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Today: 59 articles and 160 comments as of 15:02.
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Area: WoT Operations    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
Belgian Police Move on Libya Arms Smuggling Ring
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Page 4: Opinion
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-Land of the Free
Justice Department Sues Michigan City Over Mosque Zoning Permit Denial
[PJMedia] The Justice Department says that a Michigan city practiced religious discrimination in turning down an Islamic center's request for zoning approval to build a mosque.
One last stab at freedom and the pushing of Islamic law before the idiots go.
The government lawsuit announced today comes after the American Islamic Community Center sued the city in August over the denial. The center wanted to build in Sterling Heights as they said they've outgrown their building in Madison Heights, and most of their members currently live in Sterling Heights.

The city said then that the denial was based on "established land use criteria and not emotional feelings tied to religious beliefs either for or against the applicant."

The American Islamic Community Center originally submitted the application in 2015, and said in their lawsuit that they met requirements but "with a vociferous and racist member of the planning commission leading the charge, the planning commission voted to reject the site plan."
They disagreed. They are racist (How can you be racist against a religion?)
According to the Detroit News, a former city planner urged rejection of the project because the spires in the construction plan, which spanned five adjoining parcels, were 27 feet taller than the maximum height allowed by the city and the 65-foot dome would "far exceed the height of other structures" nearby, making the scale and height "not harmonious with existing buildings."
Any town I know would say no to that.
Azzam Elder, attorney for the Islamic center, said in the lawsuit that there is evidence of Muslims being spat on, assaulted and threatened at public hearings, incidents that were reported but dropped by police.
Just like all the other fake hate crimes against mooslimbs lately
Today's Justice Department lawsuit said the city violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 and imposed a "substantial burden" on the mosque members' right to exercise their faith. The DOJ said the current mosque building is "overcrowded during important religious observances and lacks space for educational activities, youth activities and special events."
Whaaaa.... rent out a warehouse until you build a mosque within code
"The Constitution protects the rights of religious communities to create the institutions and physical spaces they need to observe and practice their faith free from discriminatory barriers," Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division, said in a statement. "The Justice Department will continue to aggressively protect the rights of all communities to live, pray and worship free from religious discrimination and substantial burdens in local land use decisions."
But not by forcing everyone else to bend to one special, idiotic, 7th century "religion".
U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan said the lawsuit was filed "to protect the rights of all of our citizens to freely practice their religion and have a place to gather with members of their community."
Keep it up assholes. Payback is coming.
Posted by: DarthVader || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The framers of the US Constitution were truly not aware of the tenants of Islam. Jefferson, before he became president was shocked to hear a Muslim describe his religion to him while addressing problems with shipping above North Africa. It would be interesting to see how the Constitution would be worded if Islam and Islam's Sharia Law was familiar to them.
Posted by: Elmeack Ululing8523 || 12/16/2016 0:55 Comments || Top||

#2  U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan said the lawsuit was filed "to protect the rights of all of our citizens to freely practice their religion

Attorney McQuade should know that Islam does not support that freedom for any other faith.
Posted by: Black Charlie Oppressor of the Platypi5989 || 12/16/2016 0:59 Comments || Top||

#3  Call in the airstrike.
Posted by: Raj || 12/16/2016 1:04 Comments || Top||

#4  I'm sensing the need for a municipal parking lot.
Posted by: Skidmark || 12/16/2016 3:34 Comments || Top||

#5  Bakers and photographs need not apply for protection of their religious beliefs.
Posted by: P2Kontheroad || 12/16/2016 7:02 Comments || Top||

#6  "lacks space for educational activities"

The new one will feature a blast-proof room.
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 12/16/2016 7:41 Comments || Top||

#7  Stall and delay the court with all kinds of motions until Inauguration Day.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 12/16/2016 12:00 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
Farkhunda Zahra Naderi appointed as President Ghani’s senior adviser on UN Affairs
[Khaama (Afghanistan)] The former Afghan politician and a prominent rights activist Farkhunda Zahra Naderi has been appointed as the senior adviser of President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani
...former chancellor of Kabul University, now president of Afghanistan. Before returning to Afghanistan in 2002 he was a scholar of political science and anthropology. He worked at the World Bank working on international development assistance. As Finance Minister of Afghanistan between July 2002 and December 2004, he led Afghanistan's attempted economic recovery until the Karzais stole all the money. ..
on United Nations
...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks...
affairs.

According to a President Decree, Ms. Naderi’s appointment is approved for the post as President’s senior adviser for the United Nations Affairs in accordance with the Paragraph 13 and Article 64 of the Afghan constitution for the addition of this high level government position.

The former female politician in the Lower House of the Parliament, Wolesi Jirga, continued to serve as a prominent women’s rights activist after her term ended as a member of the parliament.

Her appointment as the special presidential adviser in United Nations could play a key role in empowering the Afghan women who have suffered the most in decades of devastating civil war and insurgency, still being faced by the citizens of the country.

Some of her major contributions during and following her service as a prominent female parliamentarian and activist, include the tireless efforts to secure a prominent position for the women in the Supreme Court and a major campaign to align the responsibilities of the citizens of the country and the Afghan National Police, which plays a key role in strengthening the civil society.

As part of her campaign to strengthen the women’s role and secure their presence in Supreme Court, a historic move in the Afghan history, Ms Naderi, said "Our institutions are steeped in patriarchy. I can’t see how women will achieve their basic rights as long as the Supreme Court has not opened its doors to women. Women’s rights are imprisoned in that institution and it is men who define those rights."

Ms Naderi further added "But I also represent and advocate for men’s rights. If men are being oppressed, I won’t just stand by and ignore it. But our statesmen do exactly this when it comes to women’s rights being violated: with respect to half the Afghan population, they keep silent. They do not see; or at least, they don’t want to see."

Posted by: Fred || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Africa North
Sisi orders renovation of bombed church before Coptic Christmas
[AlAhram] Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered on Thursday the renovation of St. Peter and St. Paul Church, the site of 11 December's devastating kaboom, to be completed before Coptic Christmas on 7 January.

The president announced the renovation during the inauguration ceremony of the four highways project, saying that the Armed Forces Engineering Authority will be responsible for executing the project.

Head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Kamel El-Wazir has said that the church will be restored to its original condition within 15 days.

At least 25 people were killed and 49 injured on Sunday in a suicide kaboom on the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which is attached to Cairo's main Coptic cathedral in Abbasiya.

The kaboom caused severe damage to several parts of the church.

Security measures tightened at all Egypt's archaeological sites and museums: Official

[AlAhram] Antiquities authorities are tightening security measures at archaeological sites in the aftermath of Sunday Cairo church bombing
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/16/2016 01:06 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Muslim Brotherhood


Africa Subsaharan
Bokeaux were 'completely destroyed when I was governor,’ Sheriff says
[PULSE.NG] Factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff has denied sponsoring 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...
Sheriff said further, while receiving some PDP members in Abuja, on Wednesday, December 14, that the rumour was being spread by his enemies.

"Permit me therefore to state that I have in all sincerity tried to resolve this party crisis. I have offered that both the caretaker committee and the NWC be dissolved to give way for a new Independent leadership," he said according to The Tribune.

"But the caretaker committee has refused to agree to anything except recognise them and let the caretaker committee run the party till 2018. We have therefore resigned our fate to the decision of their lordships of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Courts. However,
corruption finds a dozen alibis for its evil deeds...
we are ready to return to the negotiation table today if Senator Makarfi sees reason to do so.

"I have been blackmailed to the extent that I am alleged to be sponsored by the APC to build a one party system. Contradictorily, I have been accused at the same time of staying on to stage my emergence as the presidential candidate of the PDP.

"This is the extent to which the illegal caretaker committee can go to hold on to power. Blackmail has been their stock in trade. My detractors go to the extent of alluding to the fact that I sponsored Boko Haram. This is in spite of the fact that Boko Haram was completely annihilated under my tenure as Governor of Borno State," he added.

Sheriff also said that he would vacate the office of PDP Chairman if Senator Ahmed Makarfi dissolves the party’s National Caretaker Committee.

Posted by: Fred || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Boko Haram


Arabia
AQiA sez ISIS is devient
Apparently ISIS is too bloodthirsty even for al-Qaeda
ADEN: Al-Qaeda in Yemen has labeled the rival Daesh group “deviant” and distanced itself from a Daesh-claimed suicide attack in Aden last week that killed dozens of soldiers.

“We explicitly declare that we were not involved in any way in this operation,” Ansar Al-Sharia, Al-Qaeda’s branch in Yemen, said in a statement received Thursday by AFP.
"U!"
"No, U!"
"No, U!"

The Dec. 10 attack in Aden targeted a crowd of soldiers gathered to collect their monthly pay at a barracks in Al-Sawlaban near the southern city’s international airport.

The attack left 48 soldiers dead and 29 wounded, a health department chief said.

“At the request of the Ba Kazem tribe, which lost many of its sons in the attack, we are issuing this statement to prevent anyone trying to... sow discord between the tribes and their sons, the warriors of Ansar Al-Sharia,” the group said.

“We see Daesh as a deviant group... that has shown its enmity toward Ansar Al-Sharia and other Islamic groups,” it said.

The statement stressed that Al-Qaeda has repeatedly said it is determined to fight “Americans and their allies” while avoiding “the shedding of any Muslim blood.”

Al-Qaeda and Daesh have exploited a conflict between the Yemeni government — backed by a Saudi-led coalition — and Iran-backed Houthi rebels who control the capital Sanaa, to bolster their presence across much of the south.

The rival militants have carried out a spate of attacks in Aden, Yemen’s second city and headquarters of the internationally recognized government whose forces retook the southern port from the Houthis last year.
Posted by: badanov || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Arabia


Europe
Aid trucks with medical supplies leave Paris for northern Syria
It's like they're embarking on the Children's Crusade.
[Ynet] Two trucks filled with 20 tonnes of first aid supplies and construction materials left Gay Paree for northern Syria on Thursday to help those fleeing conflict in Aleppo.

Doctors and health workers from the La Belle France-based Union of Medical Care and Relief Organisations organised the convoy, which will cross nearly 4,000 km (2,500 miles) by land to Syria.
What odds that the shipment arrives intact?
"(The objective) is to provide supplies to the hospitals to face the increased demand from the people who will arrive," Chadi Homedan, a doctor and member of the Union of Relief and Medical Organisations, told Rooters.

An operation to evacuate thousands of civilians and fighters from Aleppo began on Thursday, part of a ceasefire deal that would end years of fighting for the city, once Syria's most populous.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/16/2016 01:06 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Two trucks filled with 20 tonnes of first aid supplies and construction materials

Band-aids and bunker cement?
Posted by: Skidmark || 12/16/2016 3:26 Comments || Top||

#2  construction materials


New targets on the range.
Posted by: AlanC || 12/16/2016 6:58 Comments || Top||

#3  Band-aids and bunker cement?

Petroleum jelly and nails.
Posted by: Pappy || 12/16/2016 8:48 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
DHS Knew OSU Attacker Was Terror Recruitment Target, Let Him Into The U.S. Anyway
[Daily Caller] Department of Homeland Security officials knew Ohio State University attacker Abdul Razak Ali Artan was a possible recruitment target of Islamic terrorists but granted him asylum anyway, along with his mother and six of his siblings, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley revealed in a letter sent Wednesday to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

While seeking asylum as refugees from Mogadishu, Somalia in 2013,
...that there is a term of art. Artan, his mother and siblings moved to Pakistan in 2007, where Artan eventually graduated from an advanced program at a top Islamabad high school. At some point his father got a job in Dubai, where apparently he remains.
Artan’s mother told immigration authorities that she feared persecution from al-Qaeda affiliate group al-Shabaab,
In Pakistan?!
and worried that Abdul and his siblings would be recruited by the terrorist organization if they remained in Somalia.
Must've happened in that fancy school in Islamabad. Unless it was in Columbus, Ohio, where there are lots of Somalis, because y'all left Somalia nine years ago, when our dead miscreant was only "nine".
That knowledge should have lead USCIS officials to "conduct additional questioning better understand ties to a group that the United States designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 2008." But the additional questioning, which the Committee describes as "common practice" in those situations, never happened.

Artan’s father, according to the letter, had been kidnapped by the terrorist group. According to the Committee, one of Abdul’s siblings did not travel to America with the rest of the family, for reasons left unclear.

Wash Times, same topic story: Chuck Grassley questions Obama’s asylum vetting of Ohio State attacker
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/16/2016 01:51 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  There appears to be something of a pattern here.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/16/2016 2:02 Comments || Top||

#2  and six of his siblings

I'd watch siblings for revengeTM.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/16/2016 2:09 Comments || Top||

#3  So just what is it you say you do here?
Posted by: newc || 12/16/2016 2:44 Comments || Top||

#4  It's easier to keep an eye on them while they're here, of course. Isn't it obvious?
Posted by: gorb || 12/16/2016 3:06 Comments || Top||

#5  In response to what might be done, please see 'magpie's' comment #9 from yesterday.

Link
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/16/2016 3:07 Comments || Top||

#6  DHS stickin it to Tha Man!
Posted by: newc || 12/16/2016 3:32 Comments || Top||

#7  Suckurity. These staffare they all ex microsoft?
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/16/2016 7:32 Comments || Top||

#8  It's not like any of them bombed a federal office building. That'll get you a swift death penalty and allow the government to broad brush an entire race as a preeminent threat to their power.
Posted by: P2Kontheroad || 12/16/2016 7:46 Comments || Top||

#9  Almost like they were getting ready for a false flag operation....
Posted by: DarthVader || 12/16/2016 9:13 Comments || Top||

#10  Its like our governments has declared war on us but their only goal is to snuggle up to jihadis and call us racists every time one of them goes on rampage.
Posted by: Silentbrick || 12/16/2016 11:19 Comments || Top||

#11  Jihadis are the mercenaries that the government is using to fight their war against us.....think Hessians.
Posted by: AlanC || 12/16/2016 11:58 Comments || Top||

#12  It seems as long as knife attacks don't happen to them or their families, or anywhere around the Beltway, they're ok with it.
Posted by: Raj || 12/16/2016 12:05 Comments || Top||

#13  It's not like any of them bombed a federal office building. That'll get you a swift death penalty and allow the government to broad brush an entire race as a preeminent threat to their power.

Sociopaths operating under the shield of religious fervor?
Posted by: Skidmark || 12/16/2016 12:37 Comments || Top||

#14  I realize they are using them as mercenaries, but they don't really seem to have an end goal in mind...or maybe I can't see it because I'm sane and realize that the ultimate effect will eventually be civil war and a pogram that will be the exact opposite of what they want when they drive Americans too far. It's not nice but hey, it's on their on head.
Posted by: Silentbrick || 12/16/2016 13:10 Comments || Top||

#15  "The Age of Fallibility that "the main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States." George Soros

In other words, he is bankrolling anyone who will tear down the U.S. and promote a one world order.
Posted by: Pearl Hupomorong1598 || 12/16/2016 13:39 Comments || Top||

#16  #10 Its like our governments has declared war on us but their only goal is to snuggle up to jihadis and call us racists every time one of them goes on rampage.

Considering the degree to which the federal government has been infiltrated by Muslim brotherhood, converts and islamophiles; we are under attack. Going to have to be a purge.
Posted by: Grarong Spawn of the Heathen Rus2966 || 12/16/2016 14:46 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Damning indictment of govt inaction against militant bodies
[DAWN] ISLAMABAD: The inquiry commission on the Aug 8 Quetta carnage has called for banning terrorist organizations without any delay by enforcing the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) in letter and spirit.

Terrorist organizations must not be permitted to hold meetings and people must be informed about the reasons for banning such organizations, said the Justice Qazi Faez Isa-led commission in its 110-page inquiry report submitted to a three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali on Thursday.

The commission was formed by the Supreme Court on Oct 6 to investigate the Aug 8 suicide kaboom on Quetta’s Civil Hospital in which at least 74 people, mostly lawyers, had bit the dust.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


‘Ahmadi families leaving Dulmial village after mob violence’
[DAWN] CHAKWAL: Members of the Ahmadi community in Chakwal’s Dulmial village have left the village because of security concerns, sources said on Wednesday, days after a violent mob attacked an Ahmadi place of worship.

Two people were killed and one injured in the attack. Among the dead was Malik Khalid Javed, an Ahmadi who was present at the religious site when the attack happened and suffered a cardiac arrest. His body was taken to Chenab Nagar, where he was laid to rest.

A number of people who went to the funeral have not returned to the village yet, and other families have left the village for their own safety.

"There are three Ahmadi families living next to my house, but they left their homes and moved to safe places after the incident," a villager told Dawn.

"Their cattle are tied up in their homes. I arranged some fodder for their cattle today and gave them some water; the animals were tied up, hungry and thirsty since Monday," he said. The villager added that many other members of the community have also left the village, and the few who have remained are guarded in their homes by police, Rangers and military personnel.

A member of the local Ahmadi community also told Dawn some families have moved from the village, but the district police officer (DPO) and the district coordination officer (DCO) have said Ahmadis are staying in their homes.

Army, police and Rangers personnel are still deployed in the village, where they can be seen patrolling.

The police have also tossed in the calaboose
Book 'im, Mahmoud!
32 people involved in the attack, two of whom are Ahmadi.

The FIR of the attack includes charges from the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Pakistain Penal Code. Lodged by Sub-Inspector Mohammad Nawaz, who is also the station house officer (SHO) of the Choa Saidan Shah cop shoppe, the FIR states that he, accompanied by 20 other police officials were deployed at the Dulmial Rabiul Awwal procession.

The SHO said in the FIR that three men who were leading the procession of 2,800 to 3,000 people incited anti-Ahmadi sentiment within the crowd. The leaders of the procession resolved to take over the Ahmadi place of worship, claiming they would take possession of their mosque from the Ahmadi community.

"The members of the procession, led by the organisers, moved towards the place of worship by violating the set [procession] route. The police tried their best to stop them, but they stormed the place of worship by breaking the police cordon and began [attacking] the main gate with bricks and clubs."

The FIR said some members of the mob climbed the wall and entered the site, and two people present at the place of worship began firing. It said 46 people fled to their homes using a back door. One person was killed and three injured in the firing, and Malik Khalid Javed, who suffered a cardiac arrest, was found dead by the police.

The mob occupied the Ahmadi place of worship and began burning articles.

The police have nominated the four procession organisers and 35 participants, including unknown individuals. Two members of the Ahmadi community have also been nominated and, according to sources, have been arrested alongside 30 others.

DPO Masood Marath told Dawn: "A joint investigation team is going to be set up while we are arresting the suspects."

DCO Mehmood Javed Bhatti added: "A meeting of the district peace committee was held today in which leaders of all sects assured the district administration of their complete cooperation."

"No one is above the law. Every suspect will be treated equally according to the law," he said, adding that a majority could not be allowed to usurp the rights of a minority.
Then his lips fell off.
Posted by: Fred || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


FO condemns Rajnath's statements, terms them violation of international norms
[DAWN] The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday strongly condemned Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh's "irresponsible statements" earlier this week, terming them a 'complete violation of international norms', Radio Pakistain reported.

According to Indian media, Rajnath Singh had said Pakistain would "soon be in ten pieces" if cross-border terrorism does not come to an end.

"Pakistain has been divided into 2 countries (in 1971). If it does not stop cross-border terrorism, it will soon be in 10 pieces," Singh had said.

FO Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria alleged Singh's remarks vindicated Pakistain's long-standing position that the Indian government and its intelligence agencies are involved in subversive activities in Pakistain and are trying to destabilise it.

He called on the world community to take notice of Singh's "irresponsible statements", as well as alleged Indian interference in Pakistain.

Zakaria said Pakistain believes the peaceful way is the best method for resolution of outstanding issues between Pakistain and India, including the Kashmire dispute.

Posted by: Fred || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Israel has wary eye on Iran after Syrian rebels lose Aleppo
[Reuters] The fall of Aleppo to Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran has heightened alarm in Israel about potential threats to its borders and a wider reshaping of the region.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left no doubt on Wednesday about the depth of Israel's concern about Tehran, whose position and that of its proxies in Syria has been strengthened by the crushing of rebel resistance in Aleppo.

At a meeting in Astana with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Netanyahu was asked whether he had a message for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is scheduled to visit Kazakhstan next week.

"Don't threaten us. We are not a rabbit, we are a tiger," the Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted Netanyahu as telling Nazarbayev. "If you threaten us, you endanger yourself."

Asked by Nazarbayev if he seriously believed Iran wanted to destroy Israel, Netanyahu replied: "Yes, I do."

The more than five-year-old civil war in Syria has enabled Iran, whose Supreme leader has called for an end to the Jewish state, to steadily increase its influence across the region.

Whether via its own Revolutionary Guard forces or Shi'ite Muslim proxies, especially Lebanon's Hezbollah militia, Tehran's reach extends from Afghanistan to the Mediterranean Sea.

As well as concerns about an increased flow of arms now Iran has access to a port on the Mediterranean at Tartus, on the southern Syrian coast, Israel worries Hezbollah, emboldened by Iran's patronage, may launch new attacks on its territory.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


Southeast Asia
Myanmar's Rohingya insurgency has links to Saudi, Pakistan: report
[Reuters] A group of Rohingya Muslims that attacked Myanmar border guards in October is headed by people with links to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the International Crisis Group (ICG) said on Thursday, citing members of the group.

The coordinated attacks on Oct. 9 killed nine policemen and sparked a crackdown by security forces in the Muslim-majority northern sector of Rakhine State in the country's northwest.

At least 86 people have been killed, according to state media, and the United Nations has estimated 27,000 members of the largely stateless Rohingya minority have fled across the border to Bangladesh.

Predominantly Buddhist Myanmar's government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, blamed Rohingyas supported by foreign militants for the Oct. 9 attacks, but has issued scant additional information about the assailants it called "terrorists."

A group calling itself Harakah al-Yakin claimed responsibility for the attacks in video statements and the Brussels-based ICG said it had interviewed four members of the group in Rakhine State and two outside Myanmar, as well as individuals in contact with members via messaging apps.

The Harakah al-Yakin, or Faith Movement, was formed after communal violence in 2012 in which more than 100 people were killed and about 140,000 displaced in Rakhine State, most of them Rohingya, the group said.

Rohingya who have fought in other conflicts, as well as Pakistanis or Afghans, gave clandestine training to villagers in northern Rakhine over two years ahead of the attacks, it said.

"It included weapons use, guerrilla tactics and, HaY members and trainees report, a particular focus on explosives and IEDs," the group said, referring to improvised explosive devices.

It identified Harakah al-Yakin's leader, who has appeared prominently in a series of nine videos posted online, as Ata Ullah, born in Karachi, Pakistan, to a Rohingya migrant father before moving as a child to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistain Proxies

#1  April 30, 2008 - From the field

International Crisis Group Receives $5 Million Grant for General Operations

The International Crisis Group launched today in New York its new $50 million Securing the Future Capital fundraising campaign, with commitments totaling $20 million from the MacArthur Foundation, George Soros, Frank Giustra, and Victor Pinchuk.
Posted by: Heriberto Greper9897 || 12/16/2016 7:39 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
State Dept Spox: Syria Is Not a Failure of ‘The Leadership of the United States'
[Breitbart] On Thursday’s broadcast of CNN’s "At This Hour," State Department Spokesperson Admiral John Kirby (Ret.) stated that the failure in Syria "is not on the leadership of the United States, or even other members of the international community."

Kirby said, "[I]t’s clear that diplomatic efforts have not achieved the results that we wanted to achieve, but that doesn’t mean it’s the wrong approach. It doesn’t mean that through diplomacy we weren’t able to get, at times, meaningful cessations of hostilities where people could start to live normal lives, and things could at least get back to some sense of normalcy. But what -- the failure here, is not on the leadership of the United States, or even other members of the international community. The failure here is on Russia, and it’s on the regime, it’s on Iran, that have, despite coming to the table and saying they want a peaceful solution in Syria and a diplomatic way forward, have in fact bolstered Assad’s brutality, have in fact reinforced his military, helped him with targeting, helped him with intelligence, put advisers on the ground that have done nothing but try to prove that what they really want is a military solution. The blood’s on their hands."
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/16/2016 08:13 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Well if you can't believe John Kirby, who else is there ?
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/16/2016 8:17 Comments || Top||

#2  Then his lips fell off.
Posted by: DarthVader || 12/16/2016 9:12 Comments || Top||

#3  No, it is a failure of the leadership of Outer Mongolia
Posted by: John Frum || 12/16/2016 9:28 Comments || Top||

#4  Kirby is at least partly correct. There are a lot of villains in Syria (besides Iran and Russia and Assad, there is Al Q and ISIS and there allies).

Nonetheless, 500k fatalities and untold misery has unfolded on Obama's watch. Remember that every time a leftist complains about some foreign policy glitch during the next few years.
Posted by: lord garth || 12/16/2016 10:11 Comments || Top||

#5  The US is the one that paid Iran the money for the bombing campaign.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 12/16/2016 10:24 Comments || Top||

#6  No shortage of villains and scoundrels, but I doubt the situation has been improved by America's empty threats and ultimatums. But to be fair, they did let our POTUS appear manly and forceful for a couple news cycles.
Posted by: SteveS || 12/16/2016 10:44 Comments || Top||

#7  [I]t’s clear that diplomatic efforts have not achieved the results that we wanted to achieve, but that doesn’t mean it’s the wrong approach.
Robert A, Pape's Bombing To Win:Air Power and Coercion and War(1996) made a point that Kirby missed: Some People can not be coerced. Period. If a Regime feels that surrendering equals suicide the "JawJaw" of diplomacy is useless.
Posted by: magpie || 12/16/2016 11:05 Comments || Top||

#8  "...We can't figure out how we lost the election, either."

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 12/16/2016 11:59 Comments || Top||

#9  The career diplomats never understand that after a while "open and frank discussions" and sternly written letters and memos don't cut it. Sometimes you either have to stick a knife in the table or shoot the guy sitting across from you.

No one will seriously negotiate unless they know you are going to bring down hell if they don't.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 12/16/2016 12:25 Comments || Top||

#10  Don't you have to have actual "Leadership of the United States" before it can fail?
Posted by: Frank G || 12/16/2016 13:31 Comments || Top||

#11  Clarity, Sock.
"Pick a hand"
I like it.
Posted by: Skidmark || 12/16/2016 13:40 Comments || Top||

#12  Democrats - When you care enough to send the very least.
Posted by: newc || 12/16/2016 14:49 Comments || Top||

#13  No one will seriously negotiate unless they know you are going to bring down hell if they don't.

"Don't call my bluff."
-- Barack Hussein Obama

"I come in peace... but if you fuck with me, I will kill you all."
-- General Mattis
Posted by: SteveS || 12/16/2016 16:16 Comments || Top||

#14  What Frank said sort of. I just need to fit the words rudderless, clueless, imperious and vainglorious in there somehow.
Posted by: gorb || 12/16/2016 18:31 Comments || Top||


Obama/Kerry Defeated in the Fall of Aleppo by Syrian President Pencil Neck
[FoxNews] The Obama administration is finding itself back on the defensive over its Syria policy as Aleppo falls to Bashar Assad's government and civilians are evacuated, an operation preceded by desperate pleas from the city's battered residents and reports of atrocities against them.

Ambulances reportedly were carrying out the first groups of wounded and other residents on Thursday, under a cease-fire deal that would seal a rebel pullout from what had been their stronghold in the eastern part of the city.

Outgoing Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters Thursday he was "encouraged" by the cease-fire arrangements as well as the start of convoys moving out of the city.

But he also cited a report that a convoy of injured people were fired upon, and reports that Syrian men are being detained or conscripted at checkpoints. He condemned "inexcusable attacks" on civilians and humanitarian personnel, calling for an "immediate and verifiable, durable cessation of hostilities."

"We’re going to continue to do our part" to push all parties toward "resolution," Kerry said.

At the same time, Kerry noted that if Aleppo falls completely, it will be harder to bring the parties around and will not end the war.

He put the onus on Damascus and its allies in Moscow to pursue peace. Within minutes, State Department spokesman John Kirby took the podium and was peppered with tough questions about how the administration sees any political transition or deal playing out at this stage.

Asked whether the U.S. is prepared to take action beyond talks, Kirby said it was determined that military options will not "get us to the end we seek," while insisting the U.S. is "leading" and acting on behalf of the Syrian people. He conceded diplomacy has fallen short so far.
Soon to be Exxon US Secretary of State sez situation is "fluid". Apparently oil people use the word "fluid" a lot.
Posted by: Elmeack Ululing8523 || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  Obama probably is envious in that Pencil Neck will still be in power and the resistance to his regime destroyed whereas he'll live through the the dismantling of his.
Posted by: P2Kontheroad || 12/16/2016 7:12 Comments || Top||

#2  Odds on 'Kirby the Mouth' sticking around after 1/20/2017?
Posted by: USN, Ret. || 12/16/2016 7:48 Comments || Top||


Iran hosts Taliban leaders at a conference in Tehran
Show of hands: Who's surprised?
[Al Arabiya] In an unprecedented move, Tehran is publicly hosting leaders of hardline Taliban movement in the ‘Islamic Unity’ conference.

Tehran had previously denied any direct contact with the movement.

According to the Iranian Mehr news agency, Iranian cleric Mohsen Araki, who is the Secretary-General of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, said at a press conference on Tuesday that Tehran has invited moderate figures such as Taliban to attend the two-day International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran.

Araki said that “the invitation was sent to some Islamic and political figures in the Taliban movement who believe in the unity of Muslims,” stressing that “Iran has always held contacts with some parties in the Taliban movement, who believe in the Islamic unity.”

This announcement comes two days after the statement of the Iranian ambassador to Kabul, Mohammad Reza Bahrami, who spoke about talks between his country and hardline Taliban.

Afghan authorities had accused Tehran of providing military and logistical support to Taliban, which in turn has in recent months escalated its operations in various regions of the country.
Posted by: badanov || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Kerry calls Aleppo fighting nothing short of a massacre
Nothing gets by John "Effin" Kerry
WASHINGTON/ALEPPO: US Secretary of State John Kerry accused the Syrian regime of Bashar Assad of carrying out “nothing short of a massacre” in Aleppo, where thousands were evacuated on Thursday from the last opposition bastion in a city besieged for years.

Kerry, speaking at a news briefing, said the United States was seeking an immediate, verifiable, and durable cessation of hostilities in Aleppo, and said it appeared that airstrikes and shelling had stopped and that convoys were moving out.

“There is absolutely no justification whatsoever for the indiscriminate and savage brutality against civilians shown by the regime and by its Russian and Iranian allies over the past few weeks, or indeed over the past five years,” Kerry said. “We are seeing the unleashing of a sectarian passion.”

He added: “The Assad regime is actually carrying out nothing short of a massacre.”

The evacuation began with a convoy of ambulances and buses crossing into a regime-held district in southern Aleppo around 2:30 p.m. (1230 GMT).

A regime source said that 951 evacuees, including 108 wounded, were in the convoy. Most were civilians but about 200 opposition fighters were among them, the source said.
More at the link
Posted by: badanov || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  That was the idea, Jawn.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 12/16/2016 8:21 Comments || Top||

#2  “The Assad regime is actually carrying out nothing short of a massacre”

And compared to his father, he's doing it ineptly.
Posted by: Pappy || 12/16/2016 11:45 Comments || Top||

#3  Just another in the list of Obamao failures.

Jawn, was there a red line around Aleppo? That would have helped, yes?
Posted by: AlanC || 12/16/2016 12:02 Comments || Top||

#4  Here's the foreign policy expert: stern, far-seeing...

eyes closed
Posted by: Skidmark || 12/16/2016 12:14 Comments || Top||

#5  Brain in the off mode.
Posted by: Bobby || 12/16/2016 13:44 Comments || Top||


4K rebel fighters, families exit Aleppo
DAMASCUS: At least 4,000 opposition fighters and their families will be evacuated from the last opposition-held districts of Syria’s Aleppo, state television reported on Thursday.

“Four thousand opposition fighters with their families will be evacuated from the eastern districts of Aleppo,” the television said in a breaking news alert.

“All the procedures for their evacuation are ready,” it added.
Buses were waiting to carry out the evacuations under a new agreement reached after a first plan collapsed on Wednesday amid fresh fighting.

And by late morning a convoy of ambulances was moving to a staging area where the first evacuees were expected to arrive for transport to the west of Aleppo province.

The deal, brokered by Syrian regime ally Moscow and opposition supporter Ankara, will mark the end of years of fighting for control of the second city and a major victory for President Bashar Assad.

A source close to the regime with knowledge of the negotiations initially said the army would “receive the names of all evacuees” but subsequently said it was unclear if such a list would be turned over.

The issue of the handover of a list of names had reportedly been one factor in the collapse of the earlier deal.

The source also said the agreement would involve the evacuation of sick and wounded residents of Fuaa and Kafraya, two regime-held villages in Idlib province that are besieged by opposition forces.

The army began an offensive to recapture east Aleppo in mid-November, and now holds more than 90 percent of the onetime opposition bastion.
Posted by: badanov || 12/16/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria



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