The deputy speaker of the Wolesi Jirga, Zahir Qadir, on Saturday warned against what he called an increase in Daesh activities in Nangarhar province and said the group will establish a Khorasan caliphate if they seize the Tora Bora area.
"They [Daesh] have taken control of a very sensitive and strategic area. They have decided to enter Tora Bora and if they enter Tora Bora, they will build a Khorasan caliphate," Qadir said.
Washington also warned that Daesh after being suppressed in Iraq and Syria is trying to find its footprint in other areas where there is little government control.
"As it is chocked off in places like Iraq and Syria, that it is trying to as I said create affiliates or to establish itself in other ungoverned spaces and as much as we see that, (we) will take action to take out senior leadership of these groups," said U.S State Department spokesman Mark Toner.
Meanwhile, Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said: "The air and ground operations and commando operations are ongoing against Daesh in Nangarhar. We are chasing Daesh every day and will eliminate them wherever they appear."
A number of analysts said Daesh should be suppressed heavily in the country.
"If Daesh is not suppressed heavily in Nangarhar, the order will be disrupted all over Afghanistan, security will disappear and people will sacrifice heavily," said former military official Atiqullah Amarkhail.
Posted by: badanov ||
10/30/2016 00:00 ||
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United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag on Thursday praised the recent decision of the UAE to welcome 15,000 Syrian refugees on its territories over the next five years.
15,000 -- isn't that the monthly quota Champ wants for the U.S.?
The UN Special Coordinator praised the importance of this step, saying "it is a model that should be followed by other countries because it will offer refugees a life in dignity as well as education and job opportunities," a statement from the UAE Embassy in Beirut said.
She underlined that the United Nations was counting on such initiatives due to the growing numbers of refugees worldwide, particularly since "grants and assistance offered by donors are not sufficient to meet all the required needs."
Kaag made the remarks during a meeting with UAE Ambassador to Lebanon Hamad Saeed Al Shamsi where discussions focused on the situation in Lebanon and regional developments.
In the past five years, the UAE provided more than US$750 million in assistance for Syrian refugees and displaced people in neighbouring host countries, including in Lebanon where the Office of Humanitarian and Development Attache Office at the UAE Embassy supports humanitarian projects and provides health, medical and educational aid, Ambassador Al Shamsi noted.
How much of that went to the Widows Ammunition Fund?
The UAE opened a model refugee camp in Al Marj town, Bekaa Valley, which includes a school and a small library, he said.
The UAE already welcomed more than 123,000 Syrian citizens who joined nationals of more than 201 countries, where they all live together, a situation which enhances diversity and provides real and tangible contributions to shared responsibilities towards the crisis of Syrian refugees, the ambassador further noted.
Posted by: Steve White ||
10/30/2016 00:00 ||
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#1
when Trump wins the West will not take any more Muslims from that region
we will build safe zones nearby and maybe the UAE / Saudi will have to take 1.5 million instead of 15,000
[Al Arabiya]. Al Arabiya News Channel aired on Saturday a documentary showing how the Iran-backed Houthi militia group has a lobbyist network inside the United Nations.
Some of the NGOs and individuals, who were not Yemeni or Yemen-based, are also seen as pro-Iran.
Here names of some of the preeminent players:
- Ambassador Abdul Illah Hajar, a member of the Houthi delegation, who participated in Yemen’s peace talks. At the peace talks, Hajar introduced himself as a representative of the Yemeni Foreign Ministry branch dealing with International Organizational Affairs.
- Ahmed al-Shami, Executive Director of Arabia Human Right Watch Association (ARWA).
- Mohammed al-Wazir, ARWA’s founder and director of its legal affairs.
- Yousra al-Harazy, who lives in Geneva. She is in charge of organizing ARWA’s motions, and participates in the United Nations Human Rights Council sessions.
On April 28, ARWA submitted a complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on behalf of 34 Yemeni NGOs, accusing the Arab Coalition of committing war crimes and genocide. ARWA claimed compensation worth billions of dollars.
- The Houthis lobby also comprises the SABA organization in Yemen, headed by journalist Ahmed al-Muaid.
- NGOs from other countries
The list include NGOs in other countries such as the Iraqi Development Organization, the Sunni Scholars Association in southern Iraq headed by Sheikh Khaled al-Mullah, in addition to the Lebanon-based al-Khiam Rehabilitation Center (KRC) for Victims of Torture, which was founded in June 1999, and granted advisory membership of the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2010.
Despite KRC’s presentation of itself as an NGO, its Secretary General Mohamed Safa stated back in 2008 that the center was indeed a partner in the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah’s victory in the south of the country.
In February 2016, KRC announced embracing the case of opposition Sheikh Ali Salman, leader of al-Wefaq National Islamic Society in Bahrain.
Houthi maneuver
The documentary shows how the Houthis were blamed by Kate Gilmore, the Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, on Sept. 27 for the siege imposed on the city of Taiz, blocking food, water and creating fuel shortages.
The Houthis, simultaneously, held a conference on the sidelines, while Gilmore was presenting her findings, to diffuse and deflect attention.
They spent their time discussing human rights conditions in the countries participating in the Arab Coalition, accusing them of collaborating with Al-Qaeda in Yemen.
The Houthis were also able to garner support from similar pressure groups in Europe and the United States.
Jeddah – Houthi leadership is promoting for its news war by firing missiles at Mecca, home to some of Islam’s most sacred sites, and suggesting its victory after it had failed to impose control over Yemeni cities.
Houthis relied in targeting Mecca on their allies; former president Ali Abdallah Saleh and international parties, prominently Iran who is supplying the militias with weapons and long-range missiles.
Houthis tried to attack Mecca by launching a missile which was intercepted and destroyed by the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) before it could do any damage – about 65km from Mecca.
Military experts believe that the long-range ballistic missile was launched from 500km over the border and was intercepted before it reached Mecca.
These missiles are considered old and inaccurate in targeting locations and don’t have any direct effect. Yet, with Iranian experts to support Houthis, they could develop the performance of the missiles and adjust their range and destructing power.
Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri, advisor at the minister of Defense’s office, said nothing proves the lies and deceit of the Houthis more than their attack on the most sacred Islamic site.
Asiri said pointed out that Houthis used Iran’s missile altering techniques, the one which was provided to Lebanese Hezbollah.
Asiri, who is also the Saud-led coalition’s spokesman, told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Houthis’ operations on the Saudi border are not over. He explained that they will continue to try to infiltrate into the kingdom’s territories and launch ballistic missiles, but the RSAF will always be prepared to intercept.
Asiri explained that the missile was launched from a mosque in Saada. He added that Houthis’ slogans are “Death to America! Death to Israel”, meanwhile they target Mecca, Muslims’ holiest land.
He added that when Royal Saudi Forces targeted the location where the missiles were launched, they found it was a mosque.
“These people know no religion and have no morals. They are using mosques, schools, and hospitals for their criminal acts,” he continued.
Asiri reiterated that the coalition will continue to support the legitimacy forces both politically and militarily. He explained that the U.N. and Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed are working on the political part to ensure reaching a settlement in Yemen, while the coalition forces continue to counter the military attacks of Houthis.
A Yemeni source close to the matter said that Houthi leadership has been promoting for Mecca attack and is educating their followers on how to invade the holy site.
According to Deputy Chief of Staff Maj-Gen Naser al-Taheri, Houthis took advantage of the cease-fire to bring more weapons and missiles from Iran.
In September, Yemeni armed forces apprehended different kinds of missiles coming from Tehran, Iran and were intended to be used by militias. The deputy chief praised the important role of the armed forces and the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia.
Nawaf Al-Faghem, deputy chairman of the security committee at the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia, said that by targeting Mecca, Houthi militias broke all rules and violated all principles.
According to Faghem, this incident only means that Houthis are failing in targeting the security of Saudi Arabia and thus began resorting to such actions.
He added that this confirms they are a terrorist group supported by Iran and axis of evil.
The deputy chairman also commended the Royal Saudi Air Force and explained that this missile is relatively old and can only cause minimal damage at a small area.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that he believes parliament will pass reinstatement of the death penalty sometime "soon", Anadolu reported.
How convenient...
Addressing a crowd in the capital city, who chanted slogans of "death penalty" for terrorists, Erdogan said:
"No worries, it is [coming] sometime soon. The government will submit it [a bill] to parliament, which I believe will pass it."
About possible reinstatement of the death penalty for those involved in terrorist acts, Erdogan reiterated his stance that the decision would be up to Turkish lawmakers in parliament. He once more said that he would approve reinstating the death penalty if parliament approves.
After the foiled putsch, blamed by the government on the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), many people in Turkey have called for the death penalty to be reinstated for the putschists.
Sez who?
"We will do what the nation asks," Erdogan stressed.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also said the death penalty is a "social request." Speaking to journalists at a reception marking Saturday’s Republic Day, the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, Yildirim said his Justice and Development (AK) Party could negotiate with opposition parties over the penalty.
Posted by: Steve White ||
10/30/2016 00:00 ||
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#1
After the successful putsch, orgainized by the government and blamed on the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO)
The State Department is ordering family members of employees posted to the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul to leave because of security concerns.
In a statement issued Saturday, the State Department says the decision is based on security information indicating extremist groups are continuing aggressive efforts to attack U.S. citizens in areas of Istanbul where they reside or frequent.
The Consulate General remains open and fully staffed. The order applies only to the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, not to other U.S. diplomatic posts in Turkey.
The travel warning issued Saturday updates a warning last week of increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey. U.S. citizens were advised to avoid travel to southeast Turkey and carefully consider the risks of travel to and throughout the country.
#2
"Have they NEO'd the military outfits yet? And why not?" - I don't see this happening any time soon. The bases there are the primary FOB for strikes/intel work vis vis ISIS/Syria.
I haven't seen anything about a drawdown of actual military units. US mil dependents were removed back in March but not sure if they returned. Kinda doubt the dependents have returned given the coup and now this from DoS.
Posted by: Bangkok Billy ||
10/30/2016 11:39 Comments ||
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[Ynet] Federal prosecutors charged two Caliphornia, an impregnable bastion of the Democratic Party, men with conspiring to smuggle fighter-jet parts to Iran in a scheme they allege dates to 2009.
The mills of justice are grinding particularly slowly in this case.
The US attorney's office in Los Angeles said in a statement Friday that the pair worked with two Iranian nationals to break laws that restrict exports to the longtime U.S. adversary.
A nine-count federal indictment unsealed Wednesday alleged that Zavik Zargarian of Glendale tried to help one of the Iranians purchase more than $3 million worth of parts for fighter jets, including F-15s and F-18s. Their would-be supplier was an undercover federal agent.
Iran has neither fighter, so far as we know. Are these parts that would work in an F-14?
Prosecutors also say Vache Nayirian of Los Angeles exported more than 7,000 fluorocarbon rubber O-rings, which could have military uses, including for aircraft landing gear. To evade detection, the shipments went to other destinations in the Persian Gulf before being routed to Iran, where the national air force received them, prosecutors said.
Both defendants have been assigned court-appointed attorneys and pleaded not guilty "Wudn't me." Wednesday. The attorney representing Nayirian questioned the strength of the government's case, given that it began seven years ago and a grand jury produced the indictment in 2014.
"Any time you have this huge delay, you wonder what's the reason," attorney Michael Shannon said.
Posted by: trailing wife ||
10/30/2016 00:00 ||
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#1
"Any time you have this huge delay, you wonder what's the reason," attorney Michael Shannon said.
The same reason they wait forever to go after ISIS money sources and oil distribution resources. The same reason they leave terrorist website up and running forever.
Until someone shines the light of day on these things.
Iraqi and Peshmerga forces are pausing the advance on Mosul to ensure rear areas are cleared of Islamic State fighters, but the US-led coalition will continue to conduct airstrikes against the militants, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesperson Col. John Dorrian said in a briefing on Friday, Sputnik International reported.
US-coalition forces have continued to conduct airstrikes against ISIS tunnels and other targets, as Iraqi forces remain about six to 12 miles from the city of Mosul, the spokesman added.
"They’ve seen some tactics, techniques and procedures by ISIS that have led them to believe it’s in their interest to pause the advance in some areas to do some back-clearing and make sure their flanks and their rear are clear of ISIS," Dorrian told reporters.
Dorrian said the move was not unexpected and did not represent a shift in the operation strategy. "After a couple days of refit, resupply, repositioning, I think they’ll be moving forward again," he stated.
Posted by: Steve White ||
10/30/2016 00:00 ||
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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.
