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Today: 55 articles and 168 comments as of 11:23.
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Area: WoT Operations    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
Syrian army ambushes 140 IS fighters in al-Raqqa
Today's Headlines
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
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Africa Horn
Warlord flees from allied forces amid disarmament
GURI EL, Somalia -- Notorious Somali warlord Abdi Nure Siyad(Abdi Wal) has been sighted in Galgaduud regional district of Guri El of central Somalia amidst disarmament operation in Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports. Local reports say, Abdi Wal is being heavily guarded at hotel in Guri El town after he barely escaped from capture by Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) near Mogadishu's Jazeera hotel last week.

He along with his militiamen initially moved to Lower Shabelle region and subsequently wadded through large swathes of territories stretching from Lower Shabelle to central town of Guri El. It is unclear whether he was granted safe passage by Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militants who maintain presence in some areas.

On Friday, Somali government forces aided by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) attacked the house of warlord Ahmed Dai in Wadajir district, killing 5 bodyguards and seizing cache of arms.

Hawiye clan elders Chief Mohamed Hassan Haad lambasted Somalia Federal Government for not carrying out statewide disarmament.

Abdi Wal remains deeply unpopular in Lower Shabelle region where long running inter-clan feuds over regional influence claimed at killed many lives.
Posted by: Steve White || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Hassan Hanafi jugged in Kenya
NAIROBI, Kenya -- A Kenya police official says a Somali man in their custody has admitted that he is Hassan Hanafi, who is wanted in Somalia for killing journalists. The police official said Friday that after weeks of interrogation following his arrest in early August the man, who had originally identified himself as Yusuf Hassan Abdisalam Yusuf, admitted to being Hanafi.

The official who insisted on anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press says police plan to seek deportation orders. The Somali government has requested Hanafi be extradited to Somalia for prosecution.

Somalia's government says Hanafi is a senior member of the Somali-based al-Qaida-linked terror group al-Shabab who is wanted for the killing of journalists and other citizens. Targeted attacks against Somali journalists were common in 2012 and 2013.
Posted by: Steve White || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Shabaab

#1  deport him, but not all at once.

Those USPS "if it fits, it ships" boxes are convenient and economical

Snark of the day. Pre-packaged...
Posted by: Frank G || 08/23/2014 9:59 Comments || Top||


Caribbean-Latin America
Mexico Dismisses Perry Claim IS Could Have Crossed US Border
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Not ISIS, but an elephant and a mariachi band have done so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAcIGx-nxdI
Posted by: OldSpook || 08/23/2014 0:59 Comments || Top||

#2  And Osama Bin Laden. And Chinese. And known cartel members. And basically anyone else that wants to get across.
Posted by: DarthVader || 08/23/2014 1:21 Comments || Top||

#3  Lemme see. A coyote turning down lottsa money because he consciously objects to islamo-cockroaches.

Yeah. That's gonna happen.
Posted by: genbara11 || 08/23/2014 2:59 Comments || Top||

#4  They'll never get through. We've got two of our best men on the job.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/23/2014 5:39 Comments || Top||

#5  Borders? We don' need no steenkin' borders!
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 08/23/2014 7:49 Comments || Top||

#6  Who believes what Mexico says? They are a corrupt, failed state. The U.S. is rapidly losing its sovereignty because we don't control our borders or have the rule of law anymore. Mexican cartels cut off heads of enemies. ISIS cuts off heads of enemies. Not too much difference between these groups except for purpose. That they might be in contact with each other, would not be a huge surprise.
Posted by: JohnQC || 08/23/2014 9:03 Comments || Top||

#7  The ruling caste and the corrupt officials running the illegal human pipeline don't want that border secured. Can't have the social pressure build up that threatens their fiefdoms. So, we'll know when the balloon goes up in a major American city, though most likely a very blue city, but as we've seen, the dead vote anyway.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 08/23/2014 9:17 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
U.S., foreign intel assessing Islamic State threats
[THETIMESHERALD] Authorities in La Belle France and Morocco detained citizens suspected of joining the Islamic State, but a U.S. intelligence bulletin issued Friday said there are no specific or credible threats on the U.S. homeland from the hard boy group.

The FBI and Homeland Security Department issued the bulletin as concerns rise that Islamic State supporters in the USA and Europe could attack anywhere with little or no warning.

U.S. law enforcement have been trying to identify Islamic State supporters who would bring the group's brand of violent jihad to the United States. U.S. Arclight airstrikes against the group in Iraq intensified after murderous Moslems beheaded American journalist James Foley. The group called Foley's killing Dire Revenge™ for previous strikes against murderous Moslems in Iraq.

French authorities on Friday detained two girls, ages 15 and 17, using a security net to find citizens considering travel to other countries to join jihad.

La Belle France is prosecuting suspects who try to become imported muscle, even before they leave French soil. Thousands of European citizens have traveled to Syrian battlegrounds, but there is no unified plan in Europe to prevent them from going or to deal with them when they return.

La Belle France, which has a Moslem population of around 5 million - the largest in Western Europe - is leading the way on the continent. French authorities say there are some 900 people from La Belle France who have fought in a religious war abroad, plan to join one, or are returning from one. Several dozen have been killed.

A proposed law would allow passports to be confiscated from suspects planning to fight in Syria or Iraq, and would create new measures to prosecute jihad wannabes or returnees. La Belle France also is planning to join other European countries in blocking Internet sites that espouse the jihad cause.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve pointed to the suspected killer of four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in May as evidence of the need to consider tough new measures to be debated this fall. The suspect, Frenchie Mehdi Nemmouche, fought in Syria.

"Must I wait for a new Mehdi Nemmouche to fire before I act?" Cazeneuve said in a recent interview with online publication Mediapart. Not all the proposed anti-terrorism measures will compromise civil liberties, he said.
Posted by: Fred || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  As per DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS, in Norway a breakaway group ANSAR-AL-SUNNA is threatening a "9-11" agz Norway iff their demands for Muslim-only urban area, region is denied.

YOOHOO, VLAD, YOU'RE UP AT BAT AGAIN.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/23/2014 0:07 Comments || Top||

#2  The idea that Al Qaeda might try something---to regain its popularity, doesn't seem to occur?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/23/2014 4:48 Comments || Top||

#3  The FBI and Homeland Security Department issued the bulletin as concerns rise that Islamic State supporters in the USA and Europe could attack anywhere with little or no warning.

Ahhhhh nice! Could you be a little more specific? Goodonya for the fok'n blindly obvious 'indications and warnings', but could you perhaps consider recommending preventative steps that might possibly mitigate or lesson the chances of an attack an attack? That would be steps that YOU might take as opposed to your previous, genius level 9/11 attacks.

The anniversary is approaching once again, by the way. Here's a quick tip, concentrate your effort on whatever it is POTUS seems to be flatly ignoring. You'll likely not be far wrong.

Posted by: Besoeker || 08/23/2014 5:21 Comments || Top||

#4  The FBI and Homeland Security Department issued a bulletin Friday that said there are no specific or credible threats on the U.S. homeland from the militant group.

The FBI is the agency that missed the 911 signals. DHS is the agency that thinks veterans and conservatives are the bigger threat. DHS is also responsible for the borders. Obama believes that global warming is the looming larger threat. What can possibly go wrong here?
Posted by: JohnQC || 08/23/2014 7:12 Comments || Top||

#5  Besides opining that 'ISIS as an Islamic Caliphate is absurd,' what is Klingon director John Brennan saying about the threat ?
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/23/2014 7:13 Comments || Top||

#6  The Bureau is very, very busy at the moment, going house-to-house in Ferguson, Missouri attempting to piece together a non-existent Civil Rights Violation.

Posted by: Besoeker || 08/23/2014 7:18 Comments || Top||

#7  The "credible threat" has already been delivered by IS. The incredible response is the wide-open southern border of the US. But Mexico assures US no terrorists are getting through.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 08/23/2014 7:47 Comments || Top||

#8  How hard is it to get a plane ticket to a Moslem country for someone in Iraq who is a professional ISIS ? Now how hard is it to get a plane ticket to Mexico City? Passports in order? Good. Best forged passports Oil money can buy. Now contact the coyotes who work the border and get across in an air conditioned van. Arizona...a tourist change of clothes and some Credit cards waiting. Stay with cousin Abdrool in Detroit while you make arrangement for the rest of the team to asemble. Sept. 11th is coming up in a few days. Get out the maps of Chicago. Rent a car. Muckmud and his team are due tomorrow and they get Washington DC. The FBI and Homeland Security are eating donuts and using up the toilet paper in the john.

Obama is playing Golf. And who knew?

When its a done deal and you are watching the buildings come down on TV...get that thrill up your leg and be sure to vote for the Messiah. And Pot is legal now and your son Randy has purple hair. "Like" it on Facebook.
Posted by: Big Thromoth3646 || 08/23/2014 8:28 Comments || Top||

#9  Besoeker why do you post pictures from UK TV Series "keeping up appearances"?
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 08/23/2014 12:52 Comments || Top||

#10  Fair question, 'Onslo' is one of my favorite television characters BP. I can watch the same British sitcoms dozens of times and they still make me chuckle.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/23/2014 13:10 Comments || Top||

#11  Our beery philosopher, Onslow:
"You won't catch me wearing an oxbow!
Bubbles rise up and die...
What's the use?" And that's why
He lounges and scratches and yawns so.
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 08/23/2014 15:05 Comments || Top||

#12  I'll tell you a tale of two fannies:
The anterior found on a man? He's
Most probably butch --
Gents, please look, but don't touch;
A makeshift is made for some trannies.

The posterior ilk of the species,
Borne by all of the genders and he-shes,
Colored on a baboon,
Can be used for to moon,
Or worn out by grads working on theses.

Jeez Louise,
How lame are these?

Also

A neighbor of Hyacinth Bucket
tbc
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 08/23/2014 15:13 Comments || Top||


Senator Inhofe warns of potential terrorist attacks on U.S. soil
[OKCFOX] It is a serious warning coming from Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe as he warns of the potential of another attack on American soil. The senator sat down with Fox 25 to talk about a variety of topics, but as ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the top issue was national security.

"We're in the most dangerous position we've ever been in as a nation," Senator Inhofe told Fox 25's Phil Cross.

"ISIS, they are really bad terrorists, they're so bad even Al Qaeda is afraid of them," Inhofe said reflecting on the recent beheading of American journalist James Foley. Beyond the beheading, Inhofe said the current terror organizations are not going to stay contained to the Middle East. "They're crazy out there and they're rapidly developing a method of blowing up a major U.S. city and people just can't believe that's happening."

Inhofe blames policy decisions from the B.O. regime and cuts in defense spending for putting the country in what he calls a dangerous situation.

"He's [President B.O.] going to have to come up with something that we're going to do because they're holding another hostage in place and the problem is, the President says all these things and he never does them," Inhofe said.

Inhofe said he hopes after the mid-term elections there will be more Republicans in the Senate and more of a willingness for both parties to work on restoring cuts to defense spending.
Posted by: Fred || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


TSA Admits Lying About Illegal Aliens Flying Without Proper ID
WoT related given the insecurity of our borders...
The newly-surfaced TSA letter was penned on August 7, according to the Gateway Pundit. It was reportedly sent from the TSA to Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-TX), a member of the Border Security Caucus. The letter confirms that illegal aliens are being allowed to board planes using a Notice to Appear form (also known as I-862), as Darby revealed in July.

Hector Garza, a spokesman for the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) told Darby that Notice to Appear forms can "easily be reproduced or manipulated on any home computer. The Notice to Appear form has no photo, anyone can make one and manipulate one. They do not have any security features, no watermark, nothing. They are simply printed on standard copy paper based on the information the illegal alien says is the truth."
Posted by: Javising Snore4333 || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
Talks stall as Imran, Qadri look to regroup
[DAWN] The process of dialogue, that began a day earlier, came to a screeching halt on Thursday as both the Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
(PTI) and Pakistain Awami Tehrik (PAT) lashed out at the government for trying to sabotage the talks by trying to seal off the sit-in venue.

Warning the United States against interfering in the "internal affairs" of Pakistain, PTI chief Imran Khan
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


US throws its weight behind PM
[DAWN] The United States has firmly put its weight behind the "elected government", declaring that it did not support any "extra-constitutional changes" in Pakistain or those "attempting to impose" such changes.
So Uncle Fester is toast.
At a news briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Marie Harf made it clear that the US believed "Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
was elected and is prime minister" and that "there's a government in place that was elected".
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  US throws its weight behind PM

He's toast.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/23/2014 4:49 Comments || Top||


PTI lawmakers tender NA resignations
[DAWN] Lawmakers of the Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
(PTI) submitted their resignations from the National Assembly on Friday, as the party continues to lead a sit-in in the capital against Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
's government.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Govt, PTI return to negotiating table
[DAWN] For the second time since it mobilised thousands of supporters for anti-government protests in Islamabad, the Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
(PTI) on Friday prepared to resume talks with the government, a day after it called off talks with Nawaz's emissaries.

Following a meeting of the PTI's core committee today, big shot Shah Mehmood Wormtongue Qureshi told news hounds in Islamabad that his party was now ready to engage in negotiations with the Pakistain Moslem League — Nawaz (PML-N) led government.

Qureshi said that the government had already started removing containers in Islamabad, while an FIR has also been registered against culprits who earlier attacked his Multan residence. He said that he will soon contact Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar to further play his part in facilitating the talks with the government.
Posted by: Fred || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Iraq
Sistani calls on Iraqis to fight Islamic State
Posted by: ryuge || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  this guy seems alot more sane/sensible than his iranian counterparts.
Posted by: Paul D || 08/23/2014 4:04 Comments || Top||


ISIL, uncontrollable Frankenstein monster: Analyst
[Iran Press TV] Takfiri
...an adherent of takfir wal hijra, an offshoot of Salafism that regards everybody who doesn't agree with them as apostates who must be killed...
ISIL Death Eaters operating in Iraq have grown into a Frankenstein monster spinning out of control of the Western governments that once created them, an analyst tells Press TV.

"What you are seeing here is basically this Frankenstein monster that the Western powers created is now totally out of control, attacking the very people that created it," E. Michael Jones told Press TV in an interview.

He said the United States and its allies are facing a "chaotic incoherent situation" due to the terrorist operations conducted by their own "proxies."

"[US President Barack] Obama is orchestrating Arclight airstrikes against the ISIL people, which the United States and Saudi and all these other people armed in Syria. It makes no sense whatsoever," said Jones.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the commentator dismissed claims by French President Francois Hollande
...the Socialist president of La Belle France, an economic bad joke for la Belle France but seemingly a foreign policy realist...
that Gay Paree is working to promote democracy in Syria, saying, "It is preposterous. The claim is preposterous."

Hollande acknowledged on Thursday that La Belle France has recently supplied weapons to the foreign-sponsored Takfiri Death Eaters operating against the Syrian government.

The group, which controls parts of Syria, sent its Death Eaters into neighboring Iraq in June and quickly seized large swathes of territory straddling the border between the two countries.
Posted by: Fred || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  The "West" has been very very naughty. That's what they all say.

Its because we are the Great Satan, you see. Michael Jones? ( who's he?, never heard of him ). Is he from New York? All the really insightful and smarter people seem to be from New York, or Massachusetts, or even California where Nancy Pelosi says everybody who voted for her can water their lawn anytime they want.

But Moslems being "chaotic and incoherent" ? Yeah?
I think what they have in mind seems to be fairly plain. How about you?
Posted by: Big Thromoth3646 || 08/23/2014 8:12 Comments || Top||

#2  Eventually Frankenstein came to an end.
Posted by: JohnQC || 08/23/2014 9:11 Comments || Top||

#3  How come countries like Qatar and SA never have to take responsibility for the creation of ISIS?
Posted by: Remoteman || 08/23/2014 17:10 Comments || Top||

#4  We need to help the Kurds develop the ability to manufacture and use napalm. I'm sure that would be a nice way to treat these "death eaters". They want death? Let the Kurds deliver!
Posted by: Old Patriot || 08/23/2014 19:24 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Abbas, Meshaal seek UN timetable to end Israel occupation
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas supremo Khaled Meshaal on Friday urged the United Nations to draw up a "timetable" for the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories to end, Qatar state media said.

They issued the appeal during talks in Doha, as fighting continues in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, Qatar's state news agency QNA said. The two Palestinian leaders have been holding talks in Doha since Thursday, but little else has filtered out of their meetings which are hosted by Qatar, a key backer of Hamas.

Their discussions came after fighting in Gaza flared anew on Tuesday as Egyptian-brokered truce efforts collapsed.

Talks broke down with Israel insistent on its demand for security from rocket fire by Gaza militants, and Hamas defiant on its call for an end to eight years of Israeli blockade.

QNA said that Abbas and Meshaal discussed Israel's "aggression" on Gaza and underlined "the importance of acting at all levels in order to... lift Israel's blockade of Gaza".

They also agreed to request from the United Nations "a resolution that would define a timetable for the end of Israel's occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state".

The agency said Abbas would undertake the diplomatic steps necessary to seek such a resolution.
Since Mashaal can't leave Qatar...
It also reported that Amir of Qatar His Highness Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke by phone Friday to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to discuss efforts to stop "Israel's aggression on Gaza and the lifting of the blockade".
Posted by: Steve White || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Since Mashaal can't leave Qatar...

He's going to find out he's not safe in Qatar either.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/23/2014 2:10 Comments || Top||

#2  Islamic Terrorist Group Demands Islamic Stateā€¦ in Downtown Oslo
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/23/2014 6:17 Comments || Top||

#3  Isn't Islam interesting ?

Meanwhile I will be over here going through your stuff.
Posted by: Big Thromoth3646 || 08/23/2014 8:02 Comments || Top||

#4  He's going to find out he's not safe in Qatar either.

From your keyboard to God's ears.

And take out a Qatari emir or two while you're at it. In for a penny, in for a pound...
Posted by: Steve White || 08/23/2014 11:37 Comments || Top||

#5  Fine. Get the UN to set up a timetable. That will get results. Might make people feel better or at least appeal to delusional thinking.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 08/23/2014 12:59 Comments || Top||

#6  Sooner or later people are going to realize Israel already left...
Posted by: Charles || 08/23/2014 13:58 Comments || Top||

#7  How about the UN does something useful and sets up a timetable for Hamas to stop firing rockets?
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 08/23/2014 16:10 Comments || Top||

#8  JUICE OUT OF GAZA NOW! Wait, what? They did? When? Oh. I must keep up.
Posted by: SteveS || 08/23/2014 16:59 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iran nixes report linking Iraq cooperation to nuclear talks
[ARABNEWS] Iran denied a report
No, no! Certainly not!
that it is ready to help counter Islamic State turbans in return for progress in negotiations with world powers over its nuclear program.

La Belle France, one of the six nations in nuclear talks with Tehran, said on Wednesday it wanted Arab states, Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to coordinate a comprehensive response against Islamic State, whose myrmidon forces control large parts of Syria and Iraq.

The violence threatening to tear apart Iraq has alarmed both Iran and the United States, which have had no diplomatic relations since soon after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Tehran.

On Thursday a story from the official Iranian News Agency (IRNA) cited by several news organizations including Rooters reported Foreign Minister Javad Zarif as saying that if Iran agreed to "do something in Iraq, the other side in the negotiations will need to do something in return."

"All the sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear activities should be lifted in return for its help in Iraq," it quoted him as saying.

But later on Thursday IRNA reported foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham as dismissing "reports by some news agencies about Iran and US cooperation in Iraq."

"These reports are a misinterpretation of the foreign minister's remarks and are 'totally baseless'," IRNA reported her as saying.

IRNA did not elaborate. On Friday, the story on IRNA's website still showed remarks attributed to Zarif but the word Iraq had been omitted. A similar report by the semi-official Mehr news agency about Zarif's comments continued to cite him mentioning Iraq.

Posted by: Fred || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


West poised to join forces with Assad in face of Islamic State
[INDEPENDENT.CO.UK] Islamist forces are fighting their way into western Syria from bases further east, bringing forward the prospect of US military intervention to stop their advance. If Isis, which styles itself Islamic State, threatens to take all or part of Aleppo, establishing complete dominance over the anti-government rebels, the US may be compelled to act publicly or secretly in concert with Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Leveler of Latakia...
, whom it has been trying to displace.

The US has already covertly assisted the Assad government by passing on intelligence about the exact location of jihadi leaders through the BND, the German intelligence service, a source has told The Independent. This may explain why Syrian aircraft and artillery have been able on occasion to target accurately rebel commanders and headquarters.

Syrian army troops are engaged in a fierce battle to hold Tabqa airbase in Raqqa province, the fall of which would open the way to Hama, Syria's fourth-largest city.

Further north, Isis has captured crucial territory that brings it close to cutting rebel supply lines between Aleppo and the Turkish border. The caliphate declared by Isis on 29 June already covers the eastern third of Syria in addition to a quarter of Iraq. It stretches from Jalawla, a town 20 miles from Iran, which the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga are trying to recapture, to towns 30 miles north of Aleppo.
Posted by: Fred || 08/23/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  The US has already covertly assisted the Assad government by passing on intelligence about the exact location of jihadi leaders through the BND, the German intelligence service, a source has told The Independent. This may explain why Syrian aircraft and artillery have been able on occasion to target accurately rebel commanders and headquarters.

Well if you're scouring imagery for western hostages and find something unrelated, but of interest, no harm in passing it along. Might shake something up a bit, move folks around and into the open.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/23/2014 7:01 Comments || Top||

#2  I'm confused. Where does the "red line" come into play here?
Posted by: AlanC || 08/23/2014 8:34 Comments || Top||

#3 
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/23/2014 8:38 Comments || Top||

#4  Is Pappy on the move? BT seems speedy today.
Posted by: Shipman || 08/23/2014 10:51 Comments || Top||

#5  Damn Beso, now that was quick. 8^)

And funny.......except saddly true.
Posted by: AlanC || 08/23/2014 11:06 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
27[untagged]
7Govt of Pakistan
5Islamic State
4Hamas
2al-Shabaab
2Govt of Syria
2Taliban
1Thai Insurgency
1Govt of Iran
1Baloch Liberation Army
1Seleka
1Govt of Iraq
1Abu Sayyaf

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Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
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Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
Frank G
3dc
Skidmark

Two weeks of WOT
Sat 2014-08-23
  Syrian army ambushes 140 IS fighters in al-Raqqa
Fri 2014-08-22
  Boko Haram Takfiris seize town in NE Nigeria
Thu 2014-08-21
  Israeli Fire Kills 31 in Gaza as Hamas Warns Foreign Airlines, Declares Truce Talks Over
Wed 2014-08-20
  Geelani, Yasin Malik meet Pak envoy after India calls off talks
Tue 2014-08-19
  Kurdish PKK trains Yazidis to fight back against Islamic State.
Mon 2014-08-18
  Apple employee took assassin's bullets for British colonel
Sun 2014-08-17
  Jihadists kill dozens in north Iraq 'massacre': officials
Sat 2014-08-16
  Iraq Sunni Tribes Take Up Arms against Jihadists
Fri 2014-08-15
  ISIS jihadist poses with severed head as Caliphate seize more key towns
Thu 2014-08-14
  Boko Haram Appoints New Emir for Gwoza
Wed 2014-08-13
  Prince Saud: Israel has no right to self-defense
Tue 2014-08-12
  "Convert by noon today or we will kill all of you"
Mon 2014-08-11
  Iraq PM to sue president, security forces deploy across Baghdad
Sun 2014-08-10
  Al-Qaida Militants Kill 15 Yemeni Soldiers
Sat 2014-08-09
  Gazans back in UN schools as Israel resumes blitz

Better than the average link...



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