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Suicide bomber attacks shopping area in Istanbul
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 1: WoT Operations
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Page 2: WoT Background
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Page 3: Non-WoT
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
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Good morning
Posted by: Fred || 03/19/2016 02:05 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Famed fraulein bottle dancer?
Posted by: Skidmark || 03/19/2016 9:44 Comments || Top||

#2  But nothing, I think, could prepare us
For what we would witness in Paris...
A vision so charming,
If slightly alarming,
That night at the Folies des Heeres:
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 03/19/2016 12:22 Comments || Top||

#3  A team of Teutonic tornadoes,
Twelve Pickelhelm-wearing tomatoes,
Who froze, statuieren,
"Wir mobilisieren!"
And cancanned while juggling potatoes.
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 03/19/2016 12:27 Comments || Top||

#4  "Twelve Pickelhelm-wearing tomatoes" indeed. ZF6220, I bow to you and your wonderful way with words.
Posted by: Canuckistan sniper || 03/19/2016 19:02 Comments || Top||

#5  Now, dat's funny!
Posted by: Fred || 03/19/2016 20:05 Comments || Top||

#6  A truly amazing talent he sees fit to share with us. We are blessed.
Posted by: Besoeker || 03/19/2016 20:54 Comments || Top||

#7  I sense OCCCCCD but LOL who cares?
Posted by: Shipman || 03/19/2016 21:17 Comments || Top||

#8  It gets easier the more one practices -- and Zenobia F. started at a high level. I only hope, for his sake, that one doesn't pop out in an important meeting, in church, or during a tender interlude. Unless the audience would appreciate as we do, of course.
Posted by: trailing wife || 03/19/2016 22:40 Comments || Top||

#9  Although I think he might have confused Dutch and German: Herr in German, Heer in Dutch, as I recall from my days trying to speak those languages. For the rest, delightful!
Posted by: trailing wife || 03/19/2016 22:45 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
Militant shot dead before attacking the residence of acting NDS chief
The Afghan security forces thwarted a plot to attack the residence of acting intelligence chief Massoud Andarabi earlier today. The militant was identified by the security forces before he manage to enter the residence of Andarabi, a security official said.

The National Directorate of Security (NDS) has not commented regarding the incident so far which comes amid deteriorating security situation.

The US embassy in Kabul earlier issued a security alert to its citizens in Afghanistan and warned regarding possible attacks planned by insurgent groups in Kabul to target the Nowruz celebrations.

The local residents and eyewitnesses have confirmed that gunshots were heard from the area which has now been cordoned off by the security personnel.

The anti-government armed militant groups have not commented regarding the incident so far.

Andarabi assumed charge of the Afghan intelligence earlier in December last year after the former NDS chief Rahmatullah Nabil resigned from his position. He was serving as Deputy Director of Operations before he was appointed to replace Nabil as the acting intelligence chief.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


5 Russian speaking suspects reportedly arrested in Nangarhar province
At least five Russian speaking suspects have been arrested in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan, it has been reported.

The suspects have reportedly been arrested from Pekha district of Nangarhar province during an operation by the Afghan intelligence operatives.

A local security official speaking on the condition of anonymity has confirmed to Voice of America that the suspects include two men and three women.

The official further added that the suspects were arrested from a house during a search operation but did not elaborate further.

This comes at four people were killed following a suicide attack carried out by a foreigner woman in this province earlier in December last year.

According to the local officials, at least three children and an operative of the Afghan intelligence – National Directorate of Security (NDS) lost their lives in the attack.

The identity of the woman remained unascertained but the foreign militants have increased their insurgency activities in certain districts of Nangarhar province during the recent months.

The foreign militants are mostly operating with the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group who are trying to establish a regional base and consolidate operations with the terror group in Syria and Iraq
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  Нохчий
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 03/19/2016 14:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Bless you!
Posted by: Shipman || 03/19/2016 21:18 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
Punties Gaining on Shaboobs
Security forces in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland killed more than 60 Islamist terrorists militants and regained some territory in a counter-offensive against al Shabaab, regional officials said.
Shaboobs are beginning to look like Michigan State out there...
The terrorist militant group has become more active in Puntland, a large part of northern Somalia, since moving more forces there after being pushed out of strongholds farther south by an African Union force and the Somali National Army, experts and officials say.

Omar Abdullahi, a regional governor, told Reuters that Puntland forces had killed 19 terrorists militants on Thursday and lost two of their own troops in fighting for an area called Baadqab, 90 km (55 miles) southwest of Puntland’s capital Garowe. He said his forces were still pursuing al Shabaab terrorists fighters.

Puntland police officer Major Mohamed Abdullahi said 22 al Shabaab terrorists fighters had been killed in three days of fighting that was still going on in the Zuuj hills region, and that four soldiers were killed.

“We have besieged them but fighting is not over,” he said.

On Friday, the government in Mogadishu sent extra military supplies by plane to help the Puntland forces, Information Minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir said on state radio.
Posted by: Steve White || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Shaboobs are beginning to look like Michigan State out there...

That sounds like a sports metaphor. What does it mean?
Posted by: trailing wife || 03/19/2016 13:40 Comments || Top||

#2  Ask Ed...
Posted by: Steve White || 03/19/2016 14:05 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Militants launch rocket attack on Algeria gas plant
ALGIERS: Militants launched a rocket attack Friday on an Algerian gas plant jointly operated by foreign companies, three years after a deadly hostage crisis at another facility in the Sahara desert.

It was the most serious such attack since the 2013 assault, when militants stormed a complex in Algeria’s remote east and began a four-day siege that left dozens dead.

There were no reports of casualties in Friday’s attack, companies and workers at the site said.

“This morning, at approximately 06:00 local time, the In Salah gas asset in Krechba was hit by explosive munitions fired from a distance,” Norwegian oil and gas firm Statoil said in a statement.

Britain’s BP, which along with Algerian company Sonatrach also operates the plant 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) south of Algiers, said no employees were hurt.

“There are no reports of any injuries to personnel at the site and the Central Processing Facility (CPF) has been shut down as a safety precaution,” it said.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in North Africa


Africa Subsaharan
Cameroon: 89 Boko Haram fighters sentenced to death as 1,000 others await trial
[IBTIMES.CO.UK] A military court in Cameroon
...a long, narrow country that fills the space between Nigeria and Chad on the northeast, CAR to the southeast. Prior to incursions by Boko Haram nothing ever happened there...
has sentenced 89 members of Islamist hard boy outfit 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...
to death after they were found guilty of terrorism. They are among 850 people detained by the country over alleged ties to Boko Haram's insurgency in Cameroon.

In 2014, Yaounde passed an anti-terrorism law permitting the death penalty. These executions will be the first since the measure was introduced.

"The court sentenced 89 Boko Haram holy warriors on 16 March," a judge told Anadolu news agency on condition of anonymity. The convicts will not have the right to appeal and the judge confirmed that the "verdict was final", drawing criticism from human rights
When they're defined by the state or an NGO they don't mean much...
groups who urged Cameroon to rethink its justice system.

The judge added: "Nearly 1,000 Boko Haram suspects are still awaiting trial."

The decision was welcomed by locals. "I'm glad justice has been served, we support the court's decision because what they are doing is against Islam," one resident told the BBC's Hausa service.

Cameron is part of an 8,700-strong regional task force -- which includes Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin -- committed to fighting the terrorist organization. Since Boko Haram launched its military operations in 2009, it has unleashed a wave of terror, killing some 20,000 people and displacing 2.5 million others.

The group -- which pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems....
(Isis) in March 2015 as Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) -- was named as the deadliest terror organization in the world in last year's Global Terrorism Index.

More than 1,100 civilians and security force personnel have been killed in northern Cameroon in attacks blamed on Boko Haram. The country has seen a spate of suicide kabooms in recent months, with Minister of Communication Issa Tchiroma Bakary saying that 15 kabooms have taken place since the beginning of the year.

On 16 March, 20 Boko Haram fighters were killed by Cameroonian soldiers during a raid in northern Nigeria aimed at wiping out the group. During the operation in the town of Djibrila, about 10km (six miles) from the border with Cameroon, 12 hostages were rescued and weapons and armored vehicles were seized.
Posted by: Fred || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Boko Haram

#1  "The court sentenced 89 Boko Haram holy warriors on 16 March," a judge told Anadolu news agency on condition of anonymity. The convicts will not have the right to appeal and the judge confirmed that the "verdict was final", drawing criticism from human rights groups who urged Cameroon to rethink its justice system.

seems to be working fine
Posted by: Frank G || 03/19/2016 12:52 Comments || Top||


Arabia
Iraqi Officials Participate Militarily with Houthis in Yemen
Jeddah, Washington-Yemeni informed sources confirmed that there are Iraqi officers in a number of Yemeni cities, particularly in Tihamah Province.

Sources added that these officers are developing war plans for Houthi militants and their allies, who are loyal to the ousted former President, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

An official source told Asharq Al-Awsat that these officers are affiliated with Iraqi Ba’ath Party, and that they are participating in Yemen following a request from Saleh before the outbreak of the revolution in 2011.

According to the source, these officers provide consultations, yet their roles have altered with the Yemeni situation changing and becoming even worse than before. Today, these officers put war strategies and provide military consultations in districts and provinces that fall under the control of Houthi militias and Saleh’s forces.

The source added that these Iraqi officers were moving easily in Yemeni provinces before launching the “Decisive Storm”. However, the National Army’s progress on all fronts in the north and center and the liberation of many Yemeni directorates have negatively affected their movements and restricted them to Sanaa and few other locations.

The source also explained that the Iraqi officers in Yemen replaced the 15 Iranian experts who were arrested by the Yemeni Government.

The Yemeni official confirmed that his government will decisively deal with all foreigners involved in military operations, and it will pursue them legally.

In a common matter, White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Thursday welcomed a statement that the year-old Saudi war on Yemen was nearing the “end of the major combat phase.”

“We have expressed our concerns about the loss of innocent life in Yemen, the violence there that is plaguing that country has caught too many innocent civilians in the crossfire,” Earnest said.

“We would welcome and do welcome the statement from Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Saudi General Ahmed al-Assiri who indicated on Thursday that major operations in Yemen are coming to an end and that the coalition will work on ‘long-term plans’ to bring stability to the country.”

“We have long made the case that Yemen is in dire need of a political solution, and that that political solution needs to come as soon as possible,” Earnest added. “That’s why we have continued to urge all parties return to UN facilitated peace talks.”

On the other hand al-Asiri earlier told AFP in a press conference, “we are in the end of the major combat phase”, adding that Riyadh wants to ensure a stable security before helping with the reconstruction of the country.

Al-Assiri also said that “in any military campaign you have phases.” “Today,” he said, “we are in the end of the major combat phase.”

“The aim of the coalition is to create a strong cohesive government with a strong national army and security forces that can combat terrorism and impose law and order across the country,” al-Asiri added.

He also emphasized that the coalition’s primary duty is to build a Yemeni army. “This takes time and it needs patience,” he said.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Houthis


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
3 Ukrainian soldiers die in drone outfitting accident


For a map, click here. You can enlarge the map, if you open it separately.

By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com

Three unidentified Ukrainian soldiers were killed and another four were wounded in a drone outfitting accident in Avdievka, Donetsk Thursday, according to Russian language news reports.

According to a news release posted on the Donetsk ministry of defense website, the seven casualties were caused by an attempt to transform a drone into a shock drone by hanging grenades aboard the vehicle. Reports are unclear about how the grenade detonated, but did stress the work was done in a tent by Ukrainian volunteers, a euphemism for members of the Right Sektor political group.

Drones are used lavishly by both sides, mostly commercially available quadracopters, although both sides deny their use. It is known that both Russian and Ukrainian military use dedicated military grade surveillance drones in their intelligence gathering operations, but both sides routinely deny it.

The casualties were members of the 13th Company, Ukrainian 58th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, the main force involved in the Ukrainian attack on Yasinovataya.

Donetsk rebel media also reported that two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and another two were wounded in a land mine explosion in Volnovaha Thursday. According to the report, the victims were aboard a US made Humvee when it struck a mine. Volnovaha is considerably away from the line of contact in western Donetsk.

Fighting near Yasinovataya

According to a news account in tsensor.net.ua, fighting between Ukrainian forces and rebel forces continued on Thursday near Yasinovataya.

Going by an account posted by Ukrainian military journalist Dmitri Tymchuk, rebels have been using a 122mm artillery battery in their operations against Ukrainian forces. Two tanks have been spotted in the area as well.

Tymchuk said that the artillery unit previously had been used against Ukrainian forces in Avdievka, but now it was being used against Ukrainian forces near the road junction near Highway E50.

Rebel media said in the form of a news release on the Donetsk ministry of defense website, that Ukrainian forces have violated the ceasefire a total of 51 times.

Ukrainian artillery struck rebel positions in western Donetsk city, at the Donetsk airport, Spartak and Zhabunki, as well as at Yasinovataya.

Ukrainian artillery destroyed two more residences in Zaitsevo, north of Gorlovka

Fighting in the south

According to the same tsensor.net.ua report, rebel artillery in southern Donetsk has been hitting Ukrainian forces near Shirokino, Novotroitsk and Vodyadnovo. The artillery was originating from Dokuchaevsk.

Rebel media said that Ukrainian artillery struck rebel positions at Sahanka, Kominternovo and Dokuchaevsk.

Chris Covert writes about foreign military issues for Rantburg.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com and on Twitter. You can read past articles about the 2014 war in southeastern Ukraine by clicking here.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  an attempt to transform a drone into a shock drone by hanging grenades aboard the vehicle

Stupid

euphemism for members of the Right Sektor political group

Nazis
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 03/19/2016 6:54 Comments || Top||

#2  Russia, Russia uber alles!!!
Posted by: Elmigum Slailing7056 || 03/19/2016 16:05 Comments || Top||


Europe
Four arrested with Abdeslam in Brussels raid yesterday, two more sought as hunt continues
More on this from yesterday.
[IsraelTimes] Police raiding an apartment building captured Europe’s most wanted runaway Friday, arresting the prime suspect in last year’s deadly Gay Paree attacks in the same Brussels neighborhood where he grew up.

Salah Abdeslam, 26, is a childhood friend of the suspected ringleader of the attacks. Investigators believe he drove a car carrying a group of gunnies who took part in the shootings, rented rooms and shopped for detonators. He may have been planning a suicide kaboom himself.

After the bloodbath, he slipped through a dragnet to return to Brussels and eluded capture for four months, despite an international manhunt. He was believed to have slipped through police fingers multiple times. At one point, Belgian authorities locked down their capital for several days but failed to find him.g
Update from The Times of Israel at 5:20 p.m. ET: Mr Abdeslam is cooperating with Belgian justice, according to his lawyer, though the poor dear had to answer the investigating magistrate's questions lying down because of his wounded leg. Two of those arrested yesterday have been released, which has been happening a lot throughout this investigation.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: trailing wife || 03/19/2016 13:04 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  Belgian Justice: A Spinoff of Northwoods Justice, in which 6 Mainesh wildlife officers find a home amongst the Flems and Walloons.

Ernest?
Always!
Wut?
Ernest? We must track down Moose-killer.
In Flemland?
No, we are in cool Waldonia or Poland maybe.
Let's find a Circle K and get a heat-em-up.
Ten four partner!
Posted by: Shipman || 03/19/2016 21:27 Comments || Top||


Dutch anti-Islam MP in court on hate speech charges again
They do keep trying...
[IsraelTimes] Geert Wilders’ statements against Moroccan immigrants colonists could land him two years in prison

"Far-right"
...scare quotes added because in terms of economics he's a standard European Democratic Socialist..
. anti-immigrant Dutch MP Geert Wilders appeared before a top security court Friday for a hearing ahead of his trial later this year on charges of incitement to hatred.

On his way to the tribunal, Wilders tweeted: "On my way to the courthouse. Nobody will silence me. No terrorist, no prime minister and no court."

The case against Wilders centers on comments by the populist politician -- famous for his trademark peroxide blond hairdo -- at a March 2014 local election rally.
The mills of "justice" are moving slowly, indeed.
He asked supporters in The Hague whether they wanted "fewer or more Moroccans in your city and in the Netherlands?"

When the crowd shouted back "Fewer! Fewer!" a smiling Wilders answered: "We’re going to organize that."

The remark triggered 6,400 complaints from across the Netherlands,
...all of whom read about it in the papers or saw a report on the teevee...
and Wilders even faced criticism from within his Party for Freedom (PVV).

"You are here as a suspect in a criminal case. You are not required to say anything or answer any questions," Judge Hendrik Steenhuis told him as the hearing started.

Dressed in a blue suit, Wilders appeared relaxed, getting out his phone to take a video of the photographers jostling to take his picture.

"Racism and hatred towards foreigners are in direct contravention of the freedoms we have in a democratic society," prosecutor Wouter Bos told the court.

"The prosecution believes that you insulted Moroccans as a group and committed incitement to hate speech," he added, saying that while "freedom of speech is a fundamental principle .... (it) is not an absolute."

But Wilders’ lawyer Geert-Jan Knoops told a three-judge bench the case should be stopped immediately so an investigation could be launched into how sensitive documents including Wilders’ opening statement had been leaked to a Dutch newspaper.

The popular tabloid Algemeen Dagblad on Friday printed an unauthorized version of Wilders’ defense strategy as well as a draft of his opening statement which both Wilders and Knoops described as a "shocking" development.

"We believe a crime has been committed," said Knoops, adding that "communications between an advocate and his client are sacrosanct."

"We absolutely want to know what happened. There may be more documents that are in the hands of third parties," he said.

Outside the heavily-fortified court complex, a handful of supporters, waving Dutch flags and scarfs, gathered early Friday watched by dozens of police and gendarmes.

Security forces lined the road to the high-security complex, a few kilometers outside Schiphol Airport.

Some supporters wore pink hats depicting a cartoon pig, seen as an apparent insult to Islam and Muslims.

The spike in the numbers of refugees arriving in The Netherlands has polarized Dutch society, with Wilders’s party tapping into popular discontent and currently topping opinion polls.

Wilders has denounced the decision to prosecute him as "incomprehensible," telling AFP in a recent interview that he was referring to a "criminal element" among Moroccans and not to the group as a whole.

Friday’s hearing has been called to examine where the investigations stand ahead of the full trial due to start on October 31.

If found guilty, Wilders could face up to two years in jail or a fine of more than 20,000 euros.

Wilders, who has repeatedly denounced Islam and famously compared the Koran to Adolf Hitler
...late Fuehrer of Germany, founder of the Third Reich, currently communing with his pals Himmler and Heydrich. He is reincarnated every few days as a politician somebody doesn't like...
’s "Mein Kampf," was acquitted during a first hate trial in 2011 which concluded he could not be found guilty because his remarks targeted a religion and not a specific group of people.
Posted by: trailing wife || 03/19/2016 00:10 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


The Grand Turk
Suicide bomber attacks shopping area in Istanbul
A suicide attacker detonated a bomb on Istanbul's main pedestrian shopping street on Saturday, killing five people, the city's governor said. Turkey's health minister said 36 people were wounded in the attack including 12 foreign nationals.

Governor Vasip Sahin said the explosion occurred outside a local government office on Istiklal Street, which is also home to cafes, restaurants and foreign consulate buildings. Sahin said one of wounded victims died in hospital and that the attacker was among the dead.

The private Dogan news agency said at least three of the injured are Israeli nationals and that the wounded included two children. And private NTV said at least one Iranian was among the injured. The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed Israeli nationals were injured but did not provide details.

Police swiftly sealed off the area as ambulances and a forensic team rushed to the scene. Normally packed cafes were either closed or virtually empty, with business owners in the areas making frantic calls to check in with their loved ones and assure them of their safety.

"It was one loud explosion," said Muhammed Fatur, a Syrian who works at a butcher shop near the scene of Saturday's explosion. "Police came to the scene and sealed off the area."

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was convening a security meeting in Istanbul following the attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Cengiz Fidaner, who owns a cafe on a side street near the explosion site, told The Associated Press "the explosion was not so big but I felt it in my heart because our people died. They want a war but our people want peace. This is because of Newroz."

Turkey had heightened security in Ankara and Istanbul in the run-up to a Kurdish spring festival of Newroz on March 21, which Kurds in Turkey traditionally use to assert their ethnic identity and demand greater rights. The German consulate, located in the same neighbourhood as the blast, had been closed in recent days over security concerns.

The U.S. Consulate in Istanbul expressed sadness and shock over the attack on its Twitter account.
Did we include a hashtag?
Posted by: Steve White || 03/19/2016 13:59 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Own Goal
Posted by: Iblis || 03/19/2016 15:40 Comments || Top||


At least 5 killed, 36 hurt in deadly Istanbul suicide bombing
Posted by: Penguin of the Desert || 03/19/2016 11:02 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Bomb blast in Turkey kills policeman
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey: A bomb attack by Kurdish militants killed a police officer in southeast Turkey on Friday and another device was defused outside a local government building, as embassies issued security warnings about expected demonstrations this weekend.

Turkey has been on high alert since a suicide bombing, claimed by a Kurdish militant group, killed 37 people in the capital Ankara on Sunday. Germany shut down its diplomatic missions and schools in Turkey, while the US and other European embassies warned citizens to be vigilant.

Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants were believed to have staged Friday’s attack on the armored police vehicle during security operations in the town of Nusaybin, near the Syrian border, security sources said.

In the town of Hani, also in the mainly Kurdish southeast, police found a vehicle loaded with 150 kg of explosives which they believed was to be detonated during events to mark the anniversary of a World War One battlefield victory at Canakkale on Friday, officials said.

“Thanks to the alertness of security forces, there was no loss of life or damage. Efforts to ensure peace and security for our people will continue decisively and uninterrupted,” the provincial governor’s office said.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
Two soldiers killed in rare gunfight
RAWALPINDI: At least three militants were killed in an exchange of fire during an intelligence-based raid on a militant hideout near Chillas Town of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on Thursday, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army. Two soldiers were martyred in the clash, it added.

“Three wanted terrorists were killed by security forces in a successful IBO [intelligence-based operation] in Tarel Valley in Gayyal Village near Chillas in Gilgit-Baltistan today,” reads a statement issued by the ISPR. It said the suspects killed in the raid were involved in attacks on civil transport, tourists and security forces on the Karakoram Highway. “Two security personnel also embraced shahadat (martyrdom) in the exchange of fire,” it added. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to arrest the militant on the run.

At least five terrorists were killed in a gunbattle with security forces after they attacked a military check-post in Khyber Agency late on Wednesday night. “Five terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Darmu Drab Pass, Khyber Agency. Troops valiantly responded and foiled terrorists’ attempt,” the ISPR said.

The incident comes two days after Army Chief Raheel Sharif confirmed death sentences of 13 hardcore militants, including one involved in the killing of foreign tourists at Nanga Parbat.

According to the ISPR, military courts tried the terrorists for their involvement in the Nanga Parbat attack, Saidu Sharif airport attack and attacks on schools, armed forces, law enforcement agencies and civilians.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Five militants killed in Khyber clash
LANDI KOTAL: Five suspected militants were killed in a clash with security forces in a remote area of Khyber tribal region on Wednesday midnight.

Security officials said that a group of militants attacked a border checkpost in Darmo Drab area and in the ensuing gunfight five attackers were killed. The other attackers fled, taking advantage of darkness, they added.

Bodies were brought to the Jamrud Civil Hospital where two were identified as Saeed Walikhel of Ghundi area and Sabir Shah of Malakabad.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Iraq
3 ISIS Bad Guys die in Kirkuk
(IraqiNews.com) Kirkuk – A security source in Kirkuk province stated on Thursday, that the Iraqi army’s Air Force had managed to kill three ISIS elements in an aerial strike that targeted a vehicle belonging to them in the district of al-Hawija west of the province.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said in a brief statement obtained by IraqiNews.com, “The Iraqi Air Force had carried out an air strike that targeted a vehicle belonging to the ISIS in the district of al-Hawija (55 km west of Kirkuk), resulting in the death of three [ISIS] elements in addition to burning their vehicle.”
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Anbar Antics: 25 die
ISIS executes 6 in Fallujah

(IraqiNews.com) Baghdad – On Thursday the so-called ISIS released photos of the execution of six people on charges of spying for the Iraqi government in the city of Fallujah which is considered as ISIS most prominent stronghold in Anbar Province west of the capital, Baghdad.

A1 ISIS published the photos on the social networking websites, showing the execution of the victims, who wore orange suits, with three different methods.

ISIS said in a brief statement followed by IraqiNews.com that it has implemented the so-called Islamic court’s orders against those who were convicted by spying for the government in the city of Fallujah.


Four of the victims were executed by firing squad, two of them by a pistol, while the two others by a machine gun.

One of the last two persons was executed by a bomb emplaced on his neck, while the other was beheaded by a knife.

18 ISIS Bad Guys die near Fallujah

(IraqiNews.com) al-Anbar – al-Hashed al-Sha’bi Authority in Anbar announced on Friday the killing of 18 ISIS elements in battles aimed to liberate the areas located in central al-Karma east of Fallujah, while pointed out to the destruction of a large cache of weapons.

The commander of the First Regiment belonging to the 30th Brigade within al-Hashed al-Sha’bi militia, Colonel Mahmoud al-Jumaili, said in a press statement followed by IraqiNews.com, “The joint security forces conducted a military operation to liberate the areas of al-Subaihat, Albu Jasim and al-Shahabi in central al-Karma (19 km east of Fallujah), resulting in the death of 18 [ISIS] elements.”

al-Jumaili added, “The combat forces had managed to advance into the depth of areas controlled by [ISIS] gangs in central al-Karma and destruct a large cache of weapons and rockets,” asserting that, “The cleansing battles against [ISIS] gangs in the district of al-Karma are continuing,” while pointed out to the need of “military and aerial support by the international coalition to ensure the elimination of the terrorist cells completely.”

ISIS Top Dawg dies in airstrike

(IraqiNews.com) al-Anbar – The leader of Anbar Operations Command Ali Ibrahim Dbon announced on Friday the killing of the ISIS so-called prince of Kabisa region during an aerial bombing by the international coalition aviation west of Ramadi.

Dbon said in a statement followed by IraqiNews.com, “The international coalition aviation, in coordination with the army’s Seventh Division, bombed a number of targets and vital headquarters that are important to the ISIS in the district of Heet and Kabisa vicinity (70 km west of Ramadi),” pointing out that, “The bombardment resulted in destructing those targets and headquarters as well as the death of tens of [ISIS] elements, including the ISIS prince for the vicinity of Kabisa known as Isaq al-Libyan; an Arab national.”
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


1 dies in market bombing in Baghdad
(IraqiNews.com) Baghdad – A source in the Iraqi police said on Friday, that nine people had been either killed or injured in a bomb blast that took place in southern Baghdad.

The source said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com, “This morning, an explosive device went off near a popular market in the vicinity of al-Yusifiyah in southern Baghdad, resulting in the death of one person and wounding eight others,” adding that, “A security force rushed to the area of the incident and transferred the injured to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and the dead to the forensic medicine authority.”

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Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Wannabe stabbers: 3 arrested, 1 killed
Two Palestinian minors arrested in Shaar Binyamin with knives on their person

[Ynet] IDF and police forces tossed in the clink
... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not...
two Paleostinian minors at the entrance to the Shaar Binyamin industrial zone on Friday after finding knives on their person. The troops spotted the two walking towards a barred area of the industrial zone, which arose their suspicion. They stopped the two teens and upon searching them, found two knives in their possession. Initial investigation found the two were planning to commit a stabbing attack.

IDF and police forces were searching the area for the vehicle that drove the two to the industrial zone.

Attempted stabbing at Gush Etzon junction; terrorist killed

[Ynet] A Paleostinian attacked soldiers at the Gush Etzion junction on Friday, and was shot to death before being able to hurt anymore. The attacker arrived at the junction in a car with Israeli plates, exited the vehicle and made a run for the soldiers, who opened fire and neutralized him.

The troops tossed in the slammer
Yez got nuttin' on me, coppers! Nuttin'!
another Paleostinian who was being questioned at the scene on suspicion of being involved in the attempted attack.

Border Policeman lightly wounded from stone-throwing in Ni'lin

[Ynet] A Border Police officer was lightly maimed from stone-throwing during festivities in Ni'lin on Friday. Troops have been using crowd dispersal measures to quell the rioting.
Posted by: trailing wife || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  There it's terror, here it's college hijinks.
Posted by: Skidmark || 03/19/2016 9:38 Comments || Top||

#2  Tsk! Tsk! Bringing knives to gun fights. How does that normally turn out?
Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839 || 03/19/2016 17:01 Comments || Top||


Southeast Asia
Three Abu Sayyaf leaders injured in Sulu firefight
[CNN] At least eight people were killed and more than twenty others were wounded during an clash between Philippine soldiers and members of the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu on Friday.

Three Abu Sayyaf leaders were reportedly among those injured in the battle. Military sources identified the militant leaders as Radulan Sahiron, Asari Sajali, and Almuher Yada. Seven unidentified rebels were also allegedly killed while three others were injured.

At least one soldier was killed while 15 others were wounded in the encounter.
Posted by: ryuge || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Abu Sayyaf


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
US, allies target IS group with 20 strikes in Syria, Iraq
The United States and its allies conducted 20 strikes against Islamic State group militants in Iraq and Syria on Thursday, the coalition leading the operations said.
In a statement released on Friday, the Combined Joint Task Force said nine strikes near three cities in Syria hit several tactical units, destroyed fighting positions and a vehicle-borne explosive device, and damaged other targets.

In Iraq, 11 strikes near seven cities targeted headquarters and tactical units and destroyed vehicles, heavy machine gun positions, a tunnel and other targets, the statement said.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:12 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  We're almost keeping up with the Russians!
Posted by: Raj || 03/19/2016 1:29 Comments || Top||

#2  This is the only time where the administration has run a surplus.
Posted by: Pappy || 03/19/2016 11:26 Comments || Top||


Russia Flying Up to 25 Sorties Daily
Russian jets are flying some 25 bombing raids daily to back up a Syrian government offensive to recapture the ancient city of Palmyra from Islamic State jihadists, the armed forces said Friday.

Senior commander Sergei Rudskoi insisted that the "conditions have been created for the encirclement and definitive defeat of IS armed formations in Palmyra."

"Government troops and patriotic forces with the support of the Russian air force are carrying out a large-scale operation to liberate Palmyra," he told journalists.

"On average Russian planes are flying 20 to 25 combat sorties each day," Rudskoi said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday spoke of "intense battles" going on around Palmyra as he decorated Russian officers who served in Syria and said he hoped the "pearl of world civilization" would be returned to the Syrian people.

The ongoing strikes come despite some of Moscow's jets in Syria returning home after Putin -- one of the main backers of Syrian President Bashar Assad -- on Monday ordered a surprise withdrawal of most of his forces from the war-torn country.

Meanwhile, the IS jihadist group has claimed the killing of five Russian troops in fighting near Palmyra.

"The soldiers of the caliphate, by the grace of God, have killed five Russian soldiers and six members" of the Syrian army, IS said in a statement.

The group also claimed the killing of several members of Hizbullah group in the clashes near Palmyra. A website linked to IS, Aamaq, carried a similar claim and a video showing the bloodied corpse of a man in military gear that it claimed was a Russian military adviser.

The footage also shows equipment presumably captured after the clashes, including a customized AK-74M rifle, a helmet and a compass.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not confirm either the presence of Russian advisers around Palmyra or the IS claim of the soldiers' killing.

"The advance (on Palmyra) is carried out by contingents of the Syrian army," Peskov said.

IS seized Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in eastern Syria known as the "Pearl of the Desert", last May, drawing global concern.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:11 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  a surprise withdrawal
Should we assume the Russian ground forces are less effective than advertised, or that they are needed elsewhere?
Posted by: Skidmark || 03/19/2016 11:12 Comments || Top||


16 Civilians Dead in Unidentified Raids on Syria's Raqa
At least 16 civilians,
...or as the Geneva Conventions calls them, human shields...
among them eight children, were killed on Friday in air strikes on the northern Syrian city of Raqa by unidentified planes, a monitoring group said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said five women were also among the dead in Raqa, the main Syrian bastion of the Islamic State jihadist group.

"The death toll could rise as there are around 40 wounded and missing people," the Observatory said.
Secondaries?
The Britain-based Observatory typically identifies aircraft by flight patterns and munitions used.

However, it said Friday's strikes could have been carried out "by either the Syrian regime, the Russians, or the coalition led by Washington," referring to the US-led effort to strike IS in Syria and Iraq.

But Aamaq, a self-styled news agency linked to IS, said strikes by Russian warplanes had left 17 people dead in Raqa on Friday.

On Monday, Moscow announced it would withdraw the bulk of its air force from Syria after a nearly six-month air war in support of President Bashar Assad.

It warned that it would continue targeting "terrorist groups".

Russia's military said Friday it was still conducting about two dozen combat sorties per day to back a government offensive to retake the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria from IS.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:06 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  When you hide WMDs in your basement, there's gonna be splatter.
Posted by: Skidmark || 03/19/2016 11:13 Comments || Top||


Airstrikes ruin ISIS leader's whole day in Hasakah
AHASAKAH – Top jihadi commander and a number of militants from the Islamic State (ISIS) radical group were reported dead in airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition south of Hasakah province, northeastern Syria, local sources confirmed on Friday.

Abu Diala al-Homsi, general commander of ISIS military operations in Hasakah, was killed along with a a number of other militants under western airstrikes.

Speaking to ARA News in Hasakah, media activist Ahmed Ramadan said that warplanes of the U.S.-led coalition targeted two ISIS vehicles in the southern countryside of Hasakah, killing al-Homsi and over 15 other militant fighters.

The targeted ISIS convoy was apparently heading towards a checkpoint for the western-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to the source.

“A total of 17 militants, who had been transferred by the group from the eastern suburbs of Deir ez-Zor toward its northern countryside, were killed along with al-Homsi in the U.S.-led airstrikes,” Ramadan reported, pointing out the majority of those killed hail from the eastern Deir ez-Zor province.

Since early March, ISIS has been mobilizing dozens of its jihadis –mostly form the group’s security police– in the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor in a bid to stop the advance of the SDF and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) on the town of Margada and its environs, according to local sources.

On Thursday, several airstrikes conducted by the U.S.-led coalition hit ISIS headquarters in the city of Mosul in Iraq’s northwestern province of Nineveh, killing ISIS governor of Mosul Alian Natiq Mabroush along with several leaders from the jihadi group.

Over the past few months, the U.S.-led coalition forces has intensified its airstrikes on strategic and vital locations for the radical group, killing dozens of ISIS top leaders and wounding more others. ISIS’s power has recently decreased, especially after hundreds of its own militants started to desert its ranks.
Posted by: badanov || 03/19/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State



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Two weeks of WOT
Sat 2016-03-19
  Suicide bomber attacks shopping area in Istanbul
Fri 2016-03-18
  Kurds preparing to liberate Raqqa
Thu 2016-03-17
  11 Shaboobs slain as Punties continue cleanup
Wed 2016-03-16
  ISIS executes 50 for desertion in Anbar
Tue 2016-03-15
  Hamas commander killed in 10th tunnel cave-in this year
Mon 2016-03-14
  Syrian rebels renew chemical attacks in Aleppo
Sun 2016-03-13
  Dozens dead after explosion rocks Turkish capital
Sat 2016-03-12
  US adds Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin members to list of global terrorists
Fri 2016-03-11
  US strikes IS group chemical weapons capabilities: Pentagon
Thu 2016-03-10
  Afghan woman kills 25 Taliban rebels to avenge her son's murder
Wed 2016-03-09
  Infighting among Taliban leaders leave 26 dead in Herat province
Tue 2016-03-08
  Drone strike kills 15 Daesh militants in Nangarhar
Mon 2016-03-07
  Hassan al-Turabi, Sudan's Islamist idealogue, dies at 84
Sun 2016-03-06
  Saudi Says it will Take Arms Bound for Lebanon
Sat 2016-03-05
  Taliban says will not take part in Afghan peace talks

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