Hi there, !
Today Wed 01/20/2016 Tue 01/19/2016 Mon 01/18/2016 Sun 01/17/2016 Sat 01/16/2016 Fri 01/15/2016 Thu 01/14/2016 Archives
Rantburg
531720 articles and 1856014 comments are archived on Rantburg.

Today: 77 articles and 178 comments as of 16:03.
Post a news link    Post your own article   
Area: WoT Operations    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
Burkina Faso attack: At least 23 dead, scores freed after hotel siege
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 2: WoT Background
1 18:24 Besoeker [] 
0 [] 
5 11:30 Besoeker [] 
0 [] 
6 17:44 Rob Crawford [] 
6 10:19 Frank G [] 
0 [1] 
0 [] 
0 [1] 
0 [] 
2 14:45 Matt [] 
3 19:29 ed in texas [] 
0 [1] 
3 19:37 Barbara [] 
0 [] 
0 [] 
1 09:33 European Conservative [] 
2 12:52 AlanC [] 
6 12:21 regular joe [] 
Page 1: WoT Operations
2 19:12 swksvolFF [1]
9 14:52 Abu Uluque []
2 05:53 Sven the pelter []
0 []
0 []
0 [1]
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 [1]
0 []
1 10:08 Glenmore []
0 [1]
0 [1]
1 10:10 Glenmore []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
1 10:16 Frank G [1]
1 06:09 Sven the pelter []
1 10:17 Glenmore []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
2 10:15 Frank G [1]
2 15:04 Abu Uluque [1]
0 [1]
0 [1]
Page 3: Non-WoT
21 22:17 Barbara []
3 09:48 CrazyFool []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
2 11:45 Frank G []
13 18:58 swksvolFF []
3 11:46 trailing wife []
Page 4: Opinion
3 19:09 Procopius2k []
10 19:32 ed in texas [2]
5 20:12 swksvolFF [1]
11 19:59 swksvolFF []
0 []
0 []
0 []
5 07:22 anon1 []
Page 6: Politix
3 19:12 Procopius2k [1]
8 21:38 NoMoreBS [1]
10 19:16 Procopius2k [1]
13 19:36 Barbara []
11 20:14 Sven the pelter [1]
Afghanistan
U.S Military Eyes Punishing Forces Involved In Kunduz Hospital Airstrike
[Tolo News] The Pentagon is preparing to punish specific members of the U.S special operations forces and others involved in a bungled Arclight airstrike on Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) -- or Doctors without Borders -- hospital in northern Kunduz province.

The Arclight airstrike that was carried out in October last year during the Taliban's siege on Kunduz city - which left 42 civilians, including MSF staff, dead.

U.S and NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A collection of multinational and multilingual and multicultural armed forces, all of differing capabilities, working toward a common goal by pulling in different directions...
forces commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Campbell, has forwarded an exhaustive 3,000-page investigation into the incident to the U.S Central Command along with his recommendations for disciplinary action against the troops involved in the Arclight airstrike.

Staffers at the Tampa, Fla.-based Central Command, which oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will likely need "about two to three weeks" to redact the Kunduz report for potential public release, said one defense official who is not authorized to speak for attribution. The official said that no decisions have been made about when and if it might be made public.

One congressional staffer told Foreign Policy that the U.S Army Green Beret team on the ground on the night of the attack has come under particular scrutiny from Sherlocks for their role in calling in the strike by an AC-130 gunship, which lasted about 30 minutes.

In addition to the 42 killed, including 14 of the aid group's staffers, several dozen others were maimed. MSF has called the attack a "war crime."

Also likely in the crosshairs of Sherlocks is Army Lt. Col. Jason Johnston, the commander of the military's special operations task force in Afghanistan. Given the strict rules of engagement in Afghanistan, it's likely that his superior, Army Maj. Gen. Sean Swindell, who oversees all U.S and NATO special operations forces in the country, and Air Force Maj. Gen. Scott West, the overall commander of the air war in Afghanistan, are also likely to have drawn the attention of the Sherlocks.

If the only military personnel reprimanded are enlisted soldiers or junior officers, it will further infuriate MSF, which has already made clear that it didn't believe the Pentagon could be trusted adequately investigate itself. The aid group has called for an independent investigation.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  You're sure you can afford to keep this man in WH until next January?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/17/2016 2:42 Comments || Top||

#2  grom, apparently elements of the military still have some initiative left. He's got to finish crushing that before he leaves office. "Who dares, goes to jail."
Posted by: Matt || 01/17/2016 14:45 Comments || Top||


Religious Scholars Warn Of A Rise In Extremism
[Tolo News] Afghan Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs Faiz Mohammad Osmani on Saturday raised concerns over threats which he believes is emerging from extremism in the country, calling for collective efforts to curb the trend.

Speaking at a seminar of Islamic scholars on Saturday, Osmani called for wider efforts to be taken to end the phenomena before it causes more damage.

Religious scholars from across Afghanistan participated at the event where they declared the Taliban insurgency and atrocities of Daesh [Islamic State] Death Eaters against Islamic principles and human rights
One man's rights are another man's existential threat.
.The scholars said that ongoing insurgency can not be justified as Jihad, adding that those involved in such issues aim to tarnish the image of Islam and Muslims, referring to activities of Taliban and Daesh [Islamic State] hardliners.

The three day seminar is aimed at finding a way to curb extremism in the country.

"Comprehensive and effective [measures] weren't taken so far in Afghanistan to combat krazed killer groups, hence, this makes us to review the ongoing process and map out a scientific and cognitive strategy to tackle the issue," Osmani said.

The Afghan people have long suffered from insurgency in their country, he said.

"The discussion involves a war which is being justified in the name of Jihad, the war which is controlled by foreign intelligence aimed to destroy our home and the country, it is war which is aimed to tarnish the image of our religion, this is not the war for Islam and Islamic values," researcher Mohammad Mohiq said.

The scholars strongly condemned the Taliban insurgency and activities of Daesh [Islamic State] krazed killers, announcing it against the human values and Islamic laws.

"The only way to combat this violence and extremism is to seek help from the scholars which can change public mindset," said the head of Herat
...a venerable old Persian-speaking city in western Afghanistan, populated mostly by Tadjiks, which is why it's not as blood-soaked as areas controlled by Pashtuns...
's Hajj and religious affairs department Sayed Abdul Wahid.

"Today there is a situation in which even the women and the children aren't safe including the scholars and the elderly people," religious scholar Shahzada Shahid said.

"The violence which is emerging from extremism has destroyed the entire nation, if this extremism is not tackled, this will push Afghanistan toward more crisis," head of Badghis religious affairs department Sayed Abdul Halim said.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  How perceptive of him.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/17/2016 2:43 Comments || Top||

#2  only 14 centuries late
Posted by: lord garth || 01/17/2016 8:00 Comments || Top||

#3  So, he like, opened the window or what?
Posted by: ed in texas || 01/17/2016 19:29 Comments || Top||


Arabia
Yemeni fugitive former President tried in absentia
[Iran Press TV] As the Saudi invasion continues to claim more civilian lives, a Yemeni criminal court continues deliberation of charges against the country’s fugitive former president Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his aides. The charges were filed by the attorney general and relatives of those who lost their loved ones.
He'll likely be executed in absentia, too.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Houthis


New evidence shows Saudi use of cluster bombs in Yemen, Amnesty says
[Iran Press TV] Amnesia Amnesty International says new evidence confirms that 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 used US-manufactured cluster munitions in a recent Arclight airstrike on the Yemeni capital of Sana'a.

On Friday, the London-based rights group said Riyadh dropped the internationally banned cluster munitions on Sana'a in an air attack on January 6, which killed a 16-year-old boy and injured at least six other civilians.

The organization also said the attack scattered submunitions in at least four different residential neighborhoods.

Amnesty also urged the Persian Gulf kingdom to immediately stop using the weapons.

This comes as Saudi Arabia admitted on January 12 that its military had used cluster bombs in the aggression against Yemen.

The front man for the Saudi military, Ahmad al-Asiri, claimed that Riyadh had used cluster bombs just once in an Arclight airstrike on the northwestern province of Hajjah to attack cars belonging to Yemeni fighters nearly nine months ago.

Earlier this month, the UN human rights
One man's rights are another man's existential threat.
office said it had received reports that Saudi forces had used cluster bombs in Hajjah, adding that a UN team found remnants of 29 cluster submunitions in the village of al-Odair. Local sources in Hajjah also confirmed the repeated use of the bombs in attacks against villages, saying the Arclight airstrikes had caused significant loss of life among the civilians.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Saudi Arabia

#1  Iran outbid the Saudis?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/17/2016 2:35 Comments || Top||

#2  News flash to Amnesia, unlike you, cluster bombs work.
Posted by: Sven the pelter || 01/17/2016 6:03 Comments || Top||

#3  internationally banned cluster munitions

But if any of the 98 idiots sovereign nations that signed the treaty ever need us to defend their sorry asses, they'll be first in line screaming for us to use everything we got and SCREW the convention...

Mik
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 01/17/2016 10:54 Comments || Top||

#4  Exactly what was the reason for banning "cluster Bombs"?
Posted by: Sgt.D.T. || 01/17/2016 14:43 Comments || Top||

#5  IIRC it was a Princess Di cause

yes
Posted by: Frank G || 01/17/2016 15:03 Comments || Top||

#6 
Exactly what was the reason for banning "cluster Bombs"?


They're effective against masses of troops, which was the primary Soviet strategy. Same with mines, as the Soviets expected to be attacking Western Europe.

Pretty much all western "peace" movements from the start of the Soviet Union to its fall can be considered strategic maneuvering for them to gain an advantage. Their puppets even defended Hitler, up to the moment he attacked the Soviets.
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 01/17/2016 17:44 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
500 sued over B'baria madrasa student killing
[Dhaka Tribune] A case has been filed against 500 people in the death of madrasa student hafez Masudur Rahman in the Monday's triangular clash in Brahmanbaria town.

Kandipara Jamia Yunosia Madrasa Education Secretary Shamsul Hoque registered the case with Sadar cop shoppe against 500 unknown people around 11am Saturday.

Sadar cop shoppe Officer-in-Charge Md Mainur Rahman confirmed of filing the lawsuit.

Masudur Rahman departed this vale of tears three days ago following repeated festivities among madrasa students, local traders and police.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Shafi: Hefazat members are not Wahabis
[Dhaka Tribune] Hefajat-e-Islam
...a madrassa-based false nose and mustache of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, formed in 2010 to protest against secular education. In 2011 demonstrated violentyly against women's rights and in 2013 held large rallies demanding capital punishment of Shahbag Square protesters and banning women working outside the home...
chief Shah Ahmed Shafi yesterday said some quarters were spreading confusion about the real Islamic identity of the members of the organization.

"Every Muslim should be aware of this. Sometimes, we are described as Wahabis but I would like to reiterate that there is no Wahabi in the country.

"Those who say we are the followers of Wahabism have no knowledge of Islam," said Shafi while addressing an Islamic conference at Laldighi Maidan in Chittagong.

Chittagong city unit of Hefajat-e-Islam organised the two-day conference which began on Thursday.

Islamic scholars from the country and abroad addressed the conference.

They said there would be no room for atheists in Bangladesh and any quarter found to be siding with disbelievers would face dire consequences.

They also demanded exemplary punishment of the perpetrators involved in the recent mayhem in Brahmanbaria where a madrasa student was killed.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Salafists


Britain
Hundreds of Britons caught trying to join jihadis since 2012
[Dhaka Tribune] A total of 600 UK citizens have been caught trying to enter Syria to join 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....
and other Islamist groups since 2012, the foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, has said.

Speaking on a visit to southern The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Europe
German minister proposes EU extra levy to finance refugee costs
[IN.REUTERS] German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has proposed the introduction of a special tax on gasoline in European Union
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
member states to finance refugee-related costs such as strengthening the continent's joint external borders.

Schaeuble's proposal drew criticism from members of his own conservative party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), as well as from the Social Democrats (SPD), junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel
...current chancellor of Germany. She was educated in East Germany when is was still run by commies, but in 1989 got involved with the growing democracy movement when the Berlin Wall fell. Merkel is sometimes referred to by Germans as Mom...
's ruling coalition.

"I've said if the funds in the national budgets and the European budget are not sufficient, then let us agree for instance on collecting a levy on every litre of gasoline at a specific amount," Schaeuble told Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper in an interview published on Saturday.

"We have to secure Schengen's external borders now. The solution of these problems must not founder due to a limitation of funds," the veteran politician said.

Asked if all EU countries should increase their payments to Brussels to finance joint refugee-related costs, Schaeuble said: "If someone is not willing to pay, I'm nonetheless prepared to do it. Then we'll build a coalition of the willing."

Schaeuble gave no details on how high the extra levy on gasoline should be and whether Brussels or the EU member states would be in charge of collecting it.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  EU Tax. Yeah right. The CDU is losing its marbles.
Posted by: European Conservative || 01/17/2016 9:33 Comments || Top||


The Grand Turk
EU Condemns Turkey's Arrest of Academics as 'Extremely Worrying'
[ALMANAR.LB] The European Union
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
on Saturday condemned as "extremely worrying" The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire....
's arrest of academics who signed a petition criticizing a military crackdown in the Kurdish-dominated southeast.
Everybody say "tut tut." There. Doesn't that feel better?
"The steps taken against the Turkish academics who signed a declaration regarding events in the southeast of Turkey are an extremely worrying development," an EU spokesperson on foreign affairs said in a statement.

"They are no longer detained, but the procedures against them are ongoing."

Turkish police on Friday detained at least 18 academics who signed a petition criticizing a military crackdown in the southeast, triggering new alarm about freedom of expression in the country.

They were locked away
Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please!
in raids targeting 21 academics accused of disseminating "terrorist propaganda" by signing a petition denouncing military operations against Kurdish rebels.

Fifteen academics and lecturers from the University of Kocaeli, near Istanbul, were initially detained, with another three academics from Uludag University in western Bursa province later held in their offices, Turkey's Dogan news agency said.

The academics were questioned for a day before being released, Dogan reported late Friday.

"While reaffirming our strongest condemnation of all forms of terrorist attacks, including by the PKK ... we restate that the fight against terrorism must fully respect obligations under international law, including human rights
...not to be confused with individual rights, mind you...
and humanitarian law", the EU spokesperson said.

"Freedom of expression must be upheld, in line with the Copenhagen political criteria; an intimidating climate goes against this.

"We expect Turkey ensure that its legislation is implemented in a manner which is in line with European standards enshrined in the European Convention for Human Rights and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights."
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Muslim Brotherhood


Home Front: Politix
"The Washington Post published an interview with the now-retired CIA base chief in question, a man who in that interview was adamant no such stand order was given.
So are we to believe that air, land, and sea Quick Reaction Forces (QRF) and 'in extremis' forces unilaterally decided to forgo involvement ?
Mitchell Zuckoff, the book's author on which the film is based, strongly disagrees. Zuckoff points out how he used direct corroborating testimony from multiple sources who were on the ground in Benghazi that night. Zuckoff says he attempted to interview the station chief but that the interview was denied -- repeatedly.

More recently, the 13 Hours author has indicated any claim the stand down order was NOT given as being "not credible", a slightly kinder way of saying the former CIA station chief is lying.

In Washington D.C., the Obama administration's CIA spokesperson dismissed the film as well, calling it, '...a distortion of events.'

The conflicting views leads America to wonder who is telling the truth? Is it the Obama administration and Hillary Clinton, or the accounts of the men and women who were on the ground in Benghazi during the Benghazi Massacre attack?"



Posted by: Blossom Unains5562 || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The conflicting views leads America to wonder who is telling the truth? Is it the Obama administration and Hillary Clinton, or the accounts of the men and women who were on the ground in Benghazi during the Benghazi Massacre attack?"

So let me see if I understand something:

1) My government would have me believe that when there was an attack on an embassy in what was basically a war zone in Libya, that neither we nor our allies had anybody who could respond. Except for a few special forces, who were told to stay out (because they were too far away to respond, I suppose).

2) Whereas when there was an attack on a stupid hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (right next to Bum-Fuc& Nowhere) that we could get forces there almost instantly.

Riiiigghht . . . .
Posted by: gorb || 01/17/2016 0:37 Comments || Top||

#2  Taranto sez there were 2 "wait" commands and one "stand down".
Posted by: Rex Mundi || 01/17/2016 9:49 Comments || Top||

#3  Lets think about this, who is likely to be more truthful:
  1. Obama, Hillary, and his administration who hasn't spoken a true statement since he was elected the first time

  2. Men and women who have been on the ground, have nothing to gain (and a whole lot to loose)
Hmmm.... tough one....NOT!
Posted by: CrazyFool || 01/17/2016 10:14 Comments || Top||

#4  One of the operators reading and quoting Joseph Campbell, ...'the enemy within us.' Too cool !
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/17/2016 11:28 Comments || Top||

#5  apparently they were painting targets for either an armed drone overhead (we know they had drones overhead) or an AC Gunship above. Neither fired
Posted by: Frank G || 01/17/2016 11:53 Comments || Top||

#6  Shrillary's CIA is all about domestic politics, pensions and CYA and nothing about America. Trump will have to clean house and then burn it to the ground.
Posted by: regular joe || 01/17/2016 12:21 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
Report: Three Americans kidnapped in Baghdad
Three Americans have been kidnapped in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad by "militias," according to Arab news channel Al Arabiya, citing its own sources.
restocking the Shia/Iran hostage pantry
The State Department said it is aware of the report and is working with Iraqi authorities to locate the missing Americans, but did not confirm that the individuals have been kidnapped.

"We are aware of reports that American citizens are missing in Iraq," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement to The Hill.
Kirby - Liar for Obama and Kerry
"The safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority," he continued.‎" We are working with the full cooperation of the Iraqi authorities to locate and recover the individuals."

"Due to privacy considerations, I have nothing further."

The identities of the missing Americans or who may be responsible for their disappearance have not been confirmed.

The reported kidnapping comes a day after four American citizens were freed from Iran in a prisoner swap.

Several Republican primary candidates have criticized the move, saying it will incentivize American abductions.
Posted by: Frank G || 01/17/2016 16:52 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  What you subsidize, you get more of.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/17/2016 18:24 Comments || Top||


FBI Chief Suggests Bombing Plot Was also Planned by Farook and Malik
[Breitbart] Mystery still surrounds the couple that carried out the Islamic terror attacks in San Bernardino that killed 14, and the FBI is still haunted by questions. Were there accomplices and what was planned for unused bombs found in the couple's apartment?
Same assessment and questions presented here from the onset.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/17/2016 07:40 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
Two IS-inspired militants 'rehabilitated' in Karachi
[DAWN] KARACHI: Caught in Iran while travelling illegally to Syria to join the murderous Moslem 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 before being repatriated to Pakistain, two youngsters have turned away from 'armed struggle' after being 'rehabilitated' with the support of their families and security administration, officials said on Friday.
They're from "good families," meaning they've got money and political connections.
Although still under surveillance, the men in their early 20s have no more murderous Moslem tendencies according to the psychiatrists who evaluated their condition, said official in charge of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Raja Umer Khattab.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Iraq
Australia's PM In Baghdad After Rejecting Call For Increased Military Support
[NRTTV] Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Saturday (Jan. 16) shortly after rejecting a call from United States Secretary of Defense Ash Carter for greater military commitment against 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) murderous Moslems in Syria and Iraq.

The request came on the heels of an attack in Gay Paree last November that killed 130 people by shooters and jacket wallahs pledging allegiance to IS in Syria.

Australia is a staunch ally of the United States and its battle against IS murderous Moslems and has been one of the largest contributors to the U.S.-led bombing campaign against the group.

Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne said last Thursday (Jan. 14) there were no plans to increase that commitment above the current levels at the moment, except the possibility of additional humanitarian aid, despite the request from Washington.

Australia in late-2014 committed Super Hornet fighter jets, as well as support aircraft and a 600-strong group of air force personnel and special forces soldiers to the force battling IS in Iraq. It expanded that mission into Syria last year.

Since it joined the campaign, Australia has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown radicals. Authorities say they have thwarted a number of potential attacks, although there have been several "lone wolf" assaults.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iraq


U.S. Responds To Calls To Fund Iraqi, Peshmerga Forces Directly
[NRTTV] The United States said it has not committed to pay the Iraqi security forces, including Peshmerga forces, fighting 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) bad boys.

A U.S. State Department official told NRT on Friday (Jan. 15) that nearly $2.3 billion dollars has been spent to support the military fight against IS, quoting the total amount from the U.S.-led Coalition.

"Equipping is another component of enhancing our combat effectiveness. There's been approximately $2.3 billion total from the Coalition allocated to equipping the Iraqi Security Forces. Of that, $1.6 billion is U.S. funding and is done through the Iraq Train and Equip fund, or ITAF," the US official told NRT.

The statement continued, "The vast majority of our energy goes to training Iraqi army formations, whether those are Peshmerga -- of which we've trained about 6,000 or regular Iraqi army in the south -- that's where the majority of our training is focused. We've also trained several thousand Sunni tribal fighters."

The U.S. agreed to keep in touch with the Iraqi government and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over the financial crisis in the future, the official said.

"We have met with both Iraqi and Kurdish delegations over the financial crisis and its impact on the battlefield, we agreed to stay in close contact with them in the future. The US government has not committed to pay ISF forces, the Iraqi Government pays them all," the U.S. State Department confirmed.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iraq

#1  Why do we have to fund their security forces? Maybe they should learn to take care of themselves sooner or later.
Posted by: chris || 01/17/2016 10:39 Comments || Top||

#2  You broke it
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/17/2016 18:00 Comments || Top||

#3  +1, grom.
Posted by: Barbara || 01/17/2016 19:37 Comments || Top||


Iraq's Top Shi'ite Cleric Urges End To Militant Activity After Diyala Attacks
[NRTTV] Iraq's top Shi'ite holy man Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Friday (Jan. 16) condemned the recent surge in violence - bombings claimed by 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) and retaliatory assaults this week on Sunni mosques in the province of Diyala.

In a speech delivered by his front man, Sheikh Abdul Mehdi Karbala'i, in Kerbala and that was broadcast on state television
... and if you can't believe state television who can you believe?
, al-Sistani called on the government to end the activities of bully boy groups operating outside of the state.

"A few days ago Muqdadiya town in Diyala province witnessed terrorist acts and regrettable attacks on several mosques and houses of civilians which will definitely have dangerous consequences on peaceful coexistence of the people of this country. As we strongly condemn these attacks, we hold the government security forces fully responsible for preventing their repetition and not permitting the presence of turbans outside the framework of the state."

Shi'ite militias were crucial in keeping IS from overrunning Baghdad and southern Shi'ite shrines during their lightning advance across the Syrian border in 2014, and have supported Iraqi forces pushing back the bully boys, including from parts of Diyala.

The statement comes after at least seven Sunni mosques and dozens of shops in eastern Iraq were Molotov cocktailed on Tuesday (Jan. 12), a day after 23 people were killed in two blasts claimed by IS.

Ten people were also shot and killed in Muqdadiya, 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Baghdad.

The rise of the Islamist bully boy group IS, which follows a Sunni jihadist ideology, has exacerbated a long-running sectarian conflict in the country, mostly between the Shi'ite majority and minority Sunnis.

A member of the local council in Diyala province where Muqdadiya is located, Haqqi al-Jabouri, said both types of attacks hurt the social fabric of the community. He blamed "undisciplined (Shi'ite) militias" for burning the mosques.

Militia elements have been accused of human rights
One man's rights are another man's existential threat.
abuses against Sunnis, allegations the groups have repeatedly denied or blamed on rogue members.

Amal Omran, a Shi'ite member of the Diyala council, blamed the mosque attacks on "infiltrators" seeking to smear the image of the militias.

Iraqi officials declared victory over the murderous Moslems in Diyala, which borders Iran, nearly a year ago after security forces and Shi'ite militias drove them out of towns and villages there. But the turbans have remained active and militia elements have been accused of human rights abuses against Sunni residents.

Sistani, who is widely revered by millions of followers in Iraq and elsewhere, wields authority few Iraqi politicians would openly challenge.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iraq


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Foreign Ministry workers demand Bennett apologize over his 'DNA' jab
The workers of the Foreign Ministry insulted by comments that Minister of Education Naftali Bennett said about their office, have decided to cease all contact with the minister until he apologizes, Israel Radio reported on Saturday.

Bennett told Radio Tel Aviv earlier this week that there was "a deep problem with the DNA" of the ministry.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/17/2016 02:43 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Any reference to DNA or genetics is a red flag. We simply don't go there, too many inconvenient but empirical truths.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/17/2016 7:29 Comments || Top||

#2  A ministry doesn't have DNA so a metaphor (gasp!).

Perhaps the reference is to a dysfunctional culture. As Machiavelli once put it, changing the order of things (culture) is the most difficult of all undertakings. Which is why it isn't often tried.

I wonder if Trump has a plan for the Federal bureaucracy? Hmmm.
Posted by: Sven the pelter || 01/17/2016 8:22 Comments || Top||

#3  I wonder if Trump has a plan for the Federal bureaucracy? Hmmm.
Posted by Sven the pelter


Bomb the **** out of them ?
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/17/2016 8:37 Comments || Top||

#4  Do we have to drop leaflets first?
Posted by: SteveS || 01/17/2016 11:23 Comments || Top||

#5  Do we have to drop leaflets first?
Posted by SteveS


No, drop the leaflets after the bombing.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/17/2016 11:30 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iran says to buy 114 Airbus planes
[Iran Press TV] Iran said on Saturday that it plans to purchase 114 civil aircraft from European aircraft maker Airbus.

The country's Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi has been quoted by the media as saying that the early steps to make the purchases have been taken ahead of the anticipated lifting of international sanctions on Iran.

"We have taken the first step in agreeing with Airbus to buy 114 planes," Abbas Akhoundi has been quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency in a report that was also carried by Rooters.

Nevertheless, Airbus was quick to react to this and said it was not engaging in commercial talks with Iran until sanctions had been lifted.

Sanctions were expected to be lifted in the wake of a recent agreement on Iran's nuclear activities later on Saturday.

"Although Iran clearly has a need for new aircraft, we must conform strictly to the law and, until all measures concerning the embargo are lifted, no commercial discussions can take place," an Airbus front man said.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Iran flew by today, and was he crowing!
"F-ck you so much for paying what was owing.
Oh, how you bravely rowed away!
My arms are tired, but I can't stay.
I only came to say... I won't buy Boeing."
Posted by: Hupineque Ghibelline9322 || 01/17/2016 1:39 Comments || Top||

#2  Fly them into 114 buildings?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/17/2016 2:36 Comments || Top||

#3  The 'Foundation' must have received the proper check clearing confirmation from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/17/2016 6:46 Comments || Top||

#4  They are not aero dynamic but then again the borg mothership in Star Trek was not either!
Posted by: Lampedusa Creretch3679 || 01/17/2016 8:12 Comments || Top||

#5  Maybe we'll give them some C-27s
Posted by: Skidmark || 01/17/2016 9:03 Comments || Top||

#6  Refurbished Malaysian Air Jets?
Posted by: Frank G || 01/17/2016 10:19 Comments || Top||


Syria's Hunger Crisis Goes Beyond Madaya
[HUFFINGTONPOST] Global attention turned to Madaya, Syria earlier this month when images of emaciated residents, including many children, emerged from the besieged Syrian city and caused so much international outcry the Syrian government was forced to let food and medicine through.
Everybody say tut tut. Now ask what's for dinner. There. Done.
Yet while Madaya made headlines, hundreds of thousands of Syrians elsewhere in the country are deprived of regular access to aid. There are 4.5 million people within Syria in regions that are hard to reach for aid groups, 400,000 of whom live in besieged areas, according to the United Nations
...the Oyster Bay money pit...
Human rights groups and activists contend that the Assad regime has used food as a weapon of war since the beginning of the conflict. Through denial of aid shipments and siege tactics, government forces have levied a kind of collective punishment on areas under opposition control.

Only 10 percent of requests to send aid convoys to these 4.5 million people are granted, the U.N. says. The United Nations agencies require a degree of coordination with gangs and government forces in order to deliver aid, even though access to humanitarian relief is held as a right under international law.
Posted by: Fred || 01/17/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  They should just drink smoothies, like Cindy Sheehan on a hunger strike
Posted by: Frank G || 01/17/2016 10:19 Comments || Top||

#2  North Korea should be able to help with trainers and recipes.
Posted by: AlanC || 01/17/2016 12:52 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
47[untagged]
9Islamic State
4Govt of Pakistan
3Govt of Syria
3Govt of Iran
3Govt of Iraq
1Govt of Saudi Arabia
1Govt of Pakistain Proxies
1Houthis
1al-Shabaab
1Muslim Brotherhood
1Palestinian Authority
1Salafists
1Taliban

Bookmark
E-Mail Me

The Classics
The O Club
Rantburg Store
The Bloids
The Never-ending Story
Thugburg
Gulf War I
The Way We Were
Bio

Merry-Go-Blog











On Sale now!


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.
Click here for more information

Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
Frank G
3dc
Skidmark

Two weeks of WOT
Sun 2016-01-17
  Burkina Faso attack: At least 23 dead, scores freed after hotel siege
Sat 2016-01-16
  Senior Qaeda-linked figure captured in Lebanon
Fri 2016-01-15
  U.S. designates ISIS in Afghanistan as foreign terrorist organization
Thu 2016-01-14
  Terror attacks in Jakarta -- 7 die so far
Wed 2016-01-13
  Suicide bomber kills 10 people, mainly Germans, in Istanbul
Tue 2016-01-12
  Bombings at Iraq cafe kill 20: Officers
Mon 2016-01-11
  It begins: Cologne gangs attack foreigners
Sun 2016-01-10
  US drone strikes kills 25 suspected militants in Pakistan, Afghanistan
Sat 2016-01-09
  Philadelphia police officer ambushed 'in the name of Islam'
Fri 2016-01-08
  ISIS Man Executes His Mom
Thu 2016-01-07
  Iran says Saudi-led airstrike hit Iranian Embassy in Yemen, but no damage seen
Wed 2016-01-06
  1 US soldier killed, 2 wounded in Taliban attack in Helmand
Tue 2016-01-05
  44 ISIS Bad Guys die in battles near Fallujah
Mon 2016-01-04
  38 die in Kurd, ISIS battles in Raqqa
Sun 2016-01-03
  Fierce Fighting Erupts Between Afghan Forces, Taliban In Marjah

Better than the average link...



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.
35.173.125.112
Help keep the Burg running! Paypal:
WoT Operations (36)    Non-WoT (9)    Opinion (8)    (0)    Politix (5)