[Khaama (Afghanistan)] Seven people have been killed and seven others maimed in a suicide kaboom in southern Helmand ...an Afghan province populated mostly by Pashtuns, adjacent to Injun country in Pak Balochistan... province.
Omar Zwak, front man for the governor of restive Helmand province confirms the incident.
He said that the ones killed included five civilians and two soldiers.
Pacha Gul Bakhtyar, security officer of the police headquarters of Helmand province also confirms the suicide attack in Sangin District.
He said that a jacket wallahwent kaboom! his explosive laden truck close to a security center around 02:00 PM this afternoon.
He told Khaama Press that both the ones killed and injured included security personnel and civilians.
There is no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack but Taliban turbans have carried out these types of attacks in the past.
Helmand is one of the volatile provinces in the southern part of Afghanistan. Due to the increase in insecurity, Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have begun a big scale of military operations in the target areas of this province.
The military operation kicked off from Sangin District about 11 days before but has extended to other neighboring Districts of Sangin.
Hundreds of soldiers are taking part in this operation and at least 100 turbans have been killed in the operation Zulfiqar so far.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Taliban
[The Peninsula] Washington--Afghan security forces are suffering heavy casualties on the battlefield and large numbers of troops are resigning or deserting their units, a new report said Tuesday.
The US military also has overestimated the size of the Afghan police and army by a significant margin, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, John Sopko, said in a report to Congress.
The Afghan army "continues to suffer serious combat losses," SIGAR wrote.
BOSSASO, Somalia -- Amid intense dispute over the sacking of top security commanders, suspected Al Shabaab gunmen carried out an attack on army patrol in the Gulf of Aden port city of Bossaso on Monday evening, Garowe Online reports.
You can find Bossaso on a map if you look hard enough...
Officials and witnesses said that militants hurdled a hand grenade at soldiers manning a security checkpoint in front of Bossaso municipal offices. Assailants managed to run away flee and no casualty figures have been reported as of yet.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under:
An Egyptian administrative court on Feb. 18 upheld the Ministry of Religious Endowments’ decision issued in September 2013 to close down neighborhood places of worship of less than 80 square meters (861 square feet), a move intended to protect young people from the militancy and extremism that can prevail in such places, which lack the legal standing to hold Friday prayers.
This move sets a precedent that raises many questions about the fate of mosques in many Egyptian villages, the grounds of which are usually less than 80 square meters. In reply, opponents of the decision such as the Salafist Nour Party claimed that closing down places of worship without providing a larger alternative serves to further bolster extremist ideology, considering that the larger existing mosques cannot accommodate Friday worshippers who line surrounding streets to pray. On the opposite end of the spectrum, supporters of the decision such as intellectuals and scholars say that those mosques are time bombs that threaten national security, as they fall outside the purview of the Ministry of Religious Endowments and are used to spread subversive ideologies.
At the same time, the ministry has awarded 400 preaching permits to Salafist leaders without requiring oration tests, despite the ministry's previous and constant accusations that they spread extremism.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
An estimated 400 permits were issued to Salafists, who pledged not to use Friday prayers for political purposes.
#2
IMO, Muslim infested "Western" countries should observe El Sisi most carefully. And, kids, if you don't understand, don't be shy---ask for an explanation.
#6
That's because there is no central religious authority in Islam. No Pope, no Patriarch, no Arch Bishop of Canterbury. Any nut job can declare himself an Imam throw a dome and crescent on the roof of his garage and hey Friday prays.
Posted by: Albert Thravins4110 ||
03/04/2015 19:25 Comments ||
Top||
[AnNahar] At least 19 non-combatants were killed in a weekend attack by Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality... Islamists on three remote islands in Niger with many victims burnt alive, a local politician said.
Sunday's onslaught took place on three islands located on Lake Chad, said ElHadj Aboubacar, a deputy from the town of Bosso in southeastern Niger.
"We have been informed that at least 19 people have died, most of whom were either burnt alive or drowned in the lake," he told AFP.
There has been no official confirmation of the corpse count but a private radio station in Niger has reported that two people were killed in a fire after a remote island village was attacked by Boko Haram fighters.
Aboubacar said the drowned victims were mainly women and kiddies who tried to flee on a dugout which sank. He said two people had been rubbed out.
A humanitarian source said the corpse count was "plausible".
Aboubacar said that according to witnesses, Boko Haram members launched the raid on one island on Sunday evening, fired on locals, pillaged shops and then set a village on fire.
They then attacked two other islands.
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/04/2015 00:30 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[2 views]
Top|| File under: Boko Haram
[AnNahar] Nigerian troops backed by civilian vigilantes on Tuesday claimed to have killed more than 70 Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality... fighters in a foiled attack to capture the strategic town of Konduga near Maiduguri.
A would-be jacket wallah was shot and killed before he could ram his explosives-laden car into a military checkpoint in the town during the attack on Monday, witnesses said.
Around 150 Boko Haram fighters entered the fishing town with a large herd of cattle pretending to be herders and opened fire on troops stationed in the town, leading to a six-hour shootout.
"At the last count 73 Boko Haram gunnies were killed in the foiled attack," a civilian vigilante, Butari Mala, told AFP.
"Among those killed was a suicide bomber who was shot inside his car loaded with explosives before he could reach his target," he said.
"The rest fled into the bush but were pursued and bombarded by a fighter jet that deployed from Maiduguri."
A military source in Maiduguri, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed Mala's account, including the corpse count.
The attack happened at about 7:00 am (0600 GMT) and the gunnies abandoned the cattle as they approached a military post, said Konduga resident, Abba Kaka.
"Unknown to the Boko Haram gunnies herdsmen in Konduga had been asked to keep away from some designated no-go areas," he added.
"So when the gunnies came in through these designated areas it was clear to soldiers they were not genuine herdsmen and they met the soldiers waiting for them," Kaka said by telephone from Maiduguri.
Soldiers and vigilantes have repelled more than a dozen attacks by Boko Haram on Konduga, which is some 35 kilometers (21 miles) southeast of Maiduguri.
Troops and vigilantes have been stationed in Konduga to prevent it from being used as a launchpad to attack the Borno state capital, where the group was founded in 2002.
The latest defense of the town comes after a number of claimed Nigerian military successes, including the recapture of the town of Baga, on the shores of Lake Chad.
Soldiers, backed by armies from neighboring countries have been involved in a fight-back against the krazed killers, whose attacks have threatened regional security and upcoming elections in Nigeria.
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/04/2015 00:20 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Boko Haram
#1
With 70 Bokos going to 'paradise', Marie Harf will be pleased that about 5000 women have found employment...
[YEMENOBSERVER] Security devices confirmed the seizure of a terrorist cell in the capital Sana'a, which has links with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula ...the latest incarnation of various Qaeda and Qaeda-allied groups, including the now-defunct Aden-Abyan Islamic Army that boomed the USS Cole in 2000... AQAP.
A source in the security committee stated to the official news agency Sheba, presently under the control of the Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ... group, that the security devices have captured a group of field operatives headed by someone called Habib Al-Ariqi who has connections to Al-Qaeda.
The source accused the group of undermining security and fueling chaos in the capital Sana'a, pointing out that the group was in possession of a considerable amount of weapons when they were captured by the security devices.
The tossed in the calaboose Youse'll never take me alive coppers!... [BANG!]... Ow!... I quit! suspects were leading figures and field leaders in the Islah party according to the condemnation statement that was issued by the Islah party, which accused Houthis of brutally kidnapping its leading figures in the capital Sana'a.
The official news website of the Islah party was quoted saying, "On Sunday evening, the Houthi militia kidnapped four of the young leaders of the party in the capital and took them into an unknown destination.
Islah officials stated that the Houthi militia stormed the headquarters of the Islah party at Alrobad street east of the capital Sana'a on Sunday and brutally kidnapped its leading figures.
The four arrested suspects were identified as: Mr. Habib Al-Alriqi, the head of the Department Elections at the Islah party in the Capital Secretariat, Mr. Ali Al-Hadamh, Mr. Mohammed Al-Sabri and Anwar Al-Himyari.
The Islah party condemned in a statement condemned the actions of the Houthi militia and considered it as aggressive behavior which went completely against what the Houthis claim in regards to promoting partnership, co-existence and tolerance.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Arabia
[YEMENOBSERVER] Sana'a witnessed Friday evening rallies supporting the Supreme Revolutionary Committee (SRC), the constitutional declaration , rejecting what they called interference in Yemen's internal affairs and in response to the televised call directed by the Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ... leader.
Participants who rallied on Zubeiri Street and Baghdad intersection raised posters supporting the SRC resolutions and the constitutional declaration.
The participants issued a statement calling all the social and political forces to take the country out of the strap of treason, domination and acquiescence which was imposed by the corrupt and oppressive groups so as to serve their purposes, achieve their political interests and the agenda of the foreign and regional forces who stand behind them.
They stressed that the Yemeni people refuse interference with their internal affairs and will proceed in achieving a decent, free and safe future so as to live in a country which secures the illusory sovereignty of its people by building relations based on mutual respect with the neighboring, regional and international communities.
The statement emphasized the people's desire for solidarity of the Yemeni people with the Yemeni army and security so as to challenge the conspiracies that target the homeland and seek to implement the Libyan model which was created by conspiring forces.
It also rejected the foreign guardianship and expressed keenness for building foreign relations based on equality and mutual respect, calling Yemeni businessmen to play their role in serving their people to face the challenges through benefiting from their resources and potentials.
The official statement expressed support of the constitutional declaration, the revolutionary decisions and the support to the revolutionary path while rejecting any suspicious movement targeting this path or attempting to circumvent it by seeking the support of foreign forces.
Meanwhile the opposite side launched the "week of besieging the insurgency" in Taiz, which is scheduled to consist of daily rallies and protesting marches Back in Sanaa', thousands gathered to perform the Friday prayer in the Hurriah, "freedom" square in Jamal St. raising slogans of "supporting legitimacy," "coup refusal," and demanded making Aden the capital.
The preacher for Jummuah, the Friday prayer, asked President Hadi to take rapid steps in returning the state.
A rally was organized on Saturday starting from Jamal St. within the escalation week for "besieging the insurgency. " In Ibb Province, thousands gathered at the "coup rejection square" in front of the Province headquarters denouncing Abdul-Malik al-Houthi's speech which they described as a beating of the war drums.
They also shouted slogans demanding release of the Province's people who were placed in durance vile I ain't sayin' nuttin' widdout me mout'piece! by the Houthis, including the secretary general of the "opposition movement", Ahmed Haza'.
The Friday preacher said the majority of the Yemeni people support President Hadi and his resolutions for returning the state, warning of "leniency with the outlaw practices which impose a de facto situation at gunpoint. " Meanwhile people gathered on al-Thawra St. in Hodeida city for what they called, "Support for the Constitutional Legality and Rejection of the Coup," followed by a rally against the Houthis and in support of President Hadi.
The protesters said the Houthis prevented the worshipers from gathering in the change squares and dispersed them by force when they gathered in al-Thawra Street by surrounding them with dozens of gun-mounted vehicles.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[8 views]
Top|| File under: Houthis
[Hurriyet Daily News] A Turkish man, who is allegedly involved in the trafficking of jihadists on the The Sick Man of Europe Turkey ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... -Syria border, has also been accused of forcing Syrian refugees into prostitution.
They aren't proper Muslims anyway, which makes them sheep for his shearing, as promised.
The case has come to light as part of a 17-folder file in the case that was opened after the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... of Iraq and the Levant's (ISIL) March 2014 attack on gendarmes in the Central Anatolian province of Nigde, which includes additional charges against 11 suspects, Hurriyet has learned.
One of the suspects, the 29-year-old Ahmet Yumusak, is charged with forcing underage Syrian refugees in Turkey to prostitution in the southern province of Hatay. In his phone calls, wiretapped by Turkish law enforcement officers, Yumusak discusses prices with his "customers," adding that "the 16-year-old one is terrific."
Nine is the age at which the Prophet Mohammed consummated his marriage to Aisha. Sixteen is nearly double that, so why the fuss?
Ayhan Orli, another suspect in the 17-folder case who is currently on the board of an association called the Syria Turkmen Community, is charged with sending to Syria aluminium powder, a material that can be used in explosives.
According to the criminal file, an officer from Yayladagi Police Center in Hatay cooperated with Orli in smuggling out 50 kg of aluminium powder to Ahrar ash-Sham, a jihadist group in Syria.
The case originally had three foreign ISIL snuffies as suspects, who were directly involved in the killing of a Turkish gendarmerie soldier and a police officer in Nigde last year, according to the prosecutor.
The main perpetrator was identified as Chendrim Ramadani, a Swiss national who was first reported as being from Kosovo. Benjamin Xu, a German citizen, and Mohammad Zakiri, a Macedonian, have also been caught alongside Ramadani.
A nicely international little cabal.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
#1
Details, details... Prostitutes for the infidels, until they have been taken over, then they are beheaded for prostitution...
[DAWN] HANGU: Security forces on Tuesday incarcerated Don't shoot, coppers! I'm comin' out! four members of the banned outfit Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) during a raid in the Chapri Naryab region.
TTP commander alias Lal Sher was among the four suspected hard boyz who were later taken to an unknown location for further interrogation.
Weapons and bombs were also recovered from their hideout, security forces said.
Hangu had been on the frontline of a seven-year-long Taliban insurgency and borders the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and the northwestern tribal region of Orakzai, one of Pakistain's seven lawless districts on the Afghan border considered to be the hub of Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked Lion of Islams.
Last year, it was the stage of several deadly Taliban attacks on security forces and civilians alike.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[3 views]
Top|| File under: TTP
[DAWN] Armed Death Eaters on Tuesday evening killed three coppers and injured the District Police Officer (DPO) Sherani in Balochistan ...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it... 's Loralai district.
Levies sources told Dawn the Death Eaters opened indiscriminate fire at the DPO's vehicle in Spira Ragha area of Loralai.
They said the DPO Muhammad Shakir and two police personnel sustained bullet wounds during the attack.
The injured DPO and coppers were initially shifted to a nearby hospital, later on they were moved to Quetta for medical treatment.
The assailants managed to escape in the nearby mountains in Spira Ragha.
Levies said the DPO along with police guards were coming from a meeting with senior coppers in Loralai, when they were ambushed.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack. Sherani, Loralai, Zhob and Killa Saifullah have been considered to be sensitive districts in the aftermath of recent crackdown against krazed killers.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[2 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
* See also DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > PAKISTAN GOVT. MAY SOON LOSE ALL CONTROL OVER BALOCHISTAN | DAWN.COM.
On or after EOY 2015, i.e. this year.
Lest we fergit, PAK + IRAN BALOCHISTAN = embattled AFGHANISTAN's STRATEGIC ACCESS TO THE SEA = CHEAPER MARITIME TRADE THAN BY LAND.
Rising Iran = Obama BFF OWG Co-Superpower Iran = was "smart" in preventing loss of Iranian Balochistan by making new diplomatic rapprochements or overtures to the US-Allies vee Nuclear Deal + fighting the ISIS + Al Qaeda Boyz.
[DAWN] As part of continued crackdown against forces of Evil in Balochistan ...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it... , security forces picked up one dozen suspected forces of Evil from Uch and Pishin areas of the province.
Spokesman Frontier Corps (FC) said security forces conducted a search operation in Uch area of Naseerabad district and tossed in the slammer I ain't sayin' nuttin' widdout me mout'piece! eight Lion of Islams.
He said security forces recovered arms and ammunition from the possession of the forces of Evil who have been shifted to some holy man's guesthouse an undisclosed location for interrogation.
The front man stated that the forces of Evil were involved in attacks on security forces and vital national installations in the area.
The FC also conducted a search operation in Mughtian area of Pishin district.
Sources said the forces recovered four Kalashnikov's from the possession of the Lion of Islams, who are said to be affiliated with banned ...the word banned seems to have a different meaning in Pakistain than it does in most other places. Or maybe it simply lacks any meaning at all...
organizations.
Security forces have also foiled a terror bid in Kohlu district, when forces of Evil planted a landmine on the roadside which was later defused.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under:
[DAWN] RAWALPINDI: Local police investigating the bombing of Chittian Hattian Imambargah ...since Pakistain is very religiously correct, Shia Moslems can't call their houses of worship 'mosques,' which are reserved for Sunnis. It's not clear if imambargahs are used for explosives storage like mosques are... in January have detained the brother of a death cell inmate for questioning.
Two other persons tried with convict Hafiz Mohammad Nawaz for the murder of the Imambargah caretaker Aun Mohammad Rizvi in 1999, are also sought by the police.
They are suspected of having facilitated the latest attack on the Imambargah, which killed six people and injured 15 on January 9.
Police sources said the brother of Hafiz Nawaz was picked up in Lahore where he used to stay on his way to Bahawalpur to visit Nawaz who is on the death row since being sentenced to death by the Supreme Court in 2011.
Six others tried with him for the murder were acquitted.
Rawalpindi police are interested in questioning them in connection with the January 9 attack on the Imambargah. Two of them are specifically sought as possible controllers since they had been in contact with two top leaders of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi ... a 'more violent' offshoot of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain. LeJ's purpose in life is to murder anyone who's not of utmost religious purity, starting with Shiites but including Brelvis, Ahmadis, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Rosicrucians, and just about anyone else you can think of. They are currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of al-Qaeda ... group in Rahim Yar Khan two days before the attack and then mysteriously disappeared.
One was traced in Dubai but the other, who was living in Banni, is missing with his family.
However, a clean conscience makes a soft pillow... a police brass hat close to the investigation told Dawn that the latest attack on the Imambargah did not appear to be linked to any terrorist group but to the fate of Hafiz Nawaz on the death row.
"It is a simple case of an attempt by the family of convict Hafiz Nawaz for a patch up with the heirs of Aun Mohammad Rizvi which failed," he said.
"Police have talked to the people who were involved in the effort."
After police get hold of the two missing suspects, the case will be solved, the officer said.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Jundullah
[Daily Caller] President Barack Obama's highly contested Authorization for Use of Military Force against ISIS is enough to get the job done, according to officials from the Department of Defense and U.S. Central Command.
"I think we'll have what we need... to address the counter ISIL campaign," Gen. Lloyd Austin, the U.S. CENTCOM commander in charge of implementing Champ's proposed AUMF, told the House Committee on Armed Services Tuesday. "To accomplish what's been given to me in this current mission set, I think we have the flexibility to get the work done." The new Iranian hegemony is ridding Iraq of these ISIS pests. Unless Netanyahu gets in the way, we'll be giving them whatever they demand for their services.
#8
To be fair, the statement was "no large scale" numbers of troops. And yes - they're quite content to let the IRGC take over a rump Iraq.
My take: There will be little to no US involvement in retaking Mosul, or any other ops in Iraq. There will also be a scale down or abandonment in a Syrian rebels program. I expect a scale down in air ops in both Iraq and Syria before the end of the year. I also expect a corresponding increased 'diplomatic front' in both places.
#10
Again, in the Islamic mind, it is illogical for tiny Israel to be a [Judaic]OWG Global Federal Union in + by itself - HOW DO THE US-ALLIES + EVEN THE GLOBIES INTEND TO PEACEFULLY REMEDY THE SITUATION WIDOUT NEED OF ANYONE GOING TO WAR, as both Shah-led + Post-Shah Islamist Iran saw Israel as an anomaly in the Arab-Muslim majority ME???
#11
I'm going to join the minority here that advocates letting the various flavors of Islam battle each other - without American blood on the line - until one side has the last men standing. We can always then finish off the "winning" side.
If we have to put some "treasure" in, to ensure that BOTH SIDES have enough bullets left to keep up the fight until one side is annihilated, then so be it.
So - to recap:
1. No American blood being spilled/spent.
2. American treasure being poured in only so as to ensure that both sides of any BLUE-ON-BLUE combat have enough munitions to continue killing the other side.
Other than possibly the Kurds, there are no good guys in the fight. There are only really bad guys vs unspeakably evil guys. We should be thanking our stars that these two sets of bad apples are viciously slaughtering one another.
#14
* OTOH see BIGNEWSNETWORK [CBS News] ISIS DEFEAT COULD HAND IRAQ TO IRAN, CIA INSIDER SAYS.
Again, OWG GLOBALISM = HOW MUCH IS "TOO MUCH", HOW FAR IS "TOO FAR", ETC. FOR THE SOLE SUPERPOWER US TO GIVE UP TO ITS FUTURE "US-STYLE" OWG CO-SUPERPOWER NUCLEAR SIBLINGS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO [Soon-to-be-Nuclear?]IRAN???
Given ...
* TOPIX, WORLD NEWS > IRAN REJECTS OBAMA'S DEMAND FOR TEN-YEAR SUSPENSION OF ENRICHMENT.
As per #11, will the mostly Sunni ME including Persian Gulf + West Asia [AFPAK] accept SHIA IRAN as "Sole" Leader or Principal = "US-style" Co-Superpower in any post-GWOT/ISIS/Al-Qaeda OWG Global Federal Union(s) in the ME + PG???
OR WILL THE SUNNI WANT THEIR OWN, + WHOM WILL IT [They?] BE - KSA? TURKEY? EGYPT? JORDAN? KURDS?ASSADIAN OR POST-ASSAD SYRIA? ALL??
ANALYSTS = iff IRAN goes NUKULAAR, every Sunni Govt-State in the ME + elsewhere will want Nukes of their own [also read, HARD BOYZ GET THE BOMB].
* WAFF > RIYADH [Saudis = KSA] TO PRESS PAKISTAN FOR MORE [Pakistani] TROOPS [for Improved Anti-Militant Security], "SAUDI ARABIA IS A FRIEND AND A SOURCE OF A CONTINUING PROBLEM", SAYS SENIOR PAKISTAN OFFICIAL.
* SAME > [Financial Times] TURKEY'S REGIONAL AMBITIONS [Then-FM Davutoglu = Turkey desires to be "Master, Leader: + Servant of the ME"] EVAPORATING ALONG WID FRIENDSHIPS.
[AnNahar] Iraqi forces closed in on Tikrit Tuesday, their progress slowed by jihadist snipers and booby traps, on the second day of Baghdad's largest operation yet against the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... group.
The government has mobilized a 30,000-strong force for the push to retake Tikrit made up of Shiite bully boyz and Sunni rustics as well as troops and police.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iraq
#1
Is there a reason to capture Tikrit, rather than just eliminate it?
[IraqiNews.com] On Monday, a source within the paramilitary Kurdish Peshmerga forces said, that dozens of ISIS bandidossnuffies have been either killed or injured in an air strike by the international coalition in southeast of djinn-infested Mosul ... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn... The source stated to IraqiNews in an interview, "This morning, warplanes of the U.S.-led international coalition have carried out an air strike on a gathering site for the ISIS group bandidossnuffies in the district of al-Makhmour, located in southeast of al-Mosul," pointing out that, "The air strike resulted in killing and injuring dozens of elements of the ISIS group."
"The operation has also resulted in destroying tens of vehicles that belonged to the group," the source added.
[IraqiNews.com] A local source in Nineveh announced on Monday that the ISIS group has blown up the headquarters of Nineveh Operations Command, the Counter-Terrorism Bureau office and Ghazlani Camp south of the province.
The source said in an interview for IraqiNews.com, "Today afternoon, a group of ISIS murderous Moslems booby-trapped Nineveh Operations Command headquarters, the office of Counter-Terrorism Bureau and Ghazlani camp south of Nineveh, and detonated them," noting that, "Ghazlani camp was one of the most important ISIS training sites."
The source, who requested to remain anonymous, added, "A large number of buildings in the camp were destroyed by the kaboom."
It is noteworthy that ISIS, in last June, managed to gain control over large parts of the city of djinn-infested Mosul ... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn... , while security and politicians discussed that a military operation to liberate it is near.
[IraqiNews.com] The Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... of Iraq and Levant Lions of Islam executed the Chairman of Hamdaniya Judicial Council, Hussien Hamad al-Tayi, after four months of detention, according to an informed source.
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
[IraqiNews.com] The security committee in the Council of Diyala announced Tuesday, that the security forces penetrated three ISIS defensive lines in Diyala-Salahuddi axis, noting that they reached the outskirts of Hamrin.
Committee chairman Sadiq al-Husseini said in an interview for IraqiNews, "The joint security forces of the police and the army, backed by 300 volunteer fighters of Diyala people, have managed to penetrate three of the most important ISIS defensive lines in the vicinity of Albu Riyash, Albu Issa and al-Botalah villages, following fierce festivities in which dozens of ISIS elements were killed."
Husseini added, "The defensive lines collapsed completely and dozens of ISIS murderous Moslems fled towards Hamrin," pointing out that, "The joint security forces reached the outskirts of Hamrin and are now preparing to attack it from three main axes in the next few hours."
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iraq
[IraqiNews.com] Security aide of Al-Anbar governor Aziz Khalaf Tramoz revealed on Sunday that the ISIS group has imposed a royalty fee of $400 on each truck entering and exiting Anbar through the Trebil border crossing.
Tramoz said in an interview for IraqiNews, "ISIS deployed some of its elements on the international highway near Ratba city (310 km west of Ramadi), to collect a royalty fee of $400 for each truck entering and exiting Anbar through Trebil border crossing."
Tramoz demanded the US-led coalition air force to bomb the ISIS posts on this road to stop its benefit from the money used to perpetuate its presence in the county.
[IraqiNews.com] The Iraqi Army strikers bombarded a site for the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... of Iraq and Levant holy warriors in western Fallujah on Tuesday.
Security source stated to IraqiNews.com "The IA attack resulted in killing dozens of ISIL holy warriors in Jazeerat al-Khalidiya area."
[IraqiNews.com) On Tuesday, a security source in Anbar province said, that 10 ISIS forces of Evil have been killed in a joint military operation by the Army's Golden Division and the international coalition warplanes in the city of Ramadi.
Army General Abdul-Amir al-Khazraji stated to IraqiNews in an interview, "A special force from the Golden Division of the Iraqi Army, with support from the international coalition warplanes, has managed to kill 10 elements of the ISIS group in the neighborhood of al-Aramil, located in Ramadi," pointing out that, "The intensive military operation against ISIS forces of Evil resulted in inflicting big losses upon ISIS ranks in the areas al-Andalus and Shurtah, located in central Ramadi."
[IraqiNews.com] The security forces backed by the volunteers managed to liberate al-Oja al-Jadida area of southern Anbar on Tuesday.
Security source stated to IraqiNews.com "ISF supported by volunteers controlled the situation in the area that is located 2 km away from central Tikrit."
[IraqiNews.com] The security forces foiled an attack led by the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... of Iraq and Levant bully boyz in Ramadi on Tuesday.
Security source stated to IraqiNews.com "The Iraqi Army forces foiled the attack that targeted al-Andulus, al-Shurta and al-Aramil areas, killing 10 among the ISIL bully boyz and injured dozens others."
[IraqiNews.com] The security forces attacked the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... of Iraq and Levant terrorists' sites in southern Tikrit on Tuesday.
Security source stated to IraqiNews.com "The security forces killed 56 ISIL faceless myrmidons including ISIL leader of Samarra city."
[IraqiNews.com] On Tuesday, the security committee in the Council of Salahuddin announced that the security forces have besieged the city of Tikrit from three axes, and are now progressing toward the center.
Vice-chairman of the committee Khalid Khazraji said in an interview for IraqiNews.com, "The security forces of the Iraqi Army, the police, al-Hashd al-Sha'bi and the tribal fighters managed to besiege the city from three axes," noting that, "The first axes is the southern hub in Tikrit Hospital, the second is the western hub which is a main street controlled by the forces."
Khazraji added, "The third axis is the north, starting from al-Teen neighborhood, Qadisiyah neighborhood and the School of Education," pointing out that, "The forces are advancing toward the city center."
Khazraji predicted the forces to enter the city center within 24 hours, and the international coalition will be absent in the operation to liberate Tikrit and other Salahuddin areas.
[IraqiNews.com] On Tuesday, a security source in Salahuddin province announced, that dozens of ISIS gunnies have been killed and injured in an air strike by the Iraqi Air Force in southern Tikrit.
The source stated to IraqiNews in an interview, "Today the military units achieved a breakthrough in the areas of southern Tikrit then made a tactical retreat after coordinating with the Army's Air Force," pointing out that, "The Iraqi warplanes have carried out intensive air strikes against sites for the ISIS group gunnies in southern of Tikrit city."
“The air strikes resulted in killing and injuring dozens of elements of the ISIS group," the source added.
It's getting real: soon it will be too late to join the winning team.
[IraqiNews.com] The tribes in Salah-il-Din province formed an armed regiment to fight the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... of Iraq and Levant terrorists.
Security source stated to IraqiNews.com "The regiment is named as (Salah-il-Din Martyrs Regiment) and will be tasked to liberate areas in northern Beji."
[IraqiNews.com] A security source in Salahuddin province announced on Tuesday that the security forces were able to repel an ISIS attack and kill 5 of its elements south of Baiji.
The source informed IraqiNews, "In the late hours of last night, the security posts based in Hajaj areas and Jarish village south of Baiji (40 km north of Tikrit) were attacked by ISIS elements," noting that, "The security forces managed to repel the attack, killing five elements of the terrorist group and burning two of its vehicles."
The source, who requested to remain anonymous, added, "The Army Aviation has bombed some ISIS gatherings south of Baiji. The number of casualties remains unknown."
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[2 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iraq
[Ynet] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday his speech to the US Congress offered a "practical alternative" to a possible Iranian nuclear deal and that lawmakers now "understand better" why the deal is bad.
After arriving back in Israel, Netanyahu responds to Obama's claim that he offered nothing new in his Congress address, saying that lawmakers understand better now why the deal is bad. Quite frankly, I've not seen any 'good deals' that the Champ has brokered in over six years.
#1
If they want nukes, give them nukes. Probably by subs so as not to upset the Russkies with over the Arctic shots. That's if you want any future credibility. Yes, its mad. However, are you going to screw with someone like that? As for evil, the world appears to have a unending tolerance for evil these days. What'cha your problem?
[AnNahar] A foreign fighter believed to be either British or Greek has been killed in Syria while battling the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... group alongside Kurdish militia, a monitor said Tuesday.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the man died early Tuesday from wounds suffered in a battle with jihadists the day before in the northeastern province of Hasakeh.
Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP the fighter was "a European citizen who had been living in Britannia, but it is not clear whether he was British or Greek."
He had been fighting with the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), a local militia, in an area southwest of the town of Tal Hamis, which Kurdish fighters seized from IS last week.
No further details about the man's identity were immediately available.
He was the second Westerner believed to have died fighting with the Kurds against IS, after an Australian was reported killed in the same area last week.
Dozens of Westerners are believed to have joined the ranks of the YPG in Syria and other militia battling IS, including Assyrian Christian forces in Iraq.
A former Royal Marine has become the first British fighter to be killed battling with Kurdish forces against Islamic State jihadists in Syria, the BBC reported on Tuesday.
The BBC named the dead man as former marine Konstandinos Erik Scurfield from Yorkshire in northern England. Reports in the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail said he was 25 years old.
The BBC reported that a British pro-Kurdish activist had informed Scurfield's family of his death and that the YPG had asked if he could be buried in Syria "as a martyr".
Britain's Foreign Office said it was difficult to confirm such reports.
"We are aware of reports of the death of a British national in Syria," a Foreign Office spokesman said. "As we do not have any representation in Syria, it is extremely difficult to get any confirmation of deaths or injuries and our options for supporting British nationals there are extremely limited."
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/04/2015 00:30 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
[AnNahar] The gangs entrenched along Leb's eastern border are reportedly preparing to advance towards army posts on the outskirts of the northeastern villages of Ras Baalbek and Arsal, Ad Diyar newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Sources told the newspaper that there are around 3,000 to 4,000 armed man on the outskirts of the two villages, and coordination between the Islamist groups, in particular between the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and al-Qaeda-affiliate al-Nusra ...the current nom de guerre of al-Qaeda in the Levant, which isn't to be confused with al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Levant... Front resumed.
The sources said information indicates that the gunnies will try to advance towards Lebanese villages, especially if all the illegal crossings were blocked. The sources stressed that the army is on high alert and will retaliate to any attack or infiltration attempt by the gangs.
The newspaper also reported that the Lebanese army fortified its position in the Bekaa region of Kfar Zabad and Majdal Anjar after obtaining information that holy warriors will advance in the areas.
The report comes in light of a military operation on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek in line with efforts to secure villages near the eastern border with neighboring Syria. The Lebanese army seized last week two hilltop positions in the area.
Three soldiers were maimed in the operation, during which Death Eater positions were shelled with artillery and heavy weaponry, the army said in its communique.
The statement did not name the Death Eaters, but most are believed to be from the Islamic State group. They and Nusra Front have been holding around 20 Lebanese soldiers and coppers hostage since August.
The army frequently festivities with the holy warriors in their hideouts near the Syria border.
Posted by: chris ||
03/04/2015 1:07 Comments ||
Top||
#2
This is not good news. I just hope the Druze and Christians can keep themselves safe to the north, this Islamic intramural scrimmage is going to be very bloody.
Beirut - Daesh group militants on Sunday freed 19 of the 220 Assyrian Christians they took hostage in Syria last week, after a ransom was paid for their release, activists said.
“Nineteen Assyrian hostages arrived on Sunday at the Church of Our Lady in Hasakeh after they were released by Daesh,” said Osama Edward, the director of the Assyrian Network for Human Rights.
“They arrived on two buses from Shaddadeh,” the Daesh stronghold in the northeastern province of Hasakeh where they had been detained, he told.
Edward said a Daesh religious court decided on Saturday to release the Christians in exchange for a sum of money for each family that Daesh considers as jizya, or tax, paid by non-Muslims.
He was unable to say how much was paid but recalled that in November Daesh released Assyrians after receiving payments of $1,700 per person. The activist said negotiations for the release of all hostages began on Saturday between Assyrian officials and Arab tribal chiefs.
Last week, Daesh kidnapped 220 Assyrians in the Tal Tamr area where the extremist group has seized control of 10 Christian villages, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Almost 5,000 people have since fled to Kurdish-and government-controlled areas.
Before Syria’s civil war erupted in 2011, there were 30,000 Assyrians in the country, among an estimated Christian population of about 1.2 million.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
[The Diplomat] As a new batch of Malaysian peace monitors prepare to be deployed to the southern Philippines amid an imperiled peace process between the government and Muslim rebels, they are being warned that they may face their toughest test yet.
Speaking at the sending-off ceremony for the Malaysian members of the new International Monitoring Team-Mindanao 10 (IMT-M10), which will take over from the current team beginning March 14, Chief of Defense Force of the Malaysian Armed Forces General Zulkifeli Mohamad Zin warned that the personnel could face some challenges due to spoilers looking to disrupt the ongoing peace process.
#1
A number of PHIL Analysts + Bloggers believe ABu Sayaf + MILF-BIFF groups are receiving covert aid, weapons, + fighters from Malaysia + Indonesia Islamist factions.
Anyhoo ...
* MANILA TIMES > NEW TERROR GROUP RISES IN MINDANAO.
The "Justice Islamic Movement" ["Islamic Justice" Movement?], believed to be composed of about 70 fighters from BIFF whom broke away and aligned themselves wid the JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH [JI] GROUP.
* SAME > 40,000 FLEE MAGUINDANAO FIGHTING.
* RELATED MANILA BULLETIN > MAGUINDANAO UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY.
* FYI TOPIX > [eTaiwan News] TAIWAN TAKES ALLEGED ISIS THREAT TO ATTACK "TAIPEI 101" LANDMARK/BUILDING VERY SERIOUSLY.
[RUDAW.NET] The ISIS Lion of Islam believed to have decapitated a Peshmarga last month was reportedly killed by a fellow Lion of Islam in djinn-infested Mosul ... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn... , a source inside the city told Rudaw.
The source said the man was bumped offed in the early hours of Monday in what appeared to be an liquidation by a Kurdish Lion of Islam within the ranks of the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... .
Peshmarga officer Hujam Surchi was beheaded last January in Mosul in front of a large crowd. The executioner, later was identified as Mofaq Asaad, was also a Kurd who was known to security agencies for his ties to radical groups.
The gruesome murder sparked public outrage in the Kurdistan region with many demanding the killer be found and brought to justice.
Kurdish intelligence said Asaad and his two brothers joined ISIS in Mosul when the murderous Moslems captured the majority Sunni city.
The three brothers had worked as bakers in the Kurdish city of Barda Rash, north of Erbil, prior to the ISIS offensive. Security sources said Asaad's brothers had been killed by the Peshmarga in earlier festivities.
Although Asaad's killing has not been independently confirmed, another source in Mosul told Rudaw by phone that crowds of ISIS gunnies had gathered at his home in the ISIS-held city.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
#1
The three brothers had worked as bakers
Ah, good. He will be accustomed to the fires of Hell.
[ARA] Militant fighters of the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... (IS/ISIS) executed Monday four fighters from the Kurdish joint forces (the defending forces of Kobane), in the city of Jarablus in the province of Aleppo, north Syria, local sources reported on Tuesday.
The radical group captured the four fighters during the battles in Kobane countryside, according to sources in Jarablus reported.
Speaking to ARA News, Anwar Abdullah, a civil rights activist in Jarablus, said that the IS bully boyz shot four prisoners dead from the Kurdish joint forces, who were tossed in the clink Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please! during battles in Kobane's countryside.
"The execution took place in the city's public square after torturing the victims in front of a group of people," the source reported.
Abdullah pointed out that, after executing them, the group dragged the victims in the streets after tying their corpses with cars.
In the meantime, media activist Hossam Mawas stated to ARA News that the city of Jarablus witnesses a mass displacement among civilians for the second consecutive day, after the first wave of displacement on Monday.
"The mass displacement among residents was caused by the increasing brutality of the IS terrorists," the source added.
Over the past two days, the U.S.-led international coalition's warplanes launched several sorties over the city of Jarablus without information of any strikes.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
[ARA] A member of the People's Protection Units (YPG) told ARA News that on Monday, the Kurdish anti-terrorism units in the Jenders area near the city of Afrin in Aleppo province, northern Syria, locked away Don't shoot, coppers! I'm comin' out! what they described as a "terrorist cell".
The cell raised the flag of the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... on a primary school and was reportedly preparing to detonate explosives within the school.
The source pointed out that the Kurdish security forces of the Asayish in Afrin received information about the suspects' movements in the vicinity the school two days ago, before arresting them.
"The Kurdish forces arrested 30 pro-ISIS suspects, most of whom are members of one family, while the Kurdish counter-terrorism units discovered a number of weapons and bombs in the homes of the suspects," the source told ARA News, pointing out that interrogations are still ongoing.
Noteworthy, a printed announcement was distributed in the streets of Jender days before the incident, under the banner of the Islamic State, urging people to rise up against the Kurdish forces in Afrin and its environs.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/04/2015 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[7 views]
Top|| File under: Islamic State
#1
30 pro-ISIS suspects, most of whom are members of one family
Tribalism.
And by "arrest" they actually mean arrest, unlike most middle-eastern factions (which usually mean wave at them as they go by because someone's uncle knows them -- or the other extreme: shoot at them until the stop moving). Gotta give the Kurds a little credit for not taking the latter route given how much shit these ISIS thugs have caused them.
My guess is that they are being civil and that the beatings don't start until AFTER the charges are filed formally.
#2
Australian and British veterans fighting with the Kurds have recently died in combat pushing ISIS back. It is now reported that an American fighter, a former Marine, has died in combat.
#5
Killing them on the spot has one identifiable deterrent feature for certain: the one with the bullet thru his head, as he stops thrashing, he's done fighting.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
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.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
BOSSASO, Somalia -- Amid intense dispute over the sacking of top security commanders, suspected Al Shabaab gunmen carried out an attack on army patrol in the Gulf of Aden port city of Bossaso on Monday evening, Garowe Online reports.
[DAWN] HANGU: Security forces on Tuesday 
[Ynet] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday his speech to the US Congress offered a "practical alternative" to a possible Iranian nuclear deal and that lawmakers now "understand better" why the deal is bad.
Beirut - Daesh group militants on Sunday freed 19 of the 220 Assyrian Christians they took hostage in Syria last week, after a ransom was paid for their release, activists said.
[The Diplomat] As a new batch of Malaysian peace monitors prepare to be deployed to the southern Philippines amid an imperiled peace process between the government and Muslim rebels, they are being warned that they may face their toughest test yet.
