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Today: 63 articles and 158 comments as of 15:38.
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Area: WoT Background    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
Iran money man zapped in Gaza
Today's Headlines
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Page 1: WoT Operations
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Page 2: WoT Background
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
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Afghanistan
Logar Security ‘Improves’ After More Forces Deployed
[ToloNews] The security of Pashtun-infested Logar has improved as more forces have been deployed to insecure parts of the eastern province which has almost 76 kilometers distance with the capital city, Kabul, and is the home for the country’s biggest copper deposit.

Despite the improvement, local officials said, three out of six districts of the province remain under high security threats where development projects have been stopped while government has planned to start work on extraction of Mes Aynak copper deposit and construction of an airport in the province.

Mes Aynak is located in Mohammad Agha district in Pashtun-infested Logar, almost 50 kilometers to the southeast of Kabul, and contains Afghanistan's largest copper deposit, as well as the remains of an ancient settlement with over 400 Buddha statues, stupas and a monastery complex.

TOLOnews news hound Tamim Hamid, who traveled to Mohammad Agha district in a convoy of the security forces, said they faced an ambush by the Taliban
...the Pashtun equivalent of men...
on their way to the district which was shortly repelled by the troops.

He said the Sorkhab village is the most embattled part of Mohammad Agha district, where security forces have conducted "many" operations in the past four weeks.

Rahm Khoda Mokhlis, Acting Police Chief of Pashtun-infested Logar, who is a former member of the Special Unit of Afghan National Police, said security forces have been stationed in Mohammad Agha for more than a month.

According to local officials, construction of a ring road which passes through Mohammad Agha and construction of an airport in the district have been delayed due to insecurity.

"We are waiting for the companies to come (to Mohammad Agha) and begin their work. Militants did not allow them to come to the district before this," Mokhlis said.

Mostly, the public uprising forces have been deployed to different parts of Mohammad Agha district, whose number is not more than 400.

"We come under attack from the houses around here," said Abdul Rahman, member of the public uprising forces in Pashtun-infested Logar.

"Taliban are located in the nearby villages," said Mir Hatam, a public uprising forces member.

Gen. Abdul Razaq, Commander of the fourth Brigade of 203 Thunder Corps, said the districts of Charkh, Kharwar and Baraki Barak are mostly faced with threats compared to other three districts of the province.

"We don’t want war; it is the Taliban who begin attacks, but we are ready to respond to their attacks," Razaq said.

This comes after Taliban announced their so-called spring offensive last month which was faced by huge criticism of Afghan and foreign officials.

Taliban on Friday rejected the grand council’s call for a ceasefire, saying that they will not lay down their arms and will continue their "Jihad" even during the month of Ramadhan.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Afghan forces kill ISIS in-charge for North of Afghanistan, Central Asia
[KhaamaPress] A top krazed killer leader who was in charge of ISIS activities in northern Afghanistan and Central Asia was killed in an operation of the Afghan Special Forces in northern Baghlan province.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) in a statement said the top krazed killer leader identified as Mufti Uzbek was killed in an operation of the Afghan National Police Special Forces in Dahana-e-Ghori of Baghlan province on Friday night.

The statement further added that Mufti Uzbek was in charge of ISIS activities in northern parts of Afghanistan and was mainly involved in planning and organizing terrorist attacks.

According to MoI, Mufi Uzbek was also in charge of equipping and financing the terror group Central Asia.

At least three other ISIS Death Eaters were also killed during the same operation and some weapons and other military kits were confiscated, the Ministry of Interior added.

The anti-government armed Death Eaters including ISIS sympathizers have not commented regarding the Arclight airstrike so far.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


41 militants killed in Afghan Special Forces operations, airstrikes: sources
[KhaamaPress] At least 41 Talibs were killed and 13 others including a leader of the group were nabbed
You have the right to remain silent...
in latest counter-terrorism operations.

Informed military sources said Saturday that 15 Talibs were killed during the operations of the Afghan Special Forces in Deh Yak and Zanakhan districts of Ghazni province.

The sources further added a strike near the Borka District of Baghlan province killed 19 Taliban
...the Pashtun equivalent of men...
fighters.

"An Afghan Special Force raid in Garm Sir District of Helmand
...an Afghan province populated mostly by Pashtuns, adjacent to Injun country in Pak Balochistan...
to disrupt Taliban offensive operations, resulted in 7 Taliban fighter killed, multiple weapons, explosives and IED’s destroyed. Additionally, 209kg of opium was destroyed," the sources said.

The military sources also added that a clearing operation by the Afghan National Army 203rd Corps in Sperah district of Khost province
... across the border from Miranshah, within commuting distance of Haqqani hangouts such as Datta Khel and probably within sight of Mordor. Khost is populated by six different tribes of Pashtuns, the largest probably being the Khostwal, from which it takes its name...
resulted into the capture of 1 Taliban leader while 3 Taliban fighters and 9 persons of interest were also arrested.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Taliban commander kills the wife, son of an Afghan soldier after inviting them to his wedding ceremony
[KhaamaPress] A Taliban
...Arabic for students...
commander has killed the wife and 13-year-old son of an Afghan soldier after inviting them to a wedding ceremony in South-eastern Paktia province.

The provincial government media office in a statement said the incident took place late on Friday afternoon in Ahmad Khel district.

The statement further added that the Taliban commander Qari Aziz had invited the wife and 13-year-old son of an Afghan soldier to a wedding ceremony and murdered the two after they participated in the wedding reception.

Deedar, the soldier whose wife and son were murdered had also helped with the wedding reception of Qari Aziz by contributing 30,000 Afghanis which he had taken as a loan from another friend, the statement added.

The security and intelligence forces have launched an operation to arrest Qari Aziz, the provincial government said, adding that the perpetrator will be handed over to the judiciary institutions so that he could be prosecuted for the crime he has committed.

In the meantime, the Taliban group front man has rejected the involvement of the group’s commander in the incident, claiming that the murder of the two individuals has links with personal feuds.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Taliban

#1  The Carnegie method is never going to catch on in Afghanistan.
Posted by: 3dc || 05/05/2019 1:06 Comments || Top||

#2  https://www.dalecarnegie.com/en
Posted by: 3dc || 05/05/2019 1:07 Comments || Top||

#3  Sounds like a violation of the rules of hospitality. Was under the impression the tribal folk were quite strict about that sort of thing.
Posted by: SteveS || 05/05/2019 1:08 Comments || Top||

#4  There is also a tradition of betraying guests, SteveS, usually by murdering them.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 1:32 Comments || Top||

#5  what a nice little culture they have going there
Posted by: chris || 05/05/2019 7:24 Comments || Top||

#6  I've seen nicer cultures in six-month-old leftovers.
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 05/05/2019 9:26 Comments || Top||

#7  I TOLD you we didn't want a toaster!
Posted by: Jumbo Uleart5601 || 05/05/2019 12:55 Comments || Top||

#8  Sounds like a violation of the rules of hospitality humanity.

But not jihad.
Posted by: Woodrow || 05/05/2019 14:46 Comments || Top||

#9  It was an honour thing I'm sure, so that makes it OK.
Posted by: gorb || 05/05/2019 17:33 Comments || Top||


Afghan Special Forces discover Taliban’s large cache of weapons, munitions in Uruzgan
[KhaamaPress] The Special Forces of the Afghan intelligence destroyed a large cache of weapons and munitions belonging to Taliban
...Arabic for students...
group in Uruzgan province.

The Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security
...the Afghan national intel agency...
(NDS), in a statement said Friday that the cache belonged to Taliban’s deputy shadow governor Mullah Atiqullah.

The statement further added that 13 Death Eaters were also killed during the same operation and 10 rocket launchers, 8 rocket launchers (82mm), 13 PKM machine guns, 23 M-16 rifles, 170 rounds of rocket launcher rockets, 23 rounds of 82mm rockets, 18 Ak-47 assault rifles, 6 Dragunov sniper rifles, 3 cycle of violences, 25 radio sets, and 500 kgs of explosives were confiscated and four depots of the Death Eaters were totally destroyed.

The anti-government armed Death Eaters including Taliban have not commented regarding the Arclight airstrike so far.

Uruzgan is among the relatively volatile provinces in South of Afghanistan. Talibs are active in some of the restive districts of the province including Tainkot and often attempt to carry out terrorist related activities against the government and security institutions.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Taliban

#1  "Uruzgan is among the relatively volatile provinces in South of Afghanistan."
"volatile" Huh, aren't they all?
Posted by: Texhooey || 05/05/2019 1:26 Comments || Top||


Taliban evacuates wounded militants to Pakistan, claims Kandahar Police Chief
Ugh. What a pity they can’t be followed home and dealt with there.
[KhaamaPress] The Taliban
...Arabic for students...
have faceless myrmidons have evacuated their maimed faceless myrmidons to Pakistain after sustaining casualties during a clash in Takhta Pul district, provincial Police Chief General Tadin Khan Achakzai said Saturday.

"Armed forces of Evil attacked the Haji Nika security post in Takhta Pul district last night but our soldiers responded with high morale, leaving at least 14 faceless myrmidons dead and 7 others maimed," Gen. Tadin Khan said in a Twitter post.
"high morale and automatic weapons,.... but mostly automatic weapons"
Gen. Tadin Khan further added that the dead bodies of the faceless myrmidons are left in the area but the group managed to evacuate its maimed faceless myrmidons to Pakistain.

The anti-government armed faceless myrmidons including Taliban have not commented regarding the festivities and casualties inflicted on its faceless myrmidons so far.

This comes as the Afghan officials have long been insisting that the leadership council of the Taliban group is based in Pakistain from where they plan and coordinated attacks in Afghanistan but the Pak officials claim that the murderous Moslem and terrorist groups have no sanctuaries in the country.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


26 militants killed, 45 detained in Afghan forces operations in Kabul: sources
[KhaamaPress] At least twenty six Lions of Islam were killed and 45 others were detained in various operations of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) which were conducted in Kabul province, the informed military sources said Saturday.

The sources further added that the operations were conducted to ensure security in the capital as a major peace summit (Consultative Loya Jirga) was underway.

"In numerous operations to provide security for the Loya Jirga in Kabul City, Afghan Security Forces killed 26 and detained 45 bad boys. These operations resulted in the capture or elimination of 18 key enemy personnel," the sources added.

The consultative Loya Jirga, grand assembly, attended by 3200 delegates from across the country, concluded on Friday with the participants calling for an immediate declaration of ceasefire and launch of peace talks.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


43 ISIS militants including Pakistani, Uzbek nationals killed in East of Afghanistan
[KhaamaPress] At least 43 faceless myrmidons of the Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems....
of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group were killed in two separate Arclight airstrikes which were conducted in East of Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) in a statement said the airstrikes targeted two training camps of the terror group in Chapara district of Kunar province
... which is right down the road from Chitral. Kunar is Haqqani country.....
The statement further added that several Pak and Uzbek nationals were also among those killed.

A prominent Uzbek holy warrior leader identified as Ismail, who was previously cooperating with the al-Qaeda terrorist network and had recently joined ISIS ranks, was also killed in the airstrike, the Ministry of Defense added.

The anti-government armed faceless myrmidons including ISIS sympathizers have not commented regarding the airstrike so far.

Kunar is among the relatively volatile provinces in East of Afghanistan located along the Line of Durand close to the tribal regions of Pakistain.

Both Taliban
...Arabic for students...
and ISIS faceless myrmidons are active in some of the restive districts of the province where they often attempt to carry out terrorist related activities against the government and security institutions.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  If one checks Rantburg over the last month or so there are myriad reports of attacks on "faceless myrmidons". Casualties enumerated are in the hundreds. Either the Afghan Army is becoming better at what their doing, or the Afghan media is becoming better in producing propaganda.
Posted by: Chereting Pelosi1889 || 05/05/2019 10:52 Comments || Top||


6 of a family killed, 9 wounded in Taliban militants attack in Faryab: 29th Shaheen Corps
[KhaamaPress] At least six members of a family were killed and nine others were maimed in an attack by Talibs in northern Faryab province of Afghanistan.

The 209th Shaheen Corps in a statement said a group of Talibs stormed a residential house in Qaisar district few days back targeting all members of a single family.

The statement further added that the attack was carried out in Kohi Village leaving six members of the family dead including elders and children while nine others were maimed.

The anti-government armed bully boyz including Taliban
...mindless ferocity in a turban...
have not commented regarding the incident so far.

Faryab is among the relatively volatile provinces in North of Afghanistan. Talibs are active in some of the restive districts of the province where they often attempt to carry out terrorist related activities against the government and security institutions.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Africa North
Islamic State and Chadian fighters behind attack in southern Libya: Source
[AlAhram] 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....
Death Eaters and Chadian opposition fighters were responsible for an attack on the forces of eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar
...Self-proclaimed Field Marshal, served in the Libyan army under Muammar Qadaffy, and took part in the coup that brought Qadaffy to power in 1969. He became a prisoner of war in Chad in 1987. While held prisoner, he and his fellow officers formed a group hoping to overthrow Qadaffy. He was released around 1990 in a deal with the United States government and spent nearly two decades in the United States, gaining US citizenship. In 1993, while living in the United States, he was convicted in absentia of crimes against the Jamahiriya and sentenced to death. Haftar held a senior position in the anti-Qadaffy forces in the 2011 Libyan Civil War. In 2014 he was commander of the Libyan Army when the General National Congress (GNC) refused to give up power in accordance with its term of office. Haftar launched a campaign against the GNC and its Islamic fundamentalist allies. His campaign allowed elections to take place to replace the GNC, but then developed into a civil war. Guess you can't win them all...
in the southern Libyan city of Sebha, a military source said on Saturday.

Eight soldiers were killed earlier on Saturday in the attack on a training camp in Sebha, the head of the local municipality said.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Hardline Egyptian Islamist receives five-year sentence for court siege case
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Hardline Egyptian Islamist leader Hazem Salah Abu Ismail’s five-year sentence for his involvement in besieging a court in Nasr City in 2012 has been upheld by the country’s top appeals court.

A Cairo court sentenced Abu Ismail and five others in January 2017 to five years in prison over the case, but they appealed against their sentences.

Abu Ismail was tossed in the slammer
Drop the gat, Rocky, or you're a dead 'un!
for inciting and participating in violent demonstrations at Nasr City court in northeast Cairo in December 2012 demanding the release of one of his supporters, who had been incarcerated
Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages!
in possession of an automatic weapon, according to the police.

He and his supporters blocked the court’s entrance, barring anyone from entering or exiting, including prosecutors who were inside. The defendants used threats and violence against the prosecutors to try to coerce them into releasing the supporter, the prosecution said.

Earlier in 2012, Abu Ismail was disqualified from the presidential race that eventually brought Mohammed Mursi of the Moslem Brüderbund to power in June that year. Reports had emerged that Abu Ismail’s late mother held a US passport, meaning he was not eligible to run for the presidency.

Abu Ismail was arrested in July 2013, two days after Mursi was ousted following mass protests against his rule, and is currently serving a seven-year sentence for falsifying his candidacy application for the 2012 presidential race.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Nine dead in ISIL-claimed attack on Haftar's forces
[Al Jazeera] At least nine soldiers have been killed in an attack claimed by the Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems....
of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS, or ISIS) targeting forces loyal to renegade commander Khalifa Haftar
...Self-proclaimed Field Marshal, served in the Libyan army under Muammar Qadaffy, and took part in the coup that brought Qadaffy to power in 1969. He became a prisoner of war in Chad in 1987. While held prisoner, he and his fellow officers formed a group hoping to overthrow Qadaffy. He was released around 1990 in a deal with the United States government and spent nearly two decades in the United States, gaining US citizenship. In 1993, while living in the United States, he was convicted in absentia of crimes against the Jamahiriya and sentenced to death. Haftar held a senior position in the anti-Qadaffy forces in the 2011 Libyan Civil War. In 2014 he was commander of the Libyan Army when the General National Congress (GNC) refused to give up power in accordance with its term of office. Haftar launched a campaign against the GNC and its Islamic fundamentalist allies. His campaign allowed elections to take place to replace the GNC, but then developed into a civil war. Guess you can't win them all...
, officials said.

ISIS fighters, "backed by criminal groups and mercenaries", launched on Saturday a dawn assault on a military training camp in the southern city of Sebha, the city's mayor Hamed al-Khayali told AFP.

"The attack left nine dead ... some of whom had their throats slit and others who were rubbed out," he said.

A front man for the Sebha Medical Centre confirmed it had received nine dead bodies.

ISIS grabbed credit for the attack in a statement distributed through social media, saying it had targeted "Haftar's heretical militia" and freed prisoners held on the base.

Sebha - like much of the south and its oilfields - is controlled by Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA), and is 650km south of the capital, Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
, where the renegade general's forces are currently fighting to take control from militias affiliated with a UN-backed government.

However,
a clean conscience makes a soft pillow...
the campaign has not breached the city's southern defences.

ISIS reemergence?
In a statement, the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) said Haftar shouldered "direct responsibility for the reemergence of the Islamic State organization; for [its] terrorist activities and its return to the scene ... after the GNA had been successful ... in destroying" the gang.

"Ever since the offensive against Tripoli, we have warned that the only beneficiaries ... are the terrorist groups and that what is happening will offer them a fertile ground to restart their activities".

Meanwhile the UN's mission in Libya, UNSMIL, said on Twitter it "strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Sebha, which was claimed by [ISIS] and resulted in a number of Libyan casualties".

"Perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist activities must be brought to justice," UNSMIL added.

In recent months, ISIS fighters have staged several hit-and-run attacks in southern Libya. The gang retreated to the south after losing its stronghold in the central city of Sirte in December 2016.

Meanwhile,
...back at the shootout, Butch clutched at his leg. Son of a Breech! he exclaimed with feeling......
the ongoing fighting in Tripoli has killed at least 392 people and maimed 1,936 others, the UN's World Health Organisation said on Friday.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Bouteflika's brother, intelligence chiefs arrested
[Al Jazeera] Algerian police have tossed in the slammer
Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please!
former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
... 10th president-for-life of Algeria. He was elected in 1999 and is currently on his third or fourth term. Maybe it's the fifth....
's youngest brother alongside two former intelligence chiefs, according to local media.

Said Bouteflika and Generals Bachir Athmane Tartag and Mohammed Mediene were taken into custody on Saturday for questioning, reported the private Ennahar TV.

The younger Bouteflika, who served as advisor to the president for more than a decade, is seen by many as having taken de facto control of the North African state, after his brother suffered a crippling stroke in 2013.

Massive ongoing protests calling for a radical change pushed the ailing president to resign on April 2, but demonstrators continue to demand the removal of all those linked to the former administration.

Army chief of staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaid Salah, a former associate of President Bouteflika, came to the fore in late March after he broke ranks with the ailing leader, and called on him to step down. The president resigned five days later.

The 79-year-old Gaid Salah has since sought to win the confidance of demonstrators by vowing to prosecute members of the old guard suspected of corruption.

But the arrest of more than half a dozen prominent businessmen seen as close to the presidential "clan" has largely failed to appease protesters, who continue to take to the streets demanding a complete overhaul of the political system.

On Friday, the eleventh straight week of demonstrations, some protesters called on Gaid Salah to resign. They held up banners accusing him of failing to take on senior figures in the Bouteflika government, including the president's brother.

Others held placards reading "No to military rule".

North Africa analyst Rochdi Alloui said that, in prosecuting members of the ruling elite, Gaid Salah was hoping to set himself further apart from Bouteflika's immediate entourage and signal both his readiness and credibility to negotiate a transition with the opposition.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Africa Subsaharan
Two French tourists kidnapped, local guide killed in Benin
[France24] Two French tourists were kidnapped and their local guide was killed in Benin on May 1, regional sources told FRANCE 24 overnight.

"Mauritanian and Malian sources confirm that the driver was found shot dead. The vehicle carrying them was burned and was found less than a hundred kilometres from the border in Burkina Faso," according to FRANCE 24's correspondant in Benin, Emmanuelle Sodji.

Diplomatic and security sources confirmed on Friday that two French tourists and their guide had been missing in northwestern Benin since Wednesday.

The French couple were expected to return Wednesday evening to their hotel in Benin's Pendjari National Park, a remote area some 550 kilometres (340 miles) north of Benin's economic capital Cotonou.

They are being "actively sought" with the help of authorities in Benin, a source in France's foreign ministry said.

Benin is generally considered an island of stability in West Africa, a troubled region where many jihadist groups operate, but Pendjari lies on the porous and remote border with Burkina Faso, which has been hard hit by militant violence.

In recent months, security sources have warned that Atlantic coast countries such as Togo and Benin were vulnerable to the expansionist strategies of militants linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Pendjari, one of the largest remaining sites for elephants and lions in West Africa, is a vast area of 4,800 square kilometres but also part of a far larger wilderness area spreading into Burkina Faso and Niger to the north.
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/05/2019 07:20 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I suppose Colmar, Metz, or Bern would have been too boring.
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/05/2019 7:28 Comments || Top||

#2  This would never have happened in Upper Volta
Posted by: Frank G || 05/05/2019 7:35 Comments || Top||

#3  This is an opportunity for a thankless task, covertly wipe out the Burkina Faso islamists and destroy the economies of those who support them.

Some targeted strikes, accidents, encourage some infighting, infrastructure failures etc.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 05/05/2019 7:52 Comments || Top||

#4  Tourism for Dummies
Posted by: M. Murcek || 05/05/2019 12:52 Comments || Top||

#5  Good idea! Let's start bombing another country! I'm sure that will turn out well, just like all the other times it worked out well. Whoops, by that I mean "cost us billions that we can't afford and created more enemies where none existed while enabling local corruption."
Posted by: Herb McCoy || 05/05/2019 13:29 Comments || Top||

#6  Johnny One-Note strikes again.
Posted by: Raj || 05/05/2019 13:53 Comments || Top||

#7  OK, lay out the case for bombing yet another country that never did anything to us. Tell us the great benefits it will bring the American people, and support this with evidence from all the times we bombed other countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya, etc.

This should be fun. All we have to show for our constant bombings is our veterans with limbs blown off or PTSD and an empty treasury.
Posted by: Herb McCoy || 05/05/2019 14:13 Comments || Top||

#8  Did I disagree with you, or did I point out the repetitive nature of most of your comments?
Posted by: Raj || 05/05/2019 14:42 Comments || Top||

#9  Cut out a cancer!?! What did it ever do to us let's leave it in place. It never metastasises.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 05/05/2019 16:14 Comments || Top||

#10  Heh
Posted by: Frank G || 05/05/2019 16:18 Comments || Top||

#11  I can't help but notice a string of ad hominem insults and a complete lack of any kind of refutation. This isn't how to argue. No wonder you get your asses kicked by the Left if this is all you can bring.
Posted by: Herb McCoy || 05/05/2019 17:39 Comments || Top||

#12  Don't you just love low IQ types who have no problem with people being murdered, starved, raped etc etc etc and who have no answers?
Posted by: Ebbavirt Clunk4147 || 05/05/2019 19:10 Comments || Top||


Islamic State claims it killed 10 soldiers in northeastern Nigeria
Might they mean Boko Haram here or is a separate ISIS group moving in?
[AlAhram] 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) killed 10 Nigerian soldiers in an attack on the northeastern town of Magumeri, the group claimed through its news agency AMAQ on Saturday.

The Jihadist organization said the attack on the soldiers took place in the town in northeastern Borno state on Friday. It published pictures of burned barracks and dead bodies it claimed belonged to the soldiers.

Three sources in Nigeria, including one military source, confirmed the claim.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Iraq
Anonymous man found dead in southern Baghdad
Baghdad (IraqiNews) An official source informed, on Saturday, that security forces found the body of an unknown man, who was killed by gunfire, in southern Baghdad.

The source said in a press statement that security forces found a dead body in Bawy area, in Madain District, in southern Baghdad.

He further added on condition of anonymity that the body was hand-chained and had shots in the chest area, while pointed out that the security forces transferred the body to the forensic medicine department and opened a probe into the incident.

It is noteworthy that the capital, Bagdad, is witnessing frequent attacks against security forces and civilians, due to the instability in the country.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Anti-Terrorism forces apprehend terrorists in Kirkuk
Kirkuk (IraqiNews) The Anti-Terrorism Directorate announced, on Saturday, arresting two terrorists, who were planning to launch an attack in Kirkuk Province.

The Directorate revealed in a press statement that the 2nd Special Operations Command carried out an operation to arrest two terrorists, who were planning to to launch terrorist attack in Kirkuk Province.

The statement also pointed out that the operation was carried to fulfill the goals of the Anti-Terrorism Directorate, and to dismantle the remaining terrorist networks of the ISIS.

The operation was successful and conducted based on accurate intelligence information, the statement added.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Bomb explosion leaves two civilians wounded in Mosul
Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) ‐ Two Iraqi people were maimed Saturday in a kaboom in djinn-infested Mosul
... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn...
city, once a capital of the Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems....
terrorist group’s sprawling self-proclaimed "caliphate".

"A booby-trapped cycle of violence went off Saturday in al-Magmoaa area in Mosul’s eastern side, leaving two civilians maimed," a security source told al-Ahd News.

"The maimed civilians were moved to a nearby hospital for treatment," added the source.

Arena games’ Coach wounded in Mosul motorbike attack

Nineveh (IraqiNews) The Coach of the National Arena Gamed, Abboud Muhammed Hafsh, was wounded in the booby-trapped motorbike attack that struck Mosul earlier today, and he is currently in the hospital.

Alsumaria News reported that Hafsh is moving, on daily basis, between Qayara and Mosul, 55 kilometers from his residence, to serve athletes in his province, but the explosion blocked his way this morning.

The motorbike, which was parked on the roadside of al-Magmoaa al-Thakafiya area, near Tamata restaurant in Mosul, exploded causing material losses in the areas, in addition to injuring a number of civilians.

It is noteworthy that security forces imposed a curfew on motorbikes in Nineveh, following the booby-trapped motorbike attack earlier today, while pointed out that anyone who will violate the decree will be detained and fined.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
I know, let's demo an apt block!


Posted by: 3dc || 05/05/2019 13:51 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  Urban renewal™
Posted by: Frank G || 05/05/2019 14:25 Comments || Top||

#2  Looks like a controlled implosion from Palleywood. The first floor walls looked already knocked down and bet the support columns were weakened. The building is already leaning towards the empty lot. The explosions were only at the ground level and well timed and placed to collapse the building.

But, nice job with the sound effects.
Posted by: Wheamp Cleash5391 || 05/05/2019 14:36 Comments || Top||

#3  Holding back NYC UN building joke.
Posted by: Woodrow || 05/05/2019 14:43 Comments || Top||

#4  #2 or secondaries from "The Mosque" in the first floor
Posted by: Frank G || 05/05/2019 14:51 Comments || Top||

#5  not to mention he's already watching the building while recording
Posted by: chris || 05/05/2019 15:33 Comments || Top||

#6  No Paleostinians to be seen anywhere. No cars. No drapes. No surprised jump by the guy holding the phone.
Posted by: gorb || 05/05/2019 17:29 Comments || Top||

#7  No Paleostinians to be seen anywhere.

The Israelis have this thing where they send a first, non-explosive missile to knock on the roof of the building to warn everyone to get out. They then send another missile to do the splody thingy a few minutes later. This is why no Turks were harmed yesterday when the Israelis destroyed the building in which the local branch of Anadolu Agency had its press offices — the same building that housed Hamas intelligence, or some such.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 21:07 Comments || Top||


Ashdod: Car hit by Gazan rocket.
Video of car hit in Ashdod

Posted by: 3dc || 05/05/2019 13:45 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Hamas


and BANG!


Posted by: 3dc || 05/05/2019 13:43 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  Failed to follow up on the car swarm.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 05/05/2019 14:19 Comments || Top||

#2  And I thought the Mad Mullahs promised Baraq they wouldn't use the money he gave them for this type of terror. Right? Right?
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 05/05/2019 14:48 Comments || Top||

#3  "To be used only on our mutual enemies, Barack"
Posted by: Frank G || 05/05/2019 14:52 Comments || Top||

#4  And I thought the Mad Mullahs promised Baraq they wouldn't use the money he gave them for this type of terror. Right? Right?

Don't worry, the money was laundered first.
Posted by: gorb || 05/05/2019 17:31 Comments || Top||

#5  As I remember it ALL of the money Baraq gave the mullahs as either euros or Swiss Francs so it was untraceable
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 05/05/2019 22:12 Comments || Top||


Gaza Twitter Round-up: Over 400 Gaza rockets, Israelis hit 180 sites, and much more
Also, The Times of Israel has been live-blogging events here since 9:00 am local time Saturday. Headline as of midnight EDT Sunday:
Over 400 rockets shot from Gaza since Saturday morning, IDF says: Army says it has hit 180 sites in Gaza; rocket sirens sound after short break; Gazans say death toll in Strip up to 6, including mother and baby Israel says it did not kill.
Update at 5:30 a.m. EDT: Sunday’s Times of Israel liveblog can be found here. Current headline:
Netanyahu says he has ordered IDF to continue ‘massive attacks’ in Gaza: PM says Hamas paying a ‘very heavy price,’ is responsible for actions by Islamic Jihad; sends condolences to family of Moshe Agadi, killed in rocket attack on Ashkelon

Gaza Joint Operations Room announces that they will expand rocket range
[TWITTER]

Kiryiat Gat and vicinity. Rockets fired.
[TWITTER]

60-year-old Israeli man critically wounded by a Palestinian rocket declared dead
[TWITTER]

Israel: Barzeili Hospital: In the last hour, 18 shrapnel and shock victims were transported to the hospital
[TWITTER]

Group of armed terrorists stormed the border at Rafah and carried out an attack on IDF forces
[TWITTER]

IDF systemically targeting houses of Hamas and PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip
[TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  Take it to em. Shut off water and power
Posted by: Frank G || 05/05/2019 6:35 Comments || Top||

#2  yeah shut it off by carpet bombing them
Posted by: chris || 05/05/2019 7:25 Comments || Top||

#3  the IDF killed a Hamas field commander about an hour ago

also, the IDF says it has preliminary target data on a number of tunnels
Posted by: lord garth || 05/05/2019 8:25 Comments || Top||

#4  Targeted killings begin as security cabinet directs IDF to intensify strikes
The IDF spokesman announced the assassination of Hamed Ahmed Abed Khudri, which would mark the first time in a number of years that the IDF has used targeted assassinations against terrorist leaders.
Posted by: Frank G || 05/05/2019 10:16 Comments || Top||

#5  At least those summoned to Egypt for discussions are safe for the moment...
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 13:30 Comments || Top||

#6  Over 600 rockets a couple of hours ago, according to today’s Times of Israel liveblog. But they have over 10,000 in stock somewhere.

3dc sent me this twitter link, commenting, “Paratroopers are gathering in Israel.”
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 13:48 Comments || Top||

#7  yeah shut it off by carpet bombing them

You can just imagine the wailing, moaning and gnashing of the teeth if Trump were to lend them some Buffaloes but it just might put a stop to this nonsense right quick.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 05/05/2019 14:23 Comments || Top||

#8  TOI: Tanks and reservists also called up - may be an offensive incursion
Posted by: Frank G || 05/05/2019 14:55 Comments || Top||

#9  @IDF on Twitter
Pics Hamas published of its rocket launches. They blur the bottom. Why?

1. So we won't know where the launch site is
2. So you won't see that they’re firing from civilian homes in Gaza

We have 2 things to say:
1. We know where they’re firing from
2. The blur isn't that good


LOL
Posted by: Frank G || 05/05/2019 15:16 Comments || Top||

#10  Three or four MOABs to soften up the target before sending the troops in. That'll do it. target the rocket storage sites..
Posted by: Seeking Cure For Ignorance || 05/05/2019 16:00 Comments || Top||

#11  Time to mow<\del> thatch the grass.
Posted by: gorb || 05/05/2019 17:39 Comments || Top||

#12  Oops. Time to fix my post. Sorry.
Posted by: gorb || 05/05/2019 17:39 Comments || Top||

#13  When should they start cleaning out the Congress?
Posted by: AlanC || 05/05/2019 19:30 Comments || Top||


Israeli military claims over 70 ‘terrorist targets’ hit in Gaza
[MOBILE.ALMASDARNEWS] Earlier, the Israeli Defence Forces said that its tanks and aircraft had targeted 30 areas inside the Gazoo Strip in response to 200 rocket launches from the territory on settlements in southern Israel earlier in the day.

Israeli Air Force fighters are "continuing to strike at terrorist targets in the Gazoo Strip," carrying out attacks on "about 70" targets in the territory, the Israeli military has said in a communique released Saturday evening.

According to the IDF, warplanes destroyed a 20-meter deep ’attack tunnel’ created by the Paleostinian Islamic Jihad
...created after many members of the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood decided the organization was becoming too moderate. Operations were conducted out of Egypt until 1981 when the group was exiled after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. They worked out of Gaza until they were exiled to Lebanon in 1987, where they clove tightly to Hezbollah. In 1989 they moved to Damascus, where they remain a subsidiary of Hezbollah...
organization, which had been dug under the Gazoo-Israel border into Israeli territory and was intended to allow turbans to carry out attacks.

The IDF reportedly surveiled the elaborately built tunnel, which included several entrances and exits, before its destruction Saturday.

An IDF front man accused the PIJ of working to destabilise the Gazoo Strip in recent weeks, noting that "in practice, we see that Hamas, the braying voice of Islamic Resistance®, is not succeeding in enforcing its rule on the PIJ."

The IDF reported intercepting dozens of rockets launched from the Gazoo Strip earlier Saturday with its Iron Dome defence network, saying that several of the rockets made it through, with rocket fire hitting at least one house.

The Israeli military response included targeting multiple launch sites, military compounds, and locations allegedly used to train turbans and for the manufacture of weapons, with the strikes targeting Hamas, which governs the Gazoo Strip, and its PIJ ally.

Two Israeli civilians were reported injured in the rocket attack, with one Paleostinian killed and four others maimed in Gazoo, according to the Health Ministry.

The escalation of tensions between Israel and Hamas follows violent confrontations Friday along the border area in which four Paleostinians were killed and 51 maimed, with two Israeli troops also receiving injuries.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Hamas


Israel says closing Gaza crossings in response to rocket fire
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Israel announced on Saturday it was closing its goods and people crossings with the Gazoo Strip as well as the zone it allows for fishermen off the enclave in response to Paleostinian rocket fire.

The crossings and fishing zone were being closed until further notice after a violent flare-up that saw Gazoo Lions of Islam fire dozens of rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes.

The Israeli defense ministry unit that oversees the crossings announced the closure.

A barrage of at least 90 rockets were fired at Israel from Gazoo on Saturday, witnesses said, and the Israeli military said it responded with an air strike targeting "two rocket launchers" in the Paleostinian enclave.

The Israeli army said on Saturday that sirens warning of incoming projectiles sounded several times in southern Israel.

In response, Israeli aircraft targeted two launch sites in northern Gazoo. Local media reported three Paleostinian casualties.

The deadly flare-up between Israel and Gazoo Lions of Islam enters a second day, shattering a month-long Egyptian-mediated easing of hostilities.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Hamas


Palestinian mother, baby killed in Israeli raids on Gaza
[Al Jazeera] A pregnant Paleostinian mother and her one-year-old baby have been killed in a wave of Israeli air raids on the Gazoo Strip, shattering a month-long lull in violence in the besieged enclave.

The bombardment on Saturday came after Hamas, a regional Iranian catspaw,, which rules Gazoo, and the Islamic Jihad
...created after many members of the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood decided the organization was becoming too moderate. Operations were conducted out of Egypt until 1981 when the group was exiled after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. They worked out of Gaza until they were exiled to Lebanon in 1987, where they clove tightly to Hezbollah. In 1989 they moved to Damascus, where they remain a subsidiary of Hezbollah...
movement fired more than 200 rockets towards cities and villages in southern Israel.

At least three Paleostinians, including the mother, infant and a 22-year-old male, Emad Naseer, were killed in the air raids, the health ministry in Gazoo said, while 13 others were maimed.

Shrapnel from the Gazoo rockets meanwhile maimed two Israelis; one of them was an 80-year-old woman.

The escalation began on Friday when a sniper from Islamic Jihad fired at Israeli troops across the border wounding two of them, according to the Israeli military. A retaliatory Israeli air strike then killed two fighters from Hamas.

Two other Paleostinians protesting near the frontier were also killed by Israeli forces.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  Human Shields.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 05/05/2019 1:21 Comments || Top||

#2  They were innocently on their way to the "baby milk factory."
Posted by: M. Murcek || 05/05/2019 7:54 Comments || Top||

#3  but if they had been jewish this article would never have been written.
Posted by: chris || 05/05/2019 7:59 Comments || Top||


Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka to Air Sunday Mass on TV as Attack Threat Persists
[AnNahar] Sri Lanka's Catholic Church will televise a private Sunday mass after cancelling regular services over fears of a repeat of Easter's suicide kabooms, even as police and troops tightened security.

Father Edmund Tillakaratne said public masses were suspended for a second week amid fears of a repeat jihadi strike, but a service conducted by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith will be broadcast on national television.

Police, meanwhile, said they were stepping up search operations over the weekend ahead of a planned re-opening of over 10,000 public schools after an extended Easter vacation.

Some 257 people were killed in a string of suicide kabooms against three churches and three luxury hotels on April 21.

"We will not allow any parking near public schools from Sunday afternoon," police front man Ruwan Gunasekera said. "Search operations will be intensified as part of tighter security."

Police and troops across the country had recovered small quantities of explosives, guns, swords, daggers and kris knives, Gunasekera said.

"We will grant a two-day amnesty for people to surrender such weapons," he added.

Despite the tight security, Catholic churches will remain shut on Sunday, a front man said, adding that a private mass will be telecast live from the residence of the Archbishop.

"It will be like last Sunday when we had a service at Archbishop's chapel and telecast it live," front man Edmond Tillakaratne told AFP.

Ranjith, also archbishop of Colombo, said Thursday a "reliable foreign source" had alerted him to possible attacks this weekend, leading him to cancel Sunday services for a second week.

"The information we have from a reliable foreign source is that attackers are planning to hit a very famous church and a Catholic institution," the Cardinal said in a statement.

- BASILICA SECURED -
Official sources said the Thewatte National Basilica, just outside Colombo, was the suspected target, and the military deployed hundreds of troops to search the area.

"There were no explosives found, but we have stepped up security in the neighbourhood," a police official said.

Although the 10,194 public schools re-open on Monday, a few Catholic schools will remain shut "until further notice".

Armed guards have been stationed outside hotels, churches, Buddhist temples and mosques across the country since the attacks.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Friday that some of the conspirators may still be on the lam.

"Most of those responsible for the Easter attacks have been incarcerated
... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not...
. Some have been killed," Wickremesinghe said during a tour of island's east, where a Christian church was hit.

"We are trying to see if there are any more secret IS cells in the country," he said. "We will ensure that IS terrorism will be eradicated from our land."

Sri Lanka bolstered security Friday with fears of attacks against several bridges and flyovers in Colombo as well as cop shoppes.

The attacks were blamed on the local National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) whose leader was among the jacket wallahs. The group had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems....
group.
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/05/2019 01:26 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Turkish Army, rebels launch new offensive to capture two towns in northern Aleppo
[MOBILE.ALMASDARNEWS] The Ottoman Turkish Army and their allies from the Free Syrian Army
... the more palatable version of the Syrian insurgency, heavily influenced by the Moslem Brüderbund...
(TFSA) began an operation on Saturday to push the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG) further south of their stronghold, Azaz, in northern Aleppo.

According to preliminary reports from northern Aleppo, the Ottoman Turkish Army and their rebel allies are attempting to seize and secure two towns from the YPG forces near the key town of Tal Rifa’at.

It appears the Ottoman Turkish Army and their allies want to capture the towns of Maraanaz and Malkiyah from the YPG and if they’re successful, they will be able to secure Azaz and avoid the constant bombardment of the city.

The YPG’s presence in Maraanaz and Malkiyah has been a constant issue for the Ottoman Turkish Army, who has a base located directly west of Azaz.

While pro-opposition activists claimed that the YPG has withdrawn from both towns, there has been no proof to corroborate these reports.

The Ottoman Turkish Army and their allies are also avoiding any confrontation with the Syrian Armed Forces, who are currently positioned around the town of Tal Rifa’at.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte


Syrian Army hits Turkish military post in northwestern Hama, casualties reported
[MOBILE.ALMASDARNEWS] The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) was responding to an artillery strike by the jihadist rebels on Saturday when their own artillery shells hit a Ottoman Turkish military post in the northwestern countryside of Hama.

According to a report from the Hama Governorate, the Syrian Army’s artillery shells hit a Ottoman Turkish military post near the town of Sheir Maghar, which is located just north of Qal’at al-Madiq.

Pro-opposition activists claimed that the artillery strike by the Syrian Arab Army resulted in three maimed for the Ottoman Turkish military; these casualties were later flown out of northwestern Hama by a rescue chopper.

The situation in northwestern Syria has tanked greatly over the last week, with all warring parties exchanging heavy fire along the Idlib-Hama axis.

The Syrian opposition has accused the Syrian military and Russian Air Force of killing 26 civilians during this heavy bombardment of Idlib and Hama.

The Syrian Arab Army is expected to launch a powerful offensive in the coming days to capture the demilitarized zone that was supposed to be free of any opposition or government forces.

The jihadist rebels and their allies have refused to leave the demilitarized zone, which has prompted the Syrian military to step up their efforts to clear the area.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte

#1  Let's you and him fight.
Posted by: AlanC || 05/05/2019 7:44 Comments || Top||

#2  Popcorn!
Posted by: Woodrow || 05/05/2019 14:46 Comments || Top||


Jihadist rebels created strike group to attack Syrian Army south of demilitarized zone: Russian MoD
[MOBILE.ALMASDARNEWS] Groups of bandidos turbans in the southern part of the demilitarized zone in Idlib, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
(former Jabhat al-Nusra
...formally Jabhat an-Nusrah li-Ahli al-Sham (Support Front for the People of the Levant), also known as al-Qaeda in the Levant. They aim to establish a pan-Arab caliphate. Not the same one as the Islamic State, though .. ...
outlawed in Russia), are creating a strike force and their attack on Hama is not ruled out, the chief of Russia’s center for the reconciliation of conflicting parties in Syria, Major-General Viktor Kupchishin told the media on Saturday.

"According to information available at this point groups of bandidos turbans under the command of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have been building up strength near Latamna and Kafer-Zaita in the south of the de-escalation zone Idlib over the past few days. It should not be ruled out that they are creating a strike force with the aim of mounting an offensive against Hama," Kupchishin said.

This claim by the Russian Ministry of Defense comes just days after the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) began amassing troops along the Idlib-Hama axis in northwestern Syria.

The Syrian Arab Army has already begun striking the jihadist defenses in southern Idlib and northern Hama; however, they have yet to storm any areas.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: al-Nusra


Hezbollah militia has taken over army’s role at border, alleges Sami Gemayel
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Hezbollah’s control over Leb’s governmental institutions will turn the country into an "axis of resistance", with Beirut’s foreign policy now being dictated by one party’s views, Sami Gemayel, the head of Leb’s Kataeb opposition party, told Al Arabiya in an exclusive interview.

Speaking to Al Arabiya’s Reema al-Maktabi, Gemayel said that Leb today is "aligned with the Iran-Hezbollah-Bashir al-Assad axis", adding that several political parties "agreed to electing Hezbollah’s candidate as president of the republic and to then manage political life under a clear ceiling which is not to discuss Hezbollah’s weapons."

"It’s become clear that Leb’s foreign and defensive strategic decision is in the hands of Hezbollah while other parties are concerned with electricity, waste, economic matters, contracting out," Gemayel added.

Gemayel also said that the problem concerning his party, which he says is the only opposition party in Leb’s parliament, is that Hezbollah has taken up the role of defending the country’s borders, which should be the task of the national army.

"Kataeb has the problem of all states that respect themselves, states that are supposed to be sovereign and independent. There’s something called the national army whose role is to defend the country’s borders. There is no country in the world where there is a militia tasked by the state to perform this duty," he said.

Currently, the Kataeb opposes Hezbollah over many of its domestic and regional policies.

The party believes that Hezbollah is trying to impose its culture and will on the Lebanese society by means of its illegitimate arms, thus undermining Leb’s illusory sovereignty and pluralistic nature.

Kataeb has also publicly opposed the group’s close ties with Iran and Syria’s Bashir al-Assad.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Hezbollah


Dozens killed as Russian, Syrian air attacks in Idlib intensify
[Al Jazeera] Syrian government forces and their Russian allies had intensified their air offensive on the country's rebel-held northwest for a fifth consecutive day in a widening campaign, killing and wounding dozens and forcing thousands to flee their homes.

After an overnight lull, government and Russian warplanes escalated bombings on Saturday hitting rebel areas in Idlib and the neighbouring province of Hama, aid workers in the area said.

The Syrian military sent new reinforcements towards Idlib, including tanks, armoured personnel carriers and hundreds of troops on Saturday.

The official SANA news agency said the army had destroyed "jihadist" positions in southern Idlib and nearby Hama province in response to what it called repeated violations of a de-escalation agreement.

But the UN humanitarian coordinator said schools, health facilities and residential areas have been hit and the government forces are employing the worst barrel bombing in at least 15 months.

Barrel bombs are containers packed with explosives dropped from helicopters.

"Now, the bombing has returned and is much heavier and has spread very widely in Jabal al-Zawiya and rural northern Hama," Ahmad al-Dbis, safety and security manager for the US-based Union of Medical Care and Relief Organisations (UOSSM), told Rooters News Agency.

"The planes are not stopping at all and the bombing is continuing in a very big way like yesterday and worse," al-Dbis added.

The recent upsurge in violence is the most serious in Idlib since Russia and The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...Qatar's colony in Asia Minor....
negotiated a ceasefire in September.

The shaky truce had averted a major government offensive on the last rebel stronghold in Syria.

The Syrian Civil Defence, a rescue service operating in rebel-held areas, said it had recorded more than 30 deaths in the last few days.

Dbis said the number of dead was at least 50 while the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which monitors the war, said at least 67 people had been killed.

Posted by: Fred || 05/05/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: al-Nusra

#1  I see this sort of post almost every day.
At what point or time will the attacks exceed the effects of an A-Bomb? an H-bomb?
Posted by: 3dc || 05/05/2019 1:09 Comments || Top||

#2  why does the media portray the barrel bombs as some in humane tool? Sounds like a good cheap tool that has the desired effect.
Posted by: chris || 05/05/2019 7:57 Comments || Top||

#3  why does the media portray the barrel bombs as some in humane tool?

Because barrel bombs are metal cylinders filled with explosives, you heartless bastige! And yes, I admire that sort of hillbilly ingenuity.
Posted by: SteveS || 05/05/2019 9:04 Comments || Top||

#4  The implication is a barrel bomb is horrible because it indicates a desire to kill even when expensive munitions are not available. A rare case of lefties not cheering at the "whatever it takes" argument.
Posted by: M. Murcek || 05/05/2019 12:55 Comments || Top||

#5  Inexpensive, no circuit boards, relatively easy to fabricate, very effective, not manufactured by a leading, international arms manufacturer. Little wonder they're so hated.
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/05/2019 13:00 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
19[untagged]
8Islamic State
7Hamas
5Taliban
5Commies
3Sublime Porte
2Govt of Sudan
2Govt of Syria
2al-Nusra
2Hezbollah
2Arab Spring
2Moslem Colonists
1Govt of Iraq
1Govt of Iran
1Muslim Brotherhood
1Govt of Qatar (MB)

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In no particular order...
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Two weeks of WOT
Sun 2019-05-05
  Iran money man zapped in Gaza
Sat 2019-05-04
  Israel strikes Gaza targets in response to heavy rocket fire Saturday
Fri 2019-05-03
  Taliban militants blow up one of the oldest shrines of Ghazni city
Thu 2019-05-02
  Iran, Turkey criticize US plan to designate Muslim Brotherhood a terror group
Wed 2019-05-01
  Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated businessman Malek sentenced to 25 years in prison
Tue 2019-04-30
  Gunmen kill pastor, worshippers in Burkina Faso church
Mon 2019-04-29
  Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi seen in new video for first time in five years
Sun 2019-04-28
  Father, brothers of alleged Sri Lanka bombing mastermind killed
Sat 2019-04-27
  Sri Lanka - Inside help?
Fri 2019-04-26
  Jihadists 'blow themselves up' as soldiers raid suicide vest factory in Sri Lanka
Thu 2019-04-25
  Trump says sending ‘armed soldiers’ to US-Mexico border
Wed 2019-04-24
  Saudi Arabia beheads 37 for terrorism crimes, most of them minority Shiites
Tue 2019-04-23
  IS claims Sri Lanka blasts
Mon 2019-04-22
  Sri Lanka explosions, 24 arrested, 290+ dead, 8 kabooms
Sun 2019-04-21
  3 churches bombed at Easter services in Sri Lanka 262 Dead

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