
[DAWN] A US drone strike in eastern Afghanistan has killed 13 bandidosbully boyz linked to the Pak Taliban, officials said on Tuesday.
The strike came in Nasyan area of the Afghan province of Nangarhar The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country.. , close to the border with Pakistain's tribal Khyber Agency.
Pak security officials said the bandidosbully boyz belonged to Lashkar-e-Islam ...a group of Islamic bandidos infesting Khyber Agency. It's headed by a former bus driver.... , Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) and Abdullah Azam Brigade and Haqqani network.
"The strike took place when an important meeting of bandidosbully boyz was in progress and a boom-mobile was being prepared for some suicide kaboom," a Pak security official said.
"There are two Haqqani network commanders and six TTP bandidosbully boyz among the dead," the official said, adding that the rest belonged to the two other groups.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Taliban
[WASHINGTONPOST] A jacket wallah killed seven people and maimed 36 during rush hour in the Afghan capital Wednesday, striking near the presidential palace and the Finance Ministry, officials said.
The blast was the second attack in a week in Kabul, suggesting that Afghanistan's insurgency is revving up as the traditional winter lull in the fighting approaches an end. Last week, the Taliban asserted responsibility for a suicide kaboom in the capital that killed a powerful regional police commander.
Afghan officials said the suicide bomber Wednesday was apparently in a vehicle packed with explosives and struck in the heart of Kabul, in front of the Finance Ministry and near a cop shoppe. The target of the attack remained unclear, the officials said.
As of Wednesday evening, no one had grabbed credit for the blast.
The Interior Ministry said a child was among the seven people killed.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Taliban
[ARABNEWS] Militants with the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... group killed five militia fighters in an attack on a checkpoint Wednesday in the Libyan coastal city of Sirte, a local official said.
The militia fighters are part of the so-called Brigade 166 tasked by the Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... government with securing Sirte. They have engaged in sporadic fighting with IS men around the city.
"Islamic State fighters attacked a checkpoint 15 km west of Sirte, killing five members of Brigade 166 belonging to the Libya Dawn ...aka Fajr Libya, the Islamist operation launched to counter that of General Khalifa Haftar (Operation Dignity). It is made up of the Libya Shield militia (Misrata and Moslem Brotherhood), Libya Revolutionaries Operations Room (Moslem Brotherhood), and Tripoli Brigade (close to Abdul Hakim Belhaj, head of Al-Watan party). Financing and moral support come from Turkey and Qatar... group and tasked with protecting the city," brigade front man Khaled Abou Jizya said.
"Fierce festivities erupted in the early morning and the Islamic State fighters were repelled," Abou Jizya added.
In an audio message posted online IS meanwhile grabbed credit for a double suicide boom-mobileing that killed at least seven soldiers in Libya's second city of Benghazi on Tuesday.
Libya has been plagued by chaos since the end of the 2011 revolt that toppled Qadaffy, with heavily armed militias battling for control of its cities and oil wealth and rival governments and parliaments vying for power.
The country has had two governments and parliaments since Tripoli was seized in August by Libya Dawn and the internationally recognized government fled to the country's far east.
The Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... group's affiliate in Libya said it played a role in a string of suicide boom-mobileings that killed 12 people Wednesday in the eastern city of Benghazi. Meanwhile, ...back at the Council of Boskone, Helmuth ordered the space pirate fleet to attack Zemblonia... its snuffies carried out an attack on a rival militia in the central coastal city of Sirte, leaving five dead.
A Libyan security official said the three suicide kabooms, which also maimed 25, were targeting forces of Libya's elected government and allied fighters. Two of the bombings were carried by snuffies affiliated to the umbrella group known as The Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
[AA.TR] Tunisian security authorities have nabbed Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages! the leader of the Death Eater group that carried out last week's deadly attack on a Tunis museum, the Interior Ministry has said.
"The cell was comprised of 15 terrorists. Each one had a special task such as coordination, providing weapons, preparing for the attack, among others," ministry front man Rafik Chelli told The Anadolu Agency.
The official declined to reveal the identity of the detained "cell leader," citing security reasons.
"The cell met months ago with wanted Algerian terrorist Luqman Abu Sakhr, the leader of Uqba ibn Nafi Death Eater group, which recently swore allegiance to Daesh," Chelli told AA.
At least 23 people, including 20 foreign tourists, were killed last Wednesday when gunnies stormed Tunis' Bardo Museum.
Tourists from Italia, Japan, Poland and Spain were among those killed in the attack, responsibility for which was later claimed by a Daesh-affiliated group.
On Monday, Tunisian Interior Minister Najem Gharsalli sacked several security bigshots over the attack.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[2 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
[AA.TR] Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality... snuffies are detaining dozens of women in the northeastern Gwoza town which the group seized last year, an escapee has said after fleeing the group's grip.
"There are many women and ladies in hundreds kept by Boko Haram in some selected houses in Gwoza," Mairo Mohammed, a woman who beat feet from the town, told news hounds late Tuesday in Maiduguri, lovely provincial capital of Borno State.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Boko Haram
A map of limited usefulness, courtesy of the Arab News, can be seen here.
[AnNahar] Iran condemned the Saudi-led intervention against its coreligionists as "a dangerous step" that violated "international responsibilities and national sovereignty."
Huge explosions were heard in Sanaa as warplanes pounded an air base adjacent to the international airport and other locations, an AFP correspondent reported.
At least 14 civilians were killed when seven homes near the air base were reduced to rubble, a civil defense source said.
At daybreak hundreds of families streamed out of the capital seeking the relative safety of the provinces.
"I am leaving with my family -- Sanaa is no longer safe," said one resident, who gave his name only as Mohammed, as he piled his belongings into a minibus in the Bani Huwat neighborhood.
In the south, residents reported hearing explosions at the huge Al-Anad air base, north of Aden, which was seized by anti-government forces on Wednesday.
The Saudi ambassador to the United States said the operation had begun with air strikes but that the kingdom and its allies stood ready to do "whatever it takes" to protect Hadi's government.
Washington said President Barack Obama had authorized the "provision of logistical and intelligence support" for the campaign.
- U.S. providing support -
Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir said that the kingdom had assembled a coalition of more than 10 countries, including five Gulf monarchies, for the military operation to defend Hadi's government.
Washington said President Barack Obama had authorized the "provision of logistical and intelligence support" for the campaign.
Jubeir told reporters in Washington that the operation "is to defend and support the legitimate government of Yemen and prevent the radical Huthi movement from taking over the country".
He said that for the moment the action was confined to air strikes, but that other military assets were being mobilized and that the coalition "would do whatever it takes".
"The Royal Saudi Air Force has taken out the Huthi air defenses and destroyed numerous Huthi fighter planes," a Saudi adviser said, adding that air force "has pretty much secured most of the Yemeni air space and is now consolidating a wide no-fly zone."
The Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television said that the kingdom had deployed 10 fighter jets to the operation, while the United Arab Emirates had committed 30, Bahrain and Kuwait 15 each and Qatar 10.
It said Saudi Arabia had also mobilized 150,000 troops near the border.
All civilian fights were halted at seven Saudi airports in the border region.
The official Saudi Press Agency said Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan had "expressed desire to participate in the operation".
Egypt, Jordan and Sudan confirmed they were joining the campaign.
Pakistan said it had received a Saudi request to participate but that it was still being "examined".
Morocco voiced support but made no mention of any involvement by its military.
The Saudi adviser said his country's defense minister warned the son of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, "who is commanding the attack on Aden that his forces face 'obliteration' if they continue their push toward Aden."
Saleh, who resigned in 2012 following a year of nationwide protests, is accused of allying with the rebels, relying on the loyalty of many army units that he built during his three-decade rule.
On Wednesday, army units seized Aden's international airport after switching allegiance to the rebels.
But the airport was back in the hands of militia loyal to Hadi on Thursday after those troops pulled out.
"We are taking part with air and land forces in the 'Firmness Storm' operations and our forces have now begun mechanized movement towards the sites of the operations," Sudanese Defense Minister Abdelrahim Mohammed Hussein told a press conference.
The minister gave no further details on the number of troops or aircraft involved, or what role they would play.
#1
the kingdom had deployed 10 fighter jets to the operation, while the United Arab Emirates had committed 30, Bahrain and Kuwait 15 each and Qatar 10.
#14
If you can contain the fighting to Yemen, it can function as a large burn pit of jihadis. The problem is this burn pit can burn the whole area down. I see the local war spreading all over the ME.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
03/26/2015 14:32 Comments ||
Top||
#15
Like most burn pits, the smoke from that would poison many more, AP.
#17
The Saudis real problem is a Shiia/Iranian controlled Iraq. It remains to be seen whether this is merely a prelude to dealing with that problem, which requires the US and the West to come to the realization they have been bombing the wrong side (excepting supporting the Kurds).
#19
Reference to #1, #12, and #13.
Saudi Arabia deployed some 100 fighter jets
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/us_world/article_80a5fb8d-559e-58a0-9faf-7c4502b82f8d.html
SANAA, Yemen (AP): "In the air assault that began Thursday ... Saudi Arabia deployed some 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers and other navy units"
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/26/middleeast/yemen-saudi-arabia-airstrikes/index.html
(CNN): "The swift and sudden action involved 100 Saudi jets, 30 from the United Arab Emirates, 15 each from Kuwait and Bahrain, 10 from Qatar,
and a handful from Jordan, Morocco and Sudan, plus naval help from Pakistan and Egypt, according to a Saudi adviser."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/saudi-arabia-targets-strategic-areas-around-yemen-in-heavy-bombardment/2015/03/26/4e455830-d343-11e4-8b1e-274d670aa9c9_story.html Washington Post: "Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya News reported that Saudi Arabia had deployed 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers and other navy units.
#22
I see 100 planes and 150,000 ground troops from Saudi as well from other sources... CNN Reuters, al-Arabiya
The Saudis' main airbase is in the western part of the Magic Kingdom (far from Riyadh, by design). Not a stretch for them to send out that many aircraft.
#24
I have a friend in KSA now. They are getting very worried about the US tilt toward Iran, and this stuff in Yemen has them extremely worried about who to turn to if the US continues its present pro-Iranian course.
[ARABNEWS] Yemen's leader was rushed to a "secure location" Wednesday as rebel forces bore down on his southern stronghold and a warplane attacked his presidential complex, prompting pleas for urgent intervention.
A top aide said President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi had been taken to a safe haven "within Aden," the southern port city. Earlier a source in the presidential guard said that Hadi had flown overseas, but the aide denied he had left the country.
In a major blow to the embattled leader, the Houthis said they had captured his defense minister in their push southwards. Large crowds of Aden residents could be seen running to take up arms at a weapons depot in preparation for the expected rebel advance, an AFP photographer said.
Security officials said forces allied with Iranian catspaws captured Aden's international airport. The airport's takeover cuts off one of the last remaining routes out of Aden for Hadi.
Meanwhile, ...back at the argument, Livia grabbed for Jane's hair to make her point. Jane elbowed her in the face in rebuttal... the Arab League ...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing... will discuss the crisis in Yemen on Thursday, the regional body's deputy secretary general said, after the country's foreign minister called on Arab states to intervene militarily to halt an advance by the Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ... militia.
"Yemen's foreign minister proposed the idea today ... in a meeting with the vaporous Arab League Secretary General," Ahmed Ben Hilli, said. "The issue will be presented tomorrow at foreign minister level."
Arab heads of state are due to meet in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh on March 28-29 to discuss a range of conflicts in the region.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under: Houthis
#1
My old Economic Geography prof would be having a field day with these goings-on.
[Iran Press TV] Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... has begun launching Arclight airstrikes in Yemen where the Ansarullah fighters have acquired power, says the monarchy's ambassador to the United States.
Warplanes of the Royal Saudi Air Force reportedly bombed the positions of the Ansarullah fighters and launched attacks against the Sana'a airport and the Dulaimi airbase early on Thursday.
A Saudi warplane was shot down by the country's air defense system, the al-Alam television reported.
There were reports of fatalities among civilians after Arclight airstrikes.
"The operation is to defend the legitimate government," Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi envoy to the US, told news hounds in a rare news conference at the Saudi embassy in Washington on Wednesday, referring to the administration of President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi whose whereabouts are unknown after reportedly fleeing the country earlier in the day.
Jubeir added that the current situation in Yemen "is not an option" for Riyadh, saying the operation began at 7 p.m. Eastern Time (2300 GMT).
He further accused the Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ... fighters of having "always chosen the path of violence," claiming Riyadh would do "anything necessary" for "the legitimate government" of the Arab world's most impoverished county.
"We consulted very closely with many of our allies and in particular with the United States. We are very pleased with the outcome of those discussions," he said. "We have a situation where you have a militia group that is now in control or can be in control of ballistic missiles, heavy weapons and an air force."
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under: Houthis
#1
Shouldn't be a surprise. I said the other day, that the Saudis can't have Iranian backed shiias in control in their front and back yards.
The next issue is whether the Iran responds in the Gulf, Bahrain? the Omani enclave on the Straits of Hormuz?
#4
As per FREEREPUBLIC, the Saudis are repor committing 100 aircraft + 150,000 troops to Yemen.
Other Net Blogs repor that Egypt, Morocco, + Nuke-armed Pakistan will join the KSA-led Coalition.
* SPUTNIKE NEWS > HOUTHIS VOW TO FIGHT BACK IN YEMEN [agz KSA + Gulf Arab Allies] WID ALL MEANS AVAILABLE - OFFICIAL.
Senior Houthi Official MOHAMMED AL-BUKTAITHI.
VERSUS
* JAPAN TIMES > YEMEN LEADER'S FALL IS BLOW TO US [POTUS Obama = Counter-Terror strategy collapse], AS EMBASSY CLOSURE AND TROOPS PULLOUT DAMAGE OPERATION AGZ AL-QAIDA.
* TOPIX > US MILITARY OFFICIALS FEAR IRAN MILITIAS COULD [turn on +] ATTACK US TROOPS IN IRAQ.
This was before the KSA began their Yemen MilOp - prolly safe to say the USDOD is more nervousy twitchy now and walking a much thinner tightrope as its two ME BFFS KSA + IRAN MILPOL FACE OFF AGZ ONE ANOTHER.
#5
Egyptian friends are reporting on Facebook that President al Sisi is sending Egyptian forces to participate alongside the Saudis, and that Iran has forces in Eritrea. Interesting times just got more interesting.
#6
Phil, agree, I said similar things over the last couple of days.
This is another, and potentially the biggest, failure of Obama's world view and "smart" diplomacy. What happens now to his Iranio-centric strategy?
How far will he back the Shiia vs. the Sunni?
I know he bowed to the King of SA, but that was then. How close to WWIII will we get this time, and would this be his excuse to totally abrogate the constitution?
I'm too old to want to live in "interesting" times.
#7
Appears to be boiling down to a Sunni vs, Shia conflict. I don't think we have any allies in that mix. Saudis don't seem too interested in ISIS or AQ; other players in Yemen. The mess/failure in the Mideast and North Africa will be Obama's legacy along with all the others messes/failures. He's really not good at this--far worse than Carter or Harding.
#10
#8 I'd watch that closely. America has an oversupply created by a law that prohibits/inhibits export, so there is no reason for international demand to effect the price at the pump less, of course, collusion by the Cronies of Washington.
#17
What about Iranian moves around Musandam Peninsula in Oman? I remember reading about suspected infiltration there by Iranian forces out of Bandar Abbas a year or so ago.
#18
What about Iranian moves around Musandam Peninsula in Oman?
It's possible, condor. It'd definitely put a crimp in access via Hormuz.
Given that the Sultan of Oman has been on a charm offensive with Iran probably due to Iran's actions (but who also has a small but highly professional military,) Iran may prefer to have Oman on the sidelines at this point.
#19
As per FREEREPUBLIC, Egyptian troops will be joining Saudi ground forces inside Yemen.
* Also ...
> IRAN = demanding an immediate halt to any + all Milactions in Yemen, espec agz the Houthis, LEST NECESSARY MEASURES BE FORCIBLY UNDERTAKEN BY IRAN.
> EGYPT = claims to had driven off Iranian naval vessels trying to enter the Port of Aden.
[AA.TR] The Shiite Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ... group has offered a 20-million-Yemeni-riyal bounty (roughly $93,000) for the arrest of President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, the news service of Yemen's Defense Ministry has said.
"A reward of 20 million Yemeni riyals will be given to anyone who arrests Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi," the service said in a text message.
Sources close to Hadi said he was still in the southern province of Aden, despite the advance of Houthi turbans towards the province.
"Hadi is still in Aden," one source told The Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity, dismissing reports that the embattled leader had fled the city in the face of the Houthi advance.
Yemen has remained in a state of chaos since last September, when the Houthis took over Sanaa, from which they have since sought to extend their control to other parts of the country.
Late last month, Hadi fled Sanaa -- where he had been under house arrest by the Houthis for weeks -- to Aden.
Upon his arrival in the southern city, Hadi dismissed as "null" and "illegitimate" all recently-issued Houthi decrees. He also wrote to Yemen's parliament, withdrawing a resignation he had tendered earlier.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under: Houthis
[AA.TR] Shiite Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ... loyalists have seized control of several state institutions in the southern city of Aden, eyewitnesses have said.
"Houthi loyalists have seized state institutions in the city," one eyewitness told The Anadolu Agency.
According to witnesses, pro-Houthi Death Eaters seized control of Aden's central bank HQ amid attempts by Death Eaters to take over the city's airport as well.
Eyewitnesses said earlier Wednesday that warplanes had targeted the vicinity of Aden's presidential palace -- where embattled President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi is currently holed up.
The air attack came as Houthi forces began advancing on Aden, from which Hadi had sought to reinstate his embattled presidency after fleeing capital Sanaa late last month.
Earlier Wednesday, a source close to Hadi dismissed rumors that the embattled president had fled Aden in light of the looming Houthi advance.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11 views]
Top|| File under: Houthis
[Dhaka Tribune] Chandgaon police in overnight raids yesterday jugged Drop the heater, Studs, or you're hist'try! four miscreants who hurled petrol and crude bombs during blockade and hartal ... a peculiarly Bangla combination of a general strike and a riot, used by both major political groups in lieu of actual governance ... s in exchange for money.
The arrestees -- aged between 20 and 25 -- are Ivan Khan Imon, Mobarak, Sohel and Idris, said Chandgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sairul Islam.
He said they nabbed the four after conducting drives at Faridarpara, Hamidchar, Chasha Colony, Talukdar Bari and Manjurpara areas under their jurisdiction in the city following a tip-off.
Day labourers by profession, the four were hired by BNP-Jamaat leaders. They confessed their involvement in different sabotage incidents in the area, added the OC.
Meanwhile, ...back at the the conspirators' cleverly concealed hideout the long-awaited message arrived. They quickly got to work with their decoder rings... district police nabbed nine BNP, Jamaat and Shibir men from Sitakunda, Satkania and Lohagara upazilas after overnight drives.
Chittagong district Special Branch Additional Superintendent of Police Naimul Hasan said the nine were arrested in connection to separate violence cases lodged with the cop shoppes of the district.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Islami
[AnNahar] Australia has prevented a third teenager from flying out to fight in the Middle East, a minister said Wednesday, as Western countries battle to stop the flow of youngsters to jihadist groups.
The 17-year-old boy was taken off a plane at Sydney airport on March 12 after being interviewed by counter-terrorism officers, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told news hounds.
He has since been returned to his family while investigations continue.
Two other boys, aged 16 and 17, with tickets to an undisclosed Middle Eastern country were stopped from leaving Australia on March 6.
The cases came after three British schoolgirls left their London homes to join Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... (IS) bully boyz in Syria in February, which sparked accusations that authorities had failed to warn families their children risked being radicalised.
Some 200 people have been prevented from leaving Australia to become imported muscle with terrorist groups, authorities say.
Some 200 people have been prevented from leaving Australia to become imported muscle with terrorist groups, authorities say.
"The point of all this is there is a significant and growing threat at our airports and our borders," Dutton said.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott underlined that no effort would be spared to prevent people joining groups such as IS in Iraq and Syria.
"We will do everything we can to stop you if you do try," Abbott told the same presser.
"It is absolutely critical that the people of Australia appreciate that the death cult (IS) is reaching out to vulnerable and impressionable young people.
"The death cult is reaching out, seeking effectively to brainwash people online," he said.
According to the government, about 100 Australians are fighting with IS and other jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq, with another 150 supporting them at home.
Australia announced on March 3 that it was sending another 300 troops to Iraq in a joint mission with New Zealand to help train local forces fighting to reclaim territory seized by IS.
Some 170 Australian special forces are already in Iraq helping to train government troops.
Canberra has boosted security measures amid fears of heightened threats from "home-grown" IS-inspired myrmidons, including revoking citizenship for dual nationals linked to terrorism.
#3
MIght consider setting up a fake group that encourages them and then charters a plane for them, and then lands on some remote Australian island and leaves them to think about what they're doing for a decade or so.
#4
Set up hidden cameras on the island so we can all watch as they go Lord of the Flies on each other. Pay per view could pay for the whole experement.
[AnNahar] talian police on Wednesday announced the arrest of three men suspected of involvement in recruiting jihadists to fight in Syria and the promotion of Islamic extremism.
One of the three, a 20-year-old Italian with Moroccan roots, is suspected of being the author of a 64-page Italian-language document which outlines the goals and principles of the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... group and has been circulated on the Internet and social networks.
The other two men are both Albanian nationals. One of them was tossed in the slammer Book 'im, Mahmoud! in Italia, one in Albania.
The arrests follow a two-year operation by anti-terrorism police operating out of the northern city of Brescia and were accompanied by a series of raids on properties in Lombardy, Piedmont and Tuscany, police said in a statement.
Italia has stepped up monitoring of suspected Islamic gunnies following recent attacks in La Belle France and Denmark and threats by supporters of IS based in Libya to use the north African state as a platform for attacks on Italian territory.
Anti-terrorism chief Mario Papa told parliament last week that 17 arrests and 33 expulsion orders had been made since the terror attacks on Gay Paree in early January.
Security officials believe at least 65 Italian nationals or residents are currently fighting in Syria.
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
[AnNahar] The Turkish military said it had responded with artillery fire Wednesday to attacks launched by Kurdish rebels against army positions in the Kurdish-majority southeast near the Iraqi border.
In a statement posted on its website, the army said gunnies from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fired mortar shells at its positions in the Daglica district.
In a separate incident, Kurdish rebels attacked military barracks in the region with automatic rifles.
"The terrorist fire was immediately retaliated by our units deployed in the region," it said. The army did not say if there were any casualties.
The exchange of fire comes amid a fragile grinding of the peace processor between the Turkish state and the PKK, blacklisted as a terrorist organization by The Sick Man of Europe Turkey ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... and its Western allies.
The latest attack is the second in a week. The military said Tuesday it launched an operation against rebel hideouts and shelters in the Mazi Dagi area in the southeast.
Jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan on Saturday called for Kurds to hold a congress aimed at ending their armed struggle against the Turkish state that has claimed more than 40,000 lives since 1984.
The PKK has largely observed a ceasefire since 2013 but attempts to find a deal have stalled over the issue of the withdrawal of its fighters and weaponry from Turkey.
[ABC] The FBI has arrested two men -- one of them a current member of the Illinois National Guard -- for allegedly trying to join ISIS, the brutal terrorist group wreaking havoc in Syria and Iraq, authorities said.
Army National Guard Specialist Hasan Edmonds, 22, was arrested at Chicago Midway International Airport as he was trying to fly to Egypt, according to authorities. His cousin, Jonas Edmonds, 29, was arrested at his home.
Both men are from Aurora, Illinois, and will be appearing in federal court later today.
#1
Back in the 80s I read stories that racist groups were sending their folks into the military to get training for the eventual race war. You know, get trained by the best and paid in the process.
I suspect Jihadi groups have been doing the same thing but aren't smart enough to wait for their natural enlistment terms to be complete.
[WASHINGTONPOST] Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the U.S. soldier who was recovered in Afghanistan last spring after five years in captivity, has been charged with desertion and misbehaving before the enemy, Army officials said Wednesday, setting the stage for emotionally charged court proceedings in coming months.
Eugene Fidell, Bergdahl's attorney, told The Washington Post that his client was handed a charge sheet Wednesday. Army officials said in a statement that Bergdahl has been charged with desertion with intent to shirk important or hazardous duty and misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place. His case has been referred to an Article 32 preliminary hearing, which is frequently compared to a grand jury proceeding in civilian court.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Send his ass back to one of the stans
Posted by: chris ||
03/26/2015 0:05 Comments ||
Top||
#2
Boy Howdy the Army is off the leash.
So how are Psaki, Harf, ValJar and the other sock puppets going to spin this after we swapped five certified bad guys (who immediately went on a wanted poster with a big reward) for this traitor?
Seems this flies in the face of the Rice narrative and the whatshisname's presser that announced the swap.
It is almost nutty to see this happen...the administration must sincerely believe the average American has the attention span of a cream filled donut.
#3
Here is a section of Article 85, UCMJ: (my emphasis added)
(c) Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, but if the desertion or attempt to desert occurs at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct.
It would be nice if the Article 32 Investigating Officer has enough testicular fortitude to find in favor of refiling the charges to reflect desertion in time of war - given that it occurred during armed hostilities as part of wartime Operation Enduring Freedom.
#5
I imagine the Army must have been receiving calls from the WH requesting a lower charge but somehow they resisted corruption.
Good for them.
This is similar to the DOJ people investigating the shooting of Brown in MO. Somehow, some good people resisted the corruption.
Posted by: lord garth ||
03/26/2015 6:03 Comments ||
Top||
#6
misbehaving before the enemy
I can think of a lot of commanders and their JAG advisers who could be charged with that one.
10 U.S. Code S 899 - Art. 99. Misbehavior before the enemy
Any member of the armed forces who before or in the presence of the enemy—
(1) runs away;
... 8) willfully fails to do his utmost to encounter, engage, capture, or destroy any enemy troops, combatants, vessels, aircraft, or any other thing, which it is his duty so to encounter, engage, capture, or destroy; or
(9) does not afford all practicable relief and assistance to any troops, combatants, vessels, or aircraft of the armed forces belonging to the United States or their allies when engaged in battle;
shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.
#7
I don't believe prisoner (or hostage) swaps or ransoms are a good idea. I do believe in taking all reasonable steps to get a prisoner back (unless you can prove in absentia he was a deserter.) But there was no excuse to glamorize and publicise his return. One would hope this will work out to the shame and embarassment of the Administration, but I doubt it; more likely it will result in pressured retirements in the military and a forced acquittal on serious charges.
#8
Psaki is still sticking with the trade being a good decision. Good for the army in showing moral integrity--may be the only place to find it these days. Will this court martial be public or closed?
[AnNahar] Pakistain's military said Wednesday it had killed 30 snuffies in air strikes on a tribal region near the Afghan border as part of a major anti-insurgent offensive that began last year.
The strikes hit the strategic Tirah valley in Khyber tribal district, where the Pak Taliban and Lashkar-e-Islam ...a group of Islamic bandidos infesting Khyber Agency. It's headed by a former bus driver.... groups have strongholds.
Khyber is one of seven autonomous tribal districts along Pakistain's mountainous western border which became a hotbed of Islamist snuffies following the U.S.-led invasion of neighboring Afghanistan in 2001.
"Terrorist hideouts were targeted through precise aerial strikes in Tirah, Khyber region killing 30 terrorists," the military said in a statement.
Two arms and ammunition dumps were also destroyed in the strikes, the military said.
The military began its latest offensive in Khyber in October 2014, four months after a similar operation began in North Wazoo district, triggered by a bloody Taliban attack on Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... airport that sank faltering peace talks.
Air strikes, artillery, mortars and ground troops have all been used to take back territory.
Both conflict zones are off-limits to journalists, making it difficult to verify the number and identity of those killed.
[DAWN] LAHORE: A murder convict was executed in Kot Lakhpat Central jail on Wednesday.
Ayub, son of Bashir, was sentenced to death by a sessions court of Sheikhupura after finding him guilty of killing a man. The court had issued black warrants for Ayub after the government lifted moratorium on executions on Dec 17.
In Bahawalpur, convict Ghulam Yaseen was hanged at the new central jail.
There was high security around the jail at the time of the execution in the early hours. In order to cope with any emergency, law-enforcement personnel remained deployed on roads and residential areas around the jail till the body of Yaseen of Allah Rakha village, Ahmedpur East Tehsil, was taken to home by his family.
In Mianwali, a death row prisoner was hanged at central jail while execution of another convict was cancelled due to a compromise with heirs of the dear departed.
Muhammad Khan of Chak 8-ML, Piplan tehsil, had rubbed out his relative Nawaz in 2000 over a family feud and he was awarded death sentence by the Mianwali sessions court in 2001. After rejection of all appeals, the judge issued his black warrant and he was hanged early in the morning. His body was handed over to the family.
The execution of Mohibdar Husain Shah of Chidro was cancelled on Wednesday due to a compromise with heirs of deceased.
Mohibdar had killed his relative Agha Husain in 2000 and he was awarded death penalty in 2001.
On Tuesday, Agha's family members appeared before the sessions court and recorded statement of compromise.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
[DAWN] The Lahore police with the help of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) identified and locked away Please don't kill me! 106 suspects believed to be involved in the protests that erupted after the deadly Youhanabad church bombings.
Those arrested are currently being investigated by the police to determine their role in the protests. Videos of the protests and fingerprints from various sites were used to identify people using Nadra's database.
The suspects are currently being held at unknown locations and it is unclear how long they will be held. All those arrested are from the Christian community.
Following the terrorist attacks on the two churches in Lahore's Youhanabad, overcome by their emotions and anger many young men belonging to the Christian community came out on the streets.
Protesters in Lahore's Youhanabad area clashed with dozens of baton-wielding police personnel.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
[DAWN] At least 30 suspected murderous Moslems were killed in Arclight airstrikes conducted by Pakistain military jets on Wednesday in Tirah Valley of Khyber tribal region, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The statement added that two ammunition depots were also destroyed in the strikes.
Local sources say that a front man of the banned Lashkar-e-Islam ...a group of Islamic bandidos infesting Khyber Agency. It's headed by a former bus driver.... (LI) bully boy organization, Salahuddin Ayubi, was among those killed in today's air blitz.
At least eight suspected murderous Moslems were killed in a separate military operation in Orakzai Agency ... crawling with holy men, home to Darra Adam Khel, the world's largest illegal arms bazaar. 14 distinct tribes of beturbanned primitives inhabit Orakzai agency's 1500 or so square kilometers... , according to security sources.
Security forces targeted the murderous Moslems after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Sabak area of Orakzai tribal. One security person also lost his life during the operation.
The details could not be independently verified as the access of media personnel is severely restricted in the region.
The latest development comes a day after Shakir Sipah, a driver of the LI chief Mangal Bagh ...a former bus driver, now head of the Deobandi bandido group Lashkar-e-Islam and the Terror of Khyber Agency... , was killed in the drone attack on Tuesday along with eight others in Nazyan district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country.. province, near the Pak-Afghan border in Khyber Agency.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Lashkar-e-Islam
[AnNahar] A boom-mobile in Baghdad killed Iraqi footballer Mahdi Abdulzahra on his way to practice, an official from his Electricity Club team said on Tuesday.
Abdulzahra, who was born in 1996, was among eight people killed in the blast close to a restaurant and a mosque in the Sadr City area on Monday.
He was one of the top players for the Electricity Club, one of the various Iraqi football teams associated with government ministries, and was chosen to try out for Iraq's Olympic team.
Football is wildly popular in Iraq and support for the national team brings together the country's disparate religious and ethnic groups.
Car and roadside kaboomings used to be a daily occurrence in Baghdad, but with turbans tied down fighting Iraqi security forces and allied paramilitary groups, such attacks have fallen sharply.
Car and roadside kaboomings used to be a daily occurrence in Baghdad, but with turbans tied down fighting Iraqi security forces and allied paramilitary groups, such attacks have fallen sharply.
Violence is however still a major problem in other parts of the country, with hundreds of people killed per month as pro-government forces battle the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... jihadist group, which led an offensive that overran large areas last year.
[AnNahar] Canadian Arclight airstrikes against the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... group in Iraq will be extended one year to March 2016 and may see sorties into Syria, the government said Tuesday.
But no ground combat troops would be deployed under the plan, which is to be debated in parliament Thursday.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper read a motion in the House outlining the mission add-on. With his Conservative majority, the motion is assured of passage.
The original military mission started in November with Canadian war planes joining U.S.-led Arclight airstrikes on Islamic State jihadists.
Canada also deployed about 70 special forces troops to train Kurds in northern Iraq.
A clash mid-January in which the Canadians came under mortar and machine gun fire while training Iraqi troops near the front lines, as well as the March 6 friendly fire death of a Canadian soldier, have underscored political divisions in Ottawa over the fight against IS.
The opposition has accused Harper of lying when he first outlined parameters of the mission to parliament in October, which were supposed to limit ground forces to a non-combat role.
But the prime minister has been unapologetic -- backed by polling that shows a majority of Canadians support the mission in the aftermath of two attacks in Ottawa and rural Quebec the same month.
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
[CNN] Airstrikes started Wednesday in Tikrit, where Iraqi and coalition forces are battling to wrest control from ISIS.
"These strikes are intended to destroy ISIL strongholds with precision, thereby saving innocent Iraqi lives while minimizing collateral damage to infrastructure," said Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, commanding general of the international coalition, led by the United States.
"This will further enable Iraqi forces under Iraqi command to maneuver and defeat ISIL in the vicinity of Tikrit," he said, using an alternative acronym for ISIS.
At the request of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the coalition is providing "Arclight airstrikes, airborne intelligence capabilities, and advise and assist support to Iraqi Security Force headquarters elements," it said.
According to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the first wave of Arclight airstrikes was intended to hit about a dozen preplanned targets.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
The offensive launched by a mixed force of the Iraqi army (10,000 troops) and Iranian-led Shiite militias (20,000) to capture Tikrit from the Islamic State has been thrown back, upsetting rosy US-led coalition predictions.
The fighting for this important Sunni city died down – not because the Iraqi troops and their assorted Iraqi, Afghan and Pakistan Shiite allies had thrown in the sponge, but because the casualties inflicted on them by the Islamic State had become too heavy to bear and carry on fighting. This momentous debacle was first revealed in DEBKA Weekly 656 of March 20.
Official figures have still not been released by Baghdad or the Iranian command staff headed by Al Qods Brigades chief, the legendary Gen. Qassem Soleimani. But the losses were crippling – some sources estimating them at roughly one tenth of the mixed force. Entire units were disabled and scattered. Some Iraqi army contingents fled the battlefield in disarray without a word to their officers – repeating their earlier performance last June when ISIS launched its first offensive to seize territory in Iraq.
Iraqi and Iranian officers have since fallen to quarrelling over responsibility for the shambles, especially targeting the most prominent figure, Gen. Hadi Al-Amiri, commander of the Shiite Badr Brigade.
[AnNahar] Omar and Bilal Miqati, two top runaways who were detained on Tuesday at an army checkpoint in the northeastern border town of Arsal, reportedly could reveal important information during investigations that would lead to the arrest of their accomplices.
According to As Safir newspaper published on Wednesday, the two men are expected to reveal crucial data that would lead to busting terror networks and dormant cells in Leb and the arrest their members, who were described as highly dangerous.
The newspaper said that Omar, 24, and his cousin Bilal, 23, were detained while moving from Arsal to to the Bekaa town of al-Labweh near an army checkpoint in the town of Hrabta.
The army intelligence reportedly spotted the movement of the two men between the Syrian al-Qalamoun area and Arsal. They were allegedly visiting prominent figures in Arsal, including a well-known religious figure.
Two fake Syrian identities were seized in the possession of the two, who were directly moved to the intelligence branch headquarters in Yarze.
As Safir said that a Syrian national was immediately jugged Drop the heater, Studs, or you're hist'try! after the two Miqatis began testifying to Sherlocks.
The newspaper said that the two bad boys, in cooperation with Fayez Othman, who has been detained recently, and others had formed an gang and were charged with several dangerous offenses.
In October, State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr charged Ahmed Salim Miqati, the father of Omar, the two cousins, Othman and 14 others with "belonging to a terrorist group with the aim of carrying out terror acts."
The charges also included "the formation of gangs, recruiting individuals, training on the use of arms and explosives, and plotting to occupy the Dinniyeh region villages of Asoun, Bakhoun, Bqaa Safrine and Sir al-Dinniyeh with the aim of creating an IS emirate."
Security sources told As Safir that Omar and Bilal have been moving in Arsal, the northern city of Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... and took part in battles in Syria along fighters from the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... of Iraq and the Levant.
According to al-Joumhouria newspaper the two men pledged allegiance to the IS a year ago.
A high-ranking military official, who refused to be identified, said in comments to al-Joumhouria newspaper that the "unique operation carried out by the army (on Tuesday) confirms its readiness," stressing that the hefty catch will lead to clamping down on terror cells.
The official said that the army intelligence carried out the arrest with utmost accuracy to avoid the spilling of any blood
Omar and Bilal had confessed to slaughtering three people, including the beheading of army sergeant Ali al-Sayyed, who was taken captive after Islamist gunnies overran Arsal.
Al-Akhbar reported that Bilal, who is also known as the Lebanese Abou Omar and Abou Omar al-Trabulsi, was the one who beheaded al-Sayyed, adding that he sent pictures via WhatsApp to his friend in the north to boast about it.
Jihadi sources confirmed to the daily the matter, pointing out that the two men decided to leave al-Qalamoun and head back to Leb, fearing an liquidation bid against them after division provoked liquidation among the members of IS in the area.
The family of sergeant al-Sayyed expressed relief in comments to As Safir newspaper over the arrest of the two Miqatis, demanding their public execution.
The daily said that the operation compelled the army to boost its measures to avert any possible retaliation by ISIL on the arrest of the two men.
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/26/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[4 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
[AnNahar] Fierce festivities raged at the eastern entrance to the Syrian city of Idlib as regime forces battled a coalition of rebels led by al-Qaeda's local branch on Wednesday, a monitor said.
The festivities came a day after a new coalition made up of al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra ...the current nom de guerre of al-Qaeda in the Levant, which isn't to be confused with al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Levant... Front and its Islamist allies launched an operation against the regime-held quiet provincial capital in northwest Syria.
"Fighting is ongoing at the eastern entrance and in the outskirts of the city, which is also being shelled by al-Nusra ...formally Jabhat an-Nusrah li-Ahli sh-Sham (Support Front for the People of the Levant), also known as al-Qaeda in the Levant. They aim to establish a pan-Arab caliphate. Not the same one as the Islamic State, though .. ... Front and its Islamist allies," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.
Idlib province is largely under the control of al-Nusra, but the quiet provincial capital Idlib city remains in regime hands.
If it falls, it would be only the second quiet provincial capital to fall from regime control after Raqa, which is now the de facto capital of the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... jihadist group.
At least 40 people have been killed in the fighting since Tuesday, among them 20 regime forces and 20 fighters from the Islamist groups Ahrar al-Sham ...a Syria jihadi group made up of Islamists and salafists, not that there's that much difference, formed into a brigade. They make up the main element of the Islamic Front but they don't profess adoration of al-Qaeda and they've been fighting (mainly for survival) against the Islamic State. Their leadership was wiped out at a single blow by a suicide kaboom at a crowded basement meeting in September, 2014... and al-Nusra, the Observatory said.
"The Islamist group Ahrar al-Sham regained control of four checkpoints in the suburbs of the city," Abdel Rahman said.
The opposition forces carried out three suicide kabooms against regime checkpoints outside the city, the Observatory said.
Al-Nusra said on Twitter that dozens where killed when it attacked a building used by regime forces with a military vehicle laden with explosives.
Syria's SANA state news agency reported "fierce festivities on the outskirts of Idlib city between army units and terrorist groups including al-Nusra Front... that tried to launch a terrorist attack on the outskirts of the city yesterday."
"The army inflicted heavy losses," the agency said, reporting "dozens" of rebel deaths.
Idlib governor Khaireddin al-Sayyed told Agence La Belle France-Presse the army was backed by the National Defense Forces and Popular Committees, pro-government militia groups.
"They will not advance an inch into the city," he told AFP by phone.
"There is no evacuation plan because the residents will not be leaving, they will participate in defense of the city," he added.
Sayyed said Idlib's pre-war population of around 200,000 had swelled massively since Syria's conflict began in March 2011, with waves of displaced people taking refuge in the city.
Al-Nusra controls much of Idlib province after it chased out rival groups, including Western-backed opposition fighters, last November.
Government forces control Idlib city, along with the towns of Jisr al-Shughur and Ariha, Abu Duhur military airport and five military bases in the province.
More than 215,000 people have been killed in Syria's four-year conflict and around half the country's population has been displaced.
[AnNahar] Syrian rebels on Wednesday seized full control of the southern town of Bosra al-Sham, pushing pro-regime forces out after four days of heavy fighting, a monitor said.
"Rebels and Islamist fighters pushed out National Defence Forces and Popular Defence Committee militias who were defending Shiite districts of the town," said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Britannia-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Around 50 percent of the town's residents belong to Syria's Shiite minority, according to the Observatory.
Bosra, which was once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia, was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1980, and placed on the agency's World Heritage in Danger list in 2013.
Abdel Rahman said there had been fighting near the town's archeological zone, but it was unclear whether ruins had been damaged.
Bosra is in Syria's southern Daraa province, where the uprising against Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad Terror of Aleppo ... began in March 2011.
The mixed Sunni-Shiite town lies on the main road between Daraa's lovely provincial capital and the city of Sweida, both of which are under regime control.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[WASHINGTONPOST] A 
[Iran Press TV] 
Wazoo
[DAWN] LAHORE: A murder convict was executed in Kot Lakhpat Central jail on Wednesday.
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir 
