Iraqi forces said Friday they had seized ground inside Mosul&#39;s Old City, a district expected to see some of the fiercest clashes in the battle for the jihadist stronghold.

An operation began on February 19 to retake Mosul&#39;s west, the last major Islamic State group urban bastion in the country, which includes the Old City.

Iraqi forces have since retaken several neighbourhoods despite bad weather that has hampered air support.&nbsp;

In the ancient central district, hundreds of thousands of civilians are believed to be trapped under IS rule in a warren of densely populated, narrow streets which restrict the use of large armoured vehicles.

Federal police commander Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat said Friday that Iraqi forces backed by artillery and drones had advanced in the district.

&quot;Federal police and Rapid Response units imposed their complete control over the Al-Basha Mosque... and the Bab al-Saray market in the Old City,&quot; he said.

The two sites lie on the edge of the district in the heart of Mosul, next to the Tigris river that slices the city in two.

Further west, forces from the elite Counter-Terrorism Service have pushed into the Al-Rissala and Nablus quarters, senior commander Staff Lieutenant General Abdulghani al-Assadi said.

&quot;The situation is good,&quot; he said.

The fall of Mosul, Iraq&#39;s second city, would be a major setback for IS following months of losses in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

But its loss would not mean the end of IS in Iraq, according to Emily Anagnostos of the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War.

&quot;The US and coalition will need to ensure their continued presence in Iraq after Mosul`s recapture, which could occur within a month, in order to clear remaining ISIS-held areas and ensure stability in recaptured areas,&quot; she said in an online report, using another name for IS.

Mosul has huge symbolic significance for the jihadist group: it was from the Old City`s Al-Nouri mosque that its secretive chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the establishment of his &quot;caliphate&quot; in July 2014.

Iraqi forces backed by an international US-led coalition launched a vast, long-awaited operation in October to oust the jihadists from Mosul, completing their recapture of the east in January.

Since launching their assault on the western sector, Iraqi forces have taken several districts and key buildings including the headquarters of Nineveh province`s regional government and a railway station.

But the United Nations has warned that the exodus of tens of thousands of west Mosul residents could overwhelm aid groups trying to help them.

&quot;The number of people is higher than expected,&quot; Lise Grande, the UN`s humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, said. &quot;If the pace accelerates further, it`s going to stretch us to the breaking point.&quot;

Iraq`s Ministry of Migration and Displacement says more than 150,000 people have so far fled their homes in Mosul`s west, with two-thirds taking refuge in camps near the city where they receive food, blankets and foam mattresses.

Grande said the UN was concerned for the plight of people still trapped inside the city, forced to choose between staying amid the fighting or risking being targeted by jihadists if they decide to flee.

&quot;We fear the civilians there might be trapped in an extremely difficult situation,&quot; she said.&nbsp;

The Reach Initiative, a group that helps aid groups collect data on humanitarian crises, said the situation in west Mosul was &quot;severe to extremely severe&quot;.

&quot;In areas still under (IS control), there is no access to markets and people are surviving on depleting food and water stocks, without access to electricity, fuel and healthcare,&quot; it said.

(AFP)

An operation began on February 19 to retake Mosul's west, the last major Islamic State group urban bastion

Iraqi forces said Friday they had seized ground inside Mosul's Old City, a district expected to see some of the fiercest clashes in the battle for the jihadist stronghold. An operation began on February 19 to retake Mosul's west, the last major Islamic State group urban bastion in the country, which includes the Old City. Iraqi forces have since retaken several neighbourhoods despite bad weather that has hampered air support. In the ancient central district, hundreds of thousands of civilians are believed to be trapped under IS rule in a warren of densely populated, narrow streets which restrict the use of large armoured vehicles. Federal police commander Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat said Friday that Iraqi forces backed by artillery and drones had advanced in the district. "Federal police and Rapid Response units imposed their complete control over the Al-Basha Mosque... and the Bab al-Saray market in the Old City," he said. The two sites lie on the edge of the district in the heart of Mosul, next to the Tigris river that slices the city in two. Further west, forces from the elite Counter-Terrorism Service have pushed into the Al-Rissala and Nablus quarters, senior commander Staff Lieutenant General Abdulghani al-Assadi said. "The situation is good," he said. The fall of Mosul, Iraq's second city, would be a major setback for IS following months of losses in Iraq and neighbouring Syria. But its loss would not mean the end of IS in Iraq, according to Emily Anagnostos of the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War. "The US and coalition will need to ensure their continued presence in Iraq after Mosul`s recapture, which could occur within a month, in order to clear remaining ISIS-held areas and ensure stability in recaptured areas," she said in an online report, using another name for IS. Mosul has huge symbolic significance for the jihadist group: it was from the Old City`s Al-Nouri mosque that its secretive chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the establishment of his "caliphate" in July 2014. Iraqi forces backed by an international US-led coalition launched a vast, long-awaited operation in October to oust the jihadists from Mosul, completing their recapture of the east in January. Since launching their assault on the western sector, Iraqi forces have taken several districts and key buildings including the headquarters of Nineveh province`s regional government and a railway station. But the United Nations has warned that the exodus of tens of thousands of west Mosul residents could overwhelm aid groups trying to help them. "The number of people is higher than expected," Lise Grande, the UN`s humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, said. "If the pace accelerates further, it`s going to stretch us to the breaking point." Iraq`s Ministry of Migration and Displacement says more than 150,000 people have so far fled their homes in Mosul`s west, with two-thirds taking refuge in camps near the city where they receive food, blankets and foam mattresses. Grande said the UN was concerned for the plight of people still trapped inside the city, forced to choose between staying amid the fighting or risking being targeted by jihadists if they decide to flee. "We fear the civilians there might be trapped in an extremely difficult situation," she said. The Reach Initiative, a group that helps aid groups collect data on humanitarian crises, said the situation in west Mosul was "severe to extremely severe". "In areas still under (IS control), there is no access to markets and people are surviving on depleting food and water stocks, without access to electricity, fuel and healthcare," it said. (AFP)

Iraqi Forces advance in Mosul's Old City

Security was stepped up on Thursday at India&#39;s iconic Taj Mahal after media reports of the Agra monument being the target of a terror attack by the Islamic State (IS) surfaced.

The <a href="https://ent.siteintelgroup.com/Chatter/pro-is-media-group-threatens-attacks-in-india-shows-taj-mahal-as-target-2.html">SITE intelligence group</a>, which tracks jihadist activity on the web, carried a graphic, originally published by the pro-IS Ahwaal Ummat Media Center, depicting the Taj Mahal as a target. The graphic was posted on the encrypted messaging app Telegram on March 14.

The graphic features a man in combat gear, armed with an assault rifle and a rocket-propelled grenade standing near the Taj Mahal. A tagline in the graphic reads &#39;Next target&#39;.

An image of a vehicle with the Arabic text &ldquo;Agra istishhadi&rdquo; (Agra martyrdom-seeker) written in English is also being interpreted as a warning of a potential attack.

Following the report, a security drill, by Taj Mahal security personnel, police, teams from the bomb disposal squad and the US SWAT SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) personnel was conducted at the monument.

Superintendent of police (SP) Sushil Ghule was quoted as saying that the exercise was a part of a regular security drill associated with the Taj Mahotsav to be held this week.&nbsp;

SSP Preetinder Singh, however, admitted that the security measures had been undertaken in view of reports of the IS threat to the monument.

Agra will host the Taj Mahotsav, a 10-day festival, from March 18. 
 
(WION) 
&nbsp;

A pro-Islamic media group has published a graphic depicting the Taj Mahal as a target of IS jihadists

Security was stepped up on Thursday at India's iconic Taj Mahal after media reports of the Agra monument being the target of a terror attack by the Islamic State (IS) surfaced. The SITE intelligence group, which tracks jihadist activity on the web, carried a graphic, originally published by the pro-IS Ahwaal Ummat Media Center, depicting the Taj Mahal as a target. The graphic was posted on the encrypted messaging app Telegram on March 14. The graphic features a man in combat gear, armed with an assault rifle and a rocket-propelled grenade standing near the Taj Mahal. A tagline in the graphic reads 'Next target'. An image of a vehicle with the Arabic text “Agra istishhadi” (Agra martyrdom-seeker) written in English is also being interpreted as a warning of a potential attack. Following the report, a security drill, by Taj Mahal security personnel, police, teams from the bomb disposal squad and the US SWAT SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) personnel was conducted at the monument. Superintendent of police (SP) Sushil Ghule was quoted as saying that the exercise was a part of a regular security drill associated with the Taj Mahotsav to be held this week. SSP Preetinder Singh, however, admitted that the security measures had been undertaken in view of reports of the IS threat to the monument. Agra will host the Taj Mahotsav, a 10-day festival, from March 18. (WION)

India: Security stepped up at Taj Mahal after reports of terror threat from Islamic State

More than 800 health workers have died in &quot;acts of war crimes&quot; in Syria since 2011, in hospital bombings, shootings, torture and executions perpetrated mainly by government-backed forces, researchers said on Wednesday.

The Syrian government and its ally, Russia, have turned the violent withholding of healthcare into a weapon of war, according to an analysis published in The Lancet medical journal.

This &quot;weaponisation&quot; of healthcare, it said, &quot;has translated into hundreds of health workers killed, hundreds more incarcerated or tortured and hundreds of health facilities deliberately and systematically attacked&quot;.

In the crosshairs, an estimated 15,000 doctors -- about half the pre-war number -- fled the country, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians without access to basic care.

&quot;The international community has left these violations of international humanitarian and human rights law largely unanswered,&quot; the authors of the report said.

It was compiled by experts from universities in Beirut, Britain and the United States, as well as the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and Multi-Aid Programs, an NGO.

The data they gathered showed that 782 health workers were killed from March 2011 to September last year.

Of the total, 247 (32 per cent) were doctors, 176 (23 per cent) nurses and 146 (19 per cent) medics, according to Physicians for Human Rights, a nonprofit group.&nbsp;

The rest included pharmacists, medical students, ambulance workers and veterinarians who were added to the list because they were killed while treating people.

Shelling and bombing of hospitals and clinics accounted for 426 (55 per cent) of deaths, the report said.

&#39;Decimated&#39; region

Shootings of medical professionals followed with 180 deaths (23 per cent), torture with 101 (13 per cent) and executions with 61 (eight per cent).

Since September 2016, at least 32 more lost their lives, &quot;which brings the total number of health workers killed in acts of war crimes over the six years of the conflict to 814,&quot; the study said.

This was probably a gross underestimate, it added.

The war in Syria has killed at least 320,000 people and displaced millions in six years.

The evidence suggested that the Syrian government targeted medics as a strategy, and to an extent never before seen in war, the researchers said.

The majority of the attacks on health facilities, 94 per cent, were the work of &quot;the Syrian government and its allies, including Russia&quot;.

&quot;With the military surge that began in late September 2015, when Russia joined Syrian government forces, 2016 marked the worst year of the conflict to date in terms of attacks on medical facilities,&quot; the study said.

The SAMS reported 194 verified attacks last year, an 89-per cent increase from 2015.

Almost a third of Syrians now live in areas with no health workers whatsoever, and another third are in areas with insufficient care, the report said.

Nearly half of hospitals were reported to be damaged.

A case in point: the Kafr Zita Cave Hospital in Hama has been bombed 33 times since 2014, including six times so far this year. And M10, an underground hospital in Aleppo, was attacked 19 times in three years before it was razed in October 2016.

While the remaining doctors -- many of them students or juniors with little experience -- brave the storm, international leaders have taken &quot;little action on bringing the perpetrators to justice&quot;, the authors said.

The Lancet, in an editorial, pointed to &quot;grievous failings by the global health community and international governance.&quot;

It called on the World Health Organization to raise funds to prop up the health infrastructure and health workers in Syria&nbsp;and to mobilise international support to resolve the humanitarian crisis.

&quot;An entire region and its people have been decimated while the world has watched,&quot; the journal said. &quot;Health and development will take decades to catch up.&quot;

(AFP)

According to the report, about 15,000 doctors fled the country leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians without access to basic care

More than 800 health workers have died in "acts of war crimes" in Syria since 2011, in hospital bombings, shootings, torture and executions perpetrated mainly by government-backed forces, researchers said on Wednesday. The Syrian government and its ally, Russia, have turned the violent withholding of healthcare into a weapon of war, according to an analysis published in The Lancet medical journal. This "weaponisation" of healthcare, it said, "has translated into hundreds of health workers killed, hundreds more incarcerated or tortured and hundreds of health facilities deliberately and systematically attacked". In the crosshairs, an estimated 15,000 doctors -- about half the pre-war number -- fled the country, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians without access to basic care. "The international community has left these violations of international humanitarian and human rights law largely unanswered," the authors of the report said. It was compiled by experts from universities in Beirut, Britain and the United States, as well as the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and Multi-Aid Programs, an NGO. The data they gathered showed that 782 health workers were killed from March 2011 to September last year. Of the total, 247 (32 per cent) were doctors, 176 (23 per cent) nurses and 146 (19 per cent) medics, according to Physicians for Human Rights, a nonprofit group. The rest included pharmacists, medical students, ambulance workers and veterinarians who were added to the list because they were killed while treating people. Shelling and bombing of hospitals and clinics accounted for 426 (55 per cent) of deaths, the report said. 'Decimated' region Shootings of medical professionals followed with 180 deaths (23 per cent), torture with 101 (13 per cent) and executions with 61 (eight per cent). Since September 2016, at least 32 more lost their lives, "which brings the total number of health workers killed in acts of war crimes over the six years of the conflict to 814," the study said. This was probably a gross underestimate, it added. The war in Syria has killed at least 320,000 people and displaced millions in six years. The evidence suggested that the Syrian government targeted medics as a strategy, and to an extent never before seen in war, the researchers said. The majority of the attacks on health facilities, 94 per cent, were the work of "the Syrian government and its allies, including Russia". "With the military surge that began in late September 2015, when Russia joined Syrian government forces, 2016 marked the worst year of the conflict to date in terms of attacks on medical facilities," the study said. The SAMS reported 194 verified attacks last year, an 89-per cent increase from 2015. Almost a third of Syrians now live in areas with no health workers whatsoever, and another third are in areas with insufficient care, the report said. Nearly half of hospitals were reported to be damaged. A case in point: the Kafr Zita Cave Hospital in Hama has been bombed 33 times since 2014, including six times so far this year. And M10, an underground hospital in Aleppo, was attacked 19 times in three years before it was razed in October 2016. While the remaining doctors -- many of them students or juniors with little experience -- brave the storm, international leaders have taken "little action on bringing the perpetrators to justice", the authors said. The Lancet, in an editorial, pointed to "grievous failings by the global health community and international governance." It called on the World Health Organization to raise funds to prop up the health infrastructure and health workers in Syria and to mobilise international support to resolve the humanitarian crisis. "An entire region and its people have been decimated while the world has watched," the journal said. "Health and development will take decades to catch up." (AFP)

Over 800 health workers killed in Syrian 'war crimes': Report

International Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talks to WION on elections, bilateral trade, IS and more

WION Exclusive: Bangladesh not aligned to India or China, says Gowher Rizvi

Iraqi security forces have retaken more than a third of west Mosul from the Islamic State group since launching an assault on the area last month, a commander said Sunday.

&quot;Around more than a third of the right bank (west Mosul) is under the control of our units,&quot; Staff Major General Maan al-Saadi told AFP.

Mosul is split by the Tigris River, and its eastern side is referred to as the left bank, while the western is known as the right back.

Iraqi forces launched the operation to retake west Mosul -- the most populated urban area still under IS control -- on February 19, pushing up from the south.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes and other support have since retaken most of the territory they lost.

Iraqi forces launched a major operation to retake Mosul in October, recapturing the eastern side of the city before setting their sights on the smaller but more densely-populated west.

(AFP)

'Around more than a third of the right bank (west Mosul) is under the control of our units,' Staff Major General Maan al-Saadi told AFP

Iraqi security forces have retaken more than a third of west Mosul from the Islamic State group since launching an assault on the area last month, a commander said Sunday. "Around more than a third of the right bank (west Mosul) is under the control of our units," Staff Major General Maan al-Saadi told AFP. Mosul is split by the Tigris River, and its eastern side is referred to as the left bank, while the western is known as the right back. Iraqi forces launched the operation to retake west Mosul -- the most populated urban area still under IS control -- on February 19, pushing up from the south. IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes and other support have since retaken most of the territory they lost. Iraqi forces launched a major operation to retake Mosul in October, recapturing the eastern side of the city before setting their sights on the smaller but more densely-populated west. (AFP)

Iraqi forces retake over a third of west Mosul: Commander

A man, suspected to have recruited 22 Indians to join Islamic State, was asked by Sri Lankan authorities to leave a religious school for apparently fomenting religious cleavages, according to India&#39;s anti-terror agency.

India&#39;s National Investigation Agency filed a charge sheet against&nbsp;Abdul Rashid Abdulla in which it records statements of three men who were instigated by him to join the Middle East-based jihadist organisation, Sri Lankan news agency Daily Mirror reported.

The charge sheet contains statements from 49 students against Abdulla and&nbsp;Islamic Research Foundation&#39;s guest relations manager Arshi Qureshi. Zakir Naik&#39;s&nbsp;Islamic Research Foundation was outlawed by the Indian government last year under anti-terror laws.

Rashid, who studied engineering, was a preacher from Thrikkaripur in India&#39;s southern state of Kerala. Some people, including a few parents of those Indians who joined IS, blame Rashid for influencing their sons to join the dreaded militant outfit.

Daily Mirror quoted a witness statement in the charge sheet as saying that following a heated argument about the meaning of jihad, one of the teachers at the school told Rashid: &quot;Jihad is to fight with bad elements of your own self, Jihad does not mean fighting and killing innocent people.&quot;

&quot;After the debate, Navas Sheikh (the teacher) told them to leave the campus at once. On the same day, the group left the campus,&quot; the statement further read.

Although not much is known about Rashid, Indian investigators say he joined IS in the Middle East with his wife Ayesha and their two-year-old child.

(WION)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

India's anti-terror agency said Abdul Rashid Abdulla was trying to foment religious cleavage in the school

A man, suspected to have recruited 22 Indians to join Islamic State, was asked by Sri Lankan authorities to leave a religious school for apparently fomenting religious cleavages, according to India's anti-terror agency. India's National Investigation Agency filed a charge sheet against Abdul Rashid Abdulla in which it records statements of three men who were instigated by him to join the Middle East-based jihadist organisation, Sri Lankan news agency Daily Mirror reported. The charge sheet contains statements from 49 students against Abdulla and Islamic Research Foundation's guest relations manager Arshi Qureshi. Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation was outlawed by the Indian government last year under anti-terror laws. Rashid, who studied engineering, was a preacher from Thrikkaripur in India's southern state of Kerala. Some people, including a few parents of those Indians who joined IS, blame Rashid for influencing their sons to join the dreaded militant outfit. Daily Mirror quoted a witness statement in the charge sheet as saying that following a heated argument about the meaning of jihad, one of the teachers at the school told Rashid: "Jihad is to fight with bad elements of your own self, Jihad does not mean fighting and killing innocent people." "After the debate, Navas Sheikh (the teacher) told them to leave the campus at once. On the same day, the group left the campus," the statement further read. Although not much is known about Rashid, Indian investigators say he joined IS in the Middle East with his wife Ayesha and their two-year-old child. (WION)

Suspected IS' India recruiter was told to leave religious school in Sri Lanka

Raqqa is the &#39;capital city&#39;&nbsp;of the Islamic State in Syria which is also their heart in West Asia. However, the city is being converted by a number of great powers in the region including Russia and United States who are keen to stamp their authority over the region even as thousands of IS fighters dig their heels to defend their final bastion. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The situation is a quite complicated since the competing actors fighting in Syria are far from agreeing on who will spearhead the final campaign against the IS. &nbsp;

Turkey, Russia, Iran, US, the Kurds, anti-Assad militias are all fighting &quot;wars within the war&quot;&nbsp;over&nbsp;Raqqa as they eye the &#39;big prize&#39;. Whoever retakes the city secures&nbsp;legitimacy in the international arena as the &quot;destroyer of IS in West Asia&quot;.&nbsp;Despite&nbsp;tremendous difficulties that an urban guerrilla warfare presents, everyone seems to be in a rush to take the lead.&nbsp;

In November 2016, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched operation &quot;Wrath of the Euphrates&quot;; they secured several villages north of&nbsp;Raqqa and now their troops are&nbsp;close to the city. &nbsp;

&quot;The number of our forces is now increasing, particularly from among the people of the area, and we have enough strength to liberate Raqqa with support from the coalition forces,&quot; Jihan Sheikh Ahmed, spokeswoman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, recently said in a statement.&nbsp;

The US has&nbsp;backed the SDF with airstrikes and strategic support and has&nbsp;recently deployed 400 additional troops. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Syrian Democratic Forces are an umbrella organisation in which Arabs and Kurds fight&nbsp;together. The group&#39;s backbone is, however, made by the Kurdish People&#39;s Protection Units (YPG), which have been fighting the Islamic State in northern Syria since 2014. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Apart from the evident military challenge, Raqqa&#39;s social fabric could be an obstacle for the Kurds. The city mainly consists of a majority&nbsp;Arab population and there is no guarantee&nbsp;that the local population would welcome the Kurdish army. Mosul presented a similar scenario which led the Iraqi Kurdistan army to&nbsp;opt out of&nbsp;entering the city&nbsp;leaving it to the Iraqi army. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Kurds fighting in northern Syria make no bones about their willingness to remain in the areas they have liberated. They aim to form an autonomous Kurdish belt running along northern Syria where intend to implement a form of direct democracy. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Their only obstacle is a 100 km&nbsp;wide stretch of land starting from the city of Jarablus, an area currently controlled by Turkish-backed paramilitary groups.&nbsp;If the Syrian Kurds succeed in leading the attack against Raqqa, they will gain not only gain territorially but also earn political capital internationally. &nbsp;

Their success will ultimately translate into success for the US. It will especially favour President Trump&#39;s narrative of being a game-changer, even if he just followed Obama&#39;s foreign policy strategy. &nbsp;

It goes without saying that neither Syria&#39;s President Bashar al-Assad nor Turkey are willing to accept the Kurds&#39; project. 
 
Turkey considers the YPG as a terrorist organisation and will never allow them to control a continuous belt running along&nbsp;its southern border. The country&#39;s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim expressed clear discontent over the support that the US is&nbsp;giving the SDF. &nbsp;

Turkey is currently backing several anti-Assad groups fighting the IS in Syria. These militias are very different in nature and a majority of them are&nbsp;believed to be the Islamist and Salafi-oriented group Ahrar al-Sham, a militia which considers the Kurds as their enemy. &nbsp;

Clashes between Turkey-backed rebel groups and the SDA is already a reality on the ground. According to the Turkish military, 71 Kurdish fighters were&nbsp;killed last week. &nbsp;Turkey has already been &#39;shut out&#39; from the Mosul offensive and will try its best not to remain isolated in Raqqa also. Keeping Turkey-backed rebels under control will be one of US&#39;s most difficult tasks.&nbsp;

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s troops, backed by Russian airstrikes and logistic support, have also advanced towards Raqqa from the south. As president of the country, Assad is opposed to any division of its territory and does not seem to be willing to concede an independent Kurdish region in the north. &nbsp;

Assad has never been able to digest&nbsp;Turkish interference on his soil, especially after Ankara started openly backing anti-Assad paramilitary brigades. &nbsp;

An eventual success of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the country&#39;s regular army, will strengthen both President Assad&#39;s position and Russia&#39;s reputation as the most effective enemy of the Islamic State. Moscow could also secure, once and for all, its already strong influence in West Asia. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Assad also desires&nbsp;&#39;personal propaganda&#39;&nbsp;in order to shift international focus over&nbsp;accusations of tens of thousands of random arrests, torture&nbsp;and murder&nbsp;perpetrated in Syria&#39;s jails. &nbsp;

Iran too has its eyes on Raqqa. There is no evidence of Iran-backed militias in&nbsp;the Syrian Arab Army advancing towards Raqqa, but such troops have supported President Assad in Aleppo. Tehran will only profit from an eventual SAA successful attack in Raqqa. A strong Shia-aligned Syria is part of Iran&#39;s dream of a transnational &#39;Shia belt&#39; running across West Asia. This will give Iran the opportunity to effectively influence the region&#39;s politics appealing to its inhabitants&#39; religious feelings. &nbsp;

There is&nbsp;another puzzle to the Raqqa story. The US secretary of defense James Mattis believes that Iran presents a&nbsp;major threat to peace in the entire West Asia which also means bad news for US presence in the region. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Despite these complexities, Washington and Ankara might converge on Iran. Turkey is opposed to Iran&#39;s political hegemony over the region and is likely to subvert any Iranian success. &nbsp;

Planning the attack to retake IS&#39;s capital city in Syria seems to be even more difficult than actually fighting it. This is a not just a battle of retaking Raqqa and defeating the Islamic State but a&nbsp;global struggle for influence in West Asia involving regional and international powers. &nbsp;

In this great game, the Syrian populace has been conveniently left out as they suffer silently and find no voice in the country&#39;s politics.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Turkey, Russia, Iran, US, the Kurds, anti-Assad militias are all fighting 'wars within the war' over?Raqqa as they eye the 'big prize'

Raqqa is the 'capital city' of the Islamic State in Syria which is also their heart in West Asia. However, the city is being converted by a number of great powers in the region including Russia and United States who are keen to stamp their authority over the region even as thousands of IS fighters dig their heels to defend their final bastion. The situation is a quite complicated since the competing actors fighting in Syria are far from agreeing on who will spearhead the final campaign against the IS. Turkey, Russia, Iran, US, the Kurds, anti-Assad militias are all fighting "wars within the war" over Raqqa as they eye the 'big prize'. Whoever retakes the city secures legitimacy in the international arena as the "destroyer of IS in West Asia". Despite tremendous difficulties that an urban guerrilla warfare presents, everyone seems to be in a rush to take the lead. In November 2016, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched operation "Wrath of the Euphrates"; they secured several villages north of Raqqa and now their troops are close to the city. "The number of our forces is now increasing, particularly from among the people of the area, and we have enough strength to liberate Raqqa with support from the coalition forces," Jihan Sheikh Ahmed, spokeswoman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, recently said in a statement. The US has backed the SDF with airstrikes and strategic support and has recently deployed 400 additional troops. The Syrian Democratic Forces are an umbrella organisation in which Arabs and Kurds fight together. The group's backbone is, however, made by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which have been fighting the Islamic State in northern Syria since 2014. Apart from the evident military challenge, Raqqa's social fabric could be an obstacle for the Kurds. The city mainly consists of a majority Arab population and there is no guarantee that the local population would welcome the Kurdish army. Mosul presented a similar scenario which led the Iraqi Kurdistan army to opt out of entering the city leaving it to the Iraqi army. Kurds fighting in northern Syria make no bones about their willingness to remain in the areas they have liberated. They aim to form an autonomous Kurdish belt running along northern Syria where intend to implement a form of direct democracy. Their only obstacle is a 100 km wide stretch of land starting from the city of Jarablus, an area currently controlled by Turkish-backed paramilitary groups. If the Syrian Kurds succeed in leading the attack against Raqqa, they will gain not only gain territorially but also earn political capital internationally. Their success will ultimately translate into success for the US. It will especially favour President Trump's narrative of being a game-changer, even if he just followed Obama's foreign policy strategy. It goes without saying that neither Syria's President Bashar al-Assad nor Turkey are willing to accept the Kurds' project. Turkey considers the YPG as a terrorist organisation and will never allow them to control a continuous belt running along its southern border. The country's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim expressed clear discontent over the support that the US is giving the SDF. Turkey is currently backing several anti-Assad groups fighting the IS in Syria. These militias are very different in nature and a majority of them are believed to be the Islamist and Salafi-oriented group Ahrar al-Sham, a militia which considers the Kurds as their enemy. Clashes between Turkey-backed rebel groups and the SDA is already a reality on the ground. According to the Turkish military, 71 Kurdish fighters were killed last week. Turkey has already been 'shut out' from the Mosul offensive and will try its best not to remain isolated in Raqqa also. Keeping Turkey-backed rebels under control will be one of US's most difficult tasks. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's troops, backed by Russian airstrikes and logistic support, have also advanced towards Raqqa from the south. As president of the country, Assad is opposed to any division of its territory and does not seem to be willing to concede an independent Kurdish region in the north. Assad has never been able to digest Turkish interference on his soil, especially after Ankara started openly backing anti-Assad paramilitary brigades. An eventual success of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the country's regular army, will strengthen both President Assad's position and Russia's reputation as the most effective enemy of the Islamic State. Moscow could also secure, once and for all, its already strong influence in West Asia. Assad also desires 'personal propaganda' in order to shift international focus over accusations of tens of thousands of random arrests, torture and murder perpetrated in Syria's jails. Iran too has its eyes on Raqqa. There is no evidence of Iran-backed militias in the Syrian Arab Army advancing towards Raqqa, but such troops have supported President Assad in Aleppo. Tehran will only profit from an eventual SAA successful attack in Raqqa. A strong Shia-aligned Syria is part of Iran's dream of a transnational 'Shia belt' running across West Asia. This will give Iran the opportunity to effectively influence the region's politics appealing to its inhabitants' religious feelings. There is another puzzle to the Raqqa story. The US secretary of defense James Mattis believes that Iran presents a major threat to peace in the entire West Asia which also means bad news for US presence in the region. Despite these complexities, Washington and Ankara might converge on Iran. Turkey is opposed to Iran's political hegemony over the region and is likely to subvert any Iranian success. Planning the attack to retake IS's capital city in Syria seems to be even more difficult than actually fighting it. This is a not just a battle of retaking Raqqa and defeating the Islamic State but a global struggle for influence in West Asia involving regional and international powers. In this great game, the Syrian populace has been conveniently left out as they suffer silently and find no voice in the country's politics. (With inputs from Reuters)

Retaking Raqqa: The great game unfolds

The United States deployed additional troops to drive out Islamist State from their stronghold Raqa, Syria.

The US-led coalition announced they had deployed another 400 troops on the ground in Syria.

At the moment, the US have 500 troops fighting in Raqa, as Iraqi forces advanced on the IS group in west Mosul on Thursday.

US-led coalition spokesperson&nbsp;Colonel John Dorrian said the reinforcements &quot;are temporary forces&quot;, adding that the long-term strength would remain at 500.

The additional deployment comes as the US announced they&nbsp;would host a meeting of the 68 members of the coalition fighting IS on March 22.

The American military buildup comes amid calls by President Donald Trump for new plans to accelerate the pace of the war against the Sunni Muslim extremists.

IS jihadists are facing simultaneous offensives in northern Syria by government forces, Turkish-backed rebels, and a US-supported alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters.

In the latest sign they are feeling the squeeze, their chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was reported to have abandoned Mosul, leaving local commanders behind to fight the Iraqi forces.

&quot;He was in Mosul at some point before the offensive.... He left before we isolated Mosul and Tal Afar,&quot; a town to the west, said a US defence official.

&quot;He probably gave broad strategic guidance&nbsp;and has left it to battlefield commanders.&quot;

Baghdadi, who declared IS&#39;s cross-border &quot;caliphate&quot; at a Mosul mosque in 2014, in an audio message in November urged supporters to make a stand in the city rather than &quot;retreating in shame&quot;.

Meanwhile, Iraqi forces launched an offensive to retake west of Mosul, after having regained the eastern part of the city last October.

In recent days Iraqi forces have retaken a series of neighbourhoods and a museum where IS militants filmed themselves destroying priceless artefacts.

Iraq&#39;s Joint Operations Command announced Thursday the elite Counter-Terrorism Service recaptured the Mualemeen neighbourhood in west Mosul.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The reinforcement means the US now have 900 of its troops on the ground in Syria

The United States deployed additional troops to drive out Islamist State from their stronghold Raqa, Syria. The US-led coalition announced they had deployed another 400 troops on the ground in Syria. At the moment, the US have 500 troops fighting in Raqa, as Iraqi forces advanced on the IS group in west Mosul on Thursday. US-led coalition spokesperson Colonel John Dorrian said the reinforcements "are temporary forces", adding that the long-term strength would remain at 500. The additional deployment comes as the US announced they would host a meeting of the 68 members of the coalition fighting IS on March 22. The American military buildup comes amid calls by President Donald Trump for new plans to accelerate the pace of the war against the Sunni Muslim extremists. IS jihadists are facing simultaneous offensives in northern Syria by government forces, Turkish-backed rebels, and a US-supported alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters. In the latest sign they are feeling the squeeze, their chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was reported to have abandoned Mosul, leaving local commanders behind to fight the Iraqi forces. "He was in Mosul at some point before the offensive.... He left before we isolated Mosul and Tal Afar," a town to the west, said a US defence official. "He probably gave broad strategic guidance and has left it to battlefield commanders." Baghdadi, who declared IS's cross-border "caliphate" at a Mosul mosque in 2014, in an audio message in November urged supporters to make a stand in the city rather than "retreating in shame". Meanwhile, Iraqi forces launched an offensive to retake west of Mosul, after having regained the eastern part of the city last October. In recent days Iraqi forces have retaken a series of neighbourhoods and a museum where IS militants filmed themselves destroying priceless artefacts. Iraq's Joint Operations Command announced Thursday the elite Counter-Terrorism Service recaptured the Mualemeen neighbourhood in west Mosul. (WION with inputs from AFP)

US deploys 400 additional troops to oust IS from stronghold Raqa

Malaysia has arrested six foreigners and one Malaysian for suspected links to militant groups including Islamic State, the police chief said on Sunday.

The Southeast Asian nation has been on high alert since suicide bombers and gunmen linked to Islamic State launched multiple attacks in Jakarta, the capital of neighbouring Indonesia, in January 2016.

A grenade attack on a bar on the outskirts of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, in June last year wounded eight people. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, the first of such attacks on Malaysian soil.

Malaysia has arrested hundreds over the last few years for suspected links to militant groups.

In the latest arrests made between February 21 and February 26, one Malaysian and one Indonesian were detained for planning to launch a large-scale car bomb attack using a &quot;vehicle borne improvised explosive device&quot;, before leaving to join IS in Syria, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement.

The two were part of an Islamic State cell that received instructions from Muhammad Wanndy Muhammad Jedi - a known Malaysian IS fighter in Syria.

One East Asian, with a fake student visa, had connections to an East Asian militant group that sends its members to Malaysia before heading to Syria to join Islamic State, Khalid said.

Four Yemenis arrested were suspected of being part of a Yemeni insurgent group. They were also part of a syndicate forging travel documents.

Police seized multiple international passports and 270,000 ringgit ($60,650) in cash in different currencies from the four.

(Reuters)

Malaysia has been on high alert since suicide bombers and gunmen linked to IS launched multiple attacks in Jakarta last year

Malaysia has arrested six foreigners and one Malaysian for suspected links to militant groups including Islamic State, the police chief said on Sunday. The Southeast Asian nation has been on high alert since suicide bombers and gunmen linked to Islamic State launched multiple attacks in Jakarta, the capital of neighbouring Indonesia, in January 2016. A grenade attack on a bar on the outskirts of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, in June last year wounded eight people. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, the first of such attacks on Malaysian soil. Malaysia has arrested hundreds over the last few years for suspected links to militant groups. In the latest arrests made between February 21 and February 26, one Malaysian and one Indonesian were detained for planning to launch a large-scale car bomb attack using a "vehicle borne improvised explosive device", before leaving to join IS in Syria, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement. The two were part of an Islamic State cell that received instructions from Muhammad Wanndy Muhammad Jedi - a known Malaysian IS fighter in Syria. One East Asian, with a fake student visa, had connections to an East Asian militant group that sends its members to Malaysia before heading to Syria to join Islamic State, Khalid said. Four Yemenis arrested were suspected of being part of a Yemeni insurgent group. They were also part of a syndicate forging travel documents. Police seized multiple international passports and 270,000 ringgit ($60,650) in cash in different currencies from the four. (Reuters)

Malaysia: Seven arrested for suspected links to militant groups including IS

Islamic State militants have severely damaged a major Roman monument in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, an antiquities official said after visiting the site on Saturday.

Under heavy Russian air cover, the Syrian army and allied militias drove the jihadist group out of the UNESCO world heritage site on Thursday, two months after it had seized it in a surprise advance.

It was the second time the city had been recaptured from the militants in the course of Syria&#39;s six-year war.

Antiquities official Wael Hafyan said he had seen serious damage to the Tetrapylon, a square stone platform with matching structures of four columns positioned at each corner. Only four of the 16 columns were still standing.

&quot;The terrorists detonated it... the damage is extensive,&quot; he told Reuters. However, he said some of the fallen columns were not destroyed and could be restored using modern conservation techniques.

There was also harm, but less serious, to the facade of a Roman theatre, where the damage was to a part that was restored, not original, he said.

Hafyan said the militants had caused less destruction during their second occupation of the city than in their first, when they ruined an 1,800-year-old monumental arch and the nearly 2,000-year-old Temple of Baalshamin.

&quot;These two places are not in that same danger and the extent of destruction of the first occupation, when the damage was much more savage,&quot; Hafyan added. He said it would take some time to make a full technical assessment of the historic sites.

Known as the Pearl of the Desert, Palmyra, about 215 km (135 miles) northeast of Damascus, was a prosperous city on the ancient Silk Road trading route.

The militants have smashed ancient structures in Iraq and Syria they say do not conform to their strict interpretation of Islam.

(Reuters)

Wael Hafyan said he had seen serious damage to the Tetrapylon. Only four of the 16 columns were still standing

Islamic State militants have severely damaged a major Roman monument in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, an antiquities official said after visiting the site on Saturday. Under heavy Russian air cover, the Syrian army and allied militias drove the jihadist group out of the UNESCO world heritage site on Thursday, two months after it had seized it in a surprise advance. It was the second time the city had been recaptured from the militants in the course of Syria's six-year war. Antiquities official Wael Hafyan said he had seen serious damage to the Tetrapylon, a square stone platform with matching structures of four columns positioned at each corner. Only four of the 16 columns were still standing. "The terrorists detonated it... the damage is extensive," he told Reuters. However, he said some of the fallen columns were not destroyed and could be restored using modern conservation techniques. There was also harm, but less serious, to the facade of a Roman theatre, where the damage was to a part that was restored, not original, he said. Hafyan said the militants had caused less destruction during their second occupation of the city than in their first, when they ruined an 1,800-year-old monumental arch and the nearly 2,000-year-old Temple of Baalshamin. "These two places are not in that same danger and the extent of destruction of the first occupation, when the damage was much more savage," Hafyan added. He said it would take some time to make a full technical assessment of the historic sites. Known as the Pearl of the Desert, Palmyra, about 215 km (135 miles) northeast of Damascus, was a prosperous city on the ancient Silk Road trading route. The militants have smashed ancient structures in Iraq and Syria they say do not conform to their strict interpretation of Islam. (Reuters)

Islamic State has badly damaged major Palmyra monument: Antiquities official

At least 11 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded on Saturday in air strikes on a central Syrian village that a monitor said were likely carried out by Russia.

&quot;The raids targeted a livestock market in the village of Oqayrabat, held by the Islamic State group in Hama province,&quot; said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

&quot;They are probably Russian air strikes,&quot; he said, adding that 45 people were also wounded.

Oqayrabat lies northwest of Palmyra, the ancient desert city that was recaptured by Russian-backed government forces from IS on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The road between the two had been often used by jihadists to travel between the provinces of Hama and Homs, where Palmyra lies.&nbsp;

Abdel Rahman said the raids on the village were part of &quot;new military operations by the Syrian regime and its Russian ally targeting jihadist positions in Hama province&quot;.

Syrian and Russian warplanes on Saturday were heavily bombing IS jihadists north and east of Palmyra, which has changed hands several times in Syria`s nearly six-year war.

IS overran the city for the second time on December 11.

A day later, 53 civilians were killed in a barrage of raids on Oqayrabat and other nearby villages, according to the Observatory.&nbsp; 
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also raised fears at the time that chemical weapons may have been used in air strikes on Oqayrabat.&nbsp;

The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

Tens of thousands of Syrian civilians have fled ferocious fighting between Russian-backed regime forces and Islamic State group jihadists over the past week in the country&#39;s ravaged north.

Supported by Russian air power and artillery, Syrian government forces have waged a fierce offensive against IS, seizing around 90 villages since mid-January.

(AFP)

Tens of thousands of Syrian civilians have fled fighting between Russian-backed regime forces and IS

At least 11 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded on Saturday in air strikes on a central Syrian village that a monitor said were likely carried out by Russia. "The raids targeted a livestock market in the village of Oqayrabat, held by the Islamic State group in Hama province," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "They are probably Russian air strikes," he said, adding that 45 people were also wounded. Oqayrabat lies northwest of Palmyra, the ancient desert city that was recaptured by Russian-backed government forces from IS on Wednesday. The road between the two had been often used by jihadists to travel between the provinces of Hama and Homs, where Palmyra lies. Abdel Rahman said the raids on the village were part of "new military operations by the Syrian regime and its Russian ally targeting jihadist positions in Hama province". Syrian and Russian warplanes on Saturday were heavily bombing IS jihadists north and east of Palmyra, which has changed hands several times in Syria`s nearly six-year war. IS overran the city for the second time on December 11. A day later, 53 civilians were killed in a barrage of raids on Oqayrabat and other nearby villages, according to the Observatory. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also raised fears at the time that chemical weapons may have been used in air strikes on Oqayrabat. The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used. Tens of thousands of Syrian civilians have fled ferocious fighting between Russian-backed regime forces and Islamic State group jihadists over the past week in the country's ravaged north. Supported by Russian air power and artillery, Syrian government forces have waged a fierce offensive against IS, seizing around 90 villages since mid-January. (AFP)

At least 11 civilians killed in Russia-backed air strikes in Syria

Ninety-year-old Khatla Ali Abdallah has survived decades of turbulence in northern Iraq, but the frail grandmother who fled the battle for Mosul this week says the fighting there is the worst she has ever seen.

Carried across the desert by her grandsons, under sniper and mortar fire, she was one of the&nbsp;thousands who braved the difficult and dangerous journey out of Islamic State&#39;s shrinking stronghold in the west of the city.

&quot;I&#39;m a 90-year-old woman and I haven&rsquo;t seen such a war,&quot; she said in a camp for displaced people south of Mosul, where she was taken by Iraqi security forces.

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/2017-03-02t202545z_1_lynxmped211gr_rtroptp_4_mideast-crisis-iraq-woman-20170302084000.JPG" />
<div class="media-description">
The 90-year-old is carried by a member of the Iraqi forces in the desert in western Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Khatla lived through Saddam Hussein&#39;s quarter century in power, when Iraq fought wars with neighbouring Iran and Kuwait and endured a decade of devastating sanctions. That was followed by a U.S.-led invasion which toppled Saddam and led to years of sectarian war across the country.

&quot;Even under the Saddam era, we were afraid because of the atrocities and the people killed,&quot; she said. &quot;But nothing is compared to this phase&quot;.

Since the launch of the military campaign in October to retake Mosul from Islamic State, Khatla remained in her home in the city&#39;s southwestern al-Mamoun district, now in the hands of Iraq&#39;s U.S.-backed Counter Terrorism Service (CTS).

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/2017-03-02t202545z_1_lynxmped211gn_rtroptp_4_mideast-crisis-iraq-woman-20170302084115.JPG" />
<div class="media-description">
Khatla Ali Abdullah&#39;s hands are seen as she sits at her tent in Hammam al Alil camp. (Reuters)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

At times she took shelter in her basement with the 20 chickens that she looked after - reminders, she said, of her youth when she also herded sheep and cattle.

&quot;I haven&#39;t lost any chickens, not even a one little chick,&quot; she said. &quot;We were trapped in the basement and we could hear the bullets hitting the metal roof of the chicken pen.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/2017-03-02t202545z_1_lynxmped211gw_rtroptp_4_mideast-crisis-iraq-woman-20170302084228.JPG" />
<div class="media-description">
She talks to her relative as she sits with her daughter (L) in her tent in Hammam al Alil camp. (Reuters)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Her grandsons carried her for miles in the desert to reach the CTS lines, and then she was taken on a bus to a camp for internally displaced people.

&quot;We just want to make it through this war,&quot; she said. &quot;This one will make stories for generations to tell.&quot;

(Reuters_

She said even the Saddam Hussein era was nothing compared to the battle for Mosul

Ninety-year-old Khatla Ali Abdallah has survived decades of turbulence in northern Iraq, but the frail grandmother who fled the battle for Mosul this week says the fighting there is the worst she has ever seen. Carried across the desert by her grandsons, under sniper and mortar fire, she was one of the thousands who braved the difficult and dangerous journey out of Islamic State's shrinking stronghold in the west of the city. "I'm a 90-year-old woman and I haven’t seen such a war," she said in a camp for displaced people south of Mosul, where she was taken by Iraqi security forces. The 90-year-old is carried by a member of the Iraqi forces in the desert in western Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters) × Khatla lived through Saddam Hussein's quarter century in power, when Iraq fought wars with neighbouring Iran and Kuwait and endured a decade of devastating sanctions. That was followed by a U.S.-led invasion which toppled Saddam and led to years of sectarian war across the country. "Even under the Saddam era, we were afraid because of the atrocities and the people killed," she said. "But nothing is compared to this phase". Since the launch of the military campaign in October to retake Mosul from Islamic State, Khatla remained in her home in the city's southwestern al-Mamoun district, now in the hands of Iraq's U.S.-backed Counter Terrorism Service (CTS). Khatla Ali Abdullah's hands are seen as she sits at her tent in Hammam al Alil camp. (Reuters) × At times she took shelter in her basement with the 20 chickens that she looked after - reminders, she said, of her youth when she also herded sheep and cattle. "I haven't lost any chickens, not even a one little chick," she said. "We were trapped in the basement and we could hear the bullets hitting the metal roof of the chicken pen." She talks to her relative as she sits with her daughter (L) in her tent in Hammam al Alil camp. (Reuters) × Her grandsons carried her for miles in the desert to reach the CTS lines, and then she was taken on a bus to a camp for internally displaced people. "We just want to make it through this war," she said. "This one will make stories for generations to tell." (Reuters_

'I've never seen such war' says 90-year-old rescued from Mosul

The&nbsp;Iraqi television channel al-sumaria said on Wednesday that according to &#39;local sources&#39;, the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi acknowledged defeat in Iraq. In the same message, the self-proclaimed caliph is said to have urged his men either to flee or to detonate themselves.&nbsp;

The news was picked up by the Press Trust of India and hence by several other major Indian media outlets without even raising a single shred of doubt&nbsp;on the authenticity of such a&nbsp;message sent by the IS chief. &nbsp;

According to an article published on the Saudi-owned channel al-Arabiya, the message recorded by al-Baghdadi was distributed among Islamic State preachers on Tuesday. &nbsp;

The main problem is that the original copy is not available anywhere&nbsp;and it is therefore impossible to independently verify it. Relying only on local undisclosed sources for a message of such importance is not enough. &nbsp;

It is necessary to conduct accurate analysis on the recorded voice and the related metadata before deciding that the message is definitely authentic. &nbsp;

In case the &#39;local sources&#39; story turns&nbsp;out to be correct, this would be the first time that the Islamic State, through&nbsp;the voice of its leader has&nbsp;admitted&nbsp;defeat.&nbsp;The authenticity of the message is clearly doubtful. If even part of the remaining terrorists succeed in merging with the local population fleeing the city, they will represent a huge&nbsp;danger to&nbsp;Iraq. &nbsp;

Finding explosive and weapons is unfortunately very easy in the country and it takes only a small terrorist cell <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/51-dead-in-third-car-bomb-attack-in-baghdad-in-3-days-12487">to plot a massacre</a>, as recently&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-car-bomb-attack-in-baghdad-10959">seen in the capital city of Baghdad</a>. &nbsp;

It is plausible that the Islamic State leader, whose whereabouts are presently unknown, has strategically ordered the fighters to try to flee and hide. &nbsp;

The organisation is evidently on its way to being militarily defeated in Mosul. Terrorists are now isolated in the western part of the city without any possibility to escape and the Iraqi army is advancing each day. It could take three more months, but it is undoubtedly the beginning of the end of the IS control over Mosul.&nbsp;

In this context it is in the obvious strategical interest of the organisation to preserve its fighters in order to reorganise later, to form new cells in other cities and prepare new attacks. &nbsp;

In the last few days, the Iraqi Army has publicly declared that Islamic State fighters <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/as-civilians-flee-mosul-a-delicate-search-for-jihadists-12931">are hiding among refugees</a> fleeing from the war-torn neighbourhoods of Mosul.&nbsp;

From a strategic point of view, it is unlikely that al-Baghdadi decided to order retreat on a large scale and in a public way, releasing a message which could have ended up in enemies&#39; hands and used against them. &nbsp;

It would have been pointless&nbsp;for al-Baghdadi to publicly admit defeat without negotiating a retreat or a safe zone for his fighters. The risk would be that all remaining troops could disorderly desert and run away, loosing the city in a few days and undermining the organisation&#39;s reputation even further.&nbsp;

Many IS fighters perceive death in battle as a glorious martyrdom in the war to defend Islam. Therefore, it is also very unusual that an organisation like the Islamic state admits defeat among its members. The military concept &#39;defeat&#39; is not part of their political lexicon, at least not when they speak about themselves. &nbsp;

The IS strategy is to fight until the very end, whatever the cost. The Iraqi army, supported by US-led coalition, entered Mosul on the first days of November 2016. Since then, airstrikes and thousands of ground troops have had&nbsp;significant success, but the Islamic State has been fighting back. The IS have also stepped up guerrilla operations and suicide attacks against regular troops. &nbsp;

Losing ground in Mosul is certainly not good news for the Islamic state. Territory is important for the IS reputation: it supports their narrative of being truly capable of building a real caliphate. &nbsp;

The Islamic State did not proliferate only because of its territorial conquest alone,&nbsp;it thrived and spread mainly due to its<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/the-intimate-invitation-deciphering-the-ideological-appeal-of-the-islamic-state-12128">&nbsp;ideological and theological doctrine.</a> &nbsp;

(WION) 
&nbsp;

The IS' leader's statement comes from undisclosed 'local sources' from an Iraqi TV channel and it raises many doubts

The Iraqi television channel al-sumaria said on Wednesday that according to 'local sources', the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi acknowledged defeat in Iraq. In the same message, the self-proclaimed caliph is said to have urged his men either to flee or to detonate themselves. The news was picked up by the Press Trust of India and hence by several other major Indian media outlets without even raising a single shred of doubt on the authenticity of such a message sent by the IS chief. According to an article published on the Saudi-owned channel al-Arabiya, the message recorded by al-Baghdadi was distributed among Islamic State preachers on Tuesday. The main problem is that the original copy is not available anywhere and it is therefore impossible to independently verify it. Relying only on local undisclosed sources for a message of such importance is not enough. It is necessary to conduct accurate analysis on the recorded voice and the related metadata before deciding that the message is definitely authentic. In case the 'local sources' story turns out to be correct, this would be the first time that the Islamic State, through the voice of its leader has admitted defeat. The authenticity of the message is clearly doubtful. If even part of the remaining terrorists succeed in merging with the local population fleeing the city, they will represent a huge danger to Iraq. Finding explosive and weapons is unfortunately very easy in the country and it takes only a small terrorist cell to plot a massacre, as recently seen in the capital city of Baghdad. It is plausible that the Islamic State leader, whose whereabouts are presently unknown, has strategically ordered the fighters to try to flee and hide. The organisation is evidently on its way to being militarily defeated in Mosul. Terrorists are now isolated in the western part of the city without any possibility to escape and the Iraqi army is advancing each day. It could take three more months, but it is undoubtedly the beginning of the end of the IS control over Mosul. In this context it is in the obvious strategical interest of the organisation to preserve its fighters in order to reorganise later, to form new cells in other cities and prepare new attacks. In the last few days, the Iraqi Army has publicly declared that Islamic State fighters are hiding among refugees fleeing from the war-torn neighbourhoods of Mosul. From a strategic point of view, it is unlikely that al-Baghdadi decided to order retreat on a large scale and in a public way, releasing a message which could have ended up in enemies' hands and used against them. It would have been pointless for al-Baghdadi to publicly admit defeat without negotiating a retreat or a safe zone for his fighters. The risk would be that all remaining troops could disorderly desert and run away, loosing the city in a few days and undermining the organisation's reputation even further. Many IS fighters perceive death in battle as a glorious martyrdom in the war to defend Islam. Therefore, it is also very unusual that an organisation like the Islamic state admits defeat among its members. The military concept 'defeat' is not part of their political lexicon, at least not when they speak about themselves. The IS strategy is to fight until the very end, whatever the cost. The Iraqi army, supported by US-led coalition, entered Mosul on the first days of November 2016. Since then, airstrikes and thousands of ground troops have had significant success, but the Islamic State has been fighting back. The IS have also stepped up guerrilla operations and suicide attacks against regular troops. Losing ground in Mosul is certainly not good news for the Islamic state. Territory is important for the IS reputation: it supports their narrative of being truly capable of building a real caliphate. The Islamic State did not proliferate only because of its territorial conquest alone, it thrived and spread mainly due to its ideological and theological doctrine. (WION)

Report on IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi admitting defeat in Iraq may not be true

The Iraqi officer addresses a group of men who fled fighting in Mosul, urging them to admit any affiliation with the Islamic State group, and turn in collaborators.

Second Lieutenant&nbsp;Abdullah Qassem&nbsp;is by turns encouraging and reproachful as he talks to the crowd, who fled as Iraqi forces battle to wrest west Mosul from the jihadist group.

The scene is part of the delicate and sometimes tense process by which Iraqi forces are trying to weed out IS members attempting to escape among civilians.

&quot;They made you grow your beards, they banned cigarettes, they controlled you,&quot; says Qassem, dressed in the black uniform of the elite Counter-Terrorism Service and waving a stick to emphasise his point.

&quot;Islam... is about forgiveness, not about killing and fighting. So all of you know what the difference is between Daesh and Islam,&quot; he says, using an Arabic acronym for IS.

&quot;Anyone who helped them or let them in their houses, or gave them women to marry is not honourable,&quot; Qassem says, his voice just loud enough to carry to the back of the group of around 70 men, sitting in rows in the dust in a village south of Mosul.

The men listen quietly, but the chastisement prompts one to interject: &quot;But we couldn&#39;t fight them, we had no power.&quot;

Calmly but firmly, Qassem turns to him, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses: &quot;But how did they enter Mosul in the first place? That&#39;s the question,&quot; he replies, in a tone that does not invite an answer.

Scanning for jihadists&nbsp;

Thousands of civilians, including many women and children, have fled west Mosul since Iraqi forces began the push to retake it on February 19, trekking through the desert during the day and night to escape.

As one group arrives in the tiny village of Al-Salam, they are separated, with women and children brought to a shaded area to receive food and water.

The men are investigated nearby. First, they are asked informally for their names and quizzed for information. Afterwards, their identities are run against a database.

Those who are suspected of or admit to IS ties are taken for additional questioning.

The men sit in rows of around ten, most sporting the uniform-length beard mandated by IS.

They are covered in dust, and many look exhausted and nervous.

After Qassem&#39;s lecture, the men are ordered to stand and place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them.

Then a local notable, an older man in an immaculate white headscarf leaning on a carved, varnished walking stick, scans each row as he confers with an intelligence officer.

The officer, who declined to give his name, orders each row to sit once it has been reviewed.

&#39;I pledged allegiance&#39;&nbsp;

Then he addresses the group: &quot;If you know someone who pledged allegiance or who worked with Daesh, don&#39;t be afraid. Daesh is finished,&quot; he says.

He beckons a young man in a tracksuit to stand up and come over.

&quot;Look at this man, he came and he admitted to me that he pledged allegiance, and he was with them for 10 days, and nothing will happen to him,&quot; he says, his arms around the shoulders of the young man, whose expression is a mixture of embarrassment and fear.

The officer keeps up his pitch, warning that an admission or discovery of guilt later will not be so kindly received.

And then a man stands up, clutching a sack of belongings, and walks out of the crowd.

&quot;I pledged allegiance, I worked with them in Qayyarah,&quot; he says, referring to an area south of Mosul.

&quot;But I swear it was only for 23 days, then I had a break and I left and never went back to them.&quot;

Then another joins him, dressed in a hat and a leather jacket.

And a third follows, wearing a tracksuit and avoiding eye contact as he makes his way up to the officer at the front, who smiles.

&quot;You see, nothing will happen, you pledged allegiance, you worked with them for a week, a month, three months, it&#39;s nothing. What we need is information,&quot; he says.

&quot;We need to finish with Daesh, they are like cancer. If it persists, it will consume the body.&quot;

(AFP)

Iraqi forces are talking to civilians fleeing west-Mosul to try to weed out IS members

The Iraqi officer addresses a group of men who fled fighting in Mosul, urging them to admit any affiliation with the Islamic State group, and turn in collaborators. Second Lieutenant Abdullah Qassem is by turns encouraging and reproachful as he talks to the crowd, who fled as Iraqi forces battle to wrest west Mosul from the jihadist group. The scene is part of the delicate and sometimes tense process by which Iraqi forces are trying to weed out IS members attempting to escape among civilians. "They made you grow your beards, they banned cigarettes, they controlled you," says Qassem, dressed in the black uniform of the elite Counter-Terrorism Service and waving a stick to emphasise his point. "Islam... is about forgiveness, not about killing and fighting. So all of you know what the difference is between Daesh and Islam," he says, using an Arabic acronym for IS. "Anyone who helped them or let them in their houses, or gave them women to marry is not honourable," Qassem says, his voice just loud enough to carry to the back of the group of around 70 men, sitting in rows in the dust in a village south of Mosul. The men listen quietly, but the chastisement prompts one to interject: "But we couldn't fight them, we had no power." Calmly but firmly, Qassem turns to him, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses: "But how did they enter Mosul in the first place? That's the question," he replies, in a tone that does not invite an answer. Scanning for jihadists Thousands of civilians, including many women and children, have fled west Mosul since Iraqi forces began the push to retake it on February 19, trekking through the desert during the day and night to escape. As one group arrives in the tiny village of Al-Salam, they are separated, with women and children brought to a shaded area to receive food and water. The men are investigated nearby. First, they are asked informally for their names and quizzed for information. Afterwards, their identities are run against a database. Those who are suspected of or admit to IS ties are taken for additional questioning. The men sit in rows of around ten, most sporting the uniform-length beard mandated by IS. They are covered in dust, and many look exhausted and nervous. After Qassem's lecture, the men are ordered to stand and place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. Then a local notable, an older man in an immaculate white headscarf leaning on a carved, varnished walking stick, scans each row as he confers with an intelligence officer. The officer, who declined to give his name, orders each row to sit once it has been reviewed. 'I pledged allegiance' Then he addresses the group: "If you know someone who pledged allegiance or who worked with Daesh, don't be afraid. Daesh is finished," he says. He beckons a young man in a tracksuit to stand up and come over. "Look at this man, he came and he admitted to me that he pledged allegiance, and he was with them for 10 days, and nothing will happen to him," he says, his arms around the shoulders of the young man, whose expression is a mixture of embarrassment and fear. The officer keeps up his pitch, warning that an admission or discovery of guilt later will not be so kindly received. And then a man stands up, clutching a sack of belongings, and walks out of the crowd. "I pledged allegiance, I worked with them in Qayyarah," he says, referring to an area south of Mosul. "But I swear it was only for 23 days, then I had a break and I left and never went back to them." Then another joins him, dressed in a hat and a leather jacket. And a third follows, wearing a tracksuit and avoiding eye contact as he makes his way up to the officer at the front, who smiles. "You see, nothing will happen, you pledged allegiance, you worked with them for a week, a month, three months, it's nothing. What we need is information," he says. "We need to finish with Daesh, they are like cancer. If it persists, it will consume the body." (AFP)

As civilians flee Mosul, a delicate search for jihadists

Russian warplanes bombed US-backed fighters in several small villages in northern Syria after they mistakenly thought Islamic State forces were in the area, a top US general said Wednesday.&nbsp;

Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend said Russian and Syrian regime aircraft attacked the villages to the south-east of Al-Bab in Aleppo province on Tuesday, resulting in an unspecified number of casualties.

The Russians apparently had observed IS fighters moving out of the area and so wrongly assumed that incoming forces were jihadists.

&quot;We had some Russian aircraft and regime aircraft bomb some villages that I believe they thought were held by ISIS, yet ... actually on the ground were some of our Syrian Arab Coalition forces,&quot; Townsend told reporters in a video call from Baghdad.

The SAC forms part of a broader alliance called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) comprising Kurdish and other groups that the United States have been training and advising to lead the fight against IS.

Townsend added that US troops were less than five kilometres (three miles) away from the villages and observed the bombing.

The American soldiers communicated the error, which was then quickly passed on to the Russians through a special &quot;deconfliction&quot; hotline the two powers have established to avoid mishaps.

&quot;It became apparent that the strikes were falling on some of the Syrian coalition positions,&quot; Townsend said.&nbsp;

&quot;Some quick calls were made to our deconfliction channels and the Russians acknowledged and stopped bombing there.&quot;

Townsend referred casualty questions back to the SAC.

The United States currently has about 500 troops in Syria, almost all of them special operations commandos. Their role is currently limited to advising local forces and staying behind front lines.

Hardly straightforward to begin with, the anti-IS fight in civil war-torn Syria is growing ever more complex.

Russia is using air power to prop up the regime of President Bashar al-Assad but also sometimes strikes IS.&nbsp;

Turkey has moved into northern Syria and is battling IS while also trying to keep US-backed Kurdish forces in check.

And America is trying to support the Kurds while not alienating ally Turkey.

&quot;It&#39;s a very complicated battlefield situation where essentially three armies and an enemy force have all converged within the same grid square,&quot; Townsend said.

&quot;It&#39;s very difficult and complicated. ... Everybody should keep their sights focused on ISIS ... and not fighting deliberately or accidentally one another.&quot;

(AFP)

The Russians apparently had observed IS fighters moving out of the area and so wrongly assumed that incoming forces were jihadists

Russian warplanes bombed US-backed fighters in several small villages in northern Syria after they mistakenly thought Islamic State forces were in the area, a top US general said Wednesday. Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend said Russian and Syrian regime aircraft attacked the villages to the south-east of Al-Bab in Aleppo province on Tuesday, resulting in an unspecified number of casualties. The Russians apparently had observed IS fighters moving out of the area and so wrongly assumed that incoming forces were jihadists. "We had some Russian aircraft and regime aircraft bomb some villages that I believe they thought were held by ISIS, yet ... actually on the ground were some of our Syrian Arab Coalition forces," Townsend told reporters in a video call from Baghdad. The SAC forms part of a broader alliance called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) comprising Kurdish and other groups that the United States have been training and advising to lead the fight against IS. Townsend added that US troops were less than five kilometres (three miles) away from the villages and observed the bombing. The American soldiers communicated the error, which was then quickly passed on to the Russians through a special "deconfliction" hotline the two powers have established to avoid mishaps. "It became apparent that the strikes were falling on some of the Syrian coalition positions," Townsend said. "Some quick calls were made to our deconfliction channels and the Russians acknowledged and stopped bombing there." Townsend referred casualty questions back to the SAC. The United States currently has about 500 troops in Syria, almost all of them special operations commandos. Their role is currently limited to advising local forces and staying behind front lines. Hardly straightforward to begin with, the anti-IS fight in civil war-torn Syria is growing ever more complex. Russia is using air power to prop up the regime of President Bashar al-Assad but also sometimes strikes IS. Turkey has moved into northern Syria and is battling IS while also trying to keep US-backed Kurdish forces in check. And America is trying to support the Kurds while not alienating ally Turkey. "It's a very complicated battlefield situation where essentially three armies and an enemy force have all converged within the same grid square," Townsend said. "It's very difficult and complicated. ... Everybody should keep their sights focused on ISIS ... and not fighting deliberately or accidentally one another." (AFP)

Russian jets accidentally bombed US-backed forces in Syria: US general

Counter-terror police in Australia arrested an unidentified man Tuesday for&nbsp;allegedly helping the Islamic State develop missile technology.&nbsp;This is the first arrest of its kind in Australia.

A contingent of police personnel along with sniffer dogs and metal detectors raided a property of the alleged IS man in Young, about 270 km (170 miles) southwest of Sydney, earlier on Tuesday, Australian media reported.

The police allege the 42-year-old man had been advising the radical Islamic group on how to develop the capability to detect a guided missile and also to build its&nbsp;own missile.

&quot;We will also allege that he has been researching, designing and modelling systems to assist Islamic State&#39;s efforts to develop their own long-range guided missile capabilities,&quot; Ian McCartney, assistant commissioner of counter-terrorism for Australian Federal Police told Reuters.

Other police officials alleged the man was attempting to research and design a laser missile-warning device, Reuters reported.&nbsp;Trained as an electrician, the man is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, police said.

Australia has seen several &quot;lone wolf&quot; attacks including the&nbsp;Sydney cafe siege in 2014 in which two hostages and a gunman were&nbsp;killed.&nbsp;About 100 people have left Australia to join the radical Islamic groups such as IS, Australia&#39;s immigration minister had said last year.

The Islamic State group has come under sustained attack in recent weeks from coalition air strikes, which have seen the group lose much of its foothold in Syria and Iraq.&nbsp;Australian Air Force planes have been involved in some of those strikes against the group in Syria.

(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Police claimed he was advising the group on how to develop the capability to detect a guided missile and also to build its?own missile.

Counter-terror police in Australia arrested an unidentified man Tuesday for allegedly helping the Islamic State develop missile technology. This is the first arrest of its kind in Australia. A contingent of police personnel along with sniffer dogs and metal detectors raided a property of the alleged IS man in Young, about 270 km (170 miles) southwest of Sydney, earlier on Tuesday, Australian media reported. The police allege the 42-year-old man had been advising the radical Islamic group on how to develop the capability to detect a guided missile and also to build its own missile. "We will also allege that he has been researching, designing and modelling systems to assist Islamic State's efforts to develop their own long-range guided missile capabilities," Ian McCartney, assistant commissioner of counter-terrorism for Australian Federal Police told Reuters. Other police officials alleged the man was attempting to research and design a laser missile-warning device, Reuters reported. Trained as an electrician, the man is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, police said. Australia has seen several "lone wolf" attacks including the Sydney cafe siege in 2014 in which two hostages and a gunman were killed. About 100 people have left Australia to join the radical Islamic groups such as IS, Australia's immigration minister had said last year. The Islamic State group has come under sustained attack in recent weeks from coalition air strikes, which have seen the group lose much of its foothold in Syria and Iraq. Australian Air Force planes have been involved in some of those strikes against the group in Syria. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Australia: Man accused of helping Islamic State build missile tech held

The Gujarat anti-terror squad (ATS) has arrested two brothers, who they are claiming are involved in activities related to the terror group Islamic State.&nbsp;

The two brothers, Wasim and Nathin, were arrested from Rajkot and Bhavnagar.&nbsp;

ANI reported that earlier this month, the National Investigation Agency had arrested a Kerala resident while probing an alleged IS module. &nbsp;

It added that last year, the Rajasthan ATS had arrested an alleged Islamic State operative in Sikar district. And that he was allegedly involved in collecting and transferring funds for the terror organisation from Dubai.

Meanwhile, Indian doctor K Ramamurthy who landed in India after being rescued from the clutches of the&nbsp;Islamic State after two years said the terror outfit is keeping an eye on and wants and wants to push its ideology in the country.

(WION with inputs from ANI)

Wasim and Nathin were arrested from Rajkot and Bhavnagar respectively

The Gujarat anti-terror squad (ATS) has arrested two brothers, who they are claiming are involved in activities related to the terror group Islamic State. The two brothers, Wasim and Nathin, were arrested from Rajkot and Bhavnagar. ANI reported that earlier this month, the National Investigation Agency had arrested a Kerala resident while probing an alleged IS module. It added that last year, the Rajasthan ATS had arrested an alleged Islamic State operative in Sikar district. And that he was allegedly involved in collecting and transferring funds for the terror organisation from Dubai. Meanwhile, Indian doctor K Ramamurthy who landed in India after being rescued from the clutches of the Islamic State after two years said the terror outfit is keeping an eye on and wants and wants to push its ideology in the country. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Gujarat ATS arrest two brothers, claim they're IS

Syrian government and opposition delegates to peace talks in Geneva on Saturday warned of the impact on negotiations after a day of violence in Syria that included jihadist suicide bombings and missile strikes by the air force.

The United Nations opened the peace talks with a symbolic ceremony on Thursday in Geneva, attended by representatives of the warring sides. But there has been no further direct contact with UN&nbsp;mediator Staffan de Mistura, who is still trying to get agreement on how the talks should be arranged.

With tensions palpable among participants, the United Nations is treading carefully in its efforts to revive negotiations after a 10-month hiatus.

&quot;Every time we have talks, or negotiations, there is always someone who tries to spoil,&quot; de Mistura told reporters before meeting the government delegation. &quot;I am expecting (it),&quot; he said.

A ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey with Iran&#39;s support is increasingly violated with groups opposed to the truce and the Geneva process also attempting to force their collapse.

Suicide bombers stormed two Syrian security offices in Homs on Saturday, killing dozens with gunfire and explosions including the head of military security, prompting airstrikes against the last rebel-held enclave in the western city.&nbsp;

The jihadist rebel alliance Tahrir al-Sham, which opposes the talks - although it has fought alongside factions that are represented there - said that five suicide bombers had carried out the attack. It celebrated with the words &quot;thanks be to God&quot; but stopped short of explicitly claiming responsibility.

Tahrir al-Sham was formed this year from several groups including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which was formerly known as the Nusra Front and was al Qaeda&#39;s Syrian branch until it broke formal allegiance to the global jihadist movement in 2016.

Warplanes also carried out six raids on Douma in the eastern suburbs of Damascus, resulting in six deaths, and earlier, an air raid in Hama killed four people from the same family, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Speaking to Reuters, Basma Kodmani, a negotiator from the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), said groups backing the talks had abided by the ceasefire, but questioned the government&#39;s commitment and whether Russia, a key Assad ally, was ready to pressure it to curb the violence.&nbsp;

&quot;The ceasefire...is violated today in the most horrible way,&quot; she said. &quot;The use of napalm yesterday and today massive air bombings on the suburb of Waer of homs city. That is giving us very negative intentions about what the regime&rsquo;s intentions are,&quot; she said.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said it had written to the United Nations demanding condemnation for Saturday&#39;s attack and what it called other terrorist acts. Damascus regards all the groups fighting against it as terrorists.

&quot;The terrorist explosions that hit Homs city are a message to Geneva from sponsors of terrorism, and we tell everyone that the message is received and this crime won&#39;t pass unnoticed,&quot; the government&#39;s chief negotiator Bashar Ja&#39;afari told reporters.

Although Assad&#39;s government has controlled most of Homs since 2014, rebels still control its al-Waer district, which warplanes bombed on Saturday, wounding 50, the Observatory said.

&quot;If it (ceasefire)is not credible, if nothing is happening here in Geneva, I fear that the ceasefire even for the opposition is going to collapse,&quot; Kodmani said.

&quot;Where is Russia to get compliance again from the regime so that the talks in Geneva can take place?&quot;

De Mistura handed a working paper on procedural issues to delegations at the talks on Friday, but there appeared little prospect of them meeting directly soon. Further bilateral talks are scheduled for later on Saturday.

The envoy is looking to lay the foundations for negotiations to end the six-year-old conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.

&quot;It may be good not to have too high expectations but it also reflects the state of things,&quot; said a Western diplomat.

&quot;To get them in the room is symbolic. But there is no way you can get anything out of that at the moment unless you have the beginning of an agreement between the backers.&quot;

(Reuters)

'Every time we have talks, or negotiations, there is always someone who tries to spoil,' UN mediator Staffan de Mistura told reporters

Syrian government and opposition delegates to peace talks in Geneva on Saturday warned of the impact on negotiations after a day of violence in Syria that included jihadist suicide bombings and missile strikes by the air force. The United Nations opened the peace talks with a symbolic ceremony on Thursday in Geneva, attended by representatives of the warring sides. But there has been no further direct contact with UN mediator Staffan de Mistura, who is still trying to get agreement on how the talks should be arranged. With tensions palpable among participants, the United Nations is treading carefully in its efforts to revive negotiations after a 10-month hiatus. "Every time we have talks, or negotiations, there is always someone who tries to spoil," de Mistura told reporters before meeting the government delegation. "I am expecting (it)," he said. A ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey with Iran's support is increasingly violated with groups opposed to the truce and the Geneva process also attempting to force their collapse. Suicide bombers stormed two Syrian security offices in Homs on Saturday, killing dozens with gunfire and explosions including the head of military security, prompting airstrikes against the last rebel-held enclave in the western city. The jihadist rebel alliance Tahrir al-Sham, which opposes the talks - although it has fought alongside factions that are represented there - said that five suicide bombers had carried out the attack. It celebrated with the words "thanks be to God" but stopped short of explicitly claiming responsibility. Tahrir al-Sham was formed this year from several groups including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which was formerly known as the Nusra Front and was al Qaeda's Syrian branch until it broke formal allegiance to the global jihadist movement in 2016. Warplanes also carried out six raids on Douma in the eastern suburbs of Damascus, resulting in six deaths, and earlier, an air raid in Hama killed four people from the same family, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Speaking to Reuters, Basma Kodmani, a negotiator from the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), said groups backing the talks had abided by the ceasefire, but questioned the government's commitment and whether Russia, a key Assad ally, was ready to pressure it to curb the violence. "The ceasefire...is violated today in the most horrible way," she said. "The use of napalm yesterday and today massive air bombings on the suburb of Waer of homs city. That is giving us very negative intentions about what the regime’s intentions are," she said. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said it had written to the United Nations demanding condemnation for Saturday's attack and what it called other terrorist acts. Damascus regards all the groups fighting against it as terrorists. "The terrorist explosions that hit Homs city are a message to Geneva from sponsors of terrorism, and we tell everyone that the message is received and this crime won't pass unnoticed," the government's chief negotiator Bashar Ja'afari told reporters. Although Assad's government has controlled most of Homs since 2014, rebels still control its al-Waer district, which warplanes bombed on Saturday, wounding 50, the Observatory said. "If it (ceasefire)is not credible, if nothing is happening here in Geneva, I fear that the ceasefire even for the opposition is going to collapse," Kodmani said. "Where is Russia to get compliance again from the regime so that the talks in Geneva can take place?" De Mistura handed a working paper on procedural issues to delegations at the talks on Friday, but there appeared little prospect of them meeting directly soon. Further bilateral talks are scheduled for later on Saturday. The envoy is looking to lay the foundations for negotiations to end the six-year-old conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. "It may be good not to have too high expectations but it also reflects the state of things," said a Western diplomat. "To get them in the room is symbolic. But there is no way you can get anything out of that at the moment unless you have the beginning of an agreement between the backers." (Reuters)

Violence in Syria rattles regime, rebel peace talks in Geneva

Dr K &nbsp;Ramamurthy, who was freed after being captured in Libya by the IS&nbsp;two years ago, said here after his release that the dreaded terrorist organisation is very much &quot;interested&quot; in India and wants its ideology to be spread in the country.

Speaking to ANI exclusively, Ramamurthy said that the IS is aware about India and its development in education and economy. &quot;These ISIS people are well-educated youngsters and they do know about India and its development and how it has developed in education, economy and everything else.They are interested in India. But, I did understand that they wanted to spread the ideology of their nation to other parts of the world, including India,&quot; he said.Recounting his ordeal, the doctor said that he was abused verbally, however not physically, adding that he was asked to conduct surgeries in their hospitals.

Talking about IS cruelty he went on to say, &quot;IS people forced us to watch videos of what they did to Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and other places. It was bit difficult to watch them.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10 year old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too&#39;</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10 year old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too' " target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

&quot;In a camp in the city, they requested me to come and work in their hospitals. But since I was 61 then I had back pain and right leg nerve pain. I told them I was an old man and I couldn`t stand for more than 15 minutes at a stretch. I told them I am medically trained, not surgically trained. So they pulled me out of the Mahakama jail and put in another. I saw all kinds of attacks there,&quot; the doctor said.

Talking about the cadres of the terror group, Ramamurthy added that all the members of the outfit were extremely dedicated towards their organisation and were strictly following each and every rule.

&quot;The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10 year old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too,&quot; he said.

The doctor went on the thank the Government of India, especially Prime Minister Minister Narendra Modi, the National Security Advisor, the team of the officials worked for his release from IS.

&quot;I am so thankful to our Prime Minister and his team and other officials from the Indian Embassy. I`ll never ever forget this all my life. They helped me to come to the Embassy. These people worked so hard to pull me out from there,&quot; he added.

The doctor from Andhra Pradesh has been in Libya for the last 18 years and was put in jail by IS.

Indian embassy officials came to know about him and finally on February 14, he was safely taken out of Libya to Istanbul from where he reached India, and was on his way to his family in Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;

(ANI)

Dr K Ramamurthy was captured in Libya two years ago, says IS wants its ideology spread in India

Dr K Ramamurthy, who was freed after being captured in Libya by the IS two years ago, said here after his release that the dreaded terrorist organisation is very much "interested" in India and wants its ideology to be spread in the country. Speaking to ANI exclusively, Ramamurthy said that the IS is aware about India and its development in education and economy. "These ISIS people are well-educated youngsters and they do know about India and its development and how it has developed in education, economy and everything else.They are interested in India. But, I did understand that they wanted to spread the ideology of their nation to other parts of the world, including India," he said.Recounting his ordeal, the doctor said that he was abused verbally, however not physically, adding that he was asked to conduct surgeries in their hospitals. Talking about IS cruelty he went on to say, "IS people forced us to watch videos of what they did to Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and other places. It was bit difficult to watch them." The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10 year old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too' × "In a camp in the city, they requested me to come and work in their hospitals. But since I was 61 then I had back pain and right leg nerve pain. I told them I was an old man and I couldn`t stand for more than 15 minutes at a stretch. I told them I am medically trained, not surgically trained. So they pulled me out of the Mahakama jail and put in another. I saw all kinds of attacks there," the doctor said. Talking about the cadres of the terror group, Ramamurthy added that all the members of the outfit were extremely dedicated towards their organisation and were strictly following each and every rule. "The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10 year old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too," he said. The doctor went on the thank the Government of India, especially Prime Minister Minister Narendra Modi, the National Security Advisor, the team of the officials worked for his release from IS. "I am so thankful to our Prime Minister and his team and other officials from the Indian Embassy. I`ll never ever forget this all my life. They helped me to come to the Embassy. These people worked so hard to pull me out from there," he added. The doctor from Andhra Pradesh has been in Libya for the last 18 years and was put in jail by IS. Indian embassy officials came to know about him and finally on February 14, he was safely taken out of Libya to Istanbul from where he reached India, and was on his way to his family in Andhra Pradesh. (ANI)

Doctor freed from captivity: Islamic State very 'interested' in India

Iraqi warplanes have struck Islamic State targets inside Syria in retaliation for recent bomb attacks in Baghdad by the group, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Friday.

It appeared to be the first time Iraqi jets have conducted such raids across the border. A Syrian source said the strikes had been coordinated with Damascus.

Islamic State, which is now on the defensive after losing control of eastern Mosul in Iraq to a US-backed Iraqi military offensive, has claimed responsibility for several car bombs in Baghdad in the capital in the past few weeks.

&quot;We are determined to chase terrorism that tries to kill our sons and citizens, wherever it is found, so we gave orders to the air force command to strike Islamic State positions in (the Iraqi town of) Hosaiba and Albu Kamal inside Syrian territory as they were responsible for recent bombings in Baghdad,&quot; Abadi said in a statement.

&quot;The heroes of the sky executed the operation and responded to the terrorists with amazing success.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The heroes of the sky executed the operation and responded to the terrorists with amazing success,&#39; said Abadi</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The heroes of the sky executed the operation and responded to the terrorists with amazing success,' said Abadi

" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

A military statement said the strikes had taken place on Friday morning using F16 fighter jets and had destroyed Islamic State headquarters in Albu Kamal.

&quot;The strikes targeted Islamic State&#39;s headquarters used for making car bombs in Albu Kamal... after Iraqi intelligence received tips from their sources inside Syria,&quot; a senior security official told Reuters.

A source close to Syria&#39;s foreign ministry said the operation had been carried out in &quot;complete coordination&quot; with the Damascus government.

The United States said it had also helped the Iraqis by providing intelligence.

&quot;Yes we were aware, yes we supported it as well with information,&quot; Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis told reporters. &quot;It is a good strike, it is a valid strike, it was a strike against ISIS targets,&quot; he said, using an acronym for Islamic State.

The jihadist group has separately come under attack in Syria by warplanes from Russia, Turkey and a US-led coalition, all of which are supporting different offensives against it in the country.

(Reuters)

A Syrian source said the strikes were coordinated with Damascus

Iraqi warplanes have struck Islamic State targets inside Syria in retaliation for recent bomb attacks in Baghdad by the group, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Friday. It appeared to be the first time Iraqi jets have conducted such raids across the border. A Syrian source said the strikes had been coordinated with Damascus. Islamic State, which is now on the defensive after losing control of eastern Mosul in Iraq to a US-backed Iraqi military offensive, has claimed responsibility for several car bombs in Baghdad in the capital in the past few weeks. "We are determined to chase terrorism that tries to kill our sons and citizens, wherever it is found, so we gave orders to the air force command to strike Islamic State positions in (the Iraqi town of) Hosaiba and Albu Kamal inside Syrian territory as they were responsible for recent bombings in Baghdad," Abadi said in a statement. "The heroes of the sky executed the operation and responded to the terrorists with amazing success." The heroes of the sky executed the operation and responded to the terrorists with amazing success,' said Abadi × A military statement said the strikes had taken place on Friday morning using F16 fighter jets and had destroyed Islamic State headquarters in Albu Kamal. "The strikes targeted Islamic State's headquarters used for making car bombs in Albu Kamal... after Iraqi intelligence received tips from their sources inside Syria," a senior security official told Reuters. A source close to Syria's foreign ministry said the operation had been carried out in "complete coordination" with the Damascus government. The United States said it had also helped the Iraqis by providing intelligence. "Yes we were aware, yes we supported it as well with information," Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis told reporters. "It is a good strike, it is a valid strike, it was a strike against ISIS targets," he said, using an acronym for Islamic State. The jihadist group has separately come under attack in Syria by warplanes from Russia, Turkey and a US-led coalition, all of which are supporting different offensives against it in the country. (Reuters)

Iraqi warplanes hit IS targets inside Syria for first time

An Islamic State car bomb killed more than 50 people on Friday in a Syrian village held by rebels, a war monitor said, a day after the jihadist group was driven from its last stronghold in the area.

The blast in the village of Sousian hit a security checkpoint controlled by rebels fighting under the Free Syrian Army (FSA) banner. 
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitor of the war based in Britain, said more than 50 people died including over 30 civilians. Two rebels contacted by Reuters put the total death toll at at least 40.

One of the two, a fighter with the Sultan Murad Brigade near al-Bab, said: &quot;It was done on a checkpoint but there were a lot of families there gathered and waiting to get back to al-Bab. Therefore we have many civilian casualties.&quot;

The Turkey-backed rebels drove Islamic State from the town of al-Bab on Thursday, following weeks of street battles near where Ankara wants to establish a safe zone for civilians.

Turkey`s military said on Friday that Syrian rebels had taken full control of all of al-Bab, and that work to clear mines and unexploded ordnance was under way.

Sousian is behind rebel lines about 8 km (5 miles) northwest of al-Bab, around which Ankara has long supported the formation of a security zone it says would help to stem a wave of migration via Turkey into Europe.

A second blast took place 2 km south of Sousian later on Friday, but it was unclear whether it was from a vehicle bomb or a planted device such as a mine. There were reports of casualties but no immediate details, the Observatory said.

Islamic State said in a social media posting that it was behind the Sousian attack, having acknowledged on Thursday it had lost control of al-Bab.&nbsp;

Syria&#39;s main conflict pits President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, Iran and Shi`ite militias, against rebels that include groups supported by Turkey, the United States and Gulf monarchies.

However, both those sides, as well as a group of militias led by Kurdish forces and supported by the U.S., are also fighting Islamic State, which holds large parts of northern and eastern Syria.&nbsp;

Mines and cells

As mines laid in and around al-Bab claimed lives for a second day, the Sultan Murad Brigade fighter said many IS cells were still operating there.

&quot;It is very dangerous. Our search and clear operation is still under way,&quot; he said.

Two Turkish soldiers were killed on Friday while clearing mines in the town of Tadef south of al-Bab, Turkey`s military said in a statement. On Thursday, several Turkey-backed rebels were killed by a mine in al-Bab, the Observatory said.&nbsp;

Turkey directly intervened in Syria in August in support of rebel factions under the FSA banner to drive Islamic State from its border. It also wants to stop Kurdish groups gaining control of the region.&nbsp;

After taking al-Bab on Thursday, Turkish forces shelled Islamic State in Tadef, the Observatory reported.&nbsp;

The area immediately to the south of Tadef is held by the Syrian army and its allies, which have in recent weeks pushed into Islamic State territory in that area from Aleppo and advanced towards the Euphrates river.&nbsp;

Further east, the Syrian Democratic Forces, Kurdish-led militias backed by the United States, have in recent weeks taken dozens of villages from Islamic State as they close in on the group`s Syrian capital of Raqqa. 
 
(Reuters)

The Turkey-backed rebels on Thursday drove Islamic State from al-Bab, the jihadist group's last significant stronghold in northwest Syria

An Islamic State car bomb killed more than 50 people on Friday in a Syrian village held by rebels, a war monitor said, a day after the jihadist group was driven from its last stronghold in the area. The blast in the village of Sousian hit a security checkpoint controlled by rebels fighting under the Free Syrian Army (FSA) banner. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitor of the war based in Britain, said more than 50 people died including over 30 civilians. Two rebels contacted by Reuters put the total death toll at at least 40. One of the two, a fighter with the Sultan Murad Brigade near al-Bab, said: "It was done on a checkpoint but there were a lot of families there gathered and waiting to get back to al-Bab. Therefore we have many civilian casualties." The Turkey-backed rebels drove Islamic State from the town of al-Bab on Thursday, following weeks of street battles near where Ankara wants to establish a safe zone for civilians. Turkey`s military said on Friday that Syrian rebels had taken full control of all of al-Bab, and that work to clear mines and unexploded ordnance was under way. Sousian is behind rebel lines about 8 km (5 miles) northwest of al-Bab, around which Ankara has long supported the formation of a security zone it says would help to stem a wave of migration via Turkey into Europe. A second blast took place 2 km south of Sousian later on Friday, but it was unclear whether it was from a vehicle bomb or a planted device such as a mine. There were reports of casualties but no immediate details, the Observatory said. Islamic State said in a social media posting that it was behind the Sousian attack, having acknowledged on Thursday it had lost control of al-Bab. Syria's main conflict pits President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, Iran and Shi`ite militias, against rebels that include groups supported by Turkey, the United States and Gulf monarchies. However, both those sides, as well as a group of militias led by Kurdish forces and supported by the U.S., are also fighting Islamic State, which holds large parts of northern and eastern Syria. Mines and cells As mines laid in and around al-Bab claimed lives for a second day, the Sultan Murad Brigade fighter said many IS cells were still operating there. "It is very dangerous. Our search and clear operation is still under way," he said. Two Turkish soldiers were killed on Friday while clearing mines in the town of Tadef south of al-Bab, Turkey`s military said in a statement. On Thursday, several Turkey-backed rebels were killed by a mine in al-Bab, the Observatory said. Turkey directly intervened in Syria in August in support of rebel factions under the FSA banner to drive Islamic State from its border. It also wants to stop Kurdish groups gaining control of the region. After taking al-Bab on Thursday, Turkish forces shelled Islamic State in Tadef, the Observatory reported. The area immediately to the south of Tadef is held by the Syrian army and its allies, which have in recent weeks pushed into Islamic State territory in that area from Aleppo and advanced towards the Euphrates river. Further east, the Syrian Democratic Forces, Kurdish-led militias backed by the United States, have in recent weeks taken dozens of villages from Islamic State as they close in on the group`s Syrian capital of Raqqa. (Reuters)

Car bomb on Turkey-backed Syrian rebels kills more than 50 in Syria

Fifty-six Islamic State militants were killed by Turkey-backed forces around the Syrian town of al-Bab and by US-led coalition air strikes in the latest operations on Wednesday, the Turkish military said on Thursday.

Turkish artillery fire also hit 104 Islamic State targets, including buildings and bombed vehicles, the army said in a statement, reiterating it had largely established control in the residential areas of al-Bab.

The Islamic State stronghold, 30 kilometres&nbsp;(20 miles) from the Turkish border, has been a prime target since Turkey launched an incursion with Syrian rebels last August to push the jihadists from its frontier and prevent gains by a Kurdish militia.

Turkey&#39;s army said 11 of the jihadists were killed in air strikes by coalition forces, while the rest were killed in artillery fire and clashes during operations in al-Bab.

(Reuters)

Turkish artillery fire also hit 104 IS targets, including buildings and bombed vehicles

Fifty-six Islamic State militants were killed by Turkey-backed forces around the Syrian town of al-Bab and by US-led coalition air strikes in the latest operations on Wednesday, the Turkish military said on Thursday. Turkish artillery fire also hit 104 Islamic State targets, including buildings and bombed vehicles, the army said in a statement, reiterating it had largely established control in the residential areas of al-Bab. The Islamic State stronghold, 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Turkish border, has been a prime target since Turkey launched an incursion with Syrian rebels last August to push the jihadists from its frontier and prevent gains by a Kurdish militia. Turkey's army said 11 of the jihadists were killed in air strikes by coalition forces, while the rest were killed in artillery fire and clashes during operations in al-Bab. (Reuters)

56 Islamic State militants killed in Syria, says Turkish military

Turkish-backed Syrian rebels said Thursday they had fully captured the town of Al-Bab from the Islamic State group, marking a key defeat for the jihadists after weeks of heavy fighting.

As Ankara said its allies now had &quot;near complete control&quot;, the rebel announcement came on the opening day of peace talks between the Syrian opposition and regime in Geneva.

Al-Bab, just 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of the Turkish border, was the last IS stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo.

&quot;We are announcing Al-Bab completely liberated, and we are now clearing mines from the residential neighbourhoods,&quot; said Ahmad Othman, a rebel commander.

&quot;After hours of fighting, we chased out the last remaining IS rank and file that were collapsing after the fierce shelling of their positions,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said rebels had &quot;near complete control&quot; of Al-Bab.

&quot;When the search and combing operations are over, we will be able to say that Al-Bab has been completely cleared of Daesh (IS) elements,&quot; he said, quoted by state-run Anadolu Agency.&nbsp;

Isik reaffirmed that Turkey was now ready to join any operation by international coalition forces to take the Syrian city of Raqa, the extremist group`s de-facto capital.

Anadolu had earlier reported that rebels had surrounded the town to &quot;break&quot; IS`s will but had held off on storming the centre &quot;with the aim of preventing civilian casualties&quot;.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, however, said IS fighters were still present in parts of the town and that rebels were in control of less than half of it.

Rebels launched an offensive to capture Al-Bab last year with the support of Turkish ground troops, artillery and air strikes.&nbsp;

Al-Bab was IS`s last remaining stronghold in Aleppo province, after a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters seized the town of Manbij in August.

The jihadist group still controls a scattering of smaller villages and towns in the province. Field commanders from two other rebel factions in the town also claimed the capture of Al-Bab to AFP.&nbsp;

&quot;Yesterday (Wednesday), we captured the city centre, which was IS`s security zone... The jihadists collapsed, and this morning around 6 am (0400 GMT) we completed the operation,&quot; said Saif Abu Bakr, who heads the Al-Hamza rebel group.&nbsp;

Abu Jaafar, another rebel field commander, said he expected clearing up operations would be wrapped up within hours.&nbsp;

&quot;Dozens of IS fighters were killed and we evacuated more than 50 families from inside Al-Bab,&quot; Abu Jaafar said. 
&nbsp; 
Turkey sent troops into Syria in August last year in an operation it said targeted not only IS but also US-backed Kurdish fighters whom it regards as terrorists.

The battle for Al-Bab has been the bloodiest of the campaign with at least 69 Turkish soldiers killed there.&nbsp;

The town was also seen as a prize by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad`s forces, who had advanced to just 1.5 kilometres (one mile) from Al-Bab in recent weeks.&nbsp;

&quot;Al-Bab is important, insofar as its taking from IS will deprive the group of a tax base and an area where it was able to congregate and plot attacks against Syrians and the West,&quot; said Aaron Stein, a senior fellow at the US-based Atlantic Council.&nbsp;

&quot;For Turkey, the mission, as was defined back in 2016, is now complete: Turkish forces have forced IS from the border and cut the overland route between the two Kurdish cantons&quot; in northern Syria, he told AFP.&nbsp;

Syria`s Kurds have managed autonomous administrations in swathes of the country`s north since 2012, and Al-Bab falls between the &quot;cantons&quot; of Kobane and Afrin.&nbsp;

&quot;However, Turkey will now have to grapple with the questions of prolonged occupation of a foreign country and help to oversee the transition to civilian rule, a tall task for any foreign military,&quot; Stein added.

More than 310,000 people have been killed since Syria`s conflict broke out in March 2011 with protests against Assad that spiralled into all-out war. 
 
(AFP)

 
&nbsp;

Al-Bab, just 25 kilometres south of the Turkish border, was the last IS stronghold in the Syrian province of Aleppo

Turkish-backed Syrian rebels said Thursday they had fully captured the town of Al-Bab from the Islamic State group, marking a key defeat for the jihadists after weeks of heavy fighting. As Ankara said its allies now had "near complete control", the rebel announcement came on the opening day of peace talks between the Syrian opposition and regime in Geneva. Al-Bab, just 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of the Turkish border, was the last IS stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo. "We are announcing Al-Bab completely liberated, and we are now clearing mines from the residential neighbourhoods," said Ahmad Othman, a rebel commander. "After hours of fighting, we chased out the last remaining IS rank and file that were collapsing after the fierce shelling of their positions," he added. Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said rebels had "near complete control" of Al-Bab. "When the search and combing operations are over, we will be able to say that Al-Bab has been completely cleared of Daesh (IS) elements," he said, quoted by state-run Anadolu Agency. Isik reaffirmed that Turkey was now ready to join any operation by international coalition forces to take the Syrian city of Raqa, the extremist group`s de-facto capital. Anadolu had earlier reported that rebels had surrounded the town to "break" IS`s will but had held off on storming the centre "with the aim of preventing civilian casualties". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, however, said IS fighters were still present in parts of the town and that rebels were in control of less than half of it. Rebels launched an offensive to capture Al-Bab last year with the support of Turkish ground troops, artillery and air strikes. Al-Bab was IS`s last remaining stronghold in Aleppo province, after a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters seized the town of Manbij in August. The jihadist group still controls a scattering of smaller villages and towns in the province. Field commanders from two other rebel factions in the town also claimed the capture of Al-Bab to AFP. "Yesterday (Wednesday), we captured the city centre, which was IS`s security zone... The jihadists collapsed, and this morning around 6 am (0400 GMT) we completed the operation," said Saif Abu Bakr, who heads the Al-Hamza rebel group. Abu Jaafar, another rebel field commander, said he expected clearing up operations would be wrapped up within hours. "Dozens of IS fighters were killed and we evacuated more than 50 families from inside Al-Bab," Abu Jaafar said. Turkey sent troops into Syria in August last year in an operation it said targeted not only IS but also US-backed Kurdish fighters whom it regards as terrorists. The battle for Al-Bab has been the bloodiest of the campaign with at least 69 Turkish soldiers killed there. The town was also seen as a prize by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad`s forces, who had advanced to just 1.5 kilometres (one mile) from Al-Bab in recent weeks. "Al-Bab is important, insofar as its taking from IS will deprive the group of a tax base and an area where it was able to congregate and plot attacks against Syrians and the West," said Aaron Stein, a senior fellow at the US-based Atlantic Council. "For Turkey, the mission, as was defined back in 2016, is now complete: Turkish forces have forced IS from the border and cut the overland route between the two Kurdish cantons" in northern Syria, he told AFP. Syria`s Kurds have managed autonomous administrations in swathes of the country`s north since 2012, and Al-Bab falls between the "cantons" of Kobane and Afrin. "However, Turkey will now have to grapple with the questions of prolonged occupation of a foreign country and help to oversee the transition to civilian rule, a tall task for any foreign military," Stein added. More than 310,000 people have been killed since Syria`s conflict broke out in March 2011 with protests against Assad that spiralled into all-out war. (AFP)

Turkish-backed Syria rebels claim victory over IS stronghold Al-Bab

More than 130 people, mostly combatants, have been killed in three days of&nbsp;fighting between jihadists close to the Islamic State group and rebels in southern Syria, a monitor said Wednesday.

The clashes pit the Khaled Ben al-Walid Army,&nbsp;which pledged allegiance to IS last year,&nbsp;against Islamist rebel groups including the influential Ahrar al-Sham faction, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

At least 132 people had been killed in the fighting that raged in Daraa province near the border with Jordan and the buffer zone before the Israel-occupied Golan Heights.

The Khaled Ben al-Walid Army sparked the clashes with an attack on rebels in the west of the southern province.

The pro-IS group has since seized three areas including Sahem al-Jolan near the border and a hill overlooking the rebel-held town of Nawa.

The Khaled Ben al-Walid Army &quot;wants to extend its influence in the strategic triangle between Daraa (city), Jordan and the Golan,&quot; Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Daraa province, the cradle of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s regime, is mostly held by the rebels but pro-government forces and IS are also present.

The provincial capital of the same name is divided between army and rebel control.

Syria&#39;s war has killed more than 310,000 people since it started nearly six years ago with the brutal repression of anti-regime protests.

It has since spiralled into a complex war involving international players and jihadists.

&nbsp;

(AFP)

&nbsp;

The clashes pit the Khaled Ben al-Walid Army, which pledged allegiance to IS last year, against Islamist rebel groups

More than 130 people, mostly combatants, have been killed in three days of fighting between jihadists close to the Islamic State group and rebels in southern Syria, a monitor said Wednesday. The clashes pit the Khaled Ben al-Walid Army, which pledged allegiance to IS last year, against Islamist rebel groups including the influential Ahrar al-Sham faction, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. At least 132 people had been killed in the fighting that raged in Daraa province near the border with Jordan and the buffer zone before the Israel-occupied Golan Heights. The Khaled Ben al-Walid Army sparked the clashes with an attack on rebels in the west of the southern province. The pro-IS group has since seized three areas including Sahem al-Jolan near the border and a hill overlooking the rebel-held town of Nawa. The Khaled Ben al-Walid Army "wants to extend its influence in the strategic triangle between Daraa (city), Jordan and the Golan," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. Daraa province, the cradle of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, is mostly held by the rebels but pro-government forces and IS are also present. The provincial capital of the same name is divided between army and rebel control. Syria's war has killed more than 310,000 people since it started nearly six years ago with the brutal repression of anti-regime protests. It has since spiralled into a complex war involving international players and jihadists. (AFP)

Syria: More than 130 killed in three days of Daraa clashes

US-backed Iraqi forces are engaged in a massive firefight with Islamic State fighters to clear the way to Mosul&#39;s airport, on the second day of a ground offensive on the jihadists&#39; remaining stronghold in the western side of the city.

Federal police and elite interior ministry units known as Rapid Response are leading the charge toward the airport, located on the southern limit of the Mosul, trying to dislodge the militants from a nearby hill known as Albu Saif. The Iraqi forces plan is to turn the airport into a close support base for the onslaught into western Mosul itself.

Iraqi Army Brigadier General Yahya Rasul, spokesperson for the Joint Operations Command, told to the Kurdish media Rudaw that they will face approximately 1,800 Islamic State militants with at least 200 suicide bombers ready to strike.&nbsp;

Islamic State militants are under siege in western Mosul, along with an estimated 650,000 civilians, after they were forced out of the eastern part of the city in the first phase of an offensive that concluded last month, after 100 days of fighting.

Helicopters were strafing the Albu Saif hill to clear it of snipers, while machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades could be heard. The advancing forces also disabled a car bomb - used by the militants to obstruct attacking forces. The Iraqi forces have been advancing so far in sparsely populated areas.&nbsp;

On Monday morning the Iraqi army took control of the main power station which supplies electricity to Mosul&rsquo;s entire western bank.

This third phase of the Mosul offensive could be the last military offensive against the Islamic State in Iraq. This does not mean that the organisation is completely destroyed, they still have a&nbsp;strong <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/the-intimate-invitation-deciphering-the-ideological-appeal-of-the-islamic-state-12128">influence</a>&nbsp;on young men across the region&nbsp;who are ready to take up arms and fight back.

The IS is also under attack in Syria on many fronts:&nbsp;the US-backed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-give-syrian-democratic-forces-armoured-vehicles-11960">Arab/Kurd Syrian Democratic Forces</a> (SDF) and the Turkish-backed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-free-syrian-army-leader-talks-about-challenges-of-fighting-the-islamic-state-12452">Free Syrian Army</a> are attacking from the north, the Syrian army is attacking from the west and both Russian and US-led coalition figher jets are bombing them. The IS&#39; capital city in Syria, Raqqa, is still solidly under the organisation&#39;s control, but it is likely that as soon as countries involved in Syria agree to fight together, a massive offensive will start.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/mosul2m-20170220123619.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Iraqi Rapid Response force members fire a missile towards Islamic State militants during a battle in south Mosul. (Reuters)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Up to 400,000 civilians could be displaced by the offensive as residents of western Mosul suffer food and fuel shortages and markets remain closed, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq Lise Grande told Reuters on Saturday.

Commanders expect the battle to be more difficult than in the east of the city, which Iraqi forces have taken&nbsp;control of last month after three months of fighting&nbsp;because tanks and armoured vehicles cannot pass through its narrow alleyways.

Western Mosul contains the old city centre, with its ancient souks, government administrative buildings, and the mosque from which Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his self-styled caliphate over parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014. The city is the largest urban centre captured by Islamic State in both countries.

The area is densely populated and it will be nearly impossible to conduct airstrikes&nbsp;if the coalition forces do not want to risk massive civilian casualties. One bomb missing the objective could cost hundreds of innocent lives. It is also very difficult to gather intelligence insights from the city since the Islamic State controls nearly all the communications and everyone who is found in possess of a phone carrying suspicious numbers will be executed in cold blood.

Living in western Mosul during this phase of the operation is highly risky, the city&#39;s population has been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/inside-mosul-civilians-pay-highest-price-in-war-between-iraqi-army-is-1360">bearing the brunt of the offensive</a> since months. The Islamic State is in a full-war mode and it is ready to kill whoever tries to escape and reach the eastern area of the city, currently under Iraqi army control. The city suffers also a severe shortage of any primary necessity, from food to running water.

Many of the inner streets are very small and while advancing&nbsp;soldiers do not always enjoy support of armoured vehicles and might even conduct operations on foot in a pure guerrilla style warfare. This makes them highly prone to deadly ambush&nbsp;and sniper fire - both methods that the Islamic State have used extensively during previous battles.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrived in Baghdad on Monday on an unannounced visit but declined to offer details about US battle plans when speaking to reporters on Sunday. &quot;The coalition forces are in support of this operation and we will continue ... with the accelerated effort to destroy ISIS,&quot; he declared.

(WION wth inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Up to 400,000 civilians could be displaced by the offensive as residents of western Mosul suffer food and fuel shortages.

US-backed Iraqi forces are engaged in a massive firefight with Islamic State fighters to clear the way to Mosul's airport, on the second day of a ground offensive on the jihadists' remaining stronghold in the western side of the city. Federal police and elite interior ministry units known as Rapid Response are leading the charge toward the airport, located on the southern limit of the Mosul, trying to dislodge the militants from a nearby hill known as Albu Saif. The Iraqi forces plan is to turn the airport into a close support base for the onslaught into western Mosul itself. Iraqi Army Brigadier General Yahya Rasul, spokesperson for the Joint Operations Command, told to the Kurdish media Rudaw that they will face approximately 1,800 Islamic State militants with at least 200 suicide bombers ready to strike. Islamic State militants are under siege in western Mosul, along with an estimated 650,000 civilians, after they were forced out of the eastern part of the city in the first phase of an offensive that concluded last month, after 100 days of fighting. Helicopters were strafing the Albu Saif hill to clear it of snipers, while machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades could be heard. The advancing forces also disabled a car bomb - used by the militants to obstruct attacking forces. The Iraqi forces have been advancing so far in sparsely populated areas. On Monday morning the Iraqi army took control of the main power station which supplies electricity to Mosul’s entire western bank. This third phase of the Mosul offensive could be the last military offensive against the Islamic State in Iraq. This does not mean that the organisation is completely destroyed, they still have a strong influence on young men across the region who are ready to take up arms and fight back. The IS is also under attack in Syria on many fronts: the US-backed Arab/Kurd Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army are attacking from the north, the Syrian army is attacking from the west and both Russian and US-led coalition figher jets are bombing them. The IS' capital city in Syria, Raqqa, is still solidly under the organisation's control, but it is likely that as soon as countries involved in Syria agree to fight together, a massive offensive will start. Iraqi Rapid Response force members fire a missile towards Islamic State militants during a battle in south Mosul. (Reuters) × Up to 400,000 civilians could be displaced by the offensive as residents of western Mosul suffer food and fuel shortages and markets remain closed, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq Lise Grande told Reuters on Saturday. Commanders expect the battle to be more difficult than in the east of the city, which Iraqi forces have taken control of last month after three months of fighting because tanks and armoured vehicles cannot pass through its narrow alleyways. Western Mosul contains the old city centre, with its ancient souks, government administrative buildings, and the mosque from which Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his self-styled caliphate over parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014. The city is the largest urban centre captured by Islamic State in both countries. The area is densely populated and it will be nearly impossible to conduct airstrikes if the coalition forces do not want to risk massive civilian casualties. One bomb missing the objective could cost hundreds of innocent lives. It is also very difficult to gather intelligence insights from the city since the Islamic State controls nearly all the communications and everyone who is found in possess of a phone carrying suspicious numbers will be executed in cold blood. Living in western Mosul during this phase of the operation is highly risky, the city's population has been bearing the brunt of the offensive since months. The Islamic State is in a full-war mode and it is ready to kill whoever tries to escape and reach the eastern area of the city, currently under Iraqi army control. The city suffers also a severe shortage of any primary necessity, from food to running water. Many of the inner streets are very small and while advancing soldiers do not always enjoy support of armoured vehicles and might even conduct operations on foot in a pure guerrilla style warfare. This makes them highly prone to deadly ambush and sniper fire - both methods that the Islamic State have used extensively during previous battles. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrived in Baghdad on Monday on an unannounced visit but declined to offer details about US battle plans when speaking to reporters on Sunday. "The coalition forces are in support of this operation and we will continue ... with the accelerated effort to destroy ISIS," he declared. (WION wth inputs from Reuters)

Mosul under siege as Iraqi forces, Islamic State militants battle near airport

Iraqi forces launched an offensive on jihadists defending Mosul`s west bank Sunday, in what could be the most brutal fighting yet in a four-month-old operation on the city.

&quot;Our forces are beginning the liberation of the citizens from the terror of Daesh,&quot; Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a short televised speech, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.

&quot;We announce the start of a new phase in the operation. We are coming, Nineveh, to liberate the western side of Mosul,&quot; he said, referring to the province of which Mosul is the capital.

Federal police and interior ministry forces were expected to start the new phase in the offensive by moving on Mosul airport, which is on the southern edge of the city, west of the Tigris River.

The jihadists have put up stiff resistance to defend Mosul, their last major stronghold in Iraq and the place where their leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a &quot;caliphate&quot; in 2014.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>West Mosul had the potential certainly of being more difficult, with house-to-house fighting on a larger and more bloody scale,&#39; said Patrick Skinner, from the Soufan Group intelligence consultancy</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=West Mosul had the potential certainly of being more difficult, with house-to-house fighting on a larger and more bloody scale,' said Patrick Skinner, from the Soufan Group intelligence consultancy" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

After shaping operations around Mosul, it took Iraq`s most seasoned forces -- the elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) -- more than two months to clear the eastern side of Mosul.

After a pause in the operation launched on October 17, federal forces now face what was always billed as the toughest nut to crack: Mosul`s west bank, home to the narrow streets of the Old City.

&quot;West Mosul had the potential certainly of being more difficult, with house-to-house fighting on a larger and more bloody scale,&quot; said Patrick Skinner, from the Soufan Group intelligence consultancy.

The streets around the historical centre, which includes the mosque in which Baghdadi made his only public appearance in June 2014, will be impassable for many military vehicles and force government fighters to take on IS in perilous dismounted warfare. 
 
Prior to the offensive that saw IS seize Mosul and much of Iraq`s Sunni Arab heartland nearly three years ago, the east bank was more ethnically diverse than the west, where analysts believe the jihadists could enjoy more support.&quot;IS resistance could be greater in this area and it will be harder, but all the more important, to completely clear the networks from Mosul after its recapture,&quot; said Emily Anagnostos, Iraq analyst at the Institute for the Study of War.

While the federal forces` attrition is said to be high, IS`s had been undoubtedly higher and commanders have said the jihadists may no longer have the resources to defend east Mosul effectively.&nbsp;

Recent incidents in liberated east point to the difficulty of ensuring remnants of IS have not blended in with the civilian population in a huge city which most residents did not flee ahead of the government offensive.

Aid organisations had feared an exodus of unprecedented proportions before the start of the Mosul operation but half a million -- a significant majority -- of residents stayed home.

Their continued presence prevented both sides from resorting to deadlier weaponry, which may have slowed down the battle but averted a potentially much more serious humanitarian emergency in the middle of winter as well as more extensive material damage to the city.

&quot;Mosul is going better than we expected, but there are serious dangers ahead,&quot; Lise Grande, UN humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, told AFP.

Residents of west Mosul have reported very difficult living conditions and warned that they were already low on food, with weeks of fighting expected to lie ahead.

IS fighters and Mosul residents remained able to move across both sides of the city during much of the fighting in the east but all bridges across the Tigris have now been dropped and the jihadists in the west are all but besieged.

IS has used civilians as human shields as part of its defence tactics and killed residents attempting to flee, making it both difficult and dangerous for the population to escape.

While specialised units may attempt to throw pontoon bridges across the river to attack from the east, the main initial assault of the upcoming phase in the Mosul is expected to come from the south on the city`s airport.

Army, police, interior ministry and special forces have been gearing up for the push on Mosul`s southern front, with a large concentration of fighters based out of Hammam al-Alil.&nbsp;

(AFP)

'Our forces are beginning the liberation of the citizens from the terror of Daesh,' Haider al-Abadi said in a short televised speech

Iraqi forces launched an offensive on jihadists defending Mosul`s west bank Sunday, in what could be the most brutal fighting yet in a four-month-old operation on the city. "Our forces are beginning the liberation of the citizens from the terror of Daesh," Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a short televised speech, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group. "We announce the start of a new phase in the operation. We are coming, Nineveh, to liberate the western side of Mosul," he said, referring to the province of which Mosul is the capital. Federal police and interior ministry forces were expected to start the new phase in the offensive by moving on Mosul airport, which is on the southern edge of the city, west of the Tigris River. The jihadists have put up stiff resistance to defend Mosul, their last major stronghold in Iraq and the place where their leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a "caliphate" in 2014. West Mosul had the potential certainly of being more difficult, with house-to-house fighting on a larger and more bloody scale,' said Patrick Skinner, from the Soufan Group intelligence consultancy × After shaping operations around Mosul, it took Iraq`s most seasoned forces -- the elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) -- more than two months to clear the eastern side of Mosul. After a pause in the operation launched on October 17, federal forces now face what was always billed as the toughest nut to crack: Mosul`s west bank, home to the narrow streets of the Old City. "West Mosul had the potential certainly of being more difficult, with house-to-house fighting on a larger and more bloody scale," said Patrick Skinner, from the Soufan Group intelligence consultancy. The streets around the historical centre, which includes the mosque in which Baghdadi made his only public appearance in June 2014, will be impassable for many military vehicles and force government fighters to take on IS in perilous dismounted warfare. Prior to the offensive that saw IS seize Mosul and much of Iraq`s Sunni Arab heartland nearly three years ago, the east bank was more ethnically diverse than the west, where analysts believe the jihadists could enjoy more support."IS resistance could be greater in this area and it will be harder, but all the more important, to completely clear the networks from Mosul after its recapture," said Emily Anagnostos, Iraq analyst at the Institute for the Study of War. While the federal forces` attrition is said to be high, IS`s had been undoubtedly higher and commanders have said the jihadists may no longer have the resources to defend east Mosul effectively. Recent incidents in liberated east point to the difficulty of ensuring remnants of IS have not blended in with the civilian population in a huge city which most residents did not flee ahead of the government offensive. Aid organisations had feared an exodus of unprecedented proportions before the start of the Mosul operation but half a million -- a significant majority -- of residents stayed home. Their continued presence prevented both sides from resorting to deadlier weaponry, which may have slowed down the battle but averted a potentially much more serious humanitarian emergency in the middle of winter as well as more extensive material damage to the city. "Mosul is going better than we expected, but there are serious dangers ahead," Lise Grande, UN humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, told AFP. Residents of west Mosul have reported very difficult living conditions and warned that they were already low on food, with weeks of fighting expected to lie ahead. IS fighters and Mosul residents remained able to move across both sides of the city during much of the fighting in the east but all bridges across the Tigris have now been dropped and the jihadists in the west are all but besieged. IS has used civilians as human shields as part of its defence tactics and killed residents attempting to flee, making it both difficult and dangerous for the population to escape. While specialised units may attempt to throw pontoon bridges across the river to attack from the east, the main initial assault of the upcoming phase in the Mosul is expected to come from the south on the city`s airport. Army, police, interior ministry and special forces have been gearing up for the push on Mosul`s southern front, with a large concentration of fighters based out of Hammam al-Alil. (AFP)

Iraqi forces launch operation to retake west Mosul: PM

The Iraqi air force has dropped millions of leaflets on the western side of Mosul telling the population that a ground offensive to dislodge Islamic State from their neighbourhoods is imminent, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday.

The militants are essentially under siege in western Mosul, along with an estimated 650,000 civilians, after US-backed forces surrounding the city dislodged them from the east in the first phase of an offensive that concluded last month.

The leaflets &quot;contain instructions for the citizens to get ready to welcome the Iraqi forces that are coming to liberate their areas and to warn the Daesh (Islamic State) members to lay down their weapons and surrender&quot;, the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

The leaflets warn Islamic State members 'to lay down their weapons and surrender'

The Iraqi air force has dropped millions of leaflets on the western side of Mosul telling the population that a ground offensive to dislodge Islamic State from their neighbourhoods is imminent, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday. The militants are essentially under siege in western Mosul, along with an estimated 650,000 civilians, after US-backed forces surrounding the city dislodged them from the east in the first phase of an offensive that concluded last month. The leaflets "contain instructions for the citizens to get ready to welcome the Iraqi forces that are coming to liberate their areas and to warn the Daesh (Islamic State) members to lay down their weapons and surrender", the ministry said in a statement. (Reuters)

Iraqi planes drop leaflets on west Mosul to say offensive is imminent

Turkish bombardment of an Islamic State group-held town in Syria has killed 24 civilians, a monitor said Thursday, but Turkey&#39;s army said only &quot;terrorists&quot; died in the operation.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead in air strikes and shelling on the town of al-Bab in the last 24 hours included 11 children.

Turkey&#39;s army, quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency said it had killed 15 &quot;terrorists&quot; in air strikes, artillery fire and clashes.

Al-Bab is IS&#39;s final stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo and has come under fierce attack by Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels in recent months.

The joint force entered Al-Bab over the weekend, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday that the town had &quot;largely been taken under control.&quot;

The Observatory however said Turkish forces had made little progress since entering the town from the west.

Turkey began military operations in Syria in August, targeting both IS and Kurdish fighters.

Initially its forces advanced quickly, but they stalled around al-Bab in December.

The town is also a key target for Syrian government forces, who had been advancing towards from the south.

But they have yet to enter al-Bab, instead focused on clearing IS-held territory in the surrounding countryside in recent days.

More than 310,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

The war has displaced over half the country&#39;s population and drawn in jihadists and international militaries. 
 
(AFP)

 
&nbsp;

Al-Bab is IS's final stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo

Turkish bombardment of an Islamic State group-held town in Syria has killed 24 civilians, a monitor said Thursday, but Turkey's army said only "terrorists" died in the operation. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead in air strikes and shelling on the town of al-Bab in the last 24 hours included 11 children. Turkey's army, quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency said it had killed 15 "terrorists" in air strikes, artillery fire and clashes. Al-Bab is IS's final stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo and has come under fierce attack by Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels in recent months. The joint force entered Al-Bab over the weekend, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday that the town had "largely been taken under control." The Observatory however said Turkish forces had made little progress since entering the town from the west. Turkey began military operations in Syria in August, targeting both IS and Kurdish fighters. Initially its forces advanced quickly, but they stalled around al-Bab in December. The town is also a key target for Syrian government forces, who had been advancing towards from the south. But they have yet to enter al-Bab, instead focused on clearing IS-held territory in the surrounding countryside in recent days. More than 310,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests. The war has displaced over half the country's population and drawn in jihadists and international militaries. (AFP)

24 civilians killed in Turkish bombing in Syria's al-Bab

A car packed with explosives blew up on Thursday in southern Baghdad, killing at least 51 people and wounding 55, security and medical sources said, in the deadliest such attack in Iraq this year.

Islamic State, which is on the defensive after losing control of eastern Mosul to a US-backed Iraqi military offensive, claimed responsibility for the bombing in an online statement.

As it cedes territory captured in a 2014 offensive across northern and western Iraq, the ultra-hardline group has stepped up insurgent strikes on government areas, particularly in the capital Baghdad.

Security sources said the vehicle which blew up on Thursday was parked in a crowded street full of garages and used car dealers, in Hayy al-Shurta, a Shi&#39;ite district in the southwest of the city.

The death toll could climb further as many of the wounded are in critical condition, a doctor said.

The bombing is the second to hit car markets this week, suggesting the group has found it easier to leave vehicles laden with explosives in places where hundreds of other vehicles are parked.&nbsp;

A suicide bomber detonated a pick-up truck on Wednesday in Sadr City, a poor Shi`ite suburb in the east of the capital, killing at least 15 people. That explosion took place in a street full of used car dealers.

US-backed Iraqi forces have dislodged Islamic State from most of the cities it captured in 2014 and 2015. The militants also control parts of Syria.&nbsp;

Iraqi government forces last month captured eastern Mosul and are now preparing an offensive on the western side that remains under the militants&#39; control. The city is divided in two halves by the Tigris river.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

 
&nbsp;

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the bombing in an online statement

A car packed with explosives blew up on Thursday in southern Baghdad, killing at least 51 people and wounding 55, security and medical sources said, in the deadliest such attack in Iraq this year. Islamic State, which is on the defensive after losing control of eastern Mosul to a US-backed Iraqi military offensive, claimed responsibility for the bombing in an online statement. As it cedes territory captured in a 2014 offensive across northern and western Iraq, the ultra-hardline group has stepped up insurgent strikes on government areas, particularly in the capital Baghdad. Security sources said the vehicle which blew up on Thursday was parked in a crowded street full of garages and used car dealers, in Hayy al-Shurta, a Shi'ite district in the southwest of the city. The death toll could climb further as many of the wounded are in critical condition, a doctor said. The bombing is the second to hit car markets this week, suggesting the group has found it easier to leave vehicles laden with explosives in places where hundreds of other vehicles are parked. A suicide bomber detonated a pick-up truck on Wednesday in Sadr City, a poor Shi`ite suburb in the east of the capital, killing at least 15 people. That explosion took place in a street full of used car dealers. US-backed Iraqi forces have dislodged Islamic State from most of the cities it captured in 2014 and 2015. The militants also control parts of Syria. Iraqi government forces last month captured eastern Mosul and are now preparing an offensive on the western side that remains under the militants' control. The city is divided in two halves by the Tigris river. (Reuters)

51 dead in third car bomb attack in Baghdad in 3 days

The US Defense Department may recommend that the United States deploy regular combat troops to Syria to fight Islamic State militants, CNN reported on Wednesday.

The idea is one of several ideas the Pentagon is considering after President Donald Trump gave defence officials until the end of the month to come up with proposals to speed up the war against Islamic State.

A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the United States already had a small number of special operation troops in Syria. The official added that the review was still underway and no options had been presented to Trump.

CNN said the proposal was not fully developed and was one of several ideas being considered.

(Reuters)

President Trump had given the defence officials until the end of this month to come up with a plan to combat IS

The US Defense Department may recommend that the United States deploy regular combat troops to Syria to fight Islamic State militants, CNN reported on Wednesday. The idea is one of several ideas the Pentagon is considering after President Donald Trump gave defence officials until the end of the month to come up with proposals to speed up the war against Islamic State. A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the United States already had a small number of special operation troops in Syria. The official added that the review was still underway and no options had been presented to Trump. CNN said the proposal was not fully developed and was one of several ideas being considered. (Reuters)

Pentagon mulls sending ground troops to fight IS in Syria: CNN

By: Anchal Vohra

Col. Haitham Afise is leading the 51st division brigade of the Free Syrian Army and is directly in touch with the Pentagon. One of the top Free Syrian Army leaders, he is coordinating the attack in Al Bab with the Pentagon and says his men are making fast progress. Post Al Bab he wants to take Idlib infested with Al Qaeda affiliates but not Raqqa yet. He spoke to WION&#39;s Anchal Vohra in Turkey.

On India

Anchal: Thank you very much for speaking with us. Has the Free Syrian Army established any contact with the India government and what are your expectations from them?

Col. Afise: May peace be upon you. You are welcome. We were expecting from the Indian government to support us but they are supporting the regime. India is a symbol of freedom. We were peaceful in our demonstrations like Gandhi who fought the British, we took inspiration from him but India, may be, forgot its history and Gandhi. We started the revolution in a peaceful way but the regime attacked us and shot us. That is why I defected from the army to support the Syrian people and get our freedom.

Anchal: You say you want India&#39;s support but Syrian government says the protests were not peaceful. They were violent. They show videos of protestors beheading Syrian army. How do you respond to that?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;India is a superpower and they have good intelligence. It is impossible that the Syrian regime tells lies to the Indian government. They have to know the truth because they are a superpower and have great intelligence network.

On Syrian government&#39;s lies

Anchal: The Syrian government also said that the protesters asked for extremists to be released from the prison and because of that these terrorists are on the ground. Why did you ask for these terrorists to be released?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We didn&#39;t ask for the criminals to be released. We asked Assad to release people who got arrested in the revolution. The extremists were arrested before the revolution. They were released by the regime and then they formed different terror groups and became their leaders. Assad knew if these extremists are released they will destroy the revolution.

Anchal: You are saying the defectors never asked for the extremists to be released?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We didn&#39;t ask the government to release them. They were in the jail. They were not only in Sednaya military prison in Syria but 950 came from prison in Iraq. Al Maliki claims they escaped the jail but Al Maliki did this so that they can join the war and the Islamic State.

Anchal:&nbsp;So are you saying that Assad and Maliki created the ISIS problem?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;Not only Bashar al-Assad and Maliki but also Iran. The plan between Iran, Assad, Maliki and Hezbollah is to create a Shia country from Iran to Bahrain.

On Al Bab

Anchal:&nbsp;What is the situation in Al Bab and if your figters are in Al Bab?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;I am involved in the Operation Euphrates Shield. We kicked ISIS from the north of Al Bab and we are fighting in Al Bab. Now we are in the middle of Al Bab. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Anchal:&nbsp;How long before your fighters will take Al Bab?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We took the biggest part of Al&nbsp;Bab and by tomorrow we take all of it. Very soon Isha Allah.

On Penatgon and Raqqa

Anchal:&nbsp;Is there any conversation that you have had with the Pentagon on Raqqa?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We all know that America supports Kurdish forces and they call them Syrian Democratic Forces. If they ask me to fight beside Kurdish forces against ISIS, I will never accept that because they are against our ideology and they don&#39;t support the Syrian revolution.

On Russia

&nbsp;Anchal:&nbsp;The Russians invited you to meet with them. What did they talk about?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;I met them but Russia won&#39;t be involved in finding peaceful solution in Syria because they support the Assad regime.

Anchal:&nbsp;What about the Russians?&nbsp;Are they more interested in fighting ISIS or Jabhat Al Nusra?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;Russia doesn&#39;t care about ISIS. They only care about Nusra. The proof is that they don&#39;t attack ISIS and only Nusra and the Free Syrian Army. The reason is because Chechen people joined Nusra and they don&#39;t want them to come to Nusra.

Anchal:&nbsp;What about America? Is America&#39;s focus ISIS, Nusra, Al Qaeda or all?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;United State&#39;s only focus is to fight ISIS, not Nusra.

Anchal:&nbsp;What about you?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;For me, I have too many enemies -- Syrian regime, Nusra, ISIS and Kurdish militia but other countries, they have only one enemy.

Anchal:&nbsp;So, can you fight with so many enemies? Or will you crack a deal with the devil and join hands with some of these groups?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;I will continue fighting all the enemies of the Syrian people. I deal with other countries. The deal depends on the goals of the revolution, goals of my country. If useful, I will crack a deal. In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies. As long as the deal is useful for the Syrian revolution.&nbsp;

On biggest challenge

Anchal:&nbsp;What is your biggest challenge in order to fight ISIS and Nusra?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We need good quality weapons. To fight ISIS and Nusra, we have weapons but they are not of good quality. 
&nbsp; 
Anchal:&nbsp;Exactly what weapons and how many do you need?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We need anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles but of good qauality and we need long range weapons. If we get this, you won&#39;t find ISIS and Nusra type groups here. Before we were fighting like gangsters fight on the streets. Now, it&#39;s a fight between cities. So, we need such weapons. We have a huge goal and we can&#39;t decide how much we need. 
&nbsp; 
Anchal:&nbsp;But your weapons have gone in the hands of ISIS and Nusra in the past?

Col. Afise:&nbsp;We are a power on the ground now and will not let anyone take our weapons.

(WION)

'The plan between Iran, Assad, al-Maliki and Hezbollah is to create a Shia country from Iran to Bahrain': Col. Haitham Afise, an FSA leader

By: Anchal Vohra Col. Haitham Afise is leading the 51st division brigade of the Free Syrian Army and is directly in touch with the Pentagon. One of the top Free Syrian Army leaders, he is coordinating the attack in Al Bab with the Pentagon and says his men are making fast progress. Post Al Bab he wants to take Idlib infested with Al Qaeda affiliates but not Raqqa yet. He spoke to WION's Anchal Vohra in Turkey. On India Anchal: Thank you very much for speaking with us. Has the Free Syrian Army established any contact with the India government and what are your expectations from them? Col. Afise: May peace be upon you. You are welcome. We were expecting from the Indian government to support us but they are supporting the regime. India is a symbol of freedom. We were peaceful in our demonstrations like Gandhi who fought the British, we took inspiration from him but India, may be, forgot its history and Gandhi. We started the revolution in a peaceful way but the regime attacked us and shot us. That is why I defected from the army to support the Syrian people and get our freedom. Anchal: You say you want India's support but Syrian government says the protests were not peaceful. They were violent. They show videos of protestors beheading Syrian army. How do you respond to that? Col. Afise: India is a superpower and they have good intelligence. It is impossible that the Syrian regime tells lies to the Indian government. They have to know the truth because they are a superpower and have great intelligence network. On Syrian government's lies Anchal: The Syrian government also said that the protesters asked for extremists to be released from the prison and because of that these terrorists are on the ground. Why did you ask for these terrorists to be released? Col. Afise: We didn't ask for the criminals to be released. We asked Assad to release people who got arrested in the revolution. The extremists were arrested before the revolution. They were released by the regime and then they formed different terror groups and became their leaders. Assad knew if these extremists are released they will destroy the revolution. Anchal: You are saying the defectors never asked for the extremists to be released? Col. Afise: We didn't ask the government to release them. They were in the jail. They were not only in Sednaya military prison in Syria but 950 came from prison in Iraq. Al Maliki claims they escaped the jail but Al Maliki did this so that they can join the war and the Islamic State. Anchal: So are you saying that Assad and Maliki created the ISIS problem? Col. Afise: Not only Bashar al-Assad and Maliki but also Iran. The plan between Iran, Assad, Maliki and Hezbollah is to create a Shia country from Iran to Bahrain. On Al Bab Anchal: What is the situation in Al Bab and if your figters are in Al Bab? Col. Afise: I am involved in the Operation Euphrates Shield. We kicked ISIS from the north of Al Bab and we are fighting in Al Bab. Now we are in the middle of Al Bab. Anchal: How long before your fighters will take Al Bab? Col. Afise: We took the biggest part of Al Bab and by tomorrow we take all of it. Very soon Isha Allah. On Penatgon and Raqqa Anchal: Is there any conversation that you have had with the Pentagon on Raqqa? Col. Afise: We all know that America supports Kurdish forces and they call them Syrian Democratic Forces. If they ask me to fight beside Kurdish forces against ISIS, I will never accept that because they are against our ideology and they don't support the Syrian revolution. On Russia Anchal: The Russians invited you to meet with them. What did they talk about? Col. Afise: I met them but Russia won't be involved in finding peaceful solution in Syria because they support the Assad regime. Anchal: What about the Russians? Are they more interested in fighting ISIS or Jabhat Al Nusra? Col. Afise: Russia doesn't care about ISIS. They only care about Nusra. The proof is that they don't attack ISIS and only Nusra and the Free Syrian Army. The reason is because Chechen people joined Nusra and they don't want them to come to Nusra. Anchal: What about America? Is America's focus ISIS, Nusra, Al Qaeda or all? Col. Afise: United State's only focus is to fight ISIS, not Nusra. Anchal: What about you? Col. Afise: For me, I have too many enemies -- Syrian regime, Nusra, ISIS and Kurdish militia but other countries, they have only one enemy. Anchal: So, can you fight with so many enemies? Or will you crack a deal with the devil and join hands with some of these groups? Col. Afise: I will continue fighting all the enemies of the Syrian people. I deal with other countries. The deal depends on the goals of the revolution, goals of my country. If useful, I will crack a deal. In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies. As long as the deal is useful for the Syrian revolution. On biggest challenge Anchal: What is your biggest challenge in order to fight ISIS and Nusra? Col. Afise: We need good quality weapons. To fight ISIS and Nusra, we have weapons but they are not of good quality. Anchal: Exactly what weapons and how many do you need? Col. Afise: We need anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles but of good qauality and we need long range weapons. If we get this, you won't find ISIS and Nusra type groups here. Before we were fighting like gangsters fight on the streets. Now, it's a fight between cities. So, we need such weapons. We have a huge goal and we can't decide how much we need. Anchal: But your weapons have gone in the hands of ISIS and Nusra in the past? Col. Afise: We are a power on the ground now and will not let anyone take our weapons. (WION)

Exclusive: Free Syrian Army leader talks about challenges of fighting the Islamic State

islamic-state

Islamic State, News on Islamic State, stories on Islamic State, articles on Islamic State, Islamic State stories at Wion, Islamic State news, Islamic State latest news

islamic state

Iraqi Forces advance in Mosul's Old City

India: Security stepped up at Taj Mahal after reports of terror threat from Islamic State

Over 800 health workers killed in Syrian 'war crimes': Report

WION Exclusive: Bangladesh not aligned to India or China, says Gowher Rizvi

Iraqi forces retake over a third of west Mosul: Commander

Suspected IS' India recruiter was told to leave religious school in Sri Lanka

Retaking Raqqa: The great game unfolds

US deploys 400 additional troops to oust IS from stronghold Raqa

Malaysia: Seven arrested for suspected links to militant groups including IS

Islamic State has badly damaged major Palmyra monument: Antiquities official

At least 11 civilians killed in Russia-backed air strikes in Syria

'I've never seen such war' says 90-year-old rescued from Mosul

Report on IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi admitting defeat in Iraq may not be true

Report on IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi admitting defeat in Iraq may not be true

As civilians flee Mosul, a delicate search for jihadists

Russian jets accidentally bombed US-backed forces in Syria: US general

Australia: Man accused of helping Islamic State build missile tech held

Gujarat ATS arrest two brothers, claim they're IS

Violence in Syria rattles regime, rebel peace talks in Geneva

Doctor freed from captivity: Islamic State very 'interested' in India

Iraqi warplanes hit IS targets inside Syria for first time

Car bomb on Turkey-backed Syrian rebels kills more than 50 in Syria

56 Islamic State militants killed in Syria, says Turkish military

Turkish-backed Syria rebels claim victory over IS stronghold Al-Bab