A Somali-born man who set fire to a truck laden with gas cylinders in the centre of Melbourne and fatally stabbed one person was inspired by Islamic State but did not have direct links with the group, Australian police said on Saturday.

Police identified the man responsible for Friday`s attack as 30-year-old Hassan Khalif Shire Ali and said he was radicalised and inspired by the militant group`s propaganda. He was shot by police and died in hospital.

Police said Shire Ali`s Australian passport was cancelled in 2015 after an intelligence report he planned to travel to Syria, but an assessment was made that while he had radical views, he posed no threat to national security.

Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the attack, which came two days before Remembrance Day, marking 100 years since the end of World War One, without providing any evidence.&nbsp;

"I think it is fair to say he (Shire Ali) was inspired. He was radicalised," Australian Federal Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney told reporters in Melbourne.&nbsp;

"We`re not saying there was direct contact. We`re saying it was more from an inspiration perspective."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the national terrorism advisory remained at "probable", the midpoint of a five-tier system, and told reporters in Sydney that radical Islam was the issue.

"I need to call it out. Radical, violent, extremist Islam that opposes our very way of life. I am the first to protect religious freedom in this country, but that also means I must be the first to call out religious extremism," he said.

RUSH HOUR ATTACK

Friday`s attack began just before the evening rush hour and lasted only minutes. Shire Ali stabbed bystanders and attacked police while his utility truck carrying barbecue gas cylinders burned on busy Bourke Street.

The cylinders did not explode and the fire was put out in 10 minutes, by which point the attack was over, though not before one man was fatally stabbed.

Police said he was a 74-year-old man who worked in the city, but did not release his name. Local media identified him as a restaurant owner.

"This shouldn`t happen in a city like Melbourne," one witness who had returned to the scene on Saturday told Reuters, crying. "I just want to forget it," she said.&nbsp;

Video posted to Twitter and broadcast on television showed Shire Ali swinging a knife at two police officers, while the truck burned in the background, before he collapsed when one shot him in the chest.

Victoria state police said counter-terrorism investigators were searching two properties in suburban Melbourne in connection with the attack, but there was no immediate word on what the searches yielded.

At one, a modest one-storey brick house on the city`s western fringe, armed officers wearing masks stood guard outside.

Bourke Street also reopened on Saturday morning, and there was an increased police presence in the area.

A Somali-born man who set fire to a truck laden with gas cylinders in the centre of Melbourne and fatally stabbed one person was inspired by Islamic State but did not have direct links with the group, Australian police said on Saturday.

A Somali-born man who set fire to a truck laden with gas cylinders in the centre of Melbourne and fatally stabbed one person was inspired by Islamic State but did not have direct links with the group, Australian police said on Saturday. Police identified the man responsible for Friday`s attack as 30-year-old Hassan Khalif Shire Ali and said he was radicalised and inspired by the militant group`s propaganda. He was shot by police and died in hospital. Police said Shire Ali`s Australian passport was cancelled in 2015 after an intelligence report he planned to travel to Syria, but an assessment was made that while he had radical views, he posed no threat to national security. Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the attack, which came two days before Remembrance Day, marking 100 years since the end of World War One, without providing any evidence. "I think it is fair to say he (Shire Ali) was inspired. He was radicalised," Australian Federal Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney told reporters in Melbourne. "We`re not saying there was direct contact. We`re saying it was more from an inspiration perspective." Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the national terrorism advisory remained at "probable", the midpoint of a five-tier system, and told reporters in Sydney that radical Islam was the issue. "I need to call it out. Radical, violent, extremist Islam that opposes our very way of life. I am the first to protect religious freedom in this country, but that also means I must be the first to call out religious extremism," he said. RUSH HOUR ATTACK Friday`s attack began just before the evening rush hour and lasted only minutes. Shire Ali stabbed bystanders and attacked police while his utility truck carrying barbecue gas cylinders burned on busy Bourke Street. The cylinders did not explode and the fire was put out in 10 minutes, by which point the attack was over, though not before one man was fatally stabbed. Police said he was a 74-year-old man who worked in the city, but did not release his name. Local media identified him as a restaurant owner. "This shouldn`t happen in a city like Melbourne," one witness who had returned to the scene on Saturday told Reuters, crying. "I just want to forget it," she said. Video posted to Twitter and broadcast on television showed Shire Ali swinging a knife at two police officers, while the truck burned in the background, before he collapsed when one shot him in the chest. Victoria state police said counter-terrorism investigators were searching two properties in suburban Melbourne in connection with the attack, but there was no immediate word on what the searches yielded. At one, a modest one-storey brick house on the city`s western fringe, armed officers wearing masks stood guard outside. Bourke Street also reopened on Saturday morning, and there was an increased police presence in the area.

Melbourne knife attacker inspired by Islamic State, police say

The Islamic State group left behind more than 200 mass graves in Iraq containing up to 12,000 victims that could hold vital evidence of war crimes, the UN said Tuesday.

The United Nations in Iraq (UNAMI) and its human rights office said they had documented a total of 202 mass graves in parts of western and northern Iraq held by IS between 2014 and 2017.

Even more sites could be uncovered in the months to come, the report warned, urging Iraqi authorities to properly preserve and excavate them to provide closure for victims' families.

"The mass grave sites documented in our report are a testament to harrowing human loss, profound suffering and shocking cruelty," said the UN's representative in Iraq, Jan Kubis.

"Determining the circumstances surrounding the significant loss of life will be an important step in the mourning process for families and their journey to secure their rights to truth and justice," he said.&nbsp;

IS overran swathes of Iraq in 2014, executing fighters and civilians en masse and using other forms of repression to seize and keep territory in the country's north and west.

The mass graves may "contain critical forensic material" that could help uncover the details of these violations, as well as identify the victims, the UN said on Tuesday.

UN investigators in August began collecting evidence on war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide for Iraqi courts to use in trials of accused IS militants.

Out of the 202 mass graves documented in the UN's new report, just 28 of them have been excavated and 1,258 bodies exhumed by Iraqi authorities.

Nearly half the total sites are in Nineveh province, where IS's onetime Iraqi capital Mosul lies and where the jihadists committed mass atrocities against the Yezidi minority.

The rest of the sites are distributed in the northern regions of Kirkuk and Salaheddin, or Anbar in the west.

The Islamic State group left behind more than 200 mass graves in Iraq containing up to 12,000 victims that could hold vital evidence of war crimes, the UN said Tuesday.

The Islamic State group left behind more than 200 mass graves in Iraq containing up to 12,000 victims that could hold vital evidence of war crimes, the UN said Tuesday. The United Nations in Iraq (UNAMI) and its human rights office said they had documented a total of 202 mass graves in parts of western and northern Iraq held by IS between 2014 and 2017. Even more sites could be uncovered in the months to come, the report warned, urging Iraqi authorities to properly preserve and excavate them to provide closure for victims' families. "The mass grave sites documented in our report are a testament to harrowing human loss, profound suffering and shocking cruelty," said the UN's representative in Iraq, Jan Kubis. "Determining the circumstances surrounding the significant loss of life will be an important step in the mourning process for families and their journey to secure their rights to truth and justice," he said. IS overran swathes of Iraq in 2014, executing fighters and civilians en masse and using other forms of repression to seize and keep territory in the country's north and west. The mass graves may "contain critical forensic material" that could help uncover the details of these violations, as well as identify the victims, the UN said on Tuesday. UN investigators in August began collecting evidence on war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide for Iraqi courts to use in trials of accused IS militants. Out of the 202 mass graves documented in the UN's new report, just 28 of them have been excavated and 1,258 bodies exhumed by Iraqi authorities. Nearly half the total sites are in Nineveh province, where IS's onetime Iraqi capital Mosul lies and where the jihadists committed mass atrocities against the Yezidi minority. The rest of the sites are distributed in the northern regions of Kirkuk and Salaheddin, or Anbar in the west.

Islamic State left behind more than 200 mass graves in Iraq: UN

Egyptian security forces killed 19 Islamist militants from a cell believed to be responsible for an attack on Christians in Minya province in central Egypt which left seven people dead, the interior ministry said on Sunday.

The suspects were killed in a firefight in the desert west of Minya province after security forces pursued them, the ministry said in a statement. It did not say when the firefight took place.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Minya attack, which occurred on Friday, though it provided no evidence of its involvement.

Gunmen killed at least seven Christians in an attack on a bus near a Coptic monastery in Egypt on Friday, authorities said - the most serious assault on the minority in more than a year.

The attack took place very close to the spot where gunmen killed 28 Christians in a similar assault in May 2017.

Pope Francis said he was pained Sunday over an attack, claimed by Islamic State, on Coptic Christians in Egypt which left seven dead.

"I express my pain after the terrorist attack which two days ago hit the Coptic Orthodox church in Egypt," Francis said in Saint Peter's.

"I pray for the victims, pilgrims killed just because they were Christian," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Egyptian security forces killed 19 Islamist militants from a cell believed to be responsible for an attack on Christians in Minya province in central Egypt which left seven people dead, the interior ministry said on Sunday.

Egyptian security forces killed 19 Islamist militants from a cell believed to be responsible for an attack on Christians in Minya province in central Egypt which left seven people dead, the interior ministry said on Sunday. The suspects were killed in a firefight in the desert west of Minya province after security forces pursued them, the ministry said in a statement. It did not say when the firefight took place. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Minya attack, which occurred on Friday, though it provided no evidence of its involvement. Gunmen killed at least seven Christians in an attack on a bus near a Coptic monastery in Egypt on Friday, authorities said - the most serious assault on the minority in more than a year. The attack took place very close to the spot where gunmen killed 28 Christians in a similar assault in May 2017. Pope Francis said he was pained Sunday over an attack, claimed by Islamic State, on Coptic Christians in Egypt which left seven dead. "I express my pain after the terrorist attack which two days ago hit the Coptic Orthodox church in Egypt," Francis said in Saint Peter's. "I pray for the victims, pilgrims killed just because they were Christian," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

19 militants killed in security operation after attack on Christians: Egypt

A week of fighting between Taliban militants and fighters loyal to a commander from the mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority has heightened fears of a dangerous new phase of sectarian violence in Afghanistan.

The clashes in the central province of Uruzgan, which have killed at least 21 people, have highlighted concerns that Hazaras, members of a mainly Shi'ite Persian-speaking minority targeted by Islamic State attacks over recent years, may take up arms in frustration at a lack of action by the government.

While the Taliban, made up mainly of ethnic Pashtun Sunni Muslims, has not explicitly targeted Hazaras in the past, officials fear the violence could escalate into an ethnic battle.

"The fighting is very intense and is now becoming an issue of ethnic violence between Hazara and Pashtun," said Amir Mohammad Barekzai, the provincial council chief. "The government must arrange a truce between them or there will be a massacre."

Sectarian violence had until recent years been relatively uncommon in Afghanistan but suicide bombings at Shi'ite mosques and cultural centres by Islamic State as well as attacks on Hazaras travelling on provincial highways have fuelled growing anger. Many Hazaras blame Sunni Pashtuns for the attacks.

Afghan and Western security officials, fearing the kind of sectarian violence that has devastated Iraq, have been deeply concerned that Hazaras who fought in Iranian-backed militias in Syria could hit Sunni targets.

TAX ROW SPARKS VIOLENCE

The recent violence started when Taliban fighters attacked a remote cluster of Hazara villages in Uruzgan province after they refused to pay tax to the insurgents, provincial officials said.

The Hazara commander, Abdul Hakim Shujaee, a former leader in the US-funded Afghan Local Police, has been accused of serious human rights abuses and faces an arrest order from the central government, which has struggled to impose its authority on remote parts of the country.

He commands hundreds of Hazara fighters and remains free because of his connections with powerful political figures in Kabul, local officials say.

Uruzgan, squeezed between the Taliban heartlands of Kandahar and Helmand and the Hazara-dominated province of Daikondi, is home to both Pashtuns and Hazara families and the two groups have long had an uneasy co-existence.

Asadullah Sayed, the governor of Uruzgan, said fighting broke out between two armed groups in three villages of Khas Uruzgan district last week and government forces have been deployed to end the conflict.

He put the number of dead at 21 but a government security official said 43 people had been killed so far on both sides, many more wounded and some 300 families have fled the area.

The Taliban normally collect taxes from local residents in areas under their control to fund their insurgency but Hazara families defied them, setting off a fierce gun battle, he said.

The case echoes a standoff last month in central Ghor province involving a prominent Hazara commander called Alipur, known as "Commander Sword", seen by supporters as a kind of Robin Hood figure but denounced by the government as a bandit. 
&nbsp;

A week of fighting between Taliban militants and fighters loyal to a commander from the mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority has heightened fears of a dangerous new phase of sectarian violence in Afghanistan.

A week of fighting between Taliban militants and fighters loyal to a commander from the mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority has heightened fears of a dangerous new phase of sectarian violence in Afghanistan. The clashes in the central province of Uruzgan, which have killed at least 21 people, have highlighted concerns that Hazaras, members of a mainly Shi'ite Persian-speaking minority targeted by Islamic State attacks over recent years, may take up arms in frustration at a lack of action by the government. While the Taliban, made up mainly of ethnic Pashtun Sunni Muslims, has not explicitly targeted Hazaras in the past, officials fear the violence could escalate into an ethnic battle. "The fighting is very intense and is now becoming an issue of ethnic violence between Hazara and Pashtun," said Amir Mohammad Barekzai, the provincial council chief. "The government must arrange a truce between them or there will be a massacre." Sectarian violence had until recent years been relatively uncommon in Afghanistan but suicide bombings at Shi'ite mosques and cultural centres by Islamic State as well as attacks on Hazaras travelling on provincial highways have fuelled growing anger. Many Hazaras blame Sunni Pashtuns for the attacks. Afghan and Western security officials, fearing the kind of sectarian violence that has devastated Iraq, have been deeply concerned that Hazaras who fought in Iranian-backed militias in Syria could hit Sunni targets. TAX ROW SPARKS VIOLENCE The recent violence started when Taliban fighters attacked a remote cluster of Hazara villages in Uruzgan province after they refused to pay tax to the insurgents, provincial officials said. The Hazara commander, Abdul Hakim Shujaee, a former leader in the US-funded Afghan Local Police, has been accused of serious human rights abuses and faces an arrest order from the central government, which has struggled to impose its authority on remote parts of the country. He commands hundreds of Hazara fighters and remains free because of his connections with powerful political figures in Kabul, local officials say. Uruzgan, squeezed between the Taliban heartlands of Kandahar and Helmand and the Hazara-dominated province of Daikondi, is home to both Pashtuns and Hazara families and the two groups have long had an uneasy co-existence. Asadullah Sayed, the governor of Uruzgan, said fighting broke out between two armed groups in three villages of Khas Uruzgan district last week and government forces have been deployed to end the conflict. He put the number of dead at 21 but a government security official said 43 people had been killed so far on both sides, many more wounded and some 300 families have fled the area. The Taliban normally collect taxes from local residents in areas under their control to fund their insurgency but Hazara families defied them, setting off a fierce gun battle, he said. The case echoes a standoff last month in central Ghor province involving a prominent Hazara commander called Alipur, known as "Commander Sword", seen by supporters as a kind of Robin Hood figure but denounced by the government as a bandit.

Afghan Shi'ite militia battles Taliban, raising sectarian fears

Jihadists have killed three village chiefs in less than a week in Iraq's restive north, local officials said Saturday, as the targeting of state representatives escalates.

Iraq declared victory against the Islamic State group last year, but small jihadist cells still wage attacks, especially in mountainous areas like the northern province of Kirkuk.

There, IS has attacked state infrastructure and government officials, especially targeting local administrative heads known as "mukhtars." The latest victim, on Friday night, was mukhtar of the village of Mahmudiya near the town of Hawija.

The town has long been a bastion of radical Sunni Muslim groups and was one of the last IS holdouts retaken by government troops last year.

Mahmudiya mukhtar "Abdallah al-Wasmi was executed by Daesh members who attacked his home," a local security official told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

His death followed the similar killing of the mukhtar of a nearby village, Hanutiya, late Wednesday.

And on Monday, a provincial official told AFP that "IS fighters attacked the home of Mohammad Jumaa, the mukhtar of the village of Jassemiya", also near Hawija. "They took him out of his house and executed him in front of it before fleeing," the official said.

The recent killings bring to nine the number of village chieftains executed by IS in the past seven months in Kirkuk province.

Jihadists have killed three village chiefs in less than a week in Iraq's restive north, local officials said Saturday, as the targeting of state representatives escalates.

Jihadists have killed three village chiefs in less than a week in Iraq's restive north, local officials said Saturday, as the targeting of state representatives escalates. Iraq declared victory against the Islamic State group last year, but small jihadist cells still wage attacks, especially in mountainous areas like the northern province of Kirkuk. There, IS has attacked state infrastructure and government officials, especially targeting local administrative heads known as "mukhtars." The latest victim, on Friday night, was mukhtar of the village of Mahmudiya near the town of Hawija. The town has long been a bastion of radical Sunni Muslim groups and was one of the last IS holdouts retaken by government troops last year. Mahmudiya mukhtar "Abdallah al-Wasmi was executed by Daesh members who attacked his home," a local security official told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS. His death followed the similar killing of the mukhtar of a nearby village, Hanutiya, late Wednesday. And on Monday, a provincial official told AFP that "IS fighters attacked the home of Mohammad Jumaa, the mukhtar of the village of Jassemiya", also near Hawija. "They took him out of his house and executed him in front of it before fleeing," the official said. The recent killings bring to nine the number of village chieftains executed by IS in the past seven months in Kirkuk province.

Islamic State kills 3 Iraq village chiefs in a week: Officials

Syria reopened a wing of the capital's famed antiquities museum on Sunday after six years of closure to protect its exhibits and visitors from rebel rocket fire in the civil war.

Officials swung open the large wooden door of the building in central Damascus for the first time since 2012.

On display were "some of the artefacts that used to be exhibited at the National Museum dating from the most historic periods, from prehistory to the Islamic era", antiquities official Ahmad Deeb said.

Authorities were working "to prepare the whole museum in the coming period" to be reopened, he said.

The Damascus museum, founded in 1920, was closed one year into the civil war as the then national head of antiquities took action to protect its artefacts from rebel rocket fire or shelling.

Its gardens, however, remained open to the public, even as rockets intermittently hit Damascus from the rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta, northeast of the capital.

Syria is home to more than 700 archeological sites, many of which have been destroyed, damaged or looted since the start of the war.

All warring sides have been accused of looting artifacts during the conflict, from both major archeological sites and the country's museums.

The most famous include the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO-listed heritage site overrun by the Islamic State group until the Russia-backed army retook it last year.

From 2012 onwards, the museums authority stored some 300,000 items and thousands of manuscripts from around the country at secret locations protected from fires, shelling and floods.

More than seven years into the conflict, President Bashar Assad's regime has secured the capital, after expelling rebels and jihadists from its outskirts earlier this year with Russian military support.

Assad's forces are now in control of around two-thirds of the country.

More than 360,000 people have been killed since the war started in March 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Syria reopened a wing of the capital's famed antiquities museum on Sunday after six years of closure to protect its exhibits and visitors from rebel rocket fire in the civil war.

Syria reopened a wing of the capital's famed antiquities museum on Sunday after six years of closure to protect its exhibits and visitors from rebel rocket fire in the civil war. Officials swung open the large wooden door of the building in central Damascus for the first time since 2012. On display were "some of the artefacts that used to be exhibited at the National Museum dating from the most historic periods, from prehistory to the Islamic era", antiquities official Ahmad Deeb said. Authorities were working "to prepare the whole museum in the coming period" to be reopened, he said. The Damascus museum, founded in 1920, was closed one year into the civil war as the then national head of antiquities took action to protect its artefacts from rebel rocket fire or shelling. Its gardens, however, remained open to the public, even as rockets intermittently hit Damascus from the rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta, northeast of the capital. Syria is home to more than 700 archeological sites, many of which have been destroyed, damaged or looted since the start of the war. All warring sides have been accused of looting artifacts during the conflict, from both major archeological sites and the country's museums. The most famous include the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO-listed heritage site overrun by the Islamic State group until the Russia-backed army retook it last year. From 2012 onwards, the museums authority stored some 300,000 items and thousands of manuscripts from around the country at secret locations protected from fires, shelling and floods. More than seven years into the conflict, President Bashar Assad's regime has secured the capital, after expelling rebels and jihadists from its outskirts earlier this year with Russian military support. Assad's forces are now in control of around two-thirds of the country. More than 360,000 people have been killed since the war started in March 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Syria reopens Damascus antiquities museum

The Islamic State group has ousted a US-backed coalition of Kurdish and Arab forces from its holdout in eastern Syria, killing dozens of fighters, a monitoring group said Sunday.

A Syrian Democratic Forces commander, asking not to be named, confirmed the SDF retreat from the Hajin pocket near the Iraqi border seven weeks into an offensive.

The SDF, who are backed by air strikes of the US-led coalition, launched its campaign to retake the IS holdout on September 10.

But they have faced a fierce fightback from the jihadists, including under the cover of sandstorms, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says.

"In counterattacks since Friday to Sunday dawn, IS has taken back all positions to which the SDF had advanced inside the Hajin pocket," the monitoring group's chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

The Observatory reported 72 SDF fighters killed, as IS took advantage of the storm that hampered coalition air cover and dispatched suicide bombers as part of their fightback.

The SDF commander told AFP that his forces had faced a "strong dust storm" and lacked local knowledge of the terrain.

Unlike IS, "our forces don't know the area and can't move around in conditions of zero visibility," he said.

"Military reinforcements and heavy weapons have been sent to the front and some units will be replaced by more experienced ones," the commander said.

"We will launch a new military campaign as soon as those reinforcements have arrived," he said.

More than 300 SDF fighters and around 500 IS jihadists have been killed in the past seven weeks of fighting, the Observatory says.

The coalition estimates that 2,000 IS fighters remain in the Hajin area.

IS overran large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, proclaiming a "caliphate" across land it controlled.

But the jihadist group has since lost most of that territory to various offensives in both countries.

In Syria, its presence has been reduced to parts of the vast Badia desert also in the east and the Hajin pocket.

A total of more than 360,000 people have been killed since Syria's war erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

The Islamic State group has ousted a US-backed coalition of Kurdish and Arab forces from its holdout in eastern Syria, killing dozens of fighters, a monitoring group said Sunday.

The Islamic State group has ousted a US-backed coalition of Kurdish and Arab forces from its holdout in eastern Syria, killing dozens of fighters, a monitoring group said Sunday. A Syrian Democratic Forces commander, asking not to be named, confirmed the SDF retreat from the Hajin pocket near the Iraqi border seven weeks into an offensive. The SDF, who are backed by air strikes of the US-led coalition, launched its campaign to retake the IS holdout on September 10. But they have faced a fierce fightback from the jihadists, including under the cover of sandstorms, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says. "In counterattacks since Friday to Sunday dawn, IS has taken back all positions to which the SDF had advanced inside the Hajin pocket," the monitoring group's chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. The Observatory reported 72 SDF fighters killed, as IS took advantage of the storm that hampered coalition air cover and dispatched suicide bombers as part of their fightback. The SDF commander told AFP that his forces had faced a "strong dust storm" and lacked local knowledge of the terrain. Unlike IS, "our forces don't know the area and can't move around in conditions of zero visibility," he said. "Military reinforcements and heavy weapons have been sent to the front and some units will be replaced by more experienced ones," the commander said. "We will launch a new military campaign as soon as those reinforcements have arrived," he said. More than 300 SDF fighters and around 500 IS jihadists have been killed in the past seven weeks of fighting, the Observatory says. The coalition estimates that 2,000 IS fighters remain in the Hajin area. IS overran large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, proclaiming a "caliphate" across land it controlled. But the jihadist group has since lost most of that territory to various offensives in both countries. In Syria, its presence has been reduced to parts of the vast Badia desert also in the east and the Hajin pocket. A total of more than 360,000 people have been killed since Syria's war erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

IS repels US-backed forces from east Syria holdout: Monitor

The Islamic State group has released six of 27 Druze hostages it seized during a deadly July attack in Syria's Sweida province in exchange for a prisoner swap and ransom, a monitor said Saturday.

"Two women and four children from the province of Sweida were released last night," Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitor group, told AFP.&nbsp;

He added that the releases were the "first wave" and part of an agreement sealed with the Syrian government to exchange all the hostages for "60 Islamic State prisoners held by the regime and a ransom of $27 million."

The jihadist group abducted around 30 people -- mostly women and children -- from Sweida in late July during the deadliest attack on Syria's Druze community of the seven-year civil war.

During the coordinated assaults on July 25, IS waged a series of suicide bombings, shootings and stabbings that left more than 250 people dead across the southwestern province, most of them civilians.

Sweida province is the heartland of the country's Druze minority, which made up around three percent of Syria's pre-war population -- or around 700,000 people.

IS executed a 19-year-old male student among the captives in August and then a 25-year-old female captive in early October. The group said a 65-year-old female captive also died from illness.

Families of those kidnapped held protests to demand action by the Syrian government to free them.

Negotiations between the government's Russian ally and the jihadists for the release of the captives had stalled.

Government forces have battled IS in the volcanic plateau of Tulul al-Safa in the east of the province since the July attack.

The Islamic State group has released six of 27 Druze hostages it seized during a deadly July attack in Syria's Sweida province in exchange for a prisoner swap and ransom, a monitor said Saturday.

The Islamic State group has released six of 27 Druze hostages it seized during a deadly July attack in Syria's Sweida province in exchange for a prisoner swap and ransom, a monitor said Saturday. "Two women and four children from the province of Sweida were released last night," Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitor group, told AFP. He added that the releases were the "first wave" and part of an agreement sealed with the Syrian government to exchange all the hostages for "60 Islamic State prisoners held by the regime and a ransom of $27 million." The jihadist group abducted around 30 people -- mostly women and children -- from Sweida in late July during the deadliest attack on Syria's Druze community of the seven-year civil war. During the coordinated assaults on July 25, IS waged a series of suicide bombings, shootings and stabbings that left more than 250 people dead across the southwestern province, most of them civilians. Sweida province is the heartland of the country's Druze minority, which made up around three percent of Syria's pre-war population -- or around 700,000 people. IS executed a 19-year-old male student among the captives in August and then a 25-year-old female captive in early October. The group said a 65-year-old female captive also died from illness. Families of those kidnapped held protests to demand action by the Syrian government to free them. Negotiations between the government's Russian ally and the jihadists for the release of the captives had stalled. Government forces have battled IS in the volcanic plateau of Tulul al-Safa in the east of the province since the July attack.

IS releases six of 27 Druze hostages held in southern Syria: Monitor

An offensive by US-backed forces against the Islamic State group's last redoubt in eastern Syria killed 35 jihadists on Saturday, a Britain-based war monitor said.

Twenty-eight IS members were killed in air strikes by the US-led coalition around the town of Hajin, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Another seven jihadists were killed in ground fighting with the Syrian Democratic Forces, who launched a coalition-backed offensive against the IS-held pocket in the Euphrates Valley last month.

Fighting has killed 414 jihadists and 227 SDF fighters in total since the assault began on September 10, the Observatory said.

Coalition air strikes on IS targets in another part of the pocket on Thursday and Friday killed at least 41 civilians, 10 of them children, the monitor said.

IS overran large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, proclaiming a "caliphate" across the land it controlled.

But the jihadist group has since lost most of its territory to various offensives in both countries.

In Syria, its presence has been reduced to parts of the vast Badia desert and the Hajin pocket in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor near the Iraqi border.

Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people since it erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

An offensive by US-backed forces against the Islamic State group's last redoubt in eastern Syria killed 35 jihadists on Saturday, a Britain-based war monitor said.

An offensive by US-backed forces against the Islamic State group's last redoubt in eastern Syria killed 35 jihadists on Saturday, a Britain-based war monitor said. Twenty-eight IS members were killed in air strikes by the US-led coalition around the town of Hajin, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Another seven jihadists were killed in ground fighting with the Syrian Democratic Forces, who launched a coalition-backed offensive against the IS-held pocket in the Euphrates Valley last month. Fighting has killed 414 jihadists and 227 SDF fighters in total since the assault began on September 10, the Observatory said. Coalition air strikes on IS targets in another part of the pocket on Thursday and Friday killed at least 41 civilians, 10 of them children, the monitor said. IS overran large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, proclaiming a "caliphate" across the land it controlled. But the jihadist group has since lost most of its territory to various offensives in both countries. In Syria, its presence has been reduced to parts of the vast Badia desert and the Hajin pocket in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor near the Iraqi border. Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people since it erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

US-backed Syria offensive kills 35 Islamic State fighters

Over two thousand candidates, including 417 women, are contesting Saturday's parliamentary election in Afghanistan. Voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19 thousand polling stations in all but one province. The election has been postponed in the restive Ghazni province. The Taliban has threatened to disrupt the polls.

On Thursday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on a high-level meeting inside the Kandahar governor's compound, wiping out the top political leadership of the province. Voting in Kandahar has also been postponed by a week. Here's a look at how Afghans are gearing up to brave the bullets to cast their ballot on Saturday.

Afghanistan is going ahead with the parliamentary election on Saturday in spite of security concerns and ongoing fighting in as many as 20 out of the country's 34 provinces.&nbsp;

The election will be held amid a particularly vicious campaign by the Taliban and the so-called Islamic State terror group, which have been staging near-daily attacks.&nbsp;

Besides the security challenges, there have also been concerns over the transparency of the vote. For the first time, the election commission has equipped polling stations with a biometric identification system.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-afghanistan-election-matters-to-india-172402">Also read: Why Afghanistan election matters to India?</a>

The deputy chair of the Election Commission said that while security remains a challenge, the commission is hopeful for a peaceful polling day.&nbsp;

"We think that we will have some challenges on the polling day because of the security situation of Afghanistan but we had very good meetings with security people in different organisations and they are prepared for the polling day, and we hope to not have kind of attack in that day," Wasima Badghisi, Deputy Chair of Election Commission noted.&nbsp;

More than 50 thousand members of Afghan security forces will be deployed to secure the polling stations. Afghan defence ministry spokesperson believes that the Taliban will attempt to disrupt the election process.

"They (Taliban) will try to create problems because if democracy and people's rights are established there will be no place for terrorism, killing of people and mafia but we assure you that we will ensure the security of elections with full force," Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, Afghan defence ministry spokesperson stated.&nbsp;

But Jawed says that Afghan security forces have taken all necessary measures to ensure a peaceful polling day. Afghan officials announced three levels of security belts at each polling centre.

There have been deadly attacks against candidates and campaign rallies, both by the Taliban and the Islamic State terrorists. The Taliban, who have been fighting the Afghans and the NATO forces for more than 17 years, have condemned the election and warned candidates and Afghan security forces they would be targeted.

They have also warned teachers and students not to participate in the election and not to allow schools to be used as polling centres.

Over two thousand candidates, including 417 women, are contesting Saturday's parliamentary election in Afghanistan. Voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19 thousand polling stations in all but one province.

Over two thousand candidates, including 417 women, are contesting Saturday's parliamentary election in Afghanistan. Voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19 thousand polling stations in all but one province. The election has been postponed in the restive Ghazni province. The Taliban has threatened to disrupt the polls. On Thursday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on a high-level meeting inside the Kandahar governor's compound, wiping out the top political leadership of the province. Voting in Kandahar has also been postponed by a week. Here's a look at how Afghans are gearing up to brave the bullets to cast their ballot on Saturday. Afghanistan is going ahead with the parliamentary election on Saturday in spite of security concerns and ongoing fighting in as many as 20 out of the country's 34 provinces. The election will be held amid a particularly vicious campaign by the Taliban and the so-called Islamic State terror group, which have been staging near-daily attacks. Besides the security challenges, there have also been concerns over the transparency of the vote. For the first time, the election commission has equipped polling stations with a biometric identification system. Also read: Why Afghanistan election matters to India? The deputy chair of the Election Commission said that while security remains a challenge, the commission is hopeful for a peaceful polling day. "We think that we will have some challenges on the polling day because of the security situation of Afghanistan but we had very good meetings with security people in different organisations and they are prepared for the polling day, and we hope to not have kind of attack in that day," Wasima Badghisi, Deputy Chair of Election Commission noted. More than 50 thousand members of Afghan security forces will be deployed to secure the polling stations. Afghan defence ministry spokesperson believes that the Taliban will attempt to disrupt the election process. "They (Taliban) will try to create problems because if democracy and people's rights are established there will be no place for terrorism, killing of people and mafia but we assure you that we will ensure the security of elections with full force," Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, Afghan defence ministry spokesperson stated. But Jawed says that Afghan security forces have taken all necessary measures to ensure a peaceful polling day. Afghan officials announced three levels of security belts at each polling centre. There have been deadly attacks against candidates and campaign rallies, both by the Taliban and the Islamic State terrorists. The Taliban, who have been fighting the Afghans and the NATO forces for more than 17 years, have condemned the election and warned candidates and Afghan security forces they would be targeted. They have also warned teachers and students not to participate in the election and not to allow schools to be used as polling centres.

Afghans gear to vote despite ongoing crisis in as many as 20 out of 34 provinces

Hundreds of people were taken by Islamic State group fighters from a displacement camp in east Syria during a jihadist counterattack against advancing US-backed forces, a monitor said Saturday.

The jihadists raided the camp on Friday, taking "more than 100 families" including relatives of IS defectors and of jihadists killed in fighting, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

A number of fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) died trying to defend the camp in a battle that lasted several hours, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

The US-backed SDF launched a major assault on September 10 on the small stretch of the Euphrates Valley around the town of Hajin where they estimate some 3,000 jihadists are holed up.

But they have sustained heavy casualties in the operation being conducted with US-led air support.

Since Wednesday, 37 SDF fighters have been killed in jihadist counterattacks, the Observatory said.

IS has lost 58 fighters, most of them in retaliatory coalition air strikes, it added.

"IS is pressing its attacks in the Hajin area as the SDF battles to hold them off with the support of the international coalition," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

But a prolonged sandstorm has made it difficult for the coalition to carry out air strikes.

IS published statements on its social media accounts describing a number of attacks by "soldiers of the caliphate" against SDF forces in the Hajin area.&nbsp;

The battle for Hajin has claimed the lives of 176 SDF fighters and 325 IS jihadists since its launch last month, according to Observatory figures.

The SDF, backed by the coalition, has ousted IS from swathes of northern and eastern Syria, including Raqa, the de facto capital of the jihadists' so-called caliphate.&nbsp;

Founded in 2015, the SDF is spearheaded by the People's Protection Units (YPG), a powerful Kurdish armed movement.&nbsp;

Hundreds of foreigners have joined the YPG to battle IS, which has its own notorious contingent of foreign fighters.&nbsp;

Hundreds of people were taken by Islamic State group fighters from a displacement camp in east Syria during a jihadist counterattack against advancing US-backed forces, a monitor said Saturday.

Hundreds of people were taken by Islamic State group fighters from a displacement camp in east Syria during a jihadist counterattack against advancing US-backed forces, a monitor said Saturday. The jihadists raided the camp on Friday, taking "more than 100 families" including relatives of IS defectors and of jihadists killed in fighting, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A number of fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) died trying to defend the camp in a battle that lasted several hours, the Britain-based monitoring group said. The US-backed SDF launched a major assault on September 10 on the small stretch of the Euphrates Valley around the town of Hajin where they estimate some 3,000 jihadists are holed up. But they have sustained heavy casualties in the operation being conducted with US-led air support. Since Wednesday, 37 SDF fighters have been killed in jihadist counterattacks, the Observatory said. IS has lost 58 fighters, most of them in retaliatory coalition air strikes, it added. "IS is pressing its attacks in the Hajin area as the SDF battles to hold them off with the support of the international coalition," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. But a prolonged sandstorm has made it difficult for the coalition to carry out air strikes. IS published statements on its social media accounts describing a number of attacks by "soldiers of the caliphate" against SDF forces in the Hajin area. The battle for Hajin has claimed the lives of 176 SDF fighters and 325 IS jihadists since its launch last month, according to Observatory figures. The SDF, backed by the coalition, has ousted IS from swathes of northern and eastern Syria, including Raqa, the de facto capital of the jihadists' so-called caliphate. Founded in 2015, the SDF is spearheaded by the People's Protection Units (YPG), a powerful Kurdish armed movement. Hundreds of foreigners have joined the YPG to battle IS, which has its own notorious contingent of foreign fighters.

Hundreds taken by IS from displacement camp in east Syria: Report

Nadia Murad, the Iraqi Yazidi woman held as a sex slave by Islamic State militants who was awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize told reporters in Washington on Monday that humanity should be the basis of politics and national interest.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nadia-murad-from-jihadist-slave-to-nobel-laureate-169618">Also Read:&nbsp;Nadia Murad, from jihadist slave to Nobel laureate</a>

"We should work together for towards building a world that is fair, that is prosperous, and every human is given the opportunity to live in dignity," Murad said.

Nadia Murad, who became the face of a global campaign to free the Yazidi, was on Friday named as a winner of the 2018 prize alongside Denis Mukwege, a doctor who helps victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Murad was one of about 7,000 women and girls captured in northwest Iraq in August 2014 and held by Islamic State in Mosul where she was tortured and raped. She escaped after three months and reached Germany, from where she campaigns for her people.

"I commit today before you to be the voice for those who don't have a voice, to stand for those who seek justice and bring fairness to survivors wherever they might be," the Nobel Peace laureate said.

She has taken to the world stage to appeal for support for the Yazidi, in the United Nations Security Council in 2015 and to governments globally, earning her the appointment as a UN Goodwill Ambassador.

"As for the prize money, I commit one hundred per cent of the money, at least my share, to the goals and to the work that we are doing currently and that we will do in the future. But, as you know, half a million dollars will not be able to buy 3,000 Yazidis that are in captivity, for each person, usually its about 20,000-30,000 dollars to buy them back," Murad said.

"One prize money will not be able to bring back the property of 400,000 Yazidis, everything that they lost in Sinjar in one day," she added.&nbsp;

Murad said she was "honored and humbled" by the award which she would share with Yazidis, Iraqis, Kurds and other persecuted minorities as well as victims of sexual violence. She plans to spend the prize money, which she is spliting with Denis Mukwege, a doctor who helps victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, towards the work being done to help victims of violence, especially women.

She said the prize would make many Yazidis think about family members still unaccounted for as well as about 1,300 women and children who remain in captivity.

"The prize money will not be able to rebuild tents for villages for Yazidi villages that were destroyed by ISIS in 2014," she added.

The Yazidis, a religious sect whose beliefs combine elements of ancient Middle Eastern religions, are regarded by Islamic State as devil-worshippers.

Yazidi campaigners said the award would reinvigorate their quest for justice. 
&nbsp;

Nadia Murad, the Iraqi Yazidi woman held as a sex slave by Islamic State militants who was awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize told reporters in Washington on Monday that humanity should be the basis of politics and national interest.

Nadia Murad, the Iraqi Yazidi woman held as a sex slave by Islamic State militants who was awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize told reporters in Washington on Monday that humanity should be the basis of politics and national interest. Also Read: Nadia Murad, from jihadist slave to Nobel laureate "We should work together for towards building a world that is fair, that is prosperous, and every human is given the opportunity to live in dignity," Murad said. Nadia Murad, who became the face of a global campaign to free the Yazidi, was on Friday named as a winner of the 2018 prize alongside Denis Mukwege, a doctor who helps victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Murad was one of about 7,000 women and girls captured in northwest Iraq in August 2014 and held by Islamic State in Mosul where she was tortured and raped. She escaped after three months and reached Germany, from where she campaigns for her people. "I commit today before you to be the voice for those who don't have a voice, to stand for those who seek justice and bring fairness to survivors wherever they might be," the Nobel Peace laureate said. She has taken to the world stage to appeal for support for the Yazidi, in the United Nations Security Council in 2015 and to governments globally, earning her the appointment as a UN Goodwill Ambassador. "As for the prize money, I commit one hundred per cent of the money, at least my share, to the goals and to the work that we are doing currently and that we will do in the future. But, as you know, half a million dollars will not be able to buy 3,000 Yazidis that are in captivity, for each person, usually its about 20,000-30,000 dollars to buy them back," Murad said. "One prize money will not be able to bring back the property of 400,000 Yazidis, everything that they lost in Sinjar in one day," she added. Murad said she was "honored and humbled" by the award which she would share with Yazidis, Iraqis, Kurds and other persecuted minorities as well as victims of sexual violence. She plans to spend the prize money, which she is spliting with Denis Mukwege, a doctor who helps victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, towards the work being done to help victims of violence, especially women. She said the prize would make many Yazidis think about family members still unaccounted for as well as about 1,300 women and children who remain in captivity. "The prize money will not be able to rebuild tents for villages for Yazidi villages that were destroyed by ISIS in 2014," she added. The Yazidis, a religious sect whose beliefs combine elements of ancient Middle Eastern religions, are regarded by Islamic State as devil-worshippers. Yazidi campaigners said the award would reinvigorate their quest for justice.

Prize money will not be able to bring back property of 400,000 Yazidis, says Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad

Nadia Murad survived the worst cruelties ever inflicted on her people, the Yazidis of Iraq, before becoming a global champion of their cause and winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

On Friday, Murad and Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege were jointly awarded the prize for their "efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war," Nobel committee chairwoman Berit Reiss-Andersen said in unveiling the winners in Oslo.

The 25-year-old Murad, her thin, pale face framed by her long brown hair, once lived a quiet life in her village near the mountainous Yazidi stronghold of Sinjar in northern Iraq, close to the border with Syria.

But when the so-called Islamic State jihadist group stormed across swathes of the two countries in 2014, her fate changed forever and her nightmare began.

One day in August that year, pick-up trucks bearing the black flag of the jihadists swept into her village, Kocho.

IS fighters set about killing the men, taking children captive to train them as fighters and condemning thousands of women to a life of forced labour and sexual slavery.

Today, Murad and her friend Lamia Haji Bashar, joint recipients of the EU's 2016 Sakharov human rights prize, continue the fight for the 3,000 Yazidis who remain missing, presumed still in captivity.

IS fighters wanted "to take our honour, but they lost their honour," said Murad, now a United Nations goodwill ambassador for survivors of human trafficking.

It is an evil she personally experienced during a harrowing three months. After being captured by IS fighters, Murad was taken by force to Mosul, the de facto "capital" of the IS's self-declared caliphate.

During her ordeal she was held captive and repeatedly gang-raped, tortured and beaten.

The jihadists organised slave markets for selling off the women and girls, and Yazidi women were forced to renounce their religion.

For the jihadists, with their ultra-strict interpretation of Islam, the Yazidis are seen as heretics.

The Kurdish-speaking community follows an ancient religion, revering a single God and the "leader of the angels", represented by a peacock.

Like thousands of Yazidis, Murad was forcibly married to a jihadist, beaten and forced to wear makeup and tight clothes - an experience she later related in front of the United Nations Security Council.

"The first thing they did was they forced us to covert to Islam", Murad had said in 2016.

Shocked by the violence, Murad set about trying to escape, and managed to flee with the help of a Muslim family from Mosul.

Armed with false identity papers, she managed to cross the few dozen kilometres (miles) to Iraqi Kurdistan, joining crowds of other displaced Yazidis in camps.

There, she learnt that six of her brothers and her mother had been killed. With the help of an organisation that assists Yazidis, she joined her sister in Germany, where she lives today.

She has since dedicated herself to what she calls "our peoples' fight", before a well-known spokeswoman even before the #MeToo movement swept the world.

The Yazidis numbered around 550,000 in Iraq before 2014, but some 100,000 have since left the country.

Many others have fled and remain in Iraqi Kurdistan, reluctant to return to their traditional lands.

Slight, and softly-spoken Murad has now become a global voice, campaigning for justice for her people and for the acts committed by the jihadists to be recognised internationally as genocide.

And she and the Yazidis have won a high-profile supporter - Lebanese-British lawyer and rights activist Amal Clooney, who also penned the foreword to Murad's book, "The Last Girl", published in 2017.

The same year, the UN Security Council committed to helping Iraq gather evidence of IS crimes.

Yet in contrast to all the tragedies that have befallen her, recent pictures on Murad's Twitter feed show happier times.

In August, she announced her engagement to fellow Yazidi activist Abid Shamdeen.

"The struggle of our people brought us together &amp; we will continue this path together," she wrote.

Underneath, a photo showed her next to a young man in a bow tie, her face still framed by her long brown hair, but this time, bearing a broad smile.

Nadia Murad survived the worst cruelties ever inflicted on her people, the Yazidis of Iraq, before becoming a global champion of their cause and winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Nadia Murad survived the worst cruelties ever inflicted on her people, the Yazidis of Iraq, before becoming a global champion of their cause and winning the Nobel Peace Prize. On Friday, Murad and Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege were jointly awarded the prize for their "efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war," Nobel committee chairwoman Berit Reiss-Andersen said in unveiling the winners in Oslo. The 25-year-old Murad, her thin, pale face framed by her long brown hair, once lived a quiet life in her village near the mountainous Yazidi stronghold of Sinjar in northern Iraq, close to the border with Syria. But when the so-called Islamic State jihadist group stormed across swathes of the two countries in 2014, her fate changed forever and her nightmare began. One day in August that year, pick-up trucks bearing the black flag of the jihadists swept into her village, Kocho. IS fighters set about killing the men, taking children captive to train them as fighters and condemning thousands of women to a life of forced labour and sexual slavery. Today, Murad and her friend Lamia Haji Bashar, joint recipients of the EU's 2016 Sakharov human rights prize, continue the fight for the 3,000 Yazidis who remain missing, presumed still in captivity. IS fighters wanted "to take our honour, but they lost their honour," said Murad, now a United Nations goodwill ambassador for survivors of human trafficking. It is an evil she personally experienced during a harrowing three months. After being captured by IS fighters, Murad was taken by force to Mosul, the de facto "capital" of the IS's self-declared caliphate. During her ordeal she was held captive and repeatedly gang-raped, tortured and beaten. The jihadists organised slave markets for selling off the women and girls, and Yazidi women were forced to renounce their religion. For the jihadists, with their ultra-strict interpretation of Islam, the Yazidis are seen as heretics. The Kurdish-speaking community follows an ancient religion, revering a single God and the "leader of the angels", represented by a peacock. Like thousands of Yazidis, Murad was forcibly married to a jihadist, beaten and forced to wear makeup and tight clothes - an experience she later related in front of the United Nations Security Council. "The first thing they did was they forced us to covert to Islam", Murad had said in 2016. Shocked by the violence, Murad set about trying to escape, and managed to flee with the help of a Muslim family from Mosul. Armed with false identity papers, she managed to cross the few dozen kilometres (miles) to Iraqi Kurdistan, joining crowds of other displaced Yazidis in camps. There, she learnt that six of her brothers and her mother had been killed. With the help of an organisation that assists Yazidis, she joined her sister in Germany, where she lives today. She has since dedicated herself to what she calls "our peoples' fight", before a well-known spokeswoman even before the #MeToo movement swept the world. The Yazidis numbered around 550,000 in Iraq before 2014, but some 100,000 have since left the country. Many others have fled and remain in Iraqi Kurdistan, reluctant to return to their traditional lands. Slight, and softly-spoken Murad has now become a global voice, campaigning for justice for her people and for the acts committed by the jihadists to be recognised internationally as genocide. And she and the Yazidis have won a high-profile supporter - Lebanese-British lawyer and rights activist Amal Clooney, who also penned the foreword to Murad's book, "The Last Girl", published in 2017. The same year, the UN Security Council committed to helping Iraq gather evidence of IS crimes. Yet in contrast to all the tragedies that have befallen her, recent pictures on Murad's Twitter feed show happier times. In August, she announced her engagement to fellow Yazidi activist Abid Shamdeen. "The struggle of our people brought us together & we will continue this path together," she wrote. Underneath, a photo showed her next to a young man in a bow tie, her face still framed by her long brown hair, but this time, bearing a broad smile.

Nadia Murad: from jihadist slave to Nobel laureate

President Donald Trump's announcement in April that he wanted to pull US troops out of Syria left the country's Kurds fearing they would be abandoned by their most important military ally.

Six months later, as the battle against Islamic State draws to a close, Syrian Kurdish leaders see signs of renewed US interest in the oil-rich region they control in northern and eastern Syria.

A spate of visits to Syria by US diplomats in the past two months and a new readiness to discuss the country's future point to a longer-term US commitment, they say.

US forces are seen as a shield against attacks by Turkey from the north and protection against any attempt by President Bashar al-Assad to seize the region's wheat and oil fields.

"We feel (the Americans) are more committed now," Aldar Xelil, a top Kurdish politician, said.

"There's attention, a political file and follow-up beyond the realm of fighting (Islamic State)," he said. "At the very least, before there was no talk of this at all."

After Trump's announcement, Kurdish-led authorities began talks with Damascus. They did so partly out of concern their ally could walk away, though other US officials played down the odds of withdrawing soon.

The talks have come to a standstill, one Kurdish official said.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), spearheaded by the Kurdish YPG militia, control nearly a quarter of Syria. This territory, where they have carved out autonomous rule, is the largest chunk of Syria outside the state's hands.

Assad sees the Americans as "foreign occupiers" and has threatened force to restore the region, where some 2,000 US troops stand alongside the SDF and supply weapons.

Even as Washington helped Kurdish fighters seize territory from Islamic State, it has opposed their autonomy plans and avoided making any political promises.

Conflicting US messages have put the Kurds on guard at times, and they worry Washington may ultimately put its ties with fellow NATO member Turkey first.

"We do get along great with the Kurds. Don't forget, that's their territory," Trump told a news conference at the United Nations general assembly last week. "We have to help them. I want to help them...They fought with us. They died with us."

The US-Kurdish military friendship has infuriated Turkey, which views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), classified as terrorist by Ankara and the United States.

US HAS "ENTERED POLITICAL ARENA"

In line with Ankara's wishes, the main Kurdish parties and their allies have been repeatedly left out of international talks on Syria's conflict since it began in 2011.

Ilham Ahmed, a senior member of the SDF's political wing, the Syrian Democratic Council, said US officials had now "entered the political arena".

She welcomed comments about engaging the Kurds in any future peace settlement and about US forces not leaving before there is progress in defunct United Nations talks on Syria.

"But the results remain the most important to us ... So far we have not seen a clear plan," she said. "Visits alone are not enough. But rather guarantees of protecting the region and including (us) in the political process."

Xelil said the latest shift may stem from ramped-up US efforts to counter Assad's ally Iran. He pointed to remarks by National Security Adviser John Bolton, who said troops would stay in Syria as long as Tehran did.

He said the SDF's attempts to negotiate with Assad, who has clawed back most of the country, could be another factor.

Amjad Othman, an SDC spokesman and founding member, said talks with the Damascus government have reached an impasse since the first meeting in July. The two sides have mostly avoided fighting during the war.

The state "insists on sticking to the current order" and refuses to make changes to the constitution, he said. "There's no use as long as it's not willing to make any concessions."

DAMASCUS ACCUSES US OVER TALKS

Syrian Kurds, whom the state persecuted for years, say they do not seek independence, but hope a political deal will secure their autonomy and minority rights.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem accused Washington of ruining the negotiations.

"The Kurdish citizens...are discussing a set of rights, some of them could be achieved through dialogue," he told Russia's RT channel on Sunday. "But the danger is the American presence...is giving the Kurds hope that they can work outside the legitimate government in Damascus, and this is an illusion."

The United States said in August it had raised $300 million for parts of Syria taken from Islamic State, after Trump demanded that allies help carry the costs of the war.

Jim Jeffrey, a top US diplomat for Syria, told Reuters on Friday that $100 million had come through from Saudi Arabia, so Washington beefed up its teams and "stabilization" work. He said this included "local governance".

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has tasked Jeffrey with overseeing the US political role.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis also underlined the US interest in Syria this week.

"Our diplomats, they are on the ground (and) have been doubled in number," Mattis told a news conference during a visit to Paris. After the fighting ends, he said, troops would work to ensure the jihadists do not return.

"As we see the military operations become less, you'll see the diplomatic effort now able to take (root)."

President Donald Trump's announcement in April that he wanted to pull US troops out of Syria left the country's Kurds fearing they would be abandoned by their most important military ally.

President Donald Trump's announcement in April that he wanted to pull US troops out of Syria left the country's Kurds fearing they would be abandoned by their most important military ally. Six months later, as the battle against Islamic State draws to a close, Syrian Kurdish leaders see signs of renewed US interest in the oil-rich region they control in northern and eastern Syria. A spate of visits to Syria by US diplomats in the past two months and a new readiness to discuss the country's future point to a longer-term US commitment, they say. US forces are seen as a shield against attacks by Turkey from the north and protection against any attempt by President Bashar al-Assad to seize the region's wheat and oil fields. "We feel (the Americans) are more committed now," Aldar Xelil, a top Kurdish politician, said. "There's attention, a political file and follow-up beyond the realm of fighting (Islamic State)," he said. "At the very least, before there was no talk of this at all." After Trump's announcement, Kurdish-led authorities began talks with Damascus. They did so partly out of concern their ally could walk away, though other US officials played down the odds of withdrawing soon. The talks have come to a standstill, one Kurdish official said. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), spearheaded by the Kurdish YPG militia, control nearly a quarter of Syria. This territory, where they have carved out autonomous rule, is the largest chunk of Syria outside the state's hands. Assad sees the Americans as "foreign occupiers" and has threatened force to restore the region, where some 2,000 US troops stand alongside the SDF and supply weapons. Even as Washington helped Kurdish fighters seize territory from Islamic State, it has opposed their autonomy plans and avoided making any political promises. Conflicting US messages have put the Kurds on guard at times, and they worry Washington may ultimately put its ties with fellow NATO member Turkey first. "We do get along great with the Kurds. Don't forget, that's their territory," Trump told a news conference at the United Nations general assembly last week. "We have to help them. I want to help them...They fought with us. They died with us." The US-Kurdish military friendship has infuriated Turkey, which views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), classified as terrorist by Ankara and the United States. US HAS "ENTERED POLITICAL ARENA" In line with Ankara's wishes, the main Kurdish parties and their allies have been repeatedly left out of international talks on Syria's conflict since it began in 2011. Ilham Ahmed, a senior member of the SDF's political wing, the Syrian Democratic Council, said US officials had now "entered the political arena". She welcomed comments about engaging the Kurds in any future peace settlement and about US forces not leaving before there is progress in defunct United Nations talks on Syria. "But the results remain the most important to us ... So far we have not seen a clear plan," she said. "Visits alone are not enough. But rather guarantees of protecting the region and including (us) in the political process." Xelil said the latest shift may stem from ramped-up US efforts to counter Assad's ally Iran. He pointed to remarks by National Security Adviser John Bolton, who said troops would stay in Syria as long as Tehran did. He said the SDF's attempts to negotiate with Assad, who has clawed back most of the country, could be another factor. Amjad Othman, an SDC spokesman and founding member, said talks with the Damascus government have reached an impasse since the first meeting in July. The two sides have mostly avoided fighting during the war. The state "insists on sticking to the current order" and refuses to make changes to the constitution, he said. "There's no use as long as it's not willing to make any concessions." DAMASCUS ACCUSES US OVER TALKS Syrian Kurds, whom the state persecuted for years, say they do not seek independence, but hope a political deal will secure their autonomy and minority rights. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem accused Washington of ruining the negotiations. "The Kurdish citizens...are discussing a set of rights, some of them could be achieved through dialogue," he told Russia's RT channel on Sunday. "But the danger is the American presence...is giving the Kurds hope that they can work outside the legitimate government in Damascus, and this is an illusion." The United States said in August it had raised $300 million for parts of Syria taken from Islamic State, after Trump demanded that allies help carry the costs of the war. Jim Jeffrey, a top US diplomat for Syria, told Reuters on Friday that $100 million had come through from Saudi Arabia, so Washington beefed up its teams and "stabilization" work. He said this included "local governance". Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has tasked Jeffrey with overseeing the US political role. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis also underlined the US interest in Syria this week. "Our diplomats, they are on the ground (and) have been doubled in number," Mattis told a news conference during a visit to Paris. After the fighting ends, he said, troops would work to ensure the jihadists do not return. "As we see the military operations become less, you'll see the diplomatic effort now able to take (root)."

'We have to help them': Syrian Kurdish leaders see new US interest

At least 12 Touareg civilians died Tuesday in an attack by gunmen in eastern Mali, a region hit by chronic unrest between local tribes and jihadist militants, sources said.

About 200 people, many of them civilians from the Fulani and Tuareg tribes have been killed in the area this year as militants claiming allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) clash with local groups backing a French security force and the Malian army.

The attack took place 45 kilometres (28 miles) west of Menaka according to a local official, a security source, and a statement by ex-rebels in the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA).

"Armed men on motorcycles killed at least 12 civilians," the official told AFP, citing a resident of the town who claimed to have seen the bodies.

The official, who asked to remain anonymous, added that "for now we do not know exactly who did it. I don't know if it was the result of a dispute between tribes or a terrorist act."

The security source said some of his sources spoke of 12 dead, while others put the toll at 16.

The MSA statement said, "armed individuals on motorcycles had executed 17 civilians" from two Tuareg camps.

Mali's unrest stems from a 2012 Tuareg separatist uprising which was exploited by jihadists in order to take over key cities in the north.

The extremists were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013.

At least 12 Touareg civilians died Tuesday in an attack by gunmen in eastern Mali, a region hit by chronic unrest between local tribes and jihadist militants, sources said.

At least 12 Touareg civilians died Tuesday in an attack by gunmen in eastern Mali, a region hit by chronic unrest between local tribes and jihadist militants, sources said. About 200 people, many of them civilians from the Fulani and Tuareg tribes have been killed in the area this year as militants claiming allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) clash with local groups backing a French security force and the Malian army. The attack took place 45 kilometres (28 miles) west of Menaka according to a local official, a security source, and a statement by ex-rebels in the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA). "Armed men on motorcycles killed at least 12 civilians," the official told AFP, citing a resident of the town who claimed to have seen the bodies. The official, who asked to remain anonymous, added that "for now we do not know exactly who did it. I don't know if it was the result of a dispute between tribes or a terrorist act." The security source said some of his sources spoke of 12 dead, while others put the toll at 16. The MSA statement said, "armed individuals on motorcycles had executed 17 civilians" from two Tuareg camps. Mali's unrest stems from a 2012 Tuareg separatist uprising which was exploited by jihadists in order to take over key cities in the north. The extremists were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013.

At least 12 Touareg civilians dead in Mali attack near Nigeria: Sources

Infighting, a lack of expertise and unfilled vacancies within&nbsp;Afghanistan's election body raise doubts about whether&nbsp;polls planned this year can be held on time, according to&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;and international agency officials, with one likening planning meetings to "a fishmarket".

October's vote, already much-delayed, is seen as a crucial test for democracy in a country at war for four decades, and comes amid increasing attacks by Taliban and Islamic State insurgents who have threatened to target the electoral process.

But in the last six months, the chairman and CEO of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), have been sacked, and an acting CEO quit. The head of human resources was also sacked this month, having failed to hire hundreds of provincial electoral officers.

"Four months before the&nbsp;polls, they are still at the planning stage," a high-ranking international aid worker told Reuters. "You cannot play a football match with half of your team missing. There are times when we have witnessed shouting matches in the IEC office. It's like a fish&nbsp;market."

Seven of the 10 top positions at the secretariat in Kabul, which oversees commission offices across 34 provinces, have yet to be filled.

The parliamentary and district council elections have already been put back from 2014 due to a lack of political consensus on electoral reforms and a shortage of funds.

The&nbsp;polls are seen as a dry run for next year's presidential election and a key test of the credibility of President Ashraf Ghani's government, which has been under pressure from its international backers to ensure the vote takes place since the last, fraud-tainted presidential election in 2014.

JOBS FOR THE BOYS

The United Nations, overseeing the election process, and the United States, leading international military efforts to force the Taliban to the negotiating table, are hoping for elections that at least appear to be mostly free and fair.

"Elections in&nbsp;Afghanistan are never going to be perfect, but there has to be a semblance of credibility," a senior official working with a leading donor said. He added that he thought the country would "muddle through" and hold the&nbsp;polls as scheduled.

Many other observers said a delay was possible.

Former and serving IEC officials said Ghani's over-involvement and micro-management have created multiple power centres within the supposedly apolitical IEC.

Last year, Ghani appointed seven commissioners to represent different ethnic groups to draft policy, help officials at the IEC's secretariat and register millions of voters across the country.

"Instead of drafting a policy framework, the commissioners have been busy deciding appointments of drivers, cleaners and bringing in their friends to do some of the technical jobs," a senior member at the IEC's secretariat told Reuters.

Shahla Haq was appointed acting IEC secretariat CEO after her predecessor was sacked amid differences over biometric voting cards. She quit after four months.

"I just couldn't take it anymore," she told Reuters. "The commissioners have little understanding of electoral reforms and they were seeking guidance from politicians."

"GRANULAR DETAILS"

Two officials in Ghani's office said they were not allowed to comment on the workings of the IEC as it was an independent institution.

International donors, who want to see a "palatable process", according to one senior diplomat, are also questioning the IEC's numbers on voter registration.

Diplomats tracking voter registration data from 34 provinces since April said they had noted inconsistencies and expected the IEC to share its information to ensure transparency and accuracy.

"It is important for us to seek granular details as we are pouring millions of dollars into the elections," said a senior European Union diplomat.

Last month, the EU pledged 15.5 million euros towards paying for election-related materials and salaries of temporary electoral staff.

Najibullah Ahmadzai, the former chairman of the IEC commission who was sacked earlier this year, said he was the only officer in the commission who had worked extensively on electoral reform. The others were academics, he said.

"You cannot expect teachers and professors to plan elections," he said. "It requires expertise, but nobody accepted my views."

Current commission chairman Abdul Badi Sayad, who is also a professor of Islamic law, has to ensure 14 million&nbsp;Afghans are able to cast their vote. He still has to find a CEO, a deputy CEO, five directors and hundreds of electoral officers.

"I am determined to conduct elections this year," Sayad told Reuters in his heavily guarded office. "But I need the manpower to do it."

October's vote, already much-delayed, is seen as a crucial test for democracy in a country at war for four decades, and comes amid increasing attacks by Taliban and Islamic State insurgents who have threatened to target the electoral process

Infighting, a lack of expertise and unfilled vacancies within Afghanistan's election body raise doubts about whether polls planned this year can be held on time, according to Afghan and international agency officials, with one likening planning meetings to "a fishmarket". October's vote, already much-delayed, is seen as a crucial test for democracy in a country at war for four decades, and comes amid increasing attacks by Taliban and Islamic State insurgents who have threatened to target the electoral process. But in the last six months, the chairman and CEO of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), have been sacked, and an acting CEO quit. The head of human resources was also sacked this month, having failed to hire hundreds of provincial electoral officers. "Four months before the polls, they are still at the planning stage," a high-ranking international aid worker told Reuters. "You cannot play a football match with half of your team missing. There are times when we have witnessed shouting matches in the IEC office. It's like a fish market." Seven of the 10 top positions at the secretariat in Kabul, which oversees commission offices across 34 provinces, have yet to be filled. The parliamentary and district council elections have already been put back from 2014 due to a lack of political consensus on electoral reforms and a shortage of funds. The polls are seen as a dry run for next year's presidential election and a key test of the credibility of President Ashraf Ghani's government, which has been under pressure from its international backers to ensure the vote takes place since the last, fraud-tainted presidential election in 2014. JOBS FOR THE BOYS The United Nations, overseeing the election process, and the United States, leading international military efforts to force the Taliban to the negotiating table, are hoping for elections that at least appear to be mostly free and fair. "Elections in Afghanistan are never going to be perfect, but there has to be a semblance of credibility," a senior official working with a leading donor said. He added that he thought the country would "muddle through" and hold the polls as scheduled. Many other observers said a delay was possible. Former and serving IEC officials said Ghani's over-involvement and micro-management have created multiple power centres within the supposedly apolitical IEC. Last year, Ghani appointed seven commissioners to represent different ethnic groups to draft policy, help officials at the IEC's secretariat and register millions of voters across the country. "Instead of drafting a policy framework, the commissioners have been busy deciding appointments of drivers, cleaners and bringing in their friends to do some of the technical jobs," a senior member at the IEC's secretariat told Reuters. Shahla Haq was appointed acting IEC secretariat CEO after her predecessor was sacked amid differences over biometric voting cards. She quit after four months. "I just couldn't take it anymore," she told Reuters. "The commissioners have little understanding of electoral reforms and they were seeking guidance from politicians." "GRANULAR DETAILS" Two officials in Ghani's office said they were not allowed to comment on the workings of the IEC as it was an independent institution. International donors, who want to see a "palatable process", according to one senior diplomat, are also questioning the IEC's numbers on voter registration. Diplomats tracking voter registration data from 34 provinces since April said they had noted inconsistencies and expected the IEC to share its information to ensure transparency and accuracy. "It is important for us to seek granular details as we are pouring millions of dollars into the elections," said a senior European Union diplomat. Last month, the EU pledged 15.5 million euros towards paying for election-related materials and salaries of temporary electoral staff. Najibullah Ahmadzai, the former chairman of the IEC commission who was sacked earlier this year, said he was the only officer in the commission who had worked extensively on electoral reform. The others were academics, he said. "You cannot expect teachers and professors to plan elections," he said. "It requires expertise, but nobody accepted my views." Current commission chairman Abdul Badi Sayad, who is also a professor of Islamic law, has to ensure 14 million Afghans are able to cast their vote. He still has to find a CEO, a deputy CEO, five directors and hundreds of electoral officers. "I am determined to conduct elections this year," Sayad told Reuters in his heavily guarded office. "But I need the manpower to do it."

Understaffing, 'shouting matches' mar Afghanistan election preparations

At least five people were killed and twenty suffered injuries on Monday after a bomb exploded in&nbsp;Afghanistan Capital Kabul.

The bomb exploded in front of the gate of Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development building in Darulaman area.

According to media reports, the explosion occurred around 1 pm while employees were leaving the building.

Local Afghan media suggested that the explosion was a suicide bombing.

No individual or group has owned responsibility for the incident while filing this report. 
&nbsp;

No individual or group has owned responsibility for the incident while filing this report.

At least five people were killed and twenty suffered injuries on Monday after a bomb exploded in Afghanistan Capital Kabul. The bomb exploded in front of the gate of Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development building in Darulaman area. According to media reports, the explosion occurred around 1 pm while employees were leaving the building. Local Afghan media suggested that the explosion was a suicide bombing. No individual or group has owned responsibility for the incident while filing this report.

Afghanistan: 5 killed, 20 injured in Kabul suicide bombing

The Islamic State group had lost ground Saturday in a town on the Syrian-Iraqi border after pro-regime forces repelled a major attack the day before, a Britain-based monitor said.

Violent clashes were ongoing in Albu Kamal, which lies in the Euphrates Valley in eastern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.

"IS has retreated from inside the town to its western and northwestern parts" after pro-regime forces pushed back the jihadists, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Pro-government reinforcements had arrived, he said.

On Friday, IS used at least 10 suicide bombers in its offensive on Albu Kamal, swiftly taking several of its neighbourhoods, the monitor said.&nbsp

It was the biggest attack on the town since the jihadist group lost it in November 2017, and the latest in a string of attacks by IS across Syria.

Neither Syrian state media nor the army reported Friday's attack on Albu Kamal.

The fighting in the town over the past 24 hours has killed 30 pro-regime fighters, the Observatory said.

These include 16 regime troops among them a general, as well as 14 non-Syrian combattants, notably Iranians and Lebanese Hezbollah movement fighters, the monitor said.

Twenty-one IS jihadists were also killed in that same period, including the 10 suicide bombers, according to the same source.

IS has ramped up its attacks against pro-regime forces since its fighters in May left their last bastion near Damascus under an evacuation deal with the regime.

IS in 2014 proclaimed a cross-border "caliphate" in Syria and neighbouring Iraq, but has since lost most of its territory to various military offensives.

Its presence is mostly confined to pockets of eastern Syria in the vast desert stretching from the country's centre to the border with Iraq.

Earlier this week, IS assaults in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor killed 45 pro-regime fighters.

On Thursday, IS jihadists also killed 22 pro-regime fighters in surprise attacks in the southern province of Sweida, a monitor said.

Violent clashes were ongoing in Albu Kamal, which lies in the Euphrates Valley in eastern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said

The Islamic State group had lost ground Saturday in a town on the Syrian-Iraqi border after pro-regime forces repelled a major attack the day before, a Britain-based monitor said. Violent clashes were ongoing in Albu Kamal, which lies in the Euphrates Valley in eastern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said. "IS has retreated from inside the town to its western and northwestern parts" after pro-regime forces pushed back the jihadists, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. Pro-government reinforcements had arrived, he said. On Friday, IS used at least 10 suicide bombers in its offensive on Albu Kamal, swiftly taking several of its neighbourhoods, the monitor said. It was the biggest attack on the town since the jihadist group lost it in November 2017, and the latest in a string of attacks by IS across Syria. Neither Syrian state media nor the army reported Friday's attack on Albu Kamal. The fighting in the town over the past 24 hours has killed 30 pro-regime fighters, the Observatory said. These include 16 regime troops among them a general, as well as 14 non-Syrian combattants, notably Iranians and Lebanese Hezbollah movement fighters, the monitor said. Twenty-one IS jihadists were also killed in that same period, including the 10 suicide bombers, according to the same source. IS has ramped up its attacks against pro-regime forces since its fighters in May left their last bastion near Damascus under an evacuation deal with the regime. IS in 2014 proclaimed a cross-border "caliphate" in Syria and neighbouring Iraq, but has since lost most of its territory to various military offensives. Its presence is mostly confined to pockets of eastern Syria in the vast desert stretching from the country's centre to the border with Iraq. Earlier this week, IS assaults in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor killed 45 pro-regime fighters. On Thursday, IS jihadists also killed 22 pro-regime fighters in surprise attacks in the southern province of Sweida, a monitor said.

IS jihadists lose ground in Syria town after major attack: Monitor

The United States is looking to intensifying ongoing military operations against Islamic State militants in the eastern Afghanistan province of Nangarhar during a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan said on Friday.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting month. But that excludes other militant groups such as Islamic State.

"(Operations against ISIS) will continue, in fact will be even intensified during this period of ceasefire as we focus on ISIS," U.S. Army General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, told reporters.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban

The United States is looking to intensifying ongoing military operations against Islamic State militants in the eastern Afghanistan province of Nangarhar during a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan said on Friday. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting month. But that excludes other militant groups such as Islamic State. "(Operations against ISIS) will continue, in fact will be even intensified during this period of ceasefire as we focus on ISIS," U.S. Army General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, told reporters.

Military operations against Islamic State in eastern Afghanistan to intensify: US general

While moribund in Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State (IS) group poses a real threat to Russia's World Cup that must be taken seriously, security experts warn.

Alarm bells have been ringing since disturbing photo-montages began to appear on social media late last year, the work of the IS propaganda arm known as the Wafa Media Foundation.

Crude and explicit, they showed superstars such as Lionel Messi and Neymar dressed in the frighteningly familiar orange suits used for videotaped executions.

Lying on the ground, with knives up against their throats or dying in flames, the message accompanying them was blunt.

"You will not enjoy security until we live it in Muslim countries," the posts said.

Brian Glyn Williams and Robert Troy Souza, authors of a report published last month by West Point's Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) on the dangers IS poses to the June 14 to July 15 World Cup, said the propaganda campaign unfurled by IS was "unprecedented".

"In just the past few years, there have been numerous successful terror attacks or thwarted plots in Russia by terrorists linked to or inspired by the Islamic state," they wrote.

"This suggests the group may have the capacity to launch attacks in Russia during the World Cup."

Lone wolves

These attacks, said the US experts, can be either carried out by "lone wolves" -- assailants who act on their own after being inculcated by IS propaganda -- or by local jihadists.

The latter include Russians and people from Chechnya and the rest of the Caucasus and central Asia, two regions with established links to IS stretching back for over a decade.

They mostly comprise fighters who had recently returned from Syria and Iraq after winding down their campaign to create an ephemeral Islamic "caliphate" in the Middle East.

Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that around 8,500 jihadists from Russia and the former Soviet central Asia have joined the ranks of IS and other jihadist groups in the region.

The exact number of those who have managed to slip through anti-terror services' hands and safely return to their homelands is unclear.

But experts are certain that prior to its territorial rout, IS instructed some of its fighters to go back and form sleeper cells that could be called upon when needed -- such as during a World Cup.

Even if Russia had not intervened in Syria on President Bashar al-Assad's behalf, the world's most watched event would still have been a target of jihadists, said Pascal Boniface, director of the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs, who specialises in geopolitics and football.

"The threat of terror now exists for all international sports competitions. They attract the cameras and, therefore, the terrorists," Boniface said.

"Russia's intervention in Syria is an aggravating factor, but it is not what created this problem," said the French analyst.

"There would still be a terror threat without it."

Soft targets

Even before Russia, security measures at the Euro 2016 football championship in France, as well as the 2014 London and 2016 Rio Summer Games were already draconian.

In March 2016, just three months before Euro 2016 was due to kick off, France's then prime minister Manuel Valls announced the arrest in the Paris region of a hardened jihadist who "surely had the Euro in his sights".

"Today, whenever you have a global sports event, the biggest part of the budget goes to security," said Boniface.

Whether they are followed by an attack or not, the act of posting threats online with just a few clicks costs nothing for IS and its sympathisers.

Yet these are followed by security operations that could run to tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars.

With 64 matches played across 12 stadiums in 11 cities spanning the European part of Russia, the World Cup offers an abundance of potential places to strike, CTC warns.

"While the World Cup venues are hard targets that are set to be protected by multiple layers of security, there will be no shortage of soft targets that terrorists could hit," it says.

In Moscow, the authorities are trying to strike a reassuring tone.

They point out that the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi were staged on the edge of the north Caucasus and still passed off without a hitch.

"Our security operation is taking into account all types of possible dangers and risks," World Cup organising committee chief Alexei Sorokin told AFP.

"Everything is under control and I hope that we will find the right balance between comfort and security, without tilting to one side or the other."

Crude and explicit, they showed superstars such as Lionel Messi and Neymar dressed in the frighteningly familiar orange suits used for videotaped executions

While moribund in Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State (IS) group poses a real threat to Russia's World Cup that must be taken seriously, security experts warn. Alarm bells have been ringing since disturbing photo-montages began to appear on social media late last year, the work of the IS propaganda arm known as the Wafa Media Foundation. Crude and explicit, they showed superstars such as Lionel Messi and Neymar dressed in the frighteningly familiar orange suits used for videotaped executions. Lying on the ground, with knives up against their throats or dying in flames, the message accompanying them was blunt. "You will not enjoy security until we live it in Muslim countries," the posts said. Brian Glyn Williams and Robert Troy Souza, authors of a report published last month by West Point's Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) on the dangers IS poses to the June 14 to July 15 World Cup, said the propaganda campaign unfurled by IS was "unprecedented". "In just the past few years, there have been numerous successful terror attacks or thwarted plots in Russia by terrorists linked to or inspired by the Islamic state," they wrote. "This suggests the group may have the capacity to launch attacks in Russia during the World Cup." Lone wolves These attacks, said the US experts, can be either carried out by "lone wolves" -- assailants who act on their own after being inculcated by IS propaganda -- or by local jihadists. The latter include Russians and people from Chechnya and the rest of the Caucasus and central Asia, two regions with established links to IS stretching back for over a decade. They mostly comprise fighters who had recently returned from Syria and Iraq after winding down their campaign to create an ephemeral Islamic "caliphate" in the Middle East. Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that around 8,500 jihadists from Russia and the former Soviet central Asia have joined the ranks of IS and other jihadist groups in the region. The exact number of those who have managed to slip through anti-terror services' hands and safely return to their homelands is unclear. But experts are certain that prior to its territorial rout, IS instructed some of its fighters to go back and form sleeper cells that could be called upon when needed -- such as during a World Cup. Even if Russia had not intervened in Syria on President Bashar al-Assad's behalf, the world's most watched event would still have been a target of jihadists, said Pascal Boniface, director of the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs, who specialises in geopolitics and football. "The threat of terror now exists for all international sports competitions. They attract the cameras and, therefore, the terrorists," Boniface said. "Russia's intervention in Syria is an aggravating factor, but it is not what created this problem," said the French analyst. "There would still be a terror threat without it." Soft targets Even before Russia, security measures at the Euro 2016 football championship in France, as well as the 2014 London and 2016 Rio Summer Games were already draconian. In March 2016, just three months before Euro 2016 was due to kick off, France's then prime minister Manuel Valls announced the arrest in the Paris region of a hardened jihadist who "surely had the Euro in his sights". "Today, whenever you have a global sports event, the biggest part of the budget goes to security," said Boniface. Whether they are followed by an attack or not, the act of posting threats online with just a few clicks costs nothing for IS and its sympathisers. Yet these are followed by security operations that could run to tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars. With 64 matches played across 12 stadiums in 11 cities spanning the European part of Russia, the World Cup offers an abundance of potential places to strike, CTC warns. "While the World Cup venues are hard targets that are set to be protected by multiple layers of security, there will be no shortage of soft targets that terrorists could hit," it says. In Moscow, the authorities are trying to strike a reassuring tone. They point out that the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi were staged on the edge of the north Caucasus and still passed off without a hitch. "Our security operation is taking into account all types of possible dangers and risks," World Cup organising committee chief Alexei Sorokin told AFP. "Everything is under control and I hope that we will find the right balance between comfort and security, without tilting to one side or the other."

Islamic State threat hangs over Russia World Cup

The ceasefire will last "from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-al-Fitr," President Ashraf Ghani tweeted from an official account, indicating it could run from June 12-19.

It was not immediately clear if the Taliban had agreed to the ceasefire, which would be the first for Eid since the US invasion in 2001.&nbsp;

"We are checking with our officials regarding the ceasefire announcement," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP.

The surprise move comes days after a gathering of Afghanistan's top clerics in the capital Kabul called for a ceasefire and issued a fatwa against suicide bombings and attacks.

An hour after the fatwa was issued, a suicide bomber detonated outside the gathering, killing seven people.

Ghani said his government supported the clerics' call.

"The government of Afghanistan not only supports the unanimous fatwa announcement by the ulemas (scholars) but also backs the recommended ceasefire," he said in a statement released by his office.

"(At) the same time, the Afghan government directs all the security and defence forces of the country... to stop all the attacks on the Taliban, but the operation will continue against Daesh (Islamic State), Al-Qaeda and other international terrorist networks."&nbsp;

In February Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. At the time he also called for a ceasefire.

The insurgents did not officially respond but announced the launch of their annual spring offensive in an apparent rejection of the plan, one of the most comprehensive ever offered by the Afghan government.

Last month, the Pentagon said that senior Taliban officials have been secretly negotiating with Afghan officials on a possible ceasefire.

"A lot of the diplomatic activity and dialogue is occurring off the stage, and it's occurring at multiple levels," General John Nicholson said in a teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon.

He would not identify the figures involved in the negotiations, except to say that they included mid- and senior-level Taliban officials.

A ceasefire would bring welcome relief to civilians in the war-torn country, nearly 17 years after the Taliban regime was toppled.

In recent years the resurgent militant group, along with the Islamic State group, have stepped up their attacks on Kabul in particular, making it the deadliest place in the country for civilians.

Fearful residents have limited their movements and Eid celebrations in the capital are set to be muted, unlike in other parts of the Muslim world.&nbsp;

The 27th day of Ramadan is set for Monday, June 11 while the fifth day of Eid should fall on June 15

The ceasefire will last "from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-al-Fitr," President Ashraf Ghani tweeted from an official account, indicating it could run from June 12-19. It was not immediately clear if the Taliban had agreed to the ceasefire, which would be the first for Eid since the US invasion in 2001. "We are checking with our officials regarding the ceasefire announcement," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP. The surprise move comes days after a gathering of Afghanistan's top clerics in the capital Kabul called for a ceasefire and issued a fatwa against suicide bombings and attacks. An hour after the fatwa was issued, a suicide bomber detonated outside the gathering, killing seven people. Ghani said his government supported the clerics' call. "The government of Afghanistan not only supports the unanimous fatwa announcement by the ulemas (scholars) but also backs the recommended ceasefire," he said in a statement released by his office. "(At) the same time, the Afghan government directs all the security and defence forces of the country... to stop all the attacks on the Taliban, but the operation will continue against Daesh (Islamic State), Al-Qaeda and other international terrorist networks." In February Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. At the time he also called for a ceasefire. The insurgents did not officially respond but announced the launch of their annual spring offensive in an apparent rejection of the plan, one of the most comprehensive ever offered by the Afghan government. Last month, the Pentagon said that senior Taliban officials have been secretly negotiating with Afghan officials on a possible ceasefire. "A lot of the diplomatic activity and dialogue is occurring off the stage, and it's occurring at multiple levels," General John Nicholson said in a teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon. He would not identify the figures involved in the negotiations, except to say that they included mid- and senior-level Taliban officials. A ceasefire would bring welcome relief to civilians in the war-torn country, nearly 17 years after the Taliban regime was toppled. In recent years the resurgent militant group, along with the Islamic State group, have stepped up their attacks on Kabul in particular, making it the deadliest place in the country for civilians. Fearful residents have limited their movements and Eid celebrations in the capital are set to be muted, unlike in other parts of the Muslim world.

Afghanistan President Ghani announces ceasefire with Taliban for Eid

Nearly half all children in Afghanistan are out of school due to conflict, poverty, child marriage and discrimination against girls, the number rising for the first time since 2002, humanitarian organisations said in a report on Sunday.

Spreading violence has forced many schools to close, undermining fragile gains in education for girls in a country where millions have never set foot in a class room.

Some 3.7 million children between the ages of seven and 17, or 44 per cent of all children, are out of school, 2.7 million of them girls, Education Minister Mirwais Balkhi told a seminar, explaining a study conducted by UNICEF, USAID and the independent Samuel Hall think-tank.

The Taliban, seeking to oust the U.S.-backed government and return the country to strict Islamic rule after their 2001 ouster, are adamantly opposed to education for girls and threats from Islamic State has forced the closure of dozens of schools.

Without mentioning the Taliban or Islamic State, Balkhi said there were "many reasons" for children not going to school.

"Education of children is the most important development in all human communities," he said. "It is the most important tool in fighting war, poverty and unemployment."

In the worst affected provinces, up to 85 per cent of girls are not going to school, the aid groups said. They did not give specific time periods or comparisons.

In April this year, militants set ablaze two schools and widespread violence had led to closure of hundreds of private schools.

"Business as usual is not an option for Afghanistan if we are to fulfil the right to edIucation for every child," said Adele Khodr of UNICEF in the report.

"When children are not in school, they are at increased danger of abuse, exploitation and recruitment."

One teenage girl, Ziwar, from central Daikundi, one of the safest provinces in the country, said she had been at school until she was 14.

"I can read and write. I can write a letter," she told seminar delegates. "I learn from books. I want to continue my studies. I want to become a doctor in the future."

Nearly half all children in Afghanistan are out of school due to conflict, poverty, child marriage and discrimination against girls, the number rising for the first time since 2002, humanitarian organisations said in a report on Sunday

Nearly half all children in Afghanistan are out of school due to conflict, poverty, child marriage and discrimination against girls, the number rising for the first time since 2002, humanitarian organisations said in a report on Sunday. Spreading violence has forced many schools to close, undermining fragile gains in education for girls in a country where millions have never set foot in a class room. Some 3.7 million children between the ages of seven and 17, or 44 per cent of all children, are out of school, 2.7 million of them girls, Education Minister Mirwais Balkhi told a seminar, explaining a study conducted by UNICEF, USAID and the independent Samuel Hall think-tank. The Taliban, seeking to oust the U.S.-backed government and return the country to strict Islamic rule after their 2001 ouster, are adamantly opposed to education for girls and threats from Islamic State has forced the closure of dozens of schools. Without mentioning the Taliban or Islamic State, Balkhi said there were "many reasons" for children not going to school. "Education of children is the most important development in all human communities," he said. "It is the most important tool in fighting war, poverty and unemployment." In the worst affected provinces, up to 85 per cent of girls are not going to school, the aid groups said. They did not give specific time periods or comparisons. In April this year, militants set ablaze two schools and widespread violence had led to closure of hundreds of private schools. "Business as usual is not an option for Afghanistan if we are to fulfil the right to edIucation for every child," said Adele Khodr of UNICEF in the report. "When children are not in school, they are at increased danger of abuse, exploitation and recruitment." One teenage girl, Ziwar, from central Daikundi, one of the safest provinces in the country, said she had been at school until she was 14. "I can read and write. I can write a letter," she told seminar delegates. "I learn from books. I want to continue my studies. I want to become a doctor in the future."

Nearly half Afghan children out of school, rising for first time since 2002

At least seven people lost their lives in car bomb attack in Benghazi, Libya news agency AFP reported on Friday.

Twenty people were also injured and were rushed to the nearest hospital.

A car exploded on a road near Tibesti hotel in Benghazi on late Thursday which was&nbspcrowded more than usual as people were taking a stroll after their fasting in the month of Ramazan.

According to reports, eight cars parked on the street were also destroyed along with some shops on the road.

Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, is controlled by the Libyan National Army (LNA), the dominant force in eastern Libya led by commander Khalifa Haftar.

The LNA was battling Islamists, including some linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda, as well as other opponents until late last year in the Mediterranean port city.

Security has improved since then, but two mosque bombings earlier this year killed at least 35 people.

Haftar launched his military campaign in Benghazi in May 2014 in response to bombings and assassinations blamed on Islamist militants, part of anarchy that ensued after a NATO-backed uprising ended Muammar Gaddafi's rule in 2011.

In the past few months, there have been occasional, smaller- scale bombings apparently targeting LNA allies or supporters, but attacks in the city center are rare.

(With inputs from Reuters)

A car exploded on a road near Tibesti hotel in Benghazi on late Thursday which was crowded more than usual as people were taking a stroll after their fasting in the month of Ramazan

At least seven people lost their lives in car bomb attack in Benghazi, Libya news agency AFP reported on Friday. Twenty people were also injured and were rushed to the nearest hospital. A car exploded on a road near Tibesti hotel in Benghazi on late Thursday which was&nbspcrowded more than usual as people were taking a stroll after their fasting in the month of Ramazan. According to reports, eight cars parked on the street were also destroyed along with some shops on the road. Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, is controlled by the Libyan National Army (LNA), the dominant force in eastern Libya led by commander Khalifa Haftar. The LNA was battling Islamists, including some linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda, as well as other opponents until late last year in the Mediterranean port city. Security has improved since then, but two mosque bombings earlier this year killed at least 35 people. Haftar launched his military campaign in Benghazi in May 2014 in response to bombings and assassinations blamed on Islamist militants, part of anarchy that ensued after a NATO-backed uprising ended Muammar Gaddafi's rule in 2011. In the past few months, there have been occasional, smaller- scale bombings apparently targeting LNA allies or supporters, but attacks in the city center are rare. (With inputs from Reuters)

7 dead, 20 injured in Benghazi attack

Turkish police detained 51 suspected members of Islamic State in Istanbul on Friday, anti-terrorist police said.

The suspects were believed to be planning to travel back to conflict zones in Syria, they said in a statement, adding that all those detained were foreign nationals.

Islamic State has carried out numerous bombings across Turkey in recent years, including an attack on a nightclub in Istanbul on Jan. 1, 2017, in which 39 people were killed and a bombing in the city's historic heart that killed 12 in 2016.

Turkish operations against Islamic State suspects intensified at the end of last year ahead of the anniversary of the nightclub shooting.

The suspects were believed to be planning to travel back to conflict zones in Syria, they said in a statement, adding that all those detained were foreign nationals

Turkish police detained 51 suspected members of Islamic State in Istanbul on Friday, anti-terrorist police said. The suspects were believed to be planning to travel back to conflict zones in Syria, they said in a statement, adding that all those detained were foreign nationals. Islamic State has carried out numerous bombings across Turkey in recent years, including an attack on a nightclub in Istanbul on Jan. 1, 2017, in which 39 people were killed and a bombing in the city's historic heart that killed 12 in 2016. Turkish operations against Islamic State suspects intensified at the end of last year ahead of the anniversary of the nightclub shooting.

Turkey detains 51 suspected Islamic State members

At least six people were killed in Afghanistan's Kandahar on Tuesday after a bomb kept in a minibus exploded near a security checkpoint. The attacker too died in the incident.

Thirty people, including several children, were also reportedly injured in the blast which occurred in the city's main market.

The injured have been rushed to the nearest hospital and the area has been cordoned off by security officials.

The official number of the casualties could increase as news agency Reuters reported that more injured people are arriving at the hospital.

The minibus packed with explosives was discovered by the security officials at the securoty checkpoint. The terrorist driving the van, detonated his vehicle even before the security forces could even defuse the explosives.

So far no one has claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Over the past few months Afghanistan has seen several explosions in which hundreds of people have been killed and injured.

Apart from Kabul many other provincial cities have also been hit by such incidents as the Taliban, seeking to reimpose hardline Islamic rule, have stepped up fighting across the country ahead of the polls.

Kandahar province, on the border with Pakistan, is a major centre of opium cultivation and a stronghold of the Taliban but the city itself has recently been relatively secure.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The official number of the casualties could increase as news agency Reuters reported that more casualties are arriving

At least six people were killed in Afghanistan's Kandahar on Tuesday after a bomb kept in a minibus exploded near a security checkpoint. The attacker too died in the incident. Thirty people, including several children, were also reportedly injured in the blast which occurred in the city's main market. The injured have been rushed to the nearest hospital and the area has been cordoned off by security officials. The official number of the casualties could increase as news agency Reuters reported that more injured people are arriving at the hospital. The minibus packed with explosives was discovered by the security officials at the securoty checkpoint. The terrorist driving the van, detonated his vehicle even before the security forces could even defuse the explosives. So far no one has claimed the responsibility for the attack. Over the past few months Afghanistan has seen several explosions in which hundreds of people have been killed and injured. Apart from Kabul many other provincial cities have also been hit by such incidents as the Taliban, seeking to reimpose hardline Islamic rule, have stepped up fighting across the country ahead of the polls. Kandahar province, on the border with Pakistan, is a major centre of opium cultivation and a stronghold of the Taliban but the city itself has recently been relatively secure. (With inputs from Reuters)

Afghanistan: 6 people dead including attacker in minibus explosion

Syria's army said Monday it was in full control of the capital Damascus and its outskirts after ousting the Islamic State group, marking a major milestone in the seven-year war.

"The Syrian army announces today that Damascus, its outskirts and surrounding towns are completely secure," it said in a statement carried on official media.

The development came after troops had captured a key southern portion of Damascus from IS, the statement said, including the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmuk and the adjacent district of Hajar al-Aswad.

"The wheel of our progress on the battlefield will not stop until all Syrian land is purified," it added.

Syria's war erupted in 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assad, including in the capital.

The following year, the government began losing control of parts of Damascus and placed a crippling siege around Yarmuk, which lies in the capital's south.

The army's announcement came hours after a tenuous evacuation deal saw hundreds of IS fighters and their relatives quit Yarmuk, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The government has denied reaching a deal with IS. It said a brief ceasefire had allowed one convoy of women and children to leave the pocket in southern Damascus.

Since last year, Syria's government has cleared swathes of territory around Damascus from its armed opponents through a blend of military pressure and evacuation deals.

Syria's army said Monday it was in full control of the capital Damascus and its outskirts after ousting the Islamic State group, marking a major milestone in the seven-year war

Syria's army said Monday it was in full control of the capital Damascus and its outskirts after ousting the Islamic State group, marking a major milestone in the seven-year war. "The Syrian army announces today that Damascus, its outskirts and surrounding towns are completely secure," it said in a statement carried on official media. The development came after troops had captured a key southern portion of Damascus from IS, the statement said, including the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmuk and the adjacent district of Hajar al-Aswad. "The wheel of our progress on the battlefield will not stop until all Syrian land is purified," it added. Syria's war erupted in 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assad, including in the capital. The following year, the government began losing control of parts of Damascus and placed a crippling siege around Yarmuk, which lies in the capital's south. The army's announcement came hours after a tenuous evacuation deal saw hundreds of IS fighters and their relatives quit Yarmuk, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The government has denied reaching a deal with IS. It said a brief ceasefire had allowed one convoy of women and children to leave the pocket in southern Damascus. Since last year, Syria's government has cleared swathes of territory around Damascus from its armed opponents through a blend of military pressure and evacuation deals.

Syria says capital 'completely secure', IS ousted

A second batch of fighters from the Islamic State jihadist group left their final Damascus stronghold overnight, a monitor said Monday, bringing the Syrian regime closer to a major milestone.

The government has so far not confirmed any deal with IS, but a military source quoted by state media said civilians had been evacuated on Sunday night during a brief ceasefire.

"A second batch of elements from the Islamic State organisation left after midnight," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"They are heading to a pocket in the desert still under the control of the extremist organisation," the Britain-based monitoring group said.

The first group of IS fighters was transferred by bus out of southern Damascus on Sunday, the monitor said.

Government and allied forces started an operation last month to flush out jihadists and other groups from a cluster of neighbourhoods in southern Damascus.

They include Yarmuk, which was the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and has been a besieged IS stronghold since 2015, as well as the adjacent neighbourhoods of Tadamun and Hajar al-Aswad.

The evacuation of those areas would bring the entire capital and its surroundings under regime control for the first time since 2012.

State media has thus far fiercely denied reaching a deal with IS, but state news agency SANA reported for the first time Monday that some evacuations had taken place.

Citing a military source, it said women and children had been bussed out during a ceasefire that would remain in place until noon (0900 GMT) on Monday, but that the government would subsequently resume operations.

President Bashar al-Assad has used a combination of military pressure and evacuation deals in recent months to recapture territory around the capital from his armed opponents.

The assault against the jihadist force in southern Damascus has left more than 250 pro-regime forces, 233 jihadists and more than 60 civilians dead, according to the Britain-based Observatory.

The monitor's head Rami Abdel Rahman said the evacuation operation took place "at night and in secret".

"The Syrian government does not admit to negotiating with IS and wants to make sure the convoy is not targeted by the coalition led by Washington," he added.&nbsp

Last year, IS fighters and relatives were evacuated from an area on the Lebanese-Syrian border under a deal between IS on one side and the regime and the powerful Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on the other.&nbsp

The US-led coalition bombing IS in Syria since 2014 sent planes to monitor the convoy, picking off dozens of jihadists along the way.&nbsp

The government has so far not confirmed any deal with IS, but a military source quoted by state media said civilians had been evacuated on Sunday night during a brief ceasefire

A second batch of fighters from the Islamic State jihadist group left their final Damascus stronghold overnight, a monitor said Monday, bringing the Syrian regime closer to a major milestone. The government has so far not confirmed any deal with IS, but a military source quoted by state media said civilians had been evacuated on Sunday night during a brief ceasefire. "A second batch of elements from the Islamic State organisation left after midnight," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "They are heading to a pocket in the desert still under the control of the extremist organisation," the Britain-based monitoring group said. The first group of IS fighters was transferred by bus out of southern Damascus on Sunday, the monitor said. Government and allied forces started an operation last month to flush out jihadists and other groups from a cluster of neighbourhoods in southern Damascus. They include Yarmuk, which was the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and has been a besieged IS stronghold since 2015, as well as the adjacent neighbourhoods of Tadamun and Hajar al-Aswad. The evacuation of those areas would bring the entire capital and its surroundings under regime control for the first time since 2012. State media has thus far fiercely denied reaching a deal with IS, but state news agency SANA reported for the first time Monday that some evacuations had taken place. Citing a military source, it said women and children had been bussed out during a ceasefire that would remain in place until noon (0900 GMT) on Monday, but that the government would subsequently resume operations. President Bashar al-Assad has used a combination of military pressure and evacuation deals in recent months to recapture territory around the capital from his armed opponents. The assault against the jihadist force in southern Damascus has left more than 250 pro-regime forces, 233 jihadists and more than 60 civilians dead, according to the Britain-based Observatory. The monitor's head Rami Abdel Rahman said the evacuation operation took place "at night and in secret". "The Syrian government does not admit to negotiating with IS and wants to make sure the convoy is not targeted by the coalition led by Washington," he added. Last year, IS fighters and relatives were evacuated from an area on the Lebanese-Syrian border under a deal between IS on one side and the regime and the powerful Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on the other. The US-led coalition bombing IS in Syria since 2014 sent planes to monitor the convoy, picking off dozens of jihadists along the way.

More Islamic State fighters leave Damascus district: Monitor

As many as 11 people have been charged by Brazilian prosecutors for planning to establish an Islamic State cell in Brazil.

The accused have also been charged for trying to recruit jihadists to send to Syria, the federal prosecutor's office in the state of Goias said on Thursday.

According to reports, Federal police managed to track the alleged Islamic State militants through their social media messages.

Spanish police provided telephone numbers found on a Brazilian arrested in Spain for belonging to a jihadist group.

While two Brazilians are currently held in a maximum security prison, five others, who were arrested since October, were freed pending trial.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

According to reports, Federal police managed to track the alleged Islamic State militants through their social media messages

As many as 11 people have been charged by Brazilian prosecutors for planning to establish an Islamic State cell in Brazil. The accused have also been charged for trying to recruit jihadists to send to Syria, the federal prosecutor's office in the state of Goias said on Thursday. According to reports, Federal police managed to track the alleged Islamic State militants through their social media messages. Spanish police provided telephone numbers found on a Brazilian arrested in Spain for belonging to a jihadist group. While two Brazilians are currently held in a maximum security prison, five others, who were arrested since October, were freed pending trial. (With inputs from Reuters)

Brazil: 11 people charged for trying to set up Islamic State cell

A knifeman shouting "Allahu akbar" was shot dead by police in central Paris late Saturday after he killed one person and injured four, prompting a terror probe.

The attack took place near the city's main opera house in an area full of bars, restaurants and theatres which were brimming on a weekend night.

French President Emmanuel Macron said: "France once again pays the price of blood."

Saturday's assault is the latest to strike a nation rocked by a series of jihadist attacks in the last three years that have killed more than 245 people.

Prosecutors cited witnesses as saying the man shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) as he went on the rampage, and added that a terror investigation had been launched.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, according to the SITE monitoring group, but provided no corroborating proof.

"The executor of the stabbing operation in the city of Paris is a soldier of the Islamic State and the operation was carried out in response to the calls to target the coalition states," a "security source" told IS's official Amaq news agency, according to SITE.

The man, who has not yet been named, attacked five people with a knife, one of whom died, police said. Two were in serious condition and all the victims are in hospital.

A police source told AFP one officer tried to restrain the attacker with a taser but when that failed a colleague shot the man dead.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb hailed in a tweet the "sang-froid and reaction of the police who neutralised the attacker".

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who visited police in the district where the attack took place, added: "France is determined not to give in to threats that the attackers hope will grind her (the country) down."

Scenes of panic 
The attack took place on Rue Monsigny in the 2nd arrondissement, an area that lies between the main opera house and the Louvre museum, two major tourist attractions. A large area was cordoned off where police, fire and rescue vehicles converged.

Shocked tourists and residents looked on from behind the security perimeter.

"I was on the cafe terrace, I heard three, four shots, it happened very fast," said 47-year-old Gloria.

"The bartenders told us to come inside very quickly. Then I went out to see what was going on, and then I saw a man on the ground," she added.

Another witness, who gave her first name Maxine, said panic spread as word got out that an attack was taking place.

"We saw someone coming out of a building who said he saw the assailant slaughter someone, so people took refuge in the bar," she said.

France has suffered a series of major Islamist attacks including the massacre at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, the November 2015 attacks that killed 130 in Paris, and the 2016 Bastille Day truck attack in Nice that killed more than 80.

There have also been a string of less deadly but frequent attacks by lone wolf jihadists wielding knives or guns. Most of the attacks have either been claimed by the Islamic State group or been carried out in their name.

A state of emergency put in place just after the 2015 Paris attacks was lifted in October when Macron's centrist government passed a new law boosting the powers of security forces.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen called for greater security measures after Saturday's attack.

"The French people will no longer be content with talk, they expect action," she said.

Thousands of French troops remain on the streets under an anti-terror operation known as Sentinelle, patrolling transport hubs, tourist hotspots and other sensitive sites.

The knifeman was shot dead by police. 'France once again pays the price of blood,' French President Emmanuel Macron said

A knifeman shouting "Allahu akbar" was shot dead by police in central Paris late Saturday after he killed one person and injured four, prompting a terror probe. The attack took place near the city's main opera house in an area full of bars, restaurants and theatres which were brimming on a weekend night. French President Emmanuel Macron said: "France once again pays the price of blood." Saturday's assault is the latest to strike a nation rocked by a series of jihadist attacks in the last three years that have killed more than 245 people. Prosecutors cited witnesses as saying the man shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) as he went on the rampage, and added that a terror investigation had been launched. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, according to the SITE monitoring group, but provided no corroborating proof. "The executor of the stabbing operation in the city of Paris is a soldier of the Islamic State and the operation was carried out in response to the calls to target the coalition states," a "security source" told IS's official Amaq news agency, according to SITE. The man, who has not yet been named, attacked five people with a knife, one of whom died, police said. Two were in serious condition and all the victims are in hospital. A police source told AFP one officer tried to restrain the attacker with a taser but when that failed a colleague shot the man dead. Interior Minister Gerard Collomb hailed in a tweet the "sang-froid and reaction of the police who neutralised the attacker". Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who visited police in the district where the attack took place, added: "France is determined not to give in to threats that the attackers hope will grind her (the country) down." Scenes of panic The attack took place on Rue Monsigny in the 2nd arrondissement, an area that lies between the main opera house and the Louvre museum, two major tourist attractions. A large area was cordoned off where police, fire and rescue vehicles converged. Shocked tourists and residents looked on from behind the security perimeter. "I was on the cafe terrace, I heard three, four shots, it happened very fast," said 47-year-old Gloria. "The bartenders told us to come inside very quickly. Then I went out to see what was going on, and then I saw a man on the ground," she added. Another witness, who gave her first name Maxine, said panic spread as word got out that an attack was taking place. "We saw someone coming out of a building who said he saw the assailant slaughter someone, so people took refuge in the bar," she said. France has suffered a series of major Islamist attacks including the massacre at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, the November 2015 attacks that killed 130 in Paris, and the 2016 Bastille Day truck attack in Nice that killed more than 80. There have also been a string of less deadly but frequent attacks by lone wolf jihadists wielding knives or guns. Most of the attacks have either been claimed by the Islamic State group or been carried out in their name. A state of emergency put in place just after the 2015 Paris attacks was lifted in October when Macron's centrist government passed a new law boosting the powers of security forces. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen called for greater security measures after Saturday's attack. "The French people will no longer be content with talk, they expect action," she said. Thousands of French troops remain on the streets under an anti-terror operation known as Sentinelle, patrolling transport hubs, tourist hotspots and other sensitive sites.

One dead, 4 injured after knife attack in Paris. Islamic State claims responsibility

The Iranian government has sentenced eight people to death over last year's attacks claimed by the Islamic State. The trial began last month.

According to reports, the accused were found guilty of aiding the group of militants that attacked Iran's parliament and a shrine last June.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack that killed 18 and injured more than 50.

The group of attackers, that included five militants, was killed by the security forces.&nbsp;

As per reports, eighteen others face trial over the attacks.&nbsp;The convicts have 20 days to appeal.&nbsp;

As per reports, eighteen others face trial over the attacks

The Iranian government has sentenced eight people to death over last year's attacks claimed by the Islamic State. The trial began last month. According to reports, the accused were found guilty of aiding the group of militants that attacked Iran's parliament and a shrine last June. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack that killed 18 and injured more than 50. The group of attackers, that included five militants, was killed by the security forces. As per reports, eighteen others face trial over the attacks. The convicts have 20 days to appeal.

Iran sentences eight over last year's IS attacks

Iraqis began voting in the first parliamentary election on Saturday since defeating Islamic State, but few people expect its new leaders to deliver the stability and economic prosperity that have long been promised.

The oil producer has struggled to find a formula for stability since a U.S.-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, and many&nbsp;Iraqis have lost faith in their politicians.

Whoever the new parliament chooses as prime minister will face an array of challenges after a three-year war against Islamic State which cost the country about $100 billion.

Much of the northern city of Mosul was reduced to rubble in fighting to oust Islamic State, and it will require billions of dollars to rebuild. The economy is stagnant.

Sectarian tensions, which erupted into civil war in 2006-2007, are still a major security threat. AndIraq's two main backers, Washington and Tehran, are at loggerheads.

The three main ethnic and religious groups -- the majority Shi'ite Arabs and the Sunni Arabs and Kurds -- have been at odds for decades, and the sectarian divisions remain as deep as ever.

Reuters reporters saw polling stations open in Baghdad and other cities.

"I will participate but I will mark an 'X' on my ballot. There is no security, no jobs, no services. Candidates are just looking to line up their pockets, not to help people," said Jamal Mowasawi, a 61-year-old butcher.

The three main candidates for prime minister, incumbent Haider al-Abadi, his predecessor Nuri al-Maliki and Shi'ite militia commander Hadi al-Amiri all need the support of Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal will prompt Iran to maintain its vast political and military influence in&nbsp;Iraq, the most important Arab state for Tehran.

Abadi is considered by analysts to be marginally ahead, but victory is far from certain for the man who raised hopes that he could forge unity when he came to office.

But while he reached out to minority Sunnis he alienated Kurds after crushing their bid for independence.

He improved his standing with the victory against Islamic State, which had occupied a third of Iraq.

But Abadi lacks charisma and has failed to improve the economy and tackle corruption. He also cannot rely solely on votes from his community as the Shi'ite voter base is unusually split this year. Instead, he is looking to draw support from other groups.

Even if Abadi's Victory Alliance list wins the most seats, he still has to negotiate the formation of a coalition government, which must be concluded within 90 days of the election.

"It's the same faces and same programmes. Abadi is the best of the worst; at least under his rule we had the liberation (from Islamic State)," said Hazem al-Hassan, 50-year-old fishmonger in Baghdad.

Amiri spent more than two decades fighting Saddam from exile in Iran. The 63-year-old leads the Badr Organisation, which was the backbone of the volunteer forces that fought Islamic State.

He hopes to capitalise on his battlefield successes. Victory for Amiri would be a win for Iran, which is locked in proxy wars for influence across the Middle East.

Disillusion

But many&nbsp;Iraqis are disillusioned with war heroes and politicians who have failed to restore state institutions and provide badly needed health and education services.

"There is no trust between the people and the governing class," said Hussein Fadel, a 42-year-old supermarket cashier in the capital. "All sides are terrible. I will not vote."

Critics say Maliki's sectarian policies created an atmosphere that enabled Islamic State to gain sympathy among some Sunnis as it swept across&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;in 2014.

Maliki has sidelined soon afterwards, having been in office for eight years, but he is now trying to make a comeback.

In contrast to Abadi, with his cross-sectarian message, Maliki is again posing as&nbsp;Iraq's Shi'ite champion and has proposed doing away with the unofficial power-sharing model under which all main parties have cabinet representatives.

Iraq's Sunni minority had dominated key positions in government during Saddam's brutal rule, whereas majority Shi'ites have held sway since a U.S-led invasion toppled the dictator in 2003.

Maliki, who pushed for U.S. troop withdrawals, and Amiri, who speaks fluent Farsi and spent years in exile in Iran during Saddam's time, are both seen as much closer to Tehran than Abadi.

The post of prime minister has been reserved for a Shi'ite, the speaker is a Sunni, and the ceremonial presidency has gone to a Kurd - all three chosen by parliament.

More than 7,000 candidates in 18 provinces, or governorates, are running this year for 329 parliamentary seats.

In Kirkuk, the main oil city disputed by&nbsp;Iraq's Kurds and the Baghdad government, 90-year-old Najm al-Azzawi has witnessed&nbsp;Iraq's upheaval over many years: Saddam Hussein's military adventures and the crippling international sanctions that followed, the U.S. occupation, sectarian bloodshed and Islamic State's reign of terror.

But he has not lost hope.

"God save&nbsp;Iraqis from the darkness they have been in," he said. "It is the most joyful thing to vote."

More than 7,000 candidates in 18 provinces, or governorates, are running this year for 329 parliamentary seats.

Iraqis began voting in the first parliamentary election on Saturday since defeating Islamic State, but few people expect its new leaders to deliver the stability and economic prosperity that have long been promised. The oil producer has struggled to find a formula for stability since a U.S.-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, and many Iraqis have lost faith in their politicians. Whoever the new parliament chooses as prime minister will face an array of challenges after a three-year war against Islamic State which cost the country about $100 billion. Much of the northern city of Mosul was reduced to rubble in fighting to oust Islamic State, and it will require billions of dollars to rebuild. The economy is stagnant. Sectarian tensions, which erupted into civil war in 2006-2007, are still a major security threat. AndIraq's two main backers, Washington and Tehran, are at loggerheads. The three main ethnic and religious groups -- the majority Shi'ite Arabs and the Sunni Arabs and Kurds -- have been at odds for decades, and the sectarian divisions remain as deep as ever. Reuters reporters saw polling stations open in Baghdad and other cities. "I will participate but I will mark an 'X' on my ballot. There is no security, no jobs, no services. Candidates are just looking to line up their pockets, not to help people," said Jamal Mowasawi, a 61-year-old butcher. The three main candidates for prime minister, incumbent Haider al-Abadi, his predecessor Nuri al-Maliki and Shi'ite militia commander Hadi al-Amiri all need the support of Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal will prompt Iran to maintain its vast political and military influence in Iraq, the most important Arab state for Tehran. Abadi is considered by analysts to be marginally ahead, but victory is far from certain for the man who raised hopes that he could forge unity when he came to office. But while he reached out to minority Sunnis he alienated Kurds after crushing their bid for independence. He improved his standing with the victory against Islamic State, which had occupied a third of Iraq. But Abadi lacks charisma and has failed to improve the economy and tackle corruption. He also cannot rely solely on votes from his community as the Shi'ite voter base is unusually split this year. Instead, he is looking to draw support from other groups. Even if Abadi's Victory Alliance list wins the most seats, he still has to negotiate the formation of a coalition government, which must be concluded within 90 days of the election. "It's the same faces and same programmes. Abadi is the best of the worst; at least under his rule we had the liberation (from Islamic State)," said Hazem al-Hassan, 50-year-old fishmonger in Baghdad. Amiri spent more than two decades fighting Saddam from exile in Iran. The 63-year-old leads the Badr Organisation, which was the backbone of the volunteer forces that fought Islamic State. He hopes to capitalise on his battlefield successes. Victory for Amiri would be a win for Iran, which is locked in proxy wars for influence across the Middle East. Disillusion But many Iraqis are disillusioned with war heroes and politicians who have failed to restore state institutions and provide badly needed health and education services. "There is no trust between the people and the governing class," said Hussein Fadel, a 42-year-old supermarket cashier in the capital. "All sides are terrible. I will not vote." Critics say Maliki's sectarian policies created an atmosphere that enabled Islamic State to gain sympathy among some Sunnis as it swept across Iraq in 2014. Maliki has sidelined soon afterwards, having been in office for eight years, but he is now trying to make a comeback. In contrast to Abadi, with his cross-sectarian message, Maliki is again posing as Iraq's Shi'ite champion and has proposed doing away with the unofficial power-sharing model under which all main parties have cabinet representatives. Iraq's Sunni minority had dominated key positions in government during Saddam's brutal rule, whereas majority Shi'ites have held sway since a U.S-led invasion toppled the dictator in 2003. Maliki, who pushed for U.S. troop withdrawals, and Amiri, who speaks fluent Farsi and spent years in exile in Iran during Saddam's time, are both seen as much closer to Tehran than Abadi. The post of prime minister has been reserved for a Shi'ite, the speaker is a Sunni, and the ceremonial presidency has gone to a Kurd - all three chosen by parliament. More than 7,000 candidates in 18 provinces, or governorates, are running this year for 329 parliamentary seats. In Kirkuk, the main oil city disputed by Iraq's Kurds and the Baghdad government, 90-year-old Najm al-Azzawi has witnessed Iraq's upheaval over many years: Saddam Hussein's military adventures and the crippling international sanctions that followed, the U.S. occupation, sectarian bloodshed and Islamic State's reign of terror. But he has not lost hope. "God save Iraqis from the darkness they have been in," he said. "It is the most joyful thing to vote."

Iraqis start voting in first election since defeating Islamic State

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