After Gains Against ISIS, American Focus Is Turning to Mosul
WASHINGTON — Recent gains against the Islamic State in eastern Syria have helped sever critical supply lines to Iraq and set the stage for what will be the biggest fight yet against the Sunni militancy, the battle to retake Mosul, Pentagon officials said on Monday.
Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon news conference that American-backed forces had begun laying the groundwork for the fight by moving to isolate Mosul from the Islamic State’s de facto headquarters in Raqqa, Syria. Kurdish and Arab forces retook the town of Shaddadi in eastern Syria last week, cutting off what Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter called the last major artery between Raqqa and Mosul.
But military officials cautioned that the fight for Mosul could last many months, requiring Iraqi forces unproven in urban warfare to advance street by street through the explosives-laden terrain of Iraq’s second-largest city, with more than one million people.
In addition to the advances in eastern Syria, the Pentagon has begun using cyberattacks on Islamic State communications between Raqqa and Mosul, as well as attacks meant to disrupt the militant group’s ability to use social media to recruit fighters, officials said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/world/middleeast/after-gains-against-isis-american-focus-is-turning-to-mosul.html?ref=world&_r=0
Topic: Obama Is Pressed to Open Military Front Against ISIS in Libya (Read 2575 times)
February 24, 2016, 10:09:53 AM
Wiretapped telephone calls between a leading figure from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and several members of the Turkish military reveal cooperation between ISIL and the Turkish military in letting smugglers cross the Turkey-Syria border, a report by a Turkish daily has alleged.
Documents prepared by a prosecutor's office contain a large number of transcripts of “friendly” telephone communications between military officers and Mustafa Demir, the ISIL member in charge of Turkey's Syria border, the Cumhuriyet daily said on Monday.
The prosecutor's documents reportedly say Turkish military officers also met with Demir on the border. The ISIL leader is indicated in the documents as the person behind the transportation of bombs from Syria to Turkey.
“The transcripts and the documents in the investigation revealed that Demir received money -- purportedly for zakat [alms] -- from smugglers at the border and cooperated with the officers as far as [border] crossings are concerned,” the report stated.
The Turkish government has long been accused by the opposition of turning a blind eye to ISIL's activities in Turkey as well as of having helped ISIL in fighting against the Syrian government.
According to the report, the documents in question are from a file in an ongoing court case on ISIL at the Ankara 3rd High Criminal Court.
The issues alleged in the case came to light because of an investigation launched following information given by six Turkish citizens whose relatives joined ISIL, the report said.
Upon the application by the relatives, monitoring of the communications of 19 people started, and a prosecutor named Derda Gökmen reportedly filed a claim against 27 suspects.
Demir, who is currently in Syria, and İlhami Balı, another leading ISIL figure, are among the suspects, the daily said.
Noting Balı is the person who gave the order for Turkey's deadliest ever suicide bomb attack in Ankara in October of last year, the report said Demir had also previously come to public attention due to his close links to Balı.
According to the report, the prosecutor, on the grounds that the transcripts also indicated a crime other than the one he was pursuing, launched yet another investigation on the link between ISIL terrorists and the Turkish military.
The prosecutor then reportedly, due to legal incompetence, referred the new investigation file to the prosecutor's office of the Gaziantep 5th Armored Brigade Command.
The report also said the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office had previously claimed, after some reports appeared in media outlets such as Cumhuriyet, that the phone calls are between military officers and smugglers, not ISIL members.
Below are transcripts of some phone calls Demir reportedly had with members of the Turkish military based on the investigation file......
http://www.todayszaman.com/national_daily-turkish-border-officers-cooperate-with-isil_412973.html
Documents prepared by a prosecutor's office contain a large number of transcripts of “friendly” telephone communications between military officers and Mustafa Demir, the ISIL member in charge of Turkey's Syria border, the Cumhuriyet daily said on Monday.
The prosecutor's documents reportedly say Turkish military officers also met with Demir on the border. The ISIL leader is indicated in the documents as the person behind the transportation of bombs from Syria to Turkey.
“The transcripts and the documents in the investigation revealed that Demir received money -- purportedly for zakat [alms] -- from smugglers at the border and cooperated with the officers as far as [border] crossings are concerned,” the report stated.
The Turkish government has long been accused by the opposition of turning a blind eye to ISIL's activities in Turkey as well as of having helped ISIL in fighting against the Syrian government.
According to the report, the documents in question are from a file in an ongoing court case on ISIL at the Ankara 3rd High Criminal Court.
The issues alleged in the case came to light because of an investigation launched following information given by six Turkish citizens whose relatives joined ISIL, the report said.
Upon the application by the relatives, monitoring of the communications of 19 people started, and a prosecutor named Derda Gökmen reportedly filed a claim against 27 suspects.
Demir, who is currently in Syria, and İlhami Balı, another leading ISIL figure, are among the suspects, the daily said.
Noting Balı is the person who gave the order for Turkey's deadliest ever suicide bomb attack in Ankara in October of last year, the report said Demir had also previously come to public attention due to his close links to Balı.
According to the report, the prosecutor, on the grounds that the transcripts also indicated a crime other than the one he was pursuing, launched yet another investigation on the link between ISIL terrorists and the Turkish military.
The prosecutor then reportedly, due to legal incompetence, referred the new investigation file to the prosecutor's office of the Gaziantep 5th Armored Brigade Command.
The report also said the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office had previously claimed, after some reports appeared in media outlets such as Cumhuriyet, that the phone calls are between military officers and smugglers, not ISIL members.
Below are transcripts of some phone calls Demir reportedly had with members of the Turkish military based on the investigation file......
http://www.todayszaman.com/national_daily-turkish-border-officers-cooperate-with-isil_412973.html
February 24, 2016, 06:43:25 AM
WASHINGTON — President Obama is being pressed by some of his top national security aides to approve the use of American military power in Libya to open up another front against the Islamic State.
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It's going to be funny when the skunk goes there to let some fresh air into the room and deal with the unbearable stench
. February 23, 2016, 11:25:45 PM
ISIS is composed of different nationalities that is creating a fear in the world. I think countries behind them is also powerful that the powerful countries can even eliminate them. What do you think the countries behind them? Where do they get funds and guns,ammos?
February 23, 2016, 05:34:58 AM
Terrorist Isis have only been able to make gains in North Syria is due to Turkish support and supply.
That is correct. Considering that more than 30% of their fighters are neither Syrian, nor Iraqi, the ISIS is heavily dependent upon the Turkish-ISIS border to transport new recruits. If the border is closed, then new recruits will be unable to travel to Raqqa, and the ISIS will not be able to replace its fighters who lose their lives in regime and Kurd offensives.
Yes, and it´s important to close up general supplies, especially medical supplies. About the best morale-breaker is to have the wounded rotting away to contend with. War should be ruthless, brutal and as short as possible. This saves lives and suffering. It´s the opposite of the U.S. endless wars.
February 22, 2016, 10:22:35 PM
Terrorist Isis have only been able to make gains in North Syria is due to Turkish support and supply.
That is correct. Considering that more than 30% of their fighters are neither Syrian, nor Iraqi, the ISIS is heavily dependent upon the Turkish-ISIS border to transport new recruits. If the border is closed, then new recruits will be unable to travel to Raqqa, and the ISIS will not be able to replace its fighters who lose their lives in regime and Kurd offensives.
February 22, 2016, 01:04:29 PM
So called democracy make chaos in Iraq,Syria, Lybia, Egipt an Tunissia..while they were non democracy lands everything worked there and all was in order
yes, you are definitely right.. democracy is not a good thing for middle east countries .. it brings a lot of horrible things to this lands more than dictators did back in time..
February 21, 2016, 04:39:24 PM
Syria will be divided in Sunni, Shia and Kurdish territories
these are already done not legally but theoritically..
A Kurdish autonomy will be established in Syria, but there will be no Sunni-Shiite division. If they are dividing Syria, then apart from the three groups, other groups such as Christians, Yazidis, and the Druze will also demand their own autonomies. So for now, only the Kurdish autonomy will be permitted. Also, there is no Shiite-Sunni division as such in Syria. A majority of the Sunnis also support the regime.
February 21, 2016, 01:25:25 PM
Syria will be divided in Sunni, Shia and Kurdish territories
these are already done not legally but theoritically..
A Kurdish autonomy will be established in Syria, but there will be no Sunni-Shiite division. If they are dividing Syria, then apart from the three groups, other groups such as Christians, Yazidis, and the Druze will also demand their own autonomies. So for now, only the Kurdish autonomy will be permitted. Also, there is no Shiite-Sunni division as such in Syria. A majority of the Sunnis also support the regime.
February 21, 2016, 01:15:38 PM
Syria will be divided in Sunni, Shia and Kurdish territories
these are already done not legally but theoritically..
February 20, 2016, 03:17:33 PM
US airstrikes kill Serbian embassy staffers held hostage by Isis in Libya
Two Serbian embassy staffers who had been held hostage since November died in Friday’s US airstrikes on an Islamic State camp in western Libya that killed dozens, Serbian officials said on Saturday.
Prime minister Aleksandar Vucic said there was no doubt that Sladjana Stankovic, a communications officer, and Jovica Stepic, a driver, were killed in the American bombing. They were taken hostage in November after their diplomatic convoy, including the ambassador, came under fire near the coastal Libyan city of Sabratha.
“Apparently, the Americans were not aware that foreign citizens were being kept there,” Vucic told reporters.
Speaking at a news conference in Belgrade earlier, foreign minister Ivica Dacic said information about the deaths was given to Serbia by foreign officials but had not been confirmed by the Libyan government.
“We got the information, including photos, which clearly show that this is most probably true,” Dacic said.
Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/20/us-airstrikes-libya-serbian-embassy-staffers-killed
Two Serbian embassy staffers who had been held hostage since November died in Friday’s US airstrikes on an Islamic State camp in western Libya that killed dozens, Serbian officials said on Saturday.
Prime minister Aleksandar Vucic said there was no doubt that Sladjana Stankovic, a communications officer, and Jovica Stepic, a driver, were killed in the American bombing. They were taken hostage in November after their diplomatic convoy, including the ambassador, came under fire near the coastal Libyan city of Sabratha.
“Apparently, the Americans were not aware that foreign citizens were being kept there,” Vucic told reporters.
Speaking at a news conference in Belgrade earlier, foreign minister Ivica Dacic said information about the deaths was given to Serbia by foreign officials but had not been confirmed by the Libyan government.
“We got the information, including photos, which clearly show that this is most probably true,” Dacic said.
Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/20/us-airstrikes-libya-serbian-embassy-staffers-killed
February 19, 2016, 03:08:20 PM
Libya is in horrible situation now like Iraq and Syria. It's a big country now divided between tribes and with a lot of radical islamic and lot of fighters from chad and niger ..now ISIS is reuniting and relocating from Syria in Lybia and this can affect Chad, Niger,Mali as well we now what happened with militants in Timbuctu..Obama will do nothing well he ll maybe begin with airstrickes but except mess he wont solve anything
evil plans of some vicious forces is taking place in middle east.. they want divide middle eastern countiries for making easier to colonise them..
February 19, 2016, 03:02:57 PM
U.S. Airstrikes on ISIS Camp in Libya Kill More Than 40
WASHINGTON — American warplanes struck an Islamic State camp in Libya early Friday, targeting a senior Tunisian operative linked to two major terrorist attacks in Tunisia last year. The operative, Noureddine Chouchane, was most likely killed in the strike, according to the Pentagon.
The airstrikes, on a camp outside Sabratha, about 50 miles west of Tripoli, killed at least 30 Islamic State recruits at the site, many of whom were believed to be from Tunisia, according to a Western official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.
The mayor of Sabratha, Hussain al-Dawadi, put the death toll at 41, and he said that six others had been wounded. He said the airstrikes occurred around 3:30 a.m.
The airstrikes come as the Obama administration and its allies are considering increased military action against a growing threat in Libya by the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. In November, the Americans killed Abu Nabil, also known as Wissam Najm Abd Zayd al Zubaydi, an Iraqi who led the Islamic State’s arm in Libya, in an airstrike on the town of Darnah, in eastern Libya.
Mr. Chouchane was suspected of being a major Islamic State operative who helped organize an attack on the National Bardo Museum in Tunis that killed 22 people in March and another in June that killed 38 people at a beach in the coastal resort in Sousse. Mr. Chouchane was one of five fugitives for whom the Tunisian Interior Ministry issued arrest warrants after the museum attack.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/20/world/middleeast/us-airstrike-isis-libya.html?ref=world
WASHINGTON — American warplanes struck an Islamic State camp in Libya early Friday, targeting a senior Tunisian operative linked to two major terrorist attacks in Tunisia last year. The operative, Noureddine Chouchane, was most likely killed in the strike, according to the Pentagon.
The airstrikes, on a camp outside Sabratha, about 50 miles west of Tripoli, killed at least 30 Islamic State recruits at the site, many of whom were believed to be from Tunisia, according to a Western official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.
The mayor of Sabratha, Hussain al-Dawadi, put the death toll at 41, and he said that six others had been wounded. He said the airstrikes occurred around 3:30 a.m.
The airstrikes come as the Obama administration and its allies are considering increased military action against a growing threat in Libya by the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. In November, the Americans killed Abu Nabil, also known as Wissam Najm Abd Zayd al Zubaydi, an Iraqi who led the Islamic State’s arm in Libya, in an airstrike on the town of Darnah, in eastern Libya.
Mr. Chouchane was suspected of being a major Islamic State operative who helped organize an attack on the National Bardo Museum in Tunis that killed 22 people in March and another in June that killed 38 people at a beach in the coastal resort in Sousse. Mr. Chouchane was one of five fugitives for whom the Tunisian Interior Ministry issued arrest warrants after the museum attack.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/20/world/middleeast/us-airstrike-isis-libya.html?ref=world
February 16, 2016, 03:18:17 PM
Russia is getting it RIGHT in Syria, it's the UK getting it WRONG, blasts ex-army chief
BRITAIN is failing spectacularly in Syria by backing the "losing side" and should follow Russia's lead by launching airstrikes in support of the Assad regime, the former head of the army has said.
By TOM BATCHELOR
PUBLISHED: 06:00, Tue, Feb 16, 2016 | UPDATED: 07:37, Tue, Feb 16, 2016
General Lord Dannatt, ex-chief of general staff, said defeating Islamic State (ISIS) would only be achieved through military force.
He added airstrikes alone would not yield an end to the five-year long civil war - or finish off the depraved terror group.
The senior official, who led the British army between 2006-2009, said: "It is only going to be one with military defeat. From the air can help, but on the ground is where the decision is going to come.
"Conflicts are only resolved on the ground...it has got to be soldiers acting on the ground that bring a resolution, but within a diplomatic and political framework. That is what is missing in Syria."
Conflict in Syria
Mon, February 15, 2016
As world powers agree on a ceasefire in Syria we take a look at how the people there are coping with life after air strikes in the war against Daesh militants.
Lord Dannatt said the Russian's had aptly demonstrated how to counter the extremist threat in Syria by backing the side most likely to win, despite reservations about the reported barrel-bombing of civilian areas by government forces.
He told the BBC: "The Russians are coordinating with the Assad regime and are being very successful. From the air and on the ground, they are working in a coordinating fashion.
"Our problem is that we are working with the losers. Let's work with that regime.
"There may be an element of my enemy's enemy is my friend, and choosing the least worst of several very unattractive options."
Peter Ford, a former British ambassador to Syria, also blasted the UK for backing extremists disguised as moderate rebel fighters.
He argued defence chiefs were intent on removing President Bashar al-Assad despite wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya proving the difficulties in simply toppling a dictator without a comprehensive plan for what could replace them.
He described Britain's actions in the Middle East like "a dog returning to vomit".
The former diplomat said it was time to "get real" and accept that Assad had to remain in power, telling BBC2's The Big Questions: "The West has to stop propping up the moderate opposition, which is not moderate at all.
"It has to allow the Syrian army backed by the Russians to deal with ISIS. It is a local problem that should be dealt with by the local governments."
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/644269/Syria-airstrikes-General-Lord-Dannatt-Britain-copy-Russia-support-Assad
BRITAIN is failing spectacularly in Syria by backing the "losing side" and should follow Russia's lead by launching airstrikes in support of the Assad regime, the former head of the army has said.
By TOM BATCHELOR
PUBLISHED: 06:00, Tue, Feb 16, 2016 | UPDATED: 07:37, Tue, Feb 16, 2016
General Lord Dannatt, ex-chief of general staff, said defeating Islamic State (ISIS) would only be achieved through military force.
He added airstrikes alone would not yield an end to the five-year long civil war - or finish off the depraved terror group.
The senior official, who led the British army between 2006-2009, said: "It is only going to be one with military defeat. From the air can help, but on the ground is where the decision is going to come.
"Conflicts are only resolved on the ground...it has got to be soldiers acting on the ground that bring a resolution, but within a diplomatic and political framework. That is what is missing in Syria."
Conflict in Syria
Mon, February 15, 2016
As world powers agree on a ceasefire in Syria we take a look at how the people there are coping with life after air strikes in the war against Daesh militants.
Lord Dannatt said the Russian's had aptly demonstrated how to counter the extremist threat in Syria by backing the side most likely to win, despite reservations about the reported barrel-bombing of civilian areas by government forces.
He told the BBC: "The Russians are coordinating with the Assad regime and are being very successful. From the air and on the ground, they are working in a coordinating fashion.
"Our problem is that we are working with the losers. Let's work with that regime.
"There may be an element of my enemy's enemy is my friend, and choosing the least worst of several very unattractive options."
Peter Ford, a former British ambassador to Syria, also blasted the UK for backing extremists disguised as moderate rebel fighters.
He argued defence chiefs were intent on removing President Bashar al-Assad despite wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya proving the difficulties in simply toppling a dictator without a comprehensive plan for what could replace them.
He described Britain's actions in the Middle East like "a dog returning to vomit".
The former diplomat said it was time to "get real" and accept that Assad had to remain in power, telling BBC2's The Big Questions: "The West has to stop propping up the moderate opposition, which is not moderate at all.
"It has to allow the Syrian army backed by the Russians to deal with ISIS. It is a local problem that should be dealt with by the local governments."
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/644269/Syria-airstrikes-General-Lord-Dannatt-Britain-copy-Russia-support-Assad
February 16, 2016, 01:19:55 PM
Lybia, Iraq,Syria, all once rich, stable, strong and peaceful countries, with a lot of foreigner workers..and with no radical islam, and very friendly to foreign people...now destroyed with no reason, o yes they were not 'democracy' and no stupid laws, people lived good
i guess you mean some irony here.. if not you are in a delusional life.. becuse these countires are the center of blood suckers...
February 16, 2016, 09:51:37 AM
Turkey and ISIS has launched a joint offensive in Northern Syria against the Kurdish (YPG) positions. Some of the regime positions were also shelled by the Turks. Rather than opening a "military front" against the ISIS, the US and its allies seems to be attacking the enemies of the ISIS. There is only one way to defeat the ISIS, be it in Syria, Libya, or Yemen. We should nuke the nations such as Turkey, which are supporting the ISIS.
Turkey needs to stop attacking the Kurds, and instead negotiate peace and cooperation with the Kurds who are the only effective fighting force that has been successful on the ground against Daesh. February 16, 2016, 09:43:03 AM
In my opinion USA already did big mistake because of too rapid withdrawal from Iraq and the late intervention in Syria.
This created the conditions for chaos from which ISIS appeared.
I hope USA will not do the same mistake with Libya.
ISIS trying to create a base for operations in Libya.
If we don't act now, very soon Libya will become another Syria, with strong ISIS, only a hundred kilometers away from Europe.
This can't be allowed, and so Obama must urgently intervene in Libya, before it is too late.
This created the conditions for chaos from which ISIS appeared.
I hope USA will not do the same mistake with Libya.
ISIS trying to create a base for operations in Libya.
If we don't act now, very soon Libya will become another Syria, with strong ISIS, only a hundred kilometers away from Europe.
This can't be allowed, and so Obama must urgently intervene in Libya, before it is too late.
Wtf? Too early withdrawal? They shouldn't even have gone to Iraq!!!!
I don't know if you remember but they invaded Iraq because of massive destruction weapons that were not here!!!
Absolutely, they shouldn´t have invaded in the first effing place. Same with the destruction of Libya and this fiasco in Syria. Totally based on lies and fraud. These people keep repeating mistakes. It´s policy. Creating chaos, destruction and mayhem is the policy. Then there´s Ukraine and the coup they instigated there. Afghanistan, they´ve been there for almost 15 years and it has been heading fast down the drain, the taliban seize what they want there. It´s a solid pattern all over.
February 16, 2016, 09:24:12 AM
In my opinion USA already did big mistake because of too rapid withdrawal from Iraq and the late intervention in Syria.
This created the conditions for chaos from which ISIS appeared.
I hope USA will not do the same mistake with Libya.
ISIS trying to create a base for operations in Libya.
If we don't act now, very soon Libya will become another Syria, with strong ISIS, only a hundred kilometers away from Europe.
This can't be allowed, and so Obama must urgently intervene in Libya, before it is too late.
This created the conditions for chaos from which ISIS appeared.
I hope USA will not do the same mistake with Libya.
ISIS trying to create a base for operations in Libya.
If we don't act now, very soon Libya will become another Syria, with strong ISIS, only a hundred kilometers away from Europe.
This can't be allowed, and so Obama must urgently intervene in Libya, before it is too late.
Wtf? Too early withdrawal? They shouldn't even have gone to Iraq!!!!
I don't know if you remember but they invaded Iraq because of massive destruction weapons that were not here!!!
February 14, 2016, 09:31:03 PM
Turkey and ISIS has launched a joint offensive in Northern Syria against the Kurdish (YPG) positions. Some of the regime positions were also shelled by the Turks. Rather than opening a "military front" against the ISIS, the US and its allies seems to be attacking the enemies of the ISIS. There is only one way to defeat the ISIS, be it in Syria, Libya, or Yemen. We should nuke the nations such as Turkey, which are supporting the ISIS.
February 14, 2016, 03:35:07 PM
And this will not be your concern, racist bitch. They will live their happy lives without you. Same way they lived before you.
And I am not concerned, you Negro. It is the least of my concern whether you live in some third world ghetto or in the jungle. Be happy there and don't come to any of the Western nations. Anyway you guys are more suited to the stone age lifestyle. Enjoy all the epidemics and other joys such as polygamy and child marriage.
I am not negro. Your president is negro. Look out of your window, stupid racist bitch. Count colors. WHAHAHA!
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