Caucasus Emirate Emir Calls Former
Dagestani Leader's Pledges To IS Act Of Treachery
By
Markaz Kavkaz
The Emir of the Imarat Kavkaz/Caucasus Emirate (CE)
has called the recent pledges of allegiance to Dawla
al-Islamiyya/Islamic State (IS) by the former Emir of
Province of Dagestan an act of treachery.
In a video address released on December 28, Ali Abu
Muhammad warned other CE Mujahideen in the Province of
Dagestan and elsewhere not to participate in the
discord and not to provide assistance to those who
call for a split in the ranks of the CE.
Ali Abu Muhammad said:
"Our position in the Caucasus is not an exception.
That which we noticed in the past days is proof of
that. That is that the Emir of the Province of
Dagestan gave oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr
al-Baghdadi. Wallahi brothers, we know this man very
well".
Ali Abu Muhammad criticizes the former Emir of the
Province of Dagestan for his lack of Islamic
knowledge.
"In no address did this brother give any quotes or
citations from the Koran or Hadith, or the scholars -
does this not show the lack of knowledge of this man?"
He then addresses the former Emir:
"What happened to you, brother? Maybe it was the
instigation of Satan?… Or did you get knowledge from
the Koran… confirming the correctness of your
decisions? Who advised you when you took such a
decision? If you had such dazzling knowledge why
didn't you show it to your brothers? One can close
one's eyes to a lot, but not to treachery… You,
brother, betrayed your brothers at the very time that
they needed you most…. You have caused a schism in our
group… If you want to wage jihad with al-Baghdadi, go
join him and leave us in peace… You, brother, have
gone astray with that oath of allegiance to
al-Baghdadi. If you say not, then I invite you to a
discussion. We will meet you anywhere… maybe you have
knowledge. Maybe you know something we don't. But we
are ready to accept the truth whoever it comes from.
In order to understand and make conclusions, who is
right, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi or al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri,
Mullah Omar and all the rest of those who are well
known there needs to be knowledge of Sharia, but you
don't have that knowledge…. and that again testifies
to your hypocrisy…"
The CE Emir says that those who pledged to IS have
"plastic brains".
Ali Abu Muhammad then moves on to discuss Abu Muhammad
of Agachaul of the Shamilkala Sector.
"I know only the good side of that brother and we hope
that he rethinks his decision and asks those in the
know….and we address the Muslims of the Province of
Dagestan, that that they do not assist those brothers
and this discord. Those who do help them will be
judged by the people and later before Allah on
Judgement Day. O, my brothers of the Caucasus Emirate.
You are not authorized to work with those brothers
because they betrayed us and went over to
al-Baghdadi's side voluntarily… In front of you are
two paths. Either you can go with those ignorants like
Abu Muhammad and his ilk, or with the scholars without
exception, all the well known scholars that we have
until now respected and followed, they are on the
other side".
Ali Abu Muhammad appointed a new Emir for the Province
of Dagestan, Said of Arakan.
Fightings Between Mujahideen And
pro-Western Groups
Fighting between the Syrian arm of al Qaeda and
Western-backed groups in northern Syria spread from
Aleppo province into neighboring Idlib on Friday,
reports Reuters.
Clashes began on Thursday when the al Qaeda Syria
wing, the Jabhat an-Nusra/Victory Front (VF), seized
positions from the Harakat Hazzm/Movement of
Steadfastness (MS) west of Aleppo.
A MS official said by telephone to Reuters clashes had
spread to Idlib and that his group had retaken some
areas previously controlled by the VF.
"There is now fighting in Idlib, in the Jabal al-Zawiya
area", he said. He said in Aleppo province the two
groups were also fighting in Atarib, a town 20 km (12
miles) from the Turkish border.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said heavy
fighting overnight focused on the Regiment 46 base in
western Aleppo and overlapping areas between Aleppo
and Idlib province, where the VF pushed out
pro-Western rebels from many areas in October.
The Observatory, which monitors the war, said
pro-American MS had captured some small checkpoints in
Idlib.
The VF said it was forced to act after MS detained two
of its fighters and captured its weapons and offices.
It said its forces had captured the Sheikh Suleiman
base from MS, about 25 km west of Aleppo, on Thursday.
"It's probably most accurate to view this as the
latest instance of VF efforts to expand their areas of
dominance in Idlib and Aleppo at the expense of
Western-backed factions, which they are gradually
seeking to eliminate from the north", said Noah Bonsey,
senior analyst on Syria with International Crisis
Group.
Meanwhile, the command of the VF accused of the
fighting its opponents who, according to al-Qaeda,
tried on US instruction to expand its influence at the
expense of capturing some of the key positions. The
clashes began after MF and other groups of the Jaish
as-Suri al-Ḥurr/Free Syrian Army (FSA) suddenly
detained 11 Mujahideen of the VF near the village of
Ashrafiya.
The command of the MS denies the allegation that their
group is supported by the US. The command explains
that in fact they had have received some minor
assistance from a number of Western countries,
including anti-tank missiles of American production,
to fight the Assad regime.
Meanwhile, according to reports from the Syrian town
of Kobani (aka Ayn al-Arab) renamed by the Dawla al-Islamiyya/Islamic
State (IS) into Ayn al-Islam, the Kurdish gangs of
Yekineyen Parastina Gel/People's Protection Units (PPU)
managed to repel the IS from this settlement, with air
support by the US, units of the FSA and the Iraqi
armed groups Peshmerga.
According to a statement of the Kurdish command, they
also captured from the IS 12 villages in the vicinity
of Kobani. On Thursday and Friday, fierce fighting
took place for the villages of Sheeran, Sheikh Goban,
Kavrik, Ber-Omar, Tafsho and Svetk.
In turn, the command of the IS reported that they had
shot down a plane of Assadites near the town of Bir
Kasab. The pilot was killed.
That didn't take long. Less than a day after the
U.S. military announced its Spring offensive against
ISIS, seasoned military officers said the plan was
unworkable.
Skepticism about the U.S. and Iraqi military plans for
the next phase of the ISIS war begins inside the
Pentagon.
Less than 24 hours after U.S. military officials
publicly detailed their plans for a spring offensive
on ISIS-held Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, many
within the Pentagon privately questioned whether that
timetable was plausible. They said that they were
dubious that their partners in the Iraqi military—the
troops supposed to lead the offensive—would be capable
of conducting such a campaign by then.
"I really doubt it is going to happen that soon," said
one military officer who, like several others, served
in Iraq between 2003-2011 and spoke on condition of
anonymity. "And if it does, it will take months."
The largely Shiite troops of the Iraqi army are
unlikely to risk their lives to win back a Sunni
dominated city, several U.S. military officers told
The Daily Beast on Friday. Indeed, when ISIS stormed
the city last June, Iraqi forces walked away, leading
the U.S. and 60 other nations to form a coalition
against the terror group.
Even if the Iraqi troops do stand up and fight the
self-proclaimed Islamic State, having a Shiite force
move in and potentially ravage a major Sunni city in a
bid to save it could have adverse affects on the
Sunnis in Iraq and broader Sunni Arab world. Sectarian
tensions, particularly in Iraq, run that deep.
"I cannot believe that Shiites would fight for Mosul,"
one officer who served in the restive Sunni province
of Anbar during the Iraq War told The Daily Beast.
So far, there is no evidence of a strong
Sunni-majority Iraqi Army brigade, and U.S. Central
Command has said it will take at least eight brigades
to win back the city.
In the absence of such a force, it is not clear that
the Sunni-dominated city would welcome those troops.
Many Sunnis feel betrayed by Iraq's Shiite-dominated
central government, and all indications are that
Shiite militias are becoming increasingly powerful in
Iraq as the war against ISIS drags on, only confirming
Sunni residents fears.
Critics inside the U.S. defense community note that
the battle for Mosul could be much harder than the
coalition's fights so far to reclaim cities from ISIS.
It took 112 days for a capable Kurdish ground force
and U.S.-led air campaign to win back the small
northern Syria city of Kobani.
In many ways, Kobani was one of the easier fights the
coalition could've picked. ISIS wasn't particularly
well-entrenched there. And the city had been largely
abandoned when the ISIS attempted to take it. In other
words: the coalition's airstrikes could be relatively
indiscriminate without risk of civilian casualties.
Mosul, on the other hand, is arguably the capital of
ISIS's Islamic caliphate in Iraq. ISIS's fighters have
moved in and out of the city for the last decade,
first as members of al Qaeda in Iraq.
"They will fight for Mosul. This is not like Kobani,
which was peripheral," one U.S. military official told
the Daily Beast.
Mosul is a heavily populated city, where ISIS forces
have already built trenches and barriers. ISIS
reportedly maintains security forces, collects taxes,
and controls government buildings there. Where Kobani
was aspirational for the group, Mosul is key.
"They will fight to the last drop of blood defending
Mosul, and for them this battle could define their
existence. Losing Mosul means a final defeat for
Islamic State in Iraq," a retired army general living
in Mosul told Reuters last month.
Before the Syrian civil war in 2011, Kobani had
roughly 45,000 people. Around that time, there were
roughly 1.5 million souls in Mosul. Kobani was all but
destroyed in the aftermath of the ground and air
campaign. The broader Sunni Arab world would likely
not accept the same fate for a city as important as
Mosul.
"The outrage in the Arab world if you do to Mosul what
you did to Kobani, primarily with Shiite and Kurdish
forces, would create a firestorm. The integrity of the
city needs to be protected," said Derek Harvey,
director of the University of South Florida Global
Initiative for Civil Society and Conflict, and a
former advisor to former Iraq commanders Gens. Dave
Petraeus and Raymond Odierno.
Just last month, Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan
Barzani said he did not think the Iraqi army would be
ready before the fall to take back Mosul. In an
interview with Reuters, he said the two best Iraqi
divisions are currently protecting the capital and
there were not sufficient sources to replace them
should a Mosul offensive began.
Asked by Reuters last month about plans touted by
Iraqi and U.S. officials for an offensive by June on
Mosul, Barzani said: "March, definitely not. June,
also I doubt it."
On Thursday, a U.S. CENTCOM official briefed reporters
and telegraphed the upcoming Mosul operation. The
official, who would not be named as a condition of the
briefing, said an Iraqi force of as many as 25,000
troops could launch an offensive as early as April or
May. The forces, which would be made up, in part, of
six Iraqi army brigades and three Kurdish peshmerga
units would take on an ISIS force of as many as 2,000,
the official said.
The official called it an Iraqi plan that the U.S.
will assist with. But he would not say how the
American forces would help.
Defenders of the war plan announcement noted that ISIS
has been anticipating a counteroffensive since June
10, when its forces moved in, faced relatively little
counterattack, claimed the city, and seized much of
the Iraqi army's U.S.-provided weapons and equipment,
including tanks and Humvees.
The longer the U.S. and Iraqi forces wait, the more
entrenched ISIS becomes in Mosul.
"The stronger the defenses get to be, the stronger
their caliphate becomes in Mosul," the defense
official said.
There was little cost to telegraphing the operation,
this official added. ISIS has already dug trenches and
bolstered their forces. Announcing that a counter
offensive is imminent does not change what ISIS
already is doing. In the last month, U.S. and
coalition air strikes have increasingly focused on
Mosul. There have been airstrikes every day in the
last week, striking at least 19 targets, according to
coalition press releases. There were just six
airstrikes during the first week of the year.
Defenders of CENTCOM were quick to dismiss concerns of
sending a Shiite dominated force to Mosul, calling the
military an "Iraqi one, not a Shiite Iraqi Army."
Mosul has been perilous for U.S. and Iraqi forces from
the earliest days of the U.S. invasion. In July 2003,
Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday and Qusay, were discovered
hiding in Mosul. The city quickly became a hotbed for
al Qaeda in Iraq, which would eventually become ISIS.
The U.S. launched its first campaign to take back the
city from Sunni extremists in 2004, and then again in
2008, along with Iraqi forces. The fighting lasted for
several months, on and off.
The CENTCOM official told reporters Thursday that if
the Iraqi Army was not ready, they would move the date
back. But Harvey said there already were costs to
announcing the operation.
"The worst thing you could is telegraph it, go after
it and fail," Harvey said. And neither [the peshmerga
nor the Iraqi security forces] is good at this kind of
fighting."
Situation in Kobani; Fightings in
Aleppo, Shellings of Damascus
The command of the Kurdish group Yekineyen
Parastina Gel/People's Protection Units (PPU) declared
that its forces managed to repel Dawla al-Islamiyya/Islamic
State (IS) from over 100 settlements around the town
of Kobani with the help from the US air force and the
Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga.
IS troops are retreating from the Kurdish areas after
the failure of over a 4-months long siege of the town
of Kobani (aka Ayn al-Arab, which was renamed by the
IS into Ayn al-Islam), in which up to the outbreak of
hostilities about 60 thousand people lived. Accurate
data on the losses of the parties in the fierce
fighting for Kobani is not available.
The Kurds say that they lost more than 600 people, and
the losses of the IS is several times larger. The
command of the IS does not give any information on
this account.
Nevertheless, according to the same Kurdish sources,
at least 200 Kurdish villages remain under the IS
control, and fightings continue. Active military
confrontation between the Kurds and the IS was
observed in the city of Ras al-Ayn in the Province of
Hasaka.
Local sources reported that after the retreat from
Kobani, IS forces attacked the positions of the Jabhat
an-Nusra/Victory Front (VF) in northern Aleppo. Fierce
fightings have been taking place there for a few days
already. No details were given.
In turn, IS officials claim that fightings are ongoing
in the area of the town of Dabiq against Jaish as-Suri
al-Ḥurr/Free Syrian Army (FSA) and other groups who
were trying to push back the IS forces from the area.
Some local sources gave information about "a tactical
retreat" of IS forces from the towns and villages in
the Province of Aleppo, including Jarabulus, Sarah and
al-Bab. However, a Syrian monitoring group denied this
data. According to the group, the IS still controls
these settlements.
Massive air raids of Jordanian aircraft on IS
positions in the city of Raqqa and other territories
have also been reported. In Amman, they say that in 3
days they made 56 sorties and that it was the revenge
for the execution by burning a Jordanian pilot. The
royal Jordan's regime threatens with a large-scale war
against the IS. However, according to experts, Jordan
is not capable of real large-scale military operations
because of the weakness of its army.
Meanwhile, in another part of Syria, forces of Jaish
al-Islam/Army of Islam (AI) and other Islamic brigades
continue fierce battles with the advancing army units
of Assadites who stormed the city of Douma and other
parts of Eastern Ghouta.
Three days ago, rocket and artillery units of the AI
struck a massive blow to Assadites in Damascus. The
infidels sharply intensified bombardments of Eastern
Ghouta.
Assadites' media claimed that the brother of the head
of AI, Zahran Alloush, had been killed during the
fightings. Details are not known.
The IS command reports on fightings continuing in the
area of the air force base in the Province of Deir
ez-Zor. The positions of Assadites are subjected to
massive artillery and mortar fire. In response,
Assadites bombed positions of the IS using helicopters
and airplanes.
The command of Assadites, in turn, claims that they
had captured most of the village of Haweeja Saqr in
Deir ez-Zor, but on the outskirts of Muhasana
fightings are ongoing with many fighters killed.
At first, Obama, then a number of US officials
announced that since September 2014, as a result of
air strikes and actions of the allies, Dawla al-Islamiyya/Islamic
State (IS) has suffered substantial losses in Syria
and Iraq. Advance of the IS was stopped, large areas
reclaimed.
According to the US authorities and their
representatives, in the course of hostilities 6,000
members of the IS were killed, over one thousand
pieces of military equipment were destroyed. This was
stated by US ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones in an
interview with Al-Arabiya.
Obama claimed that the IS is "degrading", but "more
time is needed to win".
US State Secretary Kerry stated 50% of military
commanders and other members of senior leadership of
the IS were killed. 200 oil and gas facilities, used
by the IS to fund its operations, destroyed. "Foreign
fighter networks of the IS have been broken up in
Australia, Malaysia, Kosovo and in other countries".
In turn, the Kurds announced their successes in Iraq
and Syria. According to them, large areas in Iraqi
Kurdistan, in Sinjar, were reclaimed from the IS. The
command of Peshmerga forces claim they cut the road
between Mosul and Tal Afa, and now they "isolate Mosul
more every day". The Kurds also claim that they
allegedly control 95% of Kobani (aka Ayn al-Arab,
renamed by the IS into Ayn al-Islam).
However, Baghdad does not agree with victorious
reports of the US-backed vice president of the Shiite
regime Ayad Allawi, it said Washington allegations did
not correspond to the reality.
According to him, the IS is not weakened but "getting
stronger" and continues to threaten Baghdad.
"It's not true that they have lost control in Syria
and are losing control in Iraq. Let us face the facts
as they are". He said the threat of IS is "rising now
in Libya".
Allawi said that in fact there was no necessary
coordination among allies, instead there is "chaos and
uncoordination".
According to him "the goal should be global and not
limited to Syria and Iraq".
In turn, an official of the Saudi regime, Turki
al-Faisal, the former head of Saudi intelligence and
former ambassador to the US, speaking in Davos,
complained that "the coalition, which includes the
Arab countries, is limited in its actions in Iraq".
According to him, the Shia regime in Baghdad "doesn't
want Arab involvement in Iraq". "They want Iran, but
not Arabs", said al-Faisal.
Statements of Ayad Allawi and al-Faisal revealed
significant differences in actions between the
so-called "allies". Allawi acknowledged that up to
now, there was no exchange of intelligence information
with Saudi Arabia. "There is no trust. The
intelligence is undermined by distrust. Really, the
whole region is not equipped to handle the sharing",
he lamented.
American press notes that despite continuing air
strikes, the IS still controls large areas, and the
battle for Kobani also continues.
The IS seeks to enlist the support of the Sunni tribes
with a number of social programs and providing foods
for the poor.
In turn, officials of Western regimes believe that
Iraq has to overcome the "sectarian schism" to achieve
"unity of goals".
Meanwhile, the IS command prepares for defense of
Mosul, according to Reuters. According to the agency,
the IS announced a tender among construction workers
on strengthening fortifications to protect the city.
For example, for every kilometer of the trench, the IS
command is willing to pay $ 4,000.
The western entrance to Mosul is already blocked by
giant cement walls.
Warmongering Obama Proposes $51
Billion In War Funds - Killing Women, Children And
Vulnerable With Billions That's The Way Of Peace
Laurrete
Facing new security challenges in the Middle East
and Ukraine, the Obama administration on Monday
proposed a $534 billion Pentagon base budget plus $51
billion in war funds as it urged Congress to end
spending cuts which it says erode U.S. military power.
In addition to the base budget and war funding
requests, the administration proposed some $27 billion
in defense spending at other agencies, primarily
nuclear weapons work by the Department of Energy.
The Pentagon base budget proposal broke through the
$499 billion federal spending cap for fiscal year
2016, setting up a debate in Congress over whether to
continue deep cuts to federal discretionary spending
or to amend the limits set in a 2011 law that sought
to narrow the U.S. budget deficit.
"The geopolitical events of the past year only
reinforce the need to resource DoD (Department of
Defense) at the president's
requested funding level as opposed to current law,"
the Pentagon said in a statement.
The budget follows several years of deep spending
cuts, also known as sequestration, included in a 2011
law meant to slash government deficits. Projected
defense spending was supposed to be reduced by about a
trillion dollars over a decade but defense officials
say the cuts are eroding military capabilities after
15 years of war.
"As the budget makes clear, a return to
sequester-level funding would be irresponsible and
dangerous, resulting in a force too small and
ill-equipped to respond to the full range of potential
threats to the nation," the Pentagon said.
To counter Russian actions in Ukraine and elsewhere in
Europe, the defense budget includes funding to
increase military exercises and training with European
partners and to increase U.S. military rotational
deployments to the region.
It also includes funding to combat ISIS militants in
Iraq and Syria by providing training and assistance to
Iraqi military troops and members of the Syrian
opposition.
The proposed budget would enable the U.S. Army to fund
an active-duty force of 475,000 soldiers, down
slightly from its plan to retain 490,000 after the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Pentagon has warned that if the 2011 budget limits
remained in force, it would have to cut the Army to
about 420,000 troops.
The Pentagon again sought approval for several reforms
hotly opposed in Congress, including retirement of the
A-10 "Warthog" close-air support aircraft, conducting
a new round of U.S. base closures and curbing the
rising cost of military pay and benefits.
Former ISIS Supporter
And Cleric Saudi Preacher Tells Of Life Under
Al-Baghdadi's Caliphate
A Saudi preacher who had escaped the Islamic State
of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) after having joined it has
come out against the group, criticizing its
"distorted" version of Islam.
Sheikh Mani'i Al-Mani'i had shocked many last year
when he announced on Twitter that he had joined "the
land of Jihad" and that he pledged allegiance to ISIS.
After several months the preacher fled the group and
surrendered himself to the Saudi embassy in Turkey.
He recently appeared on a Saudi television channel
recounting his experience under ISIS.
"I found that instead of freedom, and instead of
freedom of belief, they force people to accuse of
infidelity those that they think are infidels," the
preacher said of ISIS militants.
He added that ISIS militants even regard the people
Makkah, the birthplace of Islam, as infidels.
The preacher warns Saudi youth not to listen to ISIS
propaganda, saying the religion that the militant
group tries to promote is nothing close to the
religion of Islam he knows.
"It is not the Islam that I know," he said.
"I was prevented from traveling, my passport was taken
away, and I was also forced to pledge allegiance to
the organization," he added.
ISIS Executes Three Of Its Chinese
Militants: China Paper
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group has killed three Chinese
militants who joined its ranks and later attempted to flee, a Chinese state-run
newspaper said, the latest account of fighters from China embroiled in the
Middle East conflict.
China has expressed concern about the rise of ISIS, nervous about the effect it
could have on its Xinjiang region, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan.
But Beijing has also shown no sign of wanting to take part in the U.S.-led
coalition's efforts to use military force against the militant group.
Around 300 Chinese extremists were fighting with ISIS after travelling to
Turkey, the Global Times, a tabloid run by China's ruling Communist Party's
official newspaper, said in December.
The paper on Thursday cited an unnamed Kurdish security official as saying that
a Chinese man was "arrested, tried and shot dead" in Syria in late September by
ISIS after he became disillusioned with jihad and attempted to return to Turkey
to attend university.
"Another two Chinese militants were beheaded in late December in Iraq, along
with 11 others from six countries. ISIS charged them with treason and accused
them of trying to escape," the official said, according to the paper.
ISIS, which has seized parts of northern and eastern Syria as well as northern
and western Iraq, has killed hundreds off the battlefield since the end of June,
when it declared a caliphate.
Chinese officials blame separatists from the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM)
for carrying out attacks in Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uighur people. But they
are vague about how many people from China are fighting in the Middle East.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei did not comment on the report at a regular
press briefing, but said China was opposed to "all forms of terrorism".
"China is willing to work with the international community to combat terrorist
forces, including ETIM, and safeguard global peace, security and stability,"
Hong said.
Human rights advocates say economic marginalization of Uighurs and curbs on
their culture and religion are the main causes of ethnic violence in Xinjiang
and around China that has killed hundreds of people in recent years. China
denies these assertions.
China has criticized the Turkish government for offering shelter to Uighur
refugees who have fled through southeast Asia, saying it creates a global
security risk.
Turkey Detains Five Suspected ISIS Members
This Week: Army
By Tulay Kardeniz
Turkish authorities have detained a man alleged to be a member of Islamic State
in the southeastern city of Gaziantep, the army said on Thursday, bringing the
number of suspected militants seized this week to five.
The announcement comes after months of criticism from Ankara's Western partners
over its perceived reluctance to crack down on Islamist fighters using the
country to travel into neighboring Syria.
"Security forces caught a Daesh member (on Wednesday) in Gaziantep. A judicial
process has been started," the Turkish General Staff said in a statement on its
website, employing an acronym for Islamic State widely used in the region.
On Monday, four people thought to be Islamic State members were apprehended by
security forces during traffic control in Gaziantep's Oguzeli district, a
separate army statement said.
The nationality of the detainees was not clear.
Turkey's 900km-long border with Syria has proved difficult to police since the
start of the Syrian conflict nearly four years ago. Critics have suggested
Turkey is reluctant to tackle the problem of extremists for fear of becoming a
target.
Turkey has opened its doors to nearly 2 million people who have fled the
conflict in Syria, but it has so far played only a minor role in the fight
against Islamic State. Officials cite disagreements over strategy and security
concerns as reasons.
The city of Gaziantep, which lies around 50km from the border, has developed
into a hub for aid workers responding to the humanitarian fallout in Syria.
Jordanian Airstrikes Kill 55 ISIS
Militants
Jordanian fighter jets flew over the hometown of a pilot killed by Islamic State
of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group and the capital Amman on Thursday after
completing a mission, state television said without giving the location of their
sortie, Reuters reported.
However, Iraqi media said that the Jordanian airstrikes have killed 55 ISIS
militants including a senior commander known as the "Prince of Nineveh."
Jordan's 'severe' response to ISIS after it killed an air force pilot by burning
him alive, came just hours after King Abdullah vowed to avenge Maaz al-Kassasbeh's
death.
"The blood of martyr Maaz al-Kassasbeh will not be in vain and the response of
Jordan and its army after what happened to our dear son will be severe," Said
King Abdullah in a statement released by the royal court on Wednesday.
Jordan had previously been divided on its participation in airstrikes against
ISIS, with many question why the country was involving itself in the fight.
But it was a divide that largely vanished after the revelation of Kassasbeh's
brutal execution.
Jordan's information minister, Mohammad al-Momani told AFP: Amman was "more
determined than ever to fight the terrorist group Daesh." And a government
spokesman said Jordan would step up its role in the U.S.-led fight against the
militant group.
King Abdullah cut short a visit to Washington, returning to his country where he
held emergency talks with his military.
But before his return to the Middle East he met with President Barack Obama, who
slammed the pilot's killing as an act of "cowardice and depravity," and he
offered the king "his deepest condolences" White House spokesman, Alistair
Baskey said.
Meanwhile Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said radical Islam's
"cruelty knows no borders, the greatest threat to humanity would be if these
extremists get their hands on nuclear weapons," referring to Iran's nuclear
program.
The airstrikes came just hours after Jordan executed two militant prisoners in
response to the killing of Kassasbeh.
But the pilot's father told Reuters the two executions were not enough to avenge
his son's death, adding: "I want the state to get revenge for my son's blood
through more executions of those people who follow this criminal group that
shares nothing with Islam." Safi al-Kassasbeh told Reuters.
The rout of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from the long-embattled
Syrian border town of Kobane is a sign that the militant group can be weakened
and beaten, experts told Al Arabiya News.
The fight over Kobane - which began in September last year - reached a
conclusion this week after Kurdish fighters aided by heavy coalition airstrikes
regained full control of the city, an event hailed by U.S. Secretary of State
John Kerry as a "big deal."
ISIS's defeat in Kobane "demonstrates that it is more adept at propaganda,
terrorism and light guerrilla warfare than it is about performing as a
significant military force when faced by a determined enemy," said Michael Ryan,
a scholar at the Washington-based Middle East Institute and the author of
"Decoding al-Qaeda's Strategy: The Deep Battle Against America."
The group's "actual fighting force is probably much smaller than its overall
reported numbers might suggest and thus the loss of hundreds of fighters is
likely a significant blow to its power base," he added.
Although ISIS is "far from defeated" in Syria and Iraq, the loss of Kobane is a
major blow to the group and shows that it "can be beaten," Ryan said.
But the success in the ground campaign by Kurdish fighters - including the
Peshmerga from Iraq's Kurdistan - could have come much faster if the Kurds were
better equipped by their Western allies, some experts say.
"One of ISIS's primary assets since June 2014 has been the aura of momentum
generated by its military gains," said Noah Bonsey, a Syria analyst at the
Brussels-based International Crisis Group, referring to the group's sweeping
takeover of the Iraq's second largest city of Mosul in summer last year.
"The battle of Kobane halted that momentum in Syria, and in that sense ISIS's
loss there is significant," he added.
Hilal Khashan, a political science professor at the American University of
Beirut, said that there is "no question" that ISIS has been contained.
"ISIS is sustaining tremendous losses and, even though it has not yet been
decimated, it is only a question of time before it is convincingly defeated."
But the Kurds and the U.S.-led coalition - as well as other groups fighting ISIS
on the ground in Syria and Iraq - should not rest on their laurels.
"We should not be surprised if [ISIS] attempts further attacks against Kobane in
the future in an attempt to erase what is widely perceived as a defeat," said
Ryan.
ISIS's steady stream of recruitment - with new fighters reportedly continuing to
trickle in - could preserve the group's staying power, Bonsey said.
The resolve of Arab countries to combat ISIS may have been strengthened this
week after the release of a gruesome video showing the burning alive of captured
Jordanian fighter pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh at the hands of the militants.
News of his killing spurred Jordan - a neighbor of Iraq and Syria and an ally in
the U.S.-led coalition - against the group to step up its bombing campaigns,
reportedly killing 55 militants on Thursday.
Additionally, such "Medieval thinking cannot possibly win against the 21st
century," said Khashan. "ISIS is out of place and out of time."
Three Things We Have Learnt About Ignorant
Khawarijite ISIS
After Moaz Al Kasasbeh's Execution
By Bilal Abdul Kareem
After the execution video of a Jordanian pilot being
burned alive, we have learnt three things about ISIS,
writes Bilal Abdul Kareem.
On Tuesday, ISIS released a video of Jordanian pilot
Lieutenant Moaz al Kasasbeh who they captured last
December being burnt alive. He was locked inside a
steel cage wearing an orange jumpsuit that had been
drenched with flammable liquid and burned alive.
Lt Kasasbeh angered many Muslims around the world when
his country Jordan decided to participate in a US-led
coalition to bomb ISIS positions, while totally
abandoning the Bashar al-Assad regime that has killed
more than 200,000 innocent men, women, and children.
ISIS demanded the release of failed suicide bomber
Sajida al-Rishawi who was convicted in connection to a
2005 terrorist attack in Jordan in exchange for
Japanese journalist Kenji Goto. Jordanian authorities
offered to release Rishawi in exchange for Kasasbeh.
However, negotiations broke down, and in retaliation,
Jordanian authorities executed Rishawi yesterday
morning.
Now that we've refreshed our minds with what's
happened, let's see what we have learned from these
recent events.
ISIS are ignorant of the Sunnah
Abu Dawud dedicated a chapter in his Sunan entitled,
"The Detestable Nature of Burning the Opposing Forces
with Fire". Below are a few relevant hadith.
#2673. It was reported from Muhammad bin Hamzah Al-Aslami
from his father, that the Messenger of Allah appointed
him as a commander over a military expedition. He
said: "So I went along with them, and he (the Prophet)
said: 'If you find so-and-so, then burn him with
fire.' Then I turned to depart. He called me to come
back, so I came back to him. He said: 'If you find
so-and-so, then kill him, and do not burn him, for
nobody punishes with fire except the Lord of the
Fire."
#2675. It was reported from 'Abdur-Rahman bin
'Abdullah, from his father who said: "We were with the
Messenger of Allah in a journey. He went to relieve
himself. We saw a Humrah with two chicks of hers, and
we took one of her chicks The Humrah came and started
shaking her spread out wings. The Prophet came and
said: 'Who distressed her because of her chicks, give
her chick back to her. And he also saw an ant colony
which we had burnt, so he said: 'Who burnt this down?'
We said: 'We did.' He said: 'It is not allowed to
punish with fire, except for the Lord of the Fire."
Both of the above mentioned hadith were classified by
Shaykh Al Albani as authentic in his checking and
review of the book.
In Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Saheehah (#487), he adds a
discussion of the authentic narration of when Ali (ra)
ordered some people to face the death penalty by fire.
When news of this reached Ibn 'Abbas (ra), he
disapproved of the decision and relayed a hadith of
the Prophet (saw) with a similar wording: "Do not
punish with the punishment of Allah!" (Sahih Bukhari
#3017).
Imam at-Tirmidhi also collected it in his Jaami'
(#1458), adding that when this comment got back to
Ali, he said, "Ibn 'Abbas has spoken correctly."
The ruling on this issue is very clear. The Messenger
of Allah (saw) did not even accept ants to be killed
in this way. How much more so a human being? Perhaps,
it is a case that ISIS members and leadership are so
ignorant of the Sunnah that they weren't aware of
these ahadith. In which case, they should be declared
too Islamically ignorant to be carrying out the
actions they are undertaking. Worst case scenario,
they are fully aware of these ahadith and don't care.
If there is a third option, I'd like to know what it
is because I do not see what else it could be. I am
honestly stuck to find how even the most hardcore ISIS
supporter can explain this action.
Thirst for blood takes precedence
By demanding the release of Sajida al-Rishawi they
placed a spotlight on her. Surely they must have known
that in doing so, they would have potentially exposed
her to a reprisal should negotiations fail. ISIS has
maintained that the blood of one Muslim is worth the
blood of a thousand non-Muslims, or so they have said
on numerous occasions. According to their logic, ISIS
considered Lt Kasasbeh to have apostated from Islam.
Why not make the exchange then if they truly placed
such a high value on Sajida Rishawi's life? Or perhaps
the group is more bloodthirsty than serious about the
very statements they make?
Sajida Rishawi was on death row since 2005 and yet her
sentence was not carried out. Now through ISIS'
actions, a sentence that had not been carried out for
more than nine years was expedited in a matter of
hours. Those who support ISIS, how can you defend the
handling of this affair? They had to have known that
Rishawi would have been killed should they kill Lt
Kasasbeh. Did they consider that displaying to the
world the burning of this pilot was worth the life of
Rishawi? This seems to defy their logic, or is there
another perspective?
Who is benefitting from ISIS?
ISIS has succeeded in uniting the world's powers not
just against them, but against Muslims in general. At
best we could say they are horrible tacticians, at
worst we could say that they have done it purposely.
It is difficult to imagine how anyone could support a
group that displayed the burning of this pilot knowing
full well the clear Islamic ruling regarding burning.
Unless, that was their objective all along: to turn
popular opinion against any just and legal Islamic
struggle. They must have known that popular opinion
would not discriminate against ISIS or other Islamic
groups, thereby hurting every Islamic cause around the
world.
Message to ISIS Members and their supporters
ISIS members and supporters, you must listen to
reason, Islamic reason. You made a mistake in
supporting the unknown Abu Bakr Baghdadi and his
group. It is not the end of the world to recognise
your mistake. As we read in the hadith mentioned
above, Ali (ra) made a mistake and freely admitted it
instead of trying to defend it or explain why. The
worst mistake is to compound the original one and try
to justify and explain away clear violations of the
Quran and Sunnah.
Abandoning ISIS doesn't mean abandoning Islam or the
desire that Muslims around the world share, which is
to see a just and fair Caliphate. So it is now up to
you to decide. What will you do now? Accuse the Ummah
of being against you because you are "on the truth"
and they are not? Spit another takfir laced diatribe
about how Muslims really don't want Islam and only you
do? Truly this is a time to see who supports Islam and
who merely supports Baghdadi.
Bilal Abdul Kareem is an American journalist and
filmmaker who spent two years in Syria documenting the
rebels.
'ISIL Has Nothing to Do With Qur'an'
Spending 10 months as captive for the so-called
Islamic State (ISIL), French journalist Didier François said his captors
were usually engaged in political discussions and 'didn't even have the
Qur'an'.
"There was never really discussion about texts or -- it was not a religious
discussion. It was a political discussion," François told CNN's Christiane
Amanpour in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, February 3.
"It was more hammering what they were believing than teaching us about the
Quran. Because it has nothing to do with the Qur'an."
"They didn't even have the Quran; they didn't want even to give us a Qur'an."
Francois is one of the few captives who were released by ISIL last April
before the militant group's expansion in Iraq.
Though he did not wish to elaborate on how he was treated by ISIL, he
stressed that local Syrians and Iraqis faced most of the torture at the
hands of their captors.
"We could see some of them in the corridors when we were taken to the
toilets," he said, "and we could see some people lying in their blood."
"You could see the chains hanging, or the ropes hanging, or the iron bars."
For François, losing freedom was the worst nightmare he faced during those
10 months.
"Of course we were beaten up. But it was not every day. I mean, it's hard
enough -- you don't have to overplay it."
"It's hard enough to lose your freedom. It's hard enough to be in the hands
of people who you know are killing hundreds and thousands of local Syrians,
Iraqis, Libyans, Tunisians, can put bombs in our countries."
"It's terrifying enough. The beating is strong, but it's not every day. It
happens sometimes."
"If they wanted to wreck you, they could. None of us would have been able to
go through if it was beating every day, and torture every day."
Lucky
Francois was released on April 19, 2014, at the Turkish borders where
soldiers found them with their hands bound and blindfolded.
He was released just before ISIL made its shocking sweep through Iraq,
capturing vast amounts of territory in June 2014.
"So we didn't know the level of the risk, or we didn't realize the level of
the risk at the time.
'Plus it was the time when the people from ISIS were still hiding within
Jabhat al-Nusra and didn't organize their kind of coup within al Qaeda," he
added, using another acronym for the militant group.
Militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have been
widely condemned by Muslims worldwide who staged several protests to express
anger against the terrorist group.
Echoing Al-Azhar Grand Imam condemnation of the group, Saudi Grand Mufti
Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh has urged Muslims to take up arms against the
militant group's members, condemning them as aggressors who abuse people's
lives, possessions and honor.
Al-Sheikh has described Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State jihadists as 'enemy
number one' of Islam.
Months ago, Egypt's Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam also condemned the militants
for atrocities they have been perpetrating in the countries and their
violation of principles and teachings preached by Islam.
India Sunni and Shiite Muslims have united against the rise of ISIL,
asserting that the actions of destroying holy sites, supporting sectarianism
and divisions between Muslim groups cannot be attributed to a true Islamic
state.
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Islamic group has condemned ISIL,
urging the government to take firmer action against the possible spread of
the movement in Indonesia.
The Islamic Student Union (HMI) has also condemned Indonesian Muslims
condoning and adhering to ISIL's ideology.
Reactions To New ISIS
Atrocity - The Gruesome Burning Of The Jordanian Pilot By The Extremists:
International Condemnation Of 'Appalling' Execution
Following the 'gruesome'
and extremely violent execution of the Jordanian pilot
by ISIL, international condemnation of this heinous
killing was drawn.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the burning
alive of a Jordanian pilot by Islamic State militants,
calling it an 'appalling act.'
Ban labeled the IS group 'a terrorist organization
with no regard for human life' and urged world
governments to redouble their efforts to 'combat the
scourge of terrorism and extremism,' according to his
spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
The 15 members of the UN Security Council also
denounced the apparent killing, saying 'such continued
acts of barbarism perpetrated by ISIL do not
intimidate them but rather stiffen their resolve' to
counter extremist movements.
Obama earlier decried the 'cowardice and depravity' of
the Islamic State, saying the brutal killing would
only strengthen international resolve to destroy the
extremists.
'Today, we join the people of Jordan in grieving the
loss of one of their own,' the president added, as his
administration reaffirmed its intention to give Jordan
$3 billion in security aid over the next three years.
'As we grieve together, we must stand united,
respectful of his sacrifice to defeat this scourge,'
Obama said after the latest in a wave of grizzly
filmed murders.
King Abdullah II, who was visiting Washington as the
video came to light, recorded a televised address to
his shocked and outraged nation.
The king, who was once in the military himself,
described First Lieutenant Maaz al-Kassasbeh as a hero
and vowed to take the battle to Islamic State
extremists, who have executed several captives on
camera in recent months, provoking worldwide
revulsion.
'Jordan's response will be
earth-shattering,' Information Minister Mohammed
Momani said on television, while the army and
government vowed to avenge the pilot's murder.
'Whoever doubted the unity of the Jordanian people, we
will prove them wrong.'
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday said that if a
video purporting to show the burning alive of a
Jordanian pilot is authenticated, it just shows the
organization's 'barbarity.'
'Should in fact this video be authentic, it's
just one more indication of the viciousness (and)
barbarity of this organization,' Obama said.
'This organization is only interested in death and
destruction,' he said when asked about the video at a
brief public appearance.
In Tokyo, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned
the apparent execution by the Islamic State group of a
Jordanian pilot as 'unforgivable' on Wednesday, days
after the murders of two Japanese hostages.
'It was an unforgivable, outrageous act. I strongly
condemn it,' Abe said in parliament hours after the
jihadists released a video purportedly showing the
26-year-old pilot being burned alive in a cage.
Muslim World Scholars Condemn Ignorant
Khawarijite ISIS
Muslim clerics widely condemned the burning to death of a
Jordanian pilot by Islamic State, saying such a form of killing was
considered despicable by Islam, no matter the context.
Islamic State
militants released a video on Tuesday appearing to show captured pilot
Mouath al-Kasaesbeh being burnt alive in a cage. Jordan, which has
participated in a U.S.-led military campaign to bomb Islamic State
positions, responded overnight by executing two al-Qaida convicts on death
row.
Egypt's top Muslim authority, the 1,000 year old Al-Azhar university revered
by Sunni Muslims around the world, issued a statement expressing "deep anger
over the lowly terrorist act" by what it called a "Satanic, terrorist"
group.
The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb, said the killers themselves
deserved to be "killed, crucified or to have their limbs amputated."
Saudi cleric Salman al-Odah wrote on his Twitter account: "Burning is an
abominable crime rejected by Islamic law regardless of its causes. It is
rejected whether it falls on an individual or a group or a people. Only God
tortures by fire," he added.
The Islamic State posted a religious edict on Twitter, which ruled that it
is permissible in Islam to burn an infidel to death.
Shocking
But even clerics sympathetic to the jihadist cause said the act of burning a
man alive and filming the killing would damage Islamic State, an al-Qaida
offshoot which controls wide territory in Syria and Iraq, and is also known
as ISIL or ISIS.
"This weakens the popularity of Islamic State because we look at Islam as a
religion of mercy and tolerance. Even in the heat of battle, a prisoner of
war is given good treatment," said Abu Sayaf, a Jordanian Salafist cleric
also known as Mohamed al-Shalabi who spent almost ten years in Jordanian
prisons for militant activity including a plot to attack U.S. troops.
"Even if the Islamic State says Muath had bombed, and burnt and killed us
and we punished him in the way he did to us, we say, OK but why film the
video in this shocking way?" he told Reuters. "This method has turned
society against them."
SITE, a U.S.-based monitoring service, quoted Abdullah bin Muhammad al-Muhaysini,
whom it described as a Saudi jihadi, as saying on Twitter it would have been
better if Kasaesbeh's captors had swapped him for "Muslim captives". His
killing would make ordinary people sympathetic to Kasaesbeh, he said.
Still, some admirers of Islamic State cheered the killing. In a Twitter
message, a user called Suhaib said: "To any pilot participating in the
crusader coalition against the holy warriors - know that your plane might
fall in the next mission. Sleep well!"
The killing was denounced in the Arab press. The pan-Arab al-Hayat newspaper
published the report on its front page under the headline "Barbarity".
Saudi Arabia's Arabic daily al-Riyadh newspaper wrote that the Islamic state
had "deepened its savagery and its bloody approach" by burning Kasaesbeh.
Mask Off America-Iran Secrete
Collaboration
In Fightings In Syria And Iraq: Iran Warplanes Target Mujahidun In Clearest Sign
Yet Of US Partnership
When you see a warplane overhead in Iraq, and its backing Assad's Ba'thi
army, Baghdad's Shiite millitia and Kurdish Peshmerga forces in a battle against
the Mujahidun, especially the Syria resistance power-base of Jabhat An-Nusrah
and the Islamic State Of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), you automatically think of
the United States. They are, after all, the one with hundreds of planes in the
area doing that.
But according to news reporters,
including the antiwar's Jason Ditz video released today shows that their
"anti-Mujahidun coalition" isn't the only ones, as an Iranian F-4 Phantom is
seen backing Kurdish fighters in trying to retake a pair of lost towns.
The plane caught on video backing Iranian staunch ally tyrant
Assad and Kurdish Ba'thist party forces clearly confrims that Iran is involved
in the ISIS war is hardly news, but the use of a warplane in a traditional US
role is a major story, as it is all-but-impossible that Iran would be doing so
without direct coordination with the US.
The US is desperate to the point of paranoia to say they
"control the airspace" in Iraq, and having other nations' warplanes just flying
around willy nilly would make no sense, and would almost certainly make those
planes a target. Iran would not be sending warplanes into Iraqi airspace in
mid-US war, and in the vicinity of several US warplanes, without the US having
confirmed that it was okay with them.
The US continues to deny any coordination with Iran and Syria
on the ISIS war, but this denial seems to be primarily a diplomatic ploy at this
point, and has no bearing on the policy.
Agencies, AMIS, EsinIslam.Com
& Several News Outlets
Stop the Killing: In Approaching The Nightmare
Of Renewed, Expanded U.S. War In Iraq
By Kathy Kelly
On August 9, 1983, three people dressed as U.S. soldiers saluted their way
onto a U.S. military base and climbed a pine tree. The base contained a
school training elite Salvadoran and other foreign troops to serve
dictatorships back home, with a record of nightmarish brutality following
graduation. That night, once the base's lights went out, the students of
this school heard, coming down from on high, the voice of Archbishop Oscar
Romero.
"I want to make a special appeal to soldiers, national guardsmen, and
policemen: each of you is one of us. The peasants you kill are your own
brothers and sisters. When you hear a man telling you to kill, remember
God's words, 'thou shalt not kill.' No soldier is obliged to obey a law
contrary to the law of God. In the name of God, in the name of our tormented
people, I beseech you, I implore you; in the name of God I command you to
stop the repression."
The three in the tree with the loudspeaker weren't soldiers - two of them
were priests. The recording they played was of Archbishop Romero's final
homily, delivered a day before his assassination, just three years previous,
at the hands of paramilitary soldiers, two of whom had been trained at this
school.
Fr. Larry Rosebaugh, (who was killed in Guatemala on May 18, 2009), Linda
Ventimiglia, and Fr. Roy Bourgeois, (a former missioner expelled from
Bolivia who was later excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church because
of his stance on women's ordination) were sentenced to 15 -18 months in
prison for the stirring drama they created on the base that night. Romero's
words were heard loud and clear, and even after military police arrived at
the base of the tree and stopped the broadcast, Roy Bourgeois, who would
later found a movement to close the school, continued shouting Romero's
appeal as loudly as he could until he was shoved to the ground, stripped,
and arrested.
In approaching the nightmare of renewed, expanded U.S. war in Iraq, I think
of Archbishop Romero's words and example. Romero aligned himself, steadily,
with the most impoverished people in El Salvador, learning about their
plight by listening to them every weekend in the program he hosted on
Salvadoran radio. With ringing clarity, he spoke out on their behalf, and he
jeopardized his life challenging the elites, the military and the
paramilitaries in El Salvador.
I believe we should be trying very hard to hear the grievances of people in
Iraq and the region, including those who have joined the Islamic State, as
regards U.S. policies and wars that have radically affected their lives and
well-being over the past three decades. It could be that many of the Iraqis
who are fighting with Islamic State forces lived through Saddam Hussein's
oppression when he received fierce and unconditional support from the U.S.
during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. Many may be survivors of the U.S.
Desert Storm bombing in 1991, which destroyed every electrical facility
across Iraq. When the U.S. insisted on imposing crushing and murderous
economic sanctions on Iraq for the next 13 years, these sanctions directly
contributed to the deaths of one half million children under age five. The
children who died should have been teenagers now, --are some of the Islamic
State fighters the brothers or cousins of the children who were punished to
death by economic sanctions? Presumably many of these fighters lived through
the U.S.-led 2003 Shock and Awe invasion and bombing of Iraq and the chaos
the U.S. chose to create afterwards, using a war-shattered country as some
sort of free market experiment; they've endured the repressive corruption of
the regime the U.S. helped install in Saddam's place.
The United Nations should take over the response to the Islamic State, and
people should continue to pressure the U.S. and its allies to leave the
response not merely to the U.N. but to its most democratic constituent body,
the General Assembly.
But facing the bloody mess that has developed in Iraq and Syria, I think
Archbishop Romero's exhortation to the Salvadoran soldiers pertains directly
to U.S. people.
Suppose these words were slightly rewritten: I want to make a special appeal
to people of the United States. Each of you is one of us. The peoples you
kill are your own brothers and sisters. When you hear a person telling you
to kill, remember God's words, 'thou shalt not kill.' No soldier is obliged
to obey a law contrary to the law of God. In the name of God, in the name of
our tormented people, I beseech you, I implore you …I command you to stop
the repression."
The war on the Islamic State will distract us from what the U.S. has done
and is doing to further create despair, in Iraq, and to enlist new recruits
for the Islamic State. The Islamic State is the echo of the last war the
U.S. waged in Iraq, the so-called "Shock and Awe" bombing and invasion. The
emergency is not the Islamic State but war.
We in the U.S. must give up our notions of exceptionalism, recognize the
economic and societal misery our country caused in Iraq, recognize that we
are a perpetually war-crazed nation, seek to make reparations, and find
dramatic, clear ways to insist that Romero's words be heard: Stop the
killing.
Amnesty International Confirms Current Iraqi
Government Openly Endorses War Crimes Agaist Sunnis
Shia militias in Iraq have abducted and killed Sunni
civilians with the support of the current government,
Amnesty International said Tuesday.
The Shia militiamen number in the tens of thousands
and wear military uniforms but operate outside any
legal framework and without any official oversight,
the London-based watchdog warned in its new report,
entitled "Absolute Impunity: Militia Rule in Iraq." It
said the militiamen are never prosecuted for their
crimes.
Shia militias are ruthlessly targeting Sunni civilians
on a sectarian basis under the guise of fighting
terrorism, in an apparent bid to punish Sunnis.
Amnesty said the fate of many Sunni abductees remains
unknown and that some captives have been killed even
after their families paid ransoms of $80,000 or more.
The accusations were based on compelling evidence
derived from interviews with families and survivors
who confirmed that members of four prominent Iraqi
Shia militias — Asaib Ahl al-Haq, the Badr Brigades,
the Mahdi Army, and Ketaeb Hizbollah — were behind the
abduction and killing of hundreds Sunnis.
The ex-Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki - in an attempt
to ignite the civil war to achieve his will to stay in
office for a third term - called on Shia militiamen as
volunteers to support the Iraqi army - despite
billions spent on building that army - leading several
powerful militias - all with links to neighbouring
Iran - to defend him not the country, as he was
repeatedly alleged .
The revival of the militias has deepened the sense of
alienation among the country's Sunnis - seen as a key
factor in stabilizing the country - and has raised
fears of a return to the sectarian conflict that
gripped the country in 2006 and 2007.
Iraq's new designated Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi,
from al-Maliki's Shia Islamist Dawa party, has pledged
to bring the Shia militiamen under control, but
Amnesty said the government has not only failed to
prosecute Shia militiamen but has openly condoned
their actions.
"By granting its blessing to militias who routinely
commit such abhorrent abuses, the Iraqi government is
giving official approval for war crimes and fuelling a
dangerous cycle of sectarian violence that is tearing
the country apart," said Donatella Rovera, a senior
adviser with Amnesty.
In a new crime committed by government forces, killing
15 civilians from one family in a rocket attack on
their house in the village (Albu To'ama) Saturday
morning north of the city of Tikrit, as well as a
complete destruction of their house and material
damage neighboring houses.
In Salahuddin province, as well, two people were
killed and five others were injured with various
injuries in a bombing Saturday morning nearby mosque
Al-Wahab amid district (Tuz), without knowledge who
the targeted by the blast.
Whereas, residents of the district (Dujail) south of
Tikrit; found the body of the citizen Abbas Mohammed
Saleh al-Naimi in a side channel of salt water, a few
days after been abducted at the hands of sectarian
militias, armed and backed by the current Iraqi
government.
Two civilians were killed and five others injured
after a government mortar attack on Saturday, on
scattered areas of Fallujah, the largest city in Anbar
province, private sources reported; that heavy
bombarded today on the city of Fallujah, noting that
the rockets landed in different districts within the
city, wounding nine civilians, including a woman, as
well as the huge destruction to buildings and houses
there.
In Baghdad, killed two people and wounded six others
with various injuries as a result of an improvised
explosive device on Saturday, the center of the
capital, according to a security source at the current
Ministry of the Interior.
In the same context, killed three people and wounded
17 others were injured by the explosion of two bombs
in the district (Madain) and area (Sha'ab) Saturday
afternoon south and north of the capital.
In a while, one person was killed and nine others were
injured; bomb explosion inside a popular cafe on
Saturday evening, amid district (Mahmudiyah) south of
the capital Baghdad, is likely to be members of
sectarian militias had put the bomb there.
To the south of Baghdad, militiamen of the so-called
"popular mobilization" who fighting alongside the
government army; were dead and wounded; as a result of
violent clashes broke out on Saturday evening in the
area of the Jurf Al Sakhar in northern Babil province.
Agencies, AMIS, EsinIslam.Com
& Several News Outlets
Turks Tell Where They Plan To Establish
So-called 'Buffer Zone' In Syria
By Markaz Kavkaz
Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu told about
Ankara's plans to create a so-called "buffer zone" in
Syria, bordering Turkey.
"Buffer zone" should stretch from the Mediterranean to
Iraq. At the same time Mr. Davutoglu argues that it is
not about a war zone, but about a humanitarian zone
"under military protection".
In the opinion of Ankara, this area should be a safe
zone for civilians and involved the implementation of
a no-fly zone.
In an interview with Al Jazeera the Turkish PM
reported some of the details of these plans. "Buffer
zone", in his opinion, should extend from the Turkish
border and further to the north of Latakia, in some
areas in Hasaka, and should include Jarabulus, Ayn
al-Arab (aka Kobani), Tel Abyad, Idlib and Afrin "to
protect local people - Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen".
Mr. Davutoglu said that the so-called "depth of safe
zone" may vary depending more or less on "humanitarian
situation" in these areas. In this case, the Turkish
Prime Minister has confirmed that Turkey would not
accept any unilateral action without UN Security
Council decisions and support "of the international
coalition".
He pointed to the importance of the introduction of a
no-fly zone, recalling that this practice had been
used in Iraq under Saddam Hussein.
Turkish and Western media are reminded that Turkey has
been facing Western pressure and internal protests of
Kurds, because of its position of non-interference in
hostilities in Syria.
US and its allies urge Turkey to start a ground
operation against the Ad Dawla al-Islamiyya/Islamic
State (IS). Pressure increased after the IS units took
over most of the city of Ayn al-Arab with a
predominantly Kurdish population.
Kurds accuse Turkey of inactivity. Western countries
are pushing Turks for the invasion. Possible seizure
of Kobani has been touted as "a very dangerous
precedent with serious consequences".
Ankara responded to claims that it will not allow
itself to be drawn into a war in Syria. According to
the Turkish government, any military action ought to
be done together with NATO and other countries.
PM Davutoglu countered criticism of Turkey, saying:
"The fall of Ayn-al Arab could really sadden us, and
we will do everything to stop it, but where were they
when Raqqa fell? Where where they when Jarabulus,
Mosul fell?"
Meanwhile, the fightings on the border with Turkey, in
the area of Kobani are continuing. US and its allies
continue to bombarding the IS positions. Warplanes of
Jordan and Saudi Arabia are also participating in the
bombardments.
It is known that the military junta of Egypt sent to
Jordan 27 of its pilots to participate in air raids on
Syria.
Iraqis Opposes All Calls For Deployment Of
International Forces
The Association of Muslim Scholars strongly condemned
the irresponsible statements of Vice Chairman of the
Anbar Provincial Council, Faleh al-Issawi, which
published at Alsumaria News site on the deployment of
international ground military forces in the province,
claiming that the elders and dignitaries of Anbar
support this tacky demand.
The Association emphasized in a press release issued
by the Section of Culture and Information that (Issawi)
represents himself only and the weak people around
him, but certainly the Anbar's people disapproves of
any foreign military presence on the territory of the
province, rejecting this idea totally, and they will
protest against that by all means; because they
realize the seriousness of the implications of this
presence over Iraq and its people.
It explained that this irresponsible request
detrimental to the history of the province known to
resist the brutal American occupation , as it
represented a pursue to a project of tearing Iraq and
the complexity of the scene in it, and it falls under
the dangerous marketing for reoccupation forces on the
ground after returning via air war under the pretext
of fighting (terrorism).
The Association of Muslim Scholars concluded at the
end of press release to say: "The people of Anbar, as
they well known of their pride, can not remain silent
concerning such shameful statements, stressing that
the invitation of occupation to return to Iraq can not
be spoken by any honest Iraqi citizen".
Meanwhile, in another sign of the sectarian militia
criminal activities; local residents in the area (Yathrib)
of the district Balad south of Tikrit, have found
bodies of 13 people, who have been kidnapped by the
government-backed militia earlier, dumped at a farm in
the area, the victims have been killed by shooting in
head and chest, after being handcuffed and
blindfolded.
While, a government policeman was killed and 15 others
wounded, including civilians, after a bicycle bomb on
Monday in the district (Qadisiya) south of the city of
Kirkuk, the center of the province of Tamim.
In a related context,the killing of a militiaman of
the so-called "Popular Mobilization" and (12) others
injured, including members of the government police in
two separate attacks Monday morning on checkpoints of
those militia in the areas of (Owaynat) and the
neighborhood (Mutassim) of Samarra, south of Tikrit,
the center of the province of Salahuddin.
Meanwhile, an attack on a government military patrol,
killing two soldiers and four more wounded Monday in
two bombs, on the farms road in the district (El'ethaim)
north of the city of Baquba, capital of Diyala
province.
In a similar attack, four people from the same family
were injured, including two children, when a bomb
exploded on Monday inside an orchard in the village of
(Abu Karma) of the district (Abe Syda) northeast of
the city of Baquba.
Died his wounds, the member at Qara Teppa Town Local
Council, Hussein Abdel-Hamid, where he was seriously
injured by the deadliest bombings yesterday amid the
town, that killed and wounded more than 156 people,
including another member of the town council, Qasim
Reza, also killed in the same attack.
In Baghdad, killing at least 22 people, including
members of the government police and more than 41
others wounded in a car bomb in Aden Square at the
area of ??Kazimiyah.
Whereas, the killing of (12) people and wounding 35
others in simultaneous explosions Monday evening in
Sadr City and Habibiya of Baghdad .
Moreover, at least one person was killed, and five
others wounded; following the explosion of an
improvised explosive device Monday evening in front of
a liquor store at Sadoun street in central Baghdad.
In another attack; a car bomb exploded in the center
of the city of Samarra, targeted a government
headquarters where militia of the so-called "Salam
Brigades" stationed there.
Agencies, AMIS, EsinIslam.Com
& Several News Outlets
Iraqi Government Imposes Curfew In The
Provincial Capital Of Ramadi Friday, Fearing Militants
In another messy measures of the current government,
press sources at the city of Ramadi said Friday, the
government authorities there have imposed a curfew on
numerous districts of the city.
The sources pointed out that the government army
troops and the Awakening forces, as well as the
so-called "Anbar Provincial Council," announced in a
joint statement published in the local media; impose
the curfew starting one hour after midnight last night
until further notice, noting that this decision comes
because of fear of possible attack waged by insurgents
who control almost the Anbar province.
Meanwhile, as a confirmation of the international
occupation intention to deploy ground forces in Iraq,
the Italian government sent (280) soldiers and three
reconnaissance planes to Baghdad and Erbil, and in the
framework of the new war waged by the international
forces in Iraq and Syria, as press sources and news
agencies confirmed on Friday.
The sources pointed out, quoting Italian Secretary of
Defense (Roberta Pinotti) said in a press statement;
The Rome sent (200), who were described as "advisers"
to the province of Arbil northern Iraq, in addition to
three reconnaissance planes, adding that her country
intends also - in this context - to send (80) others
to Baghdad.
In continous air raids by the government warplanes,
was bombed on Friday morning civilian areas in
Salahuddin province, killing nine people and injuring
14 others, while they were performing Friday prayers;
in a mosque in the area (Albu-Ajeel) east of the city
of Tikrit, as well as damages and material losses.
As winter comes the suffering of the displaced
increases, where sources in Diyala province on Friday;
informed that the camps for the displaced in the
district (Khanaqin) north of the province; threatening
of a serious humanitarian disaster due to heavy rains
over the past few hours.
Members of sectarian militias supported by the
government security agencies have killed a farmer and
his wife on Friday evening, when they were working at
their field in a village of the district (Khalis)
north of the city of Baquba, capital of Diyala
province.
In Diyala as well, Members of sectarian militias
wearing government army uniform; have carried out
abduction of five citizens from the province on Friday
in different parts of the city of Baquba, and took
them to an unknown destination.
The sources indicated that this kidnapping happened
while the security checkpoints of government agencies
not only were watching, but providing them information
about the areas and the people who they live there,
pointing out that these practices became a repeated
incidents , as well as most of the people who have
been kidnapped killed after being tortured.
A new wave of car bombings rocked parts of the
capital, where a car bomb exploded in the area (Baladyat)
east of the capital killed 15 people and wounded 33
others, whereas killed and wounded 21 people in a
similar blast in the area (Karrada) , while six people
were killed and 19 others wounded in a third car bomb
nearby a government police checkpoint in Sadr City,
moreover three civilians have been killed and 11
others injured in a bombing of another explosive-laden
car in the area (Suleikh) northeast of the capital.
Bomb Kills Anbar Police Chief, As The Militants Are
Just A "20-minute Drive" From The Capital Baghdad
The police chief of Anbar province, Major General
(Ahmed Saddag al-Dulaimi) has been killed in a
roadside bomb targeted his convoy Sunday morning in
the area Albo Richa northern the provincial capital of
Ramadi.
After that, deadliest bombings struck town (Qara
Tappah), killing at least 22 people and wounded more
than 134 others, including leading figures in the
political parties and members of the security, the
result of three simultaneous bombings, a car bomb and
two explosive belts, on Sunday targeted government
departments and the police station, amid the town that
located northeast of the city of Baquba, Diyala
province.
Meanwhile, two people were killed and injured five
others from the same family in a bomb explosion Sunday
morning in the area (Shiftah) the center of the city
of Baquba.
In the capital, three people were killed, including a
government soldier and wounded ten others, including
four soldiers as a result of two bombs one in the area
Latifiya and the other in the district Sha'ab Sunday
morning south and north of Baghdad.
Unidentified gunmen have killed a government policeman
in an attack targeted him Sunday afternoon in the area
of ??Palestine Street in eastern Baghdad, while two
bodies of men have also been found north of Baghdad.
The killing of a member of the so-called "Popular
Mobilization" and nine others were wounded, including
two government policemen in three bombs, one of them
an adhesive in the districts of Dujail and Samarra on
Sunday morning south of the city of Tikrit, the
province of Salahuddin.
In related context, two people were killed, a
government police sources said they were civilians,
and wounded three members of the militias called
"Popular Mobilization" on Sunday in a blast on the
road leading to the Bakr Air Base near the district (Balad)
and also during clashes in the Dujail area south of
the province of Salahuddin .
In Salahuddin province, as well, killing four people
from one family, including two children; due to the
fall of a mortar shell fired by the government army on
their home on Sunday evening in the area (Albu Ajil)
east of the city of Tikrit, while a car bomb exploded
at a government checkpoint in Samarra, leaving
material damage only.
Whereas, a civilian was killed and eight others
wounded wounded; result of renewed barrel bombs
dropping practiced by government forces and artillery
shelling on Sunday evening on the city of Fallujah,
the largest city in Anbar province.
Agencies, AMIS, EsinIslam.Com
& Several News Outlets
Opposition Accuses Turkish Government Of
Supporting ISIS
By Markaz Kavkaz
Turkey opposes the Assad regime and the Ad Dawla al-Islamiyya/Islamic
State (IS), said Prime Minister Ahmed Davutoglu,
reported Turkish media. According to him, the main
reason for all the problems in Syria is the Assad
regime.
He denied the words of the head of the opposition
Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi/Republican People's Party (RPP)
Kemal Kilicdaroglu that Turkey's government supports
the IS.
According to Davutoglu, if Kilicdaroglu has evidence
that the Turkish government "supports terrorists", he
must show it to the public.
The head of the opposition RPP said on the eve that
the government of Turkey supports the IS in Syria and
Iraq.
Earlier on Wednesday, Davutoglu said that Turkey is
"the only force that will be able to protect the
rights of residents of the Syrian city of Kobani".
Meanwhile, the fightings for Kobani (aka Ayn al-Arab)
is continuing. Information reported from the place is
highly controversial. On Wednesday, the command of the
Kurds has acknowledged that the IS units captured 30%
of the city. On Thursday, they said, as a result of
air strikes, IS units retreated, retaining only a few
houses on the outskirts of Kobani.
However, on Friday a number of Arab media and the
"Syrian monitoring group" reported that the IS units
again moved to the center of the city and captured the
headquarters of the Kurdish group Yekineyen Parastina/People's
Protection Units (PPU). According to Al-Arabiya, the
IS controls up to 40% of Kobani.
Meanwhile in Turkey, the actions of Yazidi Kurds and
supporters of the Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan/Kurdistan
Workers' Party (KWP) are continuing. KWP and Yazidis
demand from Ankara to send units to Syria to protect
Kobani.
Mass pogroms are taking place in the Turkish provinces
of Diyarbakir, Mardin, Siirt, Mus, Van and Batman.
Yazidi Kurds and supporters of the KWP attack the
Muslim Kurds, who in turn are organized into
self-defense units.
Classes suspended in the schools of the Turkish
provinces of Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Van, Batman and
Tunceli. In addition, all flights to the province of
Diyarbakir in south-eastern Turkey of the aircraft
belonging to Turkish Airlines have been suspended due
to the worsening situation.
A statement on the situation in the regions where
there have been riots was made by Interior Minister of
Turkey Efkan Ala, reported the news agency Anadolu.
The victims of the riots in Turkey became 31 people,
221 injured. According to him, during the riots, were
killed two police officers and 139 were injured.
Completely destroyed or damaged: 1113 buildings - 212
schools, 67 police stations, 25 buildings
administrations, 29 offices parties, children's
shelters, blood donation centers of the Turk Kizilayi/Turkish
Red Crescent (TRC), 780 municipal and other
facilities.
Private cars, vehicles belonging to administrative
bodies, ambulances and police cars have been also
burned down, a total of unusable cars reached 1177.
Agencies, AMIS, EsinIslam.Com
& Several News Outlets
Khan Dhari Disapproves of Government-backed
Militia Crimes
Residents of the area (Khan Dhari) in the district
(Abu Ghraib) of Baghdad; began an open general strike
on Saturday; protest against the crimes that
committing by the sectarian government-backed militias
against civilians there, which was not the last, the
abduction of a muezzin - a person who call for prayer
- of a mosque in the area.
According to press sources from the district, the
militiamen of the so-called "Popular Mobilization"
proceeded to kidnap (Majid Hameed Mrair) the muezzin
"Al-Habib Al-Mustafa Mosque", within the framework of
the ongoing crimes committed against citizens there ..
noting that the militia insist on demanding a big sum
of money as a ransom for his release.
In a related development; reports from (Khan Dhari)
and its surrounding areas; confirmed that the militia
of "popular mobilization" committed another crimes by
stealing shops and private buildings, as well as the
theft of citizens' cars, in addition to crimes of
kidnappings and bargaining .
According to the reports; payment demanded after each
crime of kidnapping was no less than two hundred
thousand dollars, pointing out that the abducted
civilians this way - so far - exceeded (17) people.
Meanwhile, three car bombs have killed at least 43
people and injured 87 others; the explosions were
simultaneously on Saturday evening in the areas
Kazimiyah and Shu'la of the capital, Baghdad.
In central Baghdad, two people were killed and four
others wounded in an adhesive bomb was installed
inside a minibus type (Kia) exploded Saturday as it
passed in the area (Bab Sharqi) downtown the capital.
In a second incident of its kind in the capital today,
one person was killed and five others injured in a
bomb explosion on Saturday morning in the area (Adhamiya)
north of Baghdad.
In the same context, at least 7 people have been
killed and 27 others injured in an explosive belt on
Saturday, unknown person was worn, blew himself up
amid a popular market in village of (Mishahda) of the
district (TARMIYA) north of the capital Baghdad.
Two people were killed and two others wounded
critically in a bomb explosion on Saturday in the
Ummal neighborhood south of the city of Baquba,
capital of Diyala province.
In the framework of the continuous targeting of
journalists, the killing of the journalist (Ra'ad al-Azzawi)
and three of his brothers in an armed attack targeted
his house on Saturday in the area (Rwbaitha) east of
the city of Tikrit, the center of the province of
Salahuddin.
Furthermore, at least three militiamen of the
so-called "Popular Mobilization" have been kille , and
nine others injured, some of them in a critical
condition; by the explosion of a booby-trapped home on
Saturday in the area (Alzla'ah) south of the city of
Tikrit.
Following a noisy altercation with weapons, four
people were killed and another wounded, was seriously
injured on Friday in the area (Albujasm) south of
Falluja, the largest city in Anbar province.
Moreover, two civilians were killed and three wounded,
seriously wounded by the continued governmental
shelling, which targeted residential areas in Fallujah
on Saturday.
In Ramadi, killing two members of the government
police and seven others were injured, including two
members of the Awakening forces, in an armed attack by
unknown militants targeted a joint checkpoint Saturday
afternoon in the vicinity of the island (Albu Risha)
north of the city, the capital of Anbar province.
To the northern of Iraq, an officer of the Peshmerga
forces was killed and three other members of those
forces wounded following armed clashes with
unidentified gunmen on Friday night in the area (Mariam
Beck) south of the city of Kirkuk, the capital of the
province of Tamim.
And to the south of Iraq, medical sources at the
governorate of Basra announced on Saturday evening;
found of a body of a woman had been killed by
shooting, it has believed that members of sectarian
militia backed by the current government have
committed the crime of assassination.
Agencies, AMIS, EsinIslam.Com
& Several News Outlets
US To Send 500 Troops To Iraq, For The First
Time Since The Withdrawal Of Military Personnel In
2011 :The Times
The Times newspaper of UK, said that the United States
has decided for the first time since the withdrawal of
its troops from the occupied Iraq three years ago,
sending 500 troops stationed at a military base there.
The newspaper said Wednesday that Washington's
decision came after a meeting held yesterday at the
base (Andrews) attended by the chiefs of staff of the
armies of 21 countries around the world, to discuss
the mechanism and ways to counter the insurgency in
Iraq and Syria.
The newspaper indicated that the President (Barack
Obama) attended the meeting, held talks with military
leaders of those countries, where announced his
intention to send 500 infantry soldiers from the first
Division to Iraq inorder to support the collapsed
government forces there.
Meanwhile, foreign minister in the current government
(Ibrahim al-Jaafari), yesterday, expressed his refusal
to deploy any foreign ground forces in Iraq ..
stressing that Iraq did not send a request to the
United Nations in this regard.
Continous raiding on Anbar cities, killed nine
civilians, including women and children, and wounded
16 others as a result of intense airstrikes carried
out by government aircraft and the International
Coalition Wednesday morning the center of Fallujah,
the largest city in Anbar province.
Witnesses in Fallujah: "The warplanes launched seven
raids on several locations near the old bridge
downtown, caused the deaths of nine people on the
spot, including four women and two children, and
wounding 16 others, as well as the burning and
destruction of five civilian cars .. pointing to
spread a state of fear and panic among citizens due to
heavy and continuous shelling; prompting a large
number of residents to flee the city again .
At the same time, eight members of the so-called
"popular mobilization" were injured as a result of
armed clashes in the area Alzlayah and the village of
Ouja Wednesday afternoon south of the city of Tikrit,
the center of the province of Salahuddin.
In Samarra, two members of the so-called "popular
crowd" have been killed and 15 others wounded as a
result of fierce clashes Wednesday evening.
Two civilians were killed as a result of two separate
armed attacks Wednesday evening in areas of Khachiyah
and Hay al-Damouk north and northeast of the city of
Kut, Wasit province, without knowing the reasons and
motives of the attacks.
Whereas, sectarian militias backed by the current
government assassinated Omar Abdullah Najim, aged (25)
years in front of his home on Wednesday in the village
(Elebat) amid spend (Khalis) north of the city of
Baquba, Diyala province.
In the capital, Baghdad, three people were killed and
14 others wounded in two bombs in the area of Sydea
and the area Al-Neairia subsidiary of New Baghdad
Wednesday evening.
In addition, dozens of employees of Al Hussein
Teaching Hospital in the city of Nasiriyah, Dhi Qar
province on Wednesday morning, organized a sit-in in
front of the hospital to protest against a government
officer's assault on one of the employees of the
hospital on Tuesday.
News releases from the province said that the sit-in
participants demanding the officer to apology for whom
have been subjected to the unprovoked attack, and to
hold the aggressor and pledge not to repeat such
abhorrent acts, which has become hallmark of the
security services, which grew up under the brutal
occupation.
Moreover, a person was killed and another suffered
condition of suffocation due to the outbreak of a fire
in a very large market (Al-Ashar) Tuesday evening
downtown Basra, governorate center.
In another evolution reflects the confusion of the
current government due to successive blows has had
recently, the Anbar provincial council confirmed the
dismiss of the commander of the so-called "Anbar
Operations Command," Major General Rashid Falaih, and
naming Lt. Gen. Tariq al-Azzawi to replace him, as it
was the appointment of Major General (Kazim Fahdawi)
chief of the provincial police, to take over the
position of Major General (Ahmed Saddag al-Dulaimi),
who was killed in an IED attack two days ago.
Citing (Ahmed Humaid Sharqi) the head of the so-called
security committee in the Anbar provincial council, as
saying in a statement published today: The Council
issued in coordination with the competent authorities
in Baghdad, a decision to dismiss Gen. (Rashid Flaih)
from his position, after his failure in the management
of the battles against the militants, and also the
Council decided to appoint Lt. Gen. (Tareq al-Azzawi)
instead of him. "
In Salahuddin province, the ongoing violence killed
four people, including two members of the so-called
popular mobilization in two separate incidents Tuesday
afternoon south of the northern city of Tikrit, where
a sniper open fire from a machine gun on the two
members in the area (Awainat ) south of Tikrit, which
resulted in death of both on site, while one civilian
and his daughter were killed after a mortar attack on
their home in the neighborhood of Baiji, north of
Tikrit.
While, in vague circumstances a government security
force has found Tuesday afternoon (30) bodies of
unidentified people were killed by shooting north of
the city of Hilla, Babil province, a government
security source said that a security force has found
the bodies, dumped in a sewer of a military units in
the old Camp of Mahaweel north of Hilla. "
Meanwhile, at least 14 people have been killed and 29
others wounded in a car bomb was driven by an unknown
person near the Abdul Mohsen al-Kazimi Square in the
area Kazimiyah Tuesday afternoon north of the capital
Baghdad, it was among the dead (Ahmed al-Khafaji)
member of the current parliament for the Basra
province within a block of Badr of the State of Law,
it is noted that this is the second blast of its kind
the area within the last 24 hours, where the region
witnessed Saturday evening, the killing of nine people
and wounding 31 others, by a similar attack in the
Yard of Aden.
In Baghdad, as well, three people were killed and nine
others wounded when a roadside bomb exploded Tuesday
evening near a popular market in the neighborhood (A'mil)
southwest of the capital.
In a similar attack, two civilians were killed and
seven others wounded when a roadside bomb exploded
Tuesday evening near a popular cafe in the
neighborhood (Zahra) east of the capital Baghdad.
In a fourth incident of its kind today, a civilian was
killed and eight others wounded when a roadside bomb
on Tuesday evening in the area (Bab Mu'zam) in central
Baghdad.
Furthermore, killing of a government soldier and 18
others wounded, including members of the so-called
"popular mobilization" by the clashes broke out
Tuesday evening in (Latifiyah) south of the capital.
Agencies, AMIS, EsinIslam.Com
& Several News Outlets
How ISIS Is Using Enemies Iran And US
Ammunitions In A Flow Supplies
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden apologized to Saudi
Arabia on Wednesday over recent remarks he made
suggesting Gulf states had supported extremist groups
in the region. Saudi Arabia is the third state Biden
has apologized to over remarks he made at Harvard
University last week. He apologized to Turkey and the
United Arab Emirates last weekend for having said U.S.
allies in the region were partly to blame for the rise
of ISIS in Syria.
However since the Vice President's gaffe, many
commentators have noticed America's usual policies of
looking the order way during weakness and defeats,
pointing out that the ISIS do not need much help from
the neighbouring Muslim states. Ammunitions reach the
Mujahidun at ease. "Ending up arming the brave on the
battlefields and at friends' backyards is what happens
naturally when you chose to arm the cowardly," no
observed.
Where Does ISIS Get Its Ammunition? New
Report Finds Arms Manufactured in Over 20 Countries
Hanna Sender writes:
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) are
firing American bullets. An investigation by the
European Union-funded Conflict Armament Research group
found the Sunni militant group, formerly known as the
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS, primarily
used ammunition manufactured in the United States,
China and Russia.
Investigators recovered more than 1,700 small-caliber
munitions from the Kurdish regions of northern Iraq
and northern Syria from July 22 to Aug. 15 to
determine the origin of ISIS ammunition.
Of the 1,730 cartridges in the sample, 73 percent were
manufactured in China (445), the Soviet Union (338),
the United States (323) and the Russian Federation
(154). Cartridges dated from 1945 to 2014, with 10
percent manufactured after 2010.
The presence of recently manufactured Iranian
ammunition, if transferred deliberately, is an
indication Iran violated a 2006 U.N. Security Council
Resolution that prohibits Iran's export of ammunition.
Ten cartridges manufactured in Iran after 2010 were
recovered as part of the sample.
Nearly half of the recently manufactured ammunition
used by ISIS are 7.62 x 54R mm-caliber ammunition used
in PKM-pattern general-purpose machine guns and
rifles; 5.56 x 45 mm-caliber ammunition, a standard
NATO caliber used by Iraqi defense and security
forces, was the second-most-popular caliber recovered.
Despite its popularity, the 7.62 x 39 mm-caliber
ammunition used in Kalashnikovs made up only 5 percent
of the sample. Turkish 19 mm pistol ammunition,
however, comprised a sixth of the sample and was found
in both Iraq and Syria.
The Center for Public Integrity said between capturing
arms on the battlefield and using oil sales revenue to
purchase weapons, ISIS has had little trouble
procuring large quantities of ammunition. "The fact
that the armaments have such disparate sources -- some
were even made at a major U.S. munitions plant in
Missouri -- provides a cautionary note as Washington
prepares to undertake expanded shipments of military
supplies, including small arms, to rebel groups in
Syria and to a revived Iraqi Army force."
ISIS Guide Explains How To Shoot Down US
Apache Helicopters
Just days after the United States began using Apache
helicopters against the Islamic State group in Iraq,
ISIS has responded by producing a guide to shooting
down the iconic aircraft. The guide, which has been
circulating on social media, explains in minute detail
how to use portable surface-to-air missiles, such as
the Russian-made SA-16 and SA-18 and the American
FIM-92 Stinger, against the attack helicopter.
The Stinger was heavily used during the Soviet
invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s, when the
shoulder-fired missiles provided by the U.S. to
mujahideen fighters proved very effective at shooting
down Soviet helicopters. They also saw use against
Russian aircraft during the first and second Chechen
wars, which took place from 1994 to 1996 and 1999 to
2009, respectively. The guide will serve as a reminder
for the ISIS fighters who took part in those conflicts
before joining the ranks of the Sunni extremist group
in Iraq and Syria. For new recruits, the guide is a
detailed primer on how to target successfully the
Apaches by defeating their countermeasures.
The introduction of the Apaches in Iraq comes at a
time when ISIS is being buoyed by the major advances
it is making in Syria, where it is close to capturing
the strategically important town of Kobane, and Iraq's
capital Baghdad, where ISIS has come within shooting
distance of the city.
But perhaps what makes the use of the aircraft most
significant is that it represents a significant
escalation of the risk being taken by U.S. forces.
"Fixed-wing aircraft flying at 30,000 feet are
completely immune from the type of weapons that
Islamic State fighters have, but a helicopter is not,"
said Christopher Harmer, a former U.S. Navy aviator
who is now an analyst at the Institute for the Study
of War, a think tank. "When you're flying a helicopter
150 feet above the ground, that helicopter can be shot
with a rocket-propelled grenade or a heavy machine gun
… so yes, it is much more dangerous."
The Boeing-made aircraft, known as the AH-64, is
particularly accurate and adept at operating in enemy
territory at night, and has countermeasures to defeat
missiles that home in on the heat generated by its
exhaust. However, the guide points out each of the
Apache's weak spots in order to inflict the most
amount of damage on the aircraft and ensure that the
pilot and navigator are killed. At least 10 Apaches
have been shot down in Iraq since the U.S.-led
invasion in 2003, according to a tally from several
published reports.
The guide, posted by an ISIS supporter using the name
Nasser Al-Sharia, says that the aircraft should be
ambushed at a distance of 1,500 meters or slightly
less than one mile, while the helicopter is in the
clear line of sight of the shooter. It then says that
a sniper should shoot the crew as they try to bail
from the aircraft.
Another aircraft vulnerable to small arms and
shoulder-fired missiles is the A-10, whose
introduction to Iraq may also be cause for concern;
the shooting down of one of the slow, low-flying jets
may result in U.S. pilots being taken hostage by ISIS.
International Business Times Christopher Harress
Revolutionaries Manage To Control Most Of
Anbar Territory Despite The Non-stop Mortar Shelling
By The Government Army On Civilian Areas
According to reports from Anbar province on Sunday;
citing of a high-level military source, saying, after
fierce fighting; the government troops forced to
retreat in front of the advance of the gunmen in the
city of Ramadi, the center of the province.
The source explained in remarks; that the government
army units that were deployed in a number of
neighborhoods of the city of Ramadi, withdrew from all
their positions, and were stationed at the
headquarters of the so-called "Anbar Operations
Command," which is located in the region of the
presidential palaces northern the city.
The source did not disclose the reasons for such
withdrawal; admitted that Ramadi now under the control
of armed men, while local sources confirmed that the
advance of the militants led members of the military
to escape, who have suffered losses in lives and
equipment, but did not know the details yet.
At the same time, the government army and its
pro-militias continued bombing of the cities of Anbar
province yesterday evening, by mortar and artillery,
as well as missiles, what caused the deaths and injury
of civilians is not yet known.
In this context, dozens of families forced to flee
their homes in the district Heat, western Anbar
province, within the last few hours; result of violent
aerial and artillery bombardment implemented by
government forces as well as the heated battles near
the district few days ago.
According to another reports; the government army
forces along with militias and the Awakening; suffered
a new defeat after clashed with gunmen seized control
of the center of the district of Heat earlier, what
made these forces take retaliatory action against
residents after its inability to withstand attacks by
insurgents.
In Tamim province, eight members of the forces "Peshmerga"
were wounded, some of them in serious condition; due
to the fall of a number of mortar shells at the
headquarters of gathering Sunday afternoon in the
village (Al-Abada) of the district (DAQUQ) south of
the city of Kirkuk.
As a government soldier was wounded when a roadside
bomb targeted a military patrol in Salahuddin
province.
While, two civilians were killed including a child,
and wounded six others with various injuries; result
of a bomb explosion on Sunday near a popular park in
the (al-Jihad neighborhood) in which families gather
to celebrate Eid south west of the capital Baghdad, in
the fourth accident since yesterday.
As mortar shells landed on a checkpoint of the
Awakening forces on Sunday evening in the region (Arab
Jabour) of the area (Dora) south of the capital
Baghdad, killing and wounding four policemen, also
wounding four civilians who were near the place.
In continued to target the competencies, a university
professor was seriously wounded, and his son was
killed in an adhesive bomb in his car on a Sunday
evening in the area (Saydea) southwest of the capital
Baghdad, which is witnessing a new wave of bombings
that killed dozens.
One person was killed and eight others wounded as a
result of the non-stop mortar shelling by the
government army on civilian areas in Falluja, the
largest city in Anbar province, on Monday.
At the same time, 18 civilians were killed, including
three women and eight children as a result of
airstrikes by the fighter jets of the international
coalition that targeted three houses in the city
(Heat), Monday afternoon west of the city of Ramadi,
Anbar province.
In related context, (11) members of the so-called
popular crowd were injured as a result of armed
clashes Sunday evening in the village (Hethera) of the
district (Balad) south of the city of Tikrit, the
center of the province of Salahuddin.
It also killed six government policemen and militiamen
of the so-called popular crowd and wounded nine others
following armed clashes on Monday evening in the area
(Aziz Balad) of the district (Balad) as well.
To the south of Baghdad, two government policemen were
injured after a roadside bomb targeted their patrol on
the main road in the district (Jurf Al-Sakhar) Monday
morning north of the city of Hilla, Babil province.
Furthermore, two government policemen were killed, and
three more wounded when a roadside bomb targeted their
patrol on Monday in the area (Radwaniyah) west of the
capital Baghdad.
Whereas, two incidents led to the killing of two
members of the Awakening forces and one civilian and
wounded 13 others, including six members of the
government security agencies when an armed attack on a
joint checkpoint in the village (Mishahda) of the
district (TARMIYA) and an adhesive bomb was installed
in a (Kia bus) while passing in the area (Bayaa)
Monday afternoon north and south of the capital
Baghdad.
While three people were killed, including an officer
with the rank of captain at the current Interior
Ministry and wounded ten others as a result of two
separate blasts Monday evening in the area (Adhamiya)
and the district (Madain) north and south of the
capital Baghdad.
In the east of the capital, unidentified gunmen
assassinated an engineer works in the Ministry of
Science and Technology during an armed attack targeted
him Monday evening as he was passing in his car on the
high-way Mohammed Al-Qasim eastern Baghdad.
Agencies, AMIS, EsinIslam.Com
& Several News Outlets
Bush Man Panetta Says '30-Year War' Against
ISIS While Biden Suggests Panetta Should Wait Until
Obama Leaves Office to Say That
Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was harshly
critical of President Obama's handling of the new ISIS
war, saying the US could have sustained the 2011 Iraq
occupation and started arming Syrian rebels even
sooner than they did.
But perhaps the most eye-opening comment in has new
book tour was that he believes the conflict is a
"30-year war" that will extend across the world,
including campaigns in Nigeria, Somalia, and Libya,
among other places.
Panetta's new book, entitled Worthy Fights, argues
that the Obama Administration repeatedly erred by not
taking more hawkish positions, including says the US
should've invaded Syria outright in 2013 instead of
making the deal for Syria to scrap its chemical
weapons.
He went on to argue that the 30-year world war he
envisions is a chance to "repair the damage" caused by
lot launching massive wars in the previous few years,
calling the lack of wars "missed opportunities."
Vice President Joe Biden was quick to criticize
Panetta, although not on the content of his hawkish
comments. Rather, Biden said it was "inappropriate"
for Panetta to criticize Obama at all, on anything,
until after 2016, and that he should "at least give
the guy a chance to get out of office."
It is unclear how far afield, however, Panetta's
assessment of a 30-year war actually is from the Obama
Administration's own vision of an open-ended conflict,
as officials have talked up the conflict lasting many
years, and Obama himself said the decisions of the war
were to be made by the next president "and probably
the one after that."
Iraq Clears Aussie Troops for ISIS
Ground War: PM Ruled Out Any Foreign Troops in Iraq
Only Last Week
Less than a week ago, Iraqi Prime Minister Hayder
Abadi insisted that no foreign ground troops would be
welcome in his nation, and that he was confident the
Iraqi military could defeat ISIS with Western air
support alone.
Today, Australian officials confirmed they've been
given approval by the Abadi government for the
deployment of their special forces ground troops into
Iraq to fight against ISIS.
Australian officials familiar with the situation say
that the approximately 200 troops will be "bolstering
local forces on the ground," and that part of their
mission will be spotting for US airstrikes.
The terms of the agreement with Iraq were not made
public, but officials say that the troops were given
needed legal cover in case they end up killing Iraqi
civilians in the course of the conflict.
US Helicopter Strikes Against ISIS
Increase Shootdown Risk: Low-Flying Apache Helicopters
Could Be Easy Targets
On Sunday, the Pentagon had announced that its air war
against ISIS in Iraq was now including attacks by
AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, operating out of the
Baghdad airport and carrying Hellfire and other
missiles.
Officials are presenting the helicopters as likely to
be more accurate than the warplanes flying 30,000 feet
overhead, in spite of a long line of civilian
casualties caused in helicopter attacks during the
last Iraq war.
The big difference, rather, is that the Apaches are
far more likely to be shot down by ISIS, flying at
much lower altitudes more readily reached by the
shoulder-fired missiles ISIS is awash in, provided to
target Syrian helicopters doing the exact same thing
The eventuality of such a shootdown is likely to mean
US ground troops sent on rescue missions to try to
recover the downed pilots. This could end up being the
pretext for launching a ground operation against ISIS,
and such an incident seems only a matter of time.
Agencies, EsinIslam.Com
& Several News Outlets - Antiwar Jason Ditzo Contributed To This Report
US Airstrikes Kill
22 Civilians in Iraqi Market - Attack Hit Apartments
Around Marketplace
A Monday US airstrike against the ISIS-held town of
Hit has killed at least 22 Iraqi civilians, and
wounded many more, according to locals. The strikes
hit a marketplace, along with apartments alongside the
market.
Locals say they believe the intended target was a
building containing ISIS fighters, just down the road,
but the indications are that that building wasn't hit,
with locals saying it was likely a "mistake."
Centcom's own statement on the matter simply mentions
an airstrike west of Ramadi hitting a "ISIS-held
building," but offered no details on casualties.
The Pentagon further claimed the incident of civilian
deaths was "false" and that they had seen no evidence
of any civilians killed, the same blanket statement
they've made for every other airstrike in Iraq and
Syria, even after they've been confirmed to kill
civilians.
The lack of decent intelligence on what the US is
actually hitting in airstrikes is likely to give way
to more such incidents in the weeks, months, and years
to come, as officials continue to ratchet up the air
war.
Syrian Kurds: Airstrikes
Against ISIS Aren't Working: Strikes Focus on Ayn
al-Arab, But Aren't Stopping ISIS Advance
Since the US began its air war
against ISIS in Syria last week, the majority of the
strikes have centered around the Kurdish town of
Kobani, trying to stop ISIS from taking the key town
along the Syria-Turkey border.
The Kurdish forces still trying to defend the town,
however, warn that the airstrikes aren't working, and
that ISIS is simply evading the strikes and continuing
its advance against Kobani (Ayn al-Arab in Arabic).
The Kurdish fighters on the ground tried to spin this
as proof that they need ground troops and heavy
weapons to fight ISIS, adding to a chorus from
Congressional hawks like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R - SC)
demanding an immediate ground war in Syria.
The reality, though, is that this is just one more
sign that the ISIS war in general was ill-conceived
and not going to work, and while some factions on the
ground might squeeze near-term benefits out of a
dramatic further escalation, the war itself seems to
be continuing on in spite of its own failing nature,
with a momentum all its own.
Agencies, EsinIslam.Com
& Several News Outlets - Antiwar Jason Ditzo Contributed To This Report
180 Islamic State
Fighters Released By Turkey In Prisoner Swap For 46
Turkish Workers - That's A Nice ISIS Bargain
Turkey released 120 Islamic State militants in
exchange for 46 Turkish consular workers and their
families kidnapped by the Islamic State in Mosul in
June.
Israel's Haaretz
reports:
Officials in the British Defence Department have
confirmed that two British jihadists were released in
a prisoner exchange between Turkey and the Islamic
State group, the BBC reported Monday.
According to the BBC report, the officials named the
two British jihadists that were released as a part of
a group of 180 Islamic State militants released by
Turkey in exchange for 46 Turkish consular workers and
their families kidnapped by the Islamic State in Mosul
in June.
The British newspaper The Times reported, based on
documents it has obtained, that among the jihadists
released were three Frenchmen, two Macedonians, two
Swedes, a Swiss national, and a Belgian. According to
the report the jihadists were either held in Turkish
hospitals and prisons, or were held by moderate Syrian
rebels.
The details of the prisoner swap, which took place
last month, had gone unreported until now. Two weeks
ago, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was
asked about the prisoner swap, he did not confirm the
swap took place, but didn't deny that it took place
either.
Israel's Haaretz
In Jihadist-ruled
Iraqi City, Residents Fear US Airstrikes - And
Sectarian Revenge
Mosul is the largest city in northern Iraq and its
capture in June by Islamic State was a major blow to
Baghdad. Some Sunni residents welcomed their new
rulers, but tensions are rising over a future assault
by US-backed troops.
By Dominique Soguel, The
Christian Science Monitor
Four months after a band of Sunni jihadists captured
their city with shocking ease, residents of Mosul are
bracing for possible US-led airstrikes. As the US and
its allies have stepped up a bombing campaign in Iraq
against the Islamic State, Sunni residents of Mosul
say militants have lowered their profile and switched
up tactics.
For these residents, some of whom cheered the retreat
of Iraq's unpopular Shiite-led military, the risk of a
bombing campaign - and the limits of its effectiveness
- is playing on their nerves, along with lingering
fears of what could happen to them if the same
Shiite-led forces recapture their city.
"In the past 10 days, the presence of the Islamic
State has changed in the streets. The Arabs who came
in the beginning are back in more numbers, moving in
normal cars rather than four-wheel drives to escape
aerial detection," says a Mosul-based journalist.
Yet the US envoy coordinating the anti-IS coalition
said Friday that a full-bore offensive to retake Mosul
could be up to a year away. Gen. (ret.) John Allen, a
former Marine, told reporters in Baghdad that it would
be a protracted task. "It's not a single battle. It's
a campaign," he said.
Foreign fighters made up the striking force that swept
into Mosul in June. But after taking the city, and
looting US-supplied military hardware from abandoned
bases, many of them pushed on towards Baghdad. Others
returned to Syria, where IS also controls large chunks
of territory. Iraqis loyal to the group, which has its
roots in an al-Qaeda resistance to the US occupation,
were left in charge to run everyday affairs.
"Nobody forced us to join the Islamic State but many
people joined voluntarily," says Sheikh Abu
Abdelrahman, a tribal leader living in the city. "We
have more freedom now - no curfew, no more checkpoints
and no more anti-blast walls. The hospitals run all
day. They relaxed things. Mosul looks as it did under
Saddam Hussein's time. We're free."
Many other Mosul tribal leaders have sworn loyalty to
Islamic State. Refusing to do so is a risky move, as
the group has been ruthless in silencing dissent, even
within its own sectarian base.
An Imam was allegedly executed on Sept. 9 in western
Mosul for failing to swear allegiance to IS. The group
has also targeted former policemen and army officers
to preempt potential threats, the United Nations said
last week in a report.
This month alone, the group executed sixty men in
Mosul, all sentenced to death by their self-appointed
Islamic court. On Sept. 5, three Sunni women were
executed, allegedly for refusing to treat IS fighters,
and two more were summarily killed on Sept. 9,
according to the UN report.
City spared by airstrikes
Airstrikes by Iraqi Security Forces and the US-led
coalition have hit areas in the outskirts of Mosul but
so far spared the city itself. Sunni militants there
are still taking precautions. Mosul residents say they
now move on bicycles to blend in with civilians.
Internet connections were cut after President Barack
Obama's Sept. 24 speech at the UN General Assembly
where he pressed world leaders to join America in the
fight against IS. He said "it is time for the world -
especially Muslim communities - to explicitly,
forcefully, and consistently reject the ideology of
Al-Qaeda and [IS]."
The effectiveness of US-led airstrikes in Iraq is
still up for debate. While Iraqi security forces and
Shiite and Kurdish militia have made gains on some
fronts, militants have also captured towns close to
Baghdad. And the Iraqi Army hasn't made any push on
cities like Mosul, the largest in northern Iraq with a
population of up to 3 million, of which some half
million are estimated to have fled since June.
A former Iraqi intelligence officer aligned with Sunni
insurgents downplays the impact an air campaign could
have on IS in the long term. "They know this strategy,
it was used against them in Iraq and Chechnya. It is
very easy for them to adapt to air strikes. They just
stop using network connections and cell phones. It is
easy to avoid them."
When IS forces entered Mosul, sending the
Shiite-commanded Iraqi Army fleeing without a fight,
there was talk of a Sunni revolution in the
predominantly Sunni city. There was also relief as
military checkpoints were abandoned. The deal made
with former officers of the Saddam Hussein regime and
other militants in the city was that IS would leave
locals in charge.
Militants ruled by night
Sunni tribal leader Mohammed Faris Al-Duleimi says it
was easy for the group to take Mosul because its
sympathizers were already there. "Daash (IS), which
was then called Al-Qaeda, has been present in Mosul
since 2005. The government ruled by the day and Al-Qaeda
ruled by the night," he says.
The ex-intelligence officer in Baghdad says sleeper
cells were ready to move months before the June
offensive. He claims his warnings to the government in
Baghdad - that Mosul would fall unless Sunni demands
were met - went unheeded.
Yet the intolerant ideology of IS, particularly its
ruthless treatment of religious and ethnic minorities
has also stirred dissent in Mosul, especially among
educated professionals. They say IS is another
occupying force, one that has imposed stifling
religious rule on the city and destroyed ancient
shrines of Christians, Yazidis, as well as Shiite
mosques and the shrine of the Muslim Prophet Younes
(Jonas).
"The people of Mosul refuse to be put in the same
category as IS," says a doctor there. "The media
claims there is cooperation between Mosul citizens and
the IS and this is simply not true. The problem is
that they are occupied. They can't go to battle
against IS when soldiers run away and left the city to
them."
Fuel and power shortages
For most residents, daily life continues largely as
normal. Their main complaints concern the quality and
price of fuel, as well as shortages in electricity and
water. The best quality fuel from the Baiji refinery
is only available to IS. Residents can only buy petrol
from Syria, which is lower quality. As a result, they
pay at least two times more than Baghdad residents to
fill their cars.
Others are struggling to survive. Some government
employees no longer draw salaries. Women, especially
health workers, are under pressure to observe
draconian rules of Islamic decorum. IS has banned
smoking and ordered all women to wear hijabs.
Children as young as 12 are receiving military
training in Mosul City, according to the UN Assistance
Mission for Iraq, cited in the same report released
last week.
The Mosul-based doctor says many residents initially
hoped that the US air strikes in August heralded the
"beginning of the end" for the militant occupation of
Mosul. But now they are just concerned that civilian
areas will be hit, and that militias from Baghdad will
eventually roll in and kill without discrimination.
A lawyer from the city, who recently fled to Erbil,
echoes this worry. "Most people are afraid that if the
Islamic State is defeated it will be replaced by
Shiite militias or the Iraqi army which already has a
very bad reputation among the locals. The people of
Mosul are stuck between two hells: the Islamic State
and the air strikes," he says.
The Christian Science Monitor
Heavy Toll In Iraq's
"Forgotten" Anbar
IRIN
Ramadi and
Fallujah have been reduced to bombed-out wrecks with
hospitals, homes, schools and mosques having been
utterly destroyed
Nine months of shelling, airstrikes and street battles
have taken a heavy toll on Iraq's "forgotten" province
of Anbar, the first to be overrun by militants from
the group now calling itself the Islamic State (IS).
The cities of Ramadi and Fallujah have been reduced to
bombed-out wrecks: hospitals, homes, schools and
mosques have been destroyed; bridges blown up; and
bullet-pocked residential streets deserted, residents
and aid workers told IRIN.
The UN estimates that as many as 500,000 Anbaris have
been displaced from their homes since fighting began
between IS and Iraqi security forces in late December.
More than two-thirds of those families are displaced
within the governorate and, due to security issues,
receiving little to no humanitarian support. Last
week, IS advanced into the city of Heet, which is
hosting close to 100,000 internally displaced persons
(IDPs).
Sabah Karhut, chairman of Anbar Provincial Council,
told IRIN he believed the province had been
"forgotten."
"The international community has done nothing in Anbar.
We want them to be more involved and help our people.
There are so many displaced people... We need
medication, food."
Death from the skies
The start of the US-led bombing campaign in western
Iraq last month has yet to ease the humanitarian
crisis in the region. As IS militants have claimed
huge swathes of territory in recent months, their
brutal methods have forced mass displacement.
According to the latest Humanitarian Needs Overview
published on 25 September by the UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there are
360,803 IDPs in Anbar as well as 115,000 people in
areas under the control of armed groups. In total 63
percent of the 1.6 million in the region are
classified as "in need", the highest ratio of any
province. Across Anbar, 98 percent of IDPs reported
having insufficient access to food.
Some of the displaced are staying with relatives or
host communities, but many are sleeping in schools,
mosques, unfinished buildings or open-air settlements
with limited access to water, food and health care.
Since January, the Iraqi government has been using
airstrikes to try to quell the IS advance. Groups such
as Human Rights Watch have alleged that the government
has also used barrel bombs - crude improvised
explosive devices dropped from planes packed with
material that spreads on detonation causing
significant damage and injury. There has been
widespread condemnation of the apparently
indiscriminate nature of the Iraqi government's air
campaign inside Anbar.
Samir Allawi, 43, has first-hand experience of the
strikes. He told IRIN how he and his family left the
city of Fallujah in eastern Anbar in July after days
of bombardment of their neighbourhood.
"I lost 14 members of my family in one of these random
bombs," he said. "I can't forget that horrifying
scene. Their bodies were all over the place."
"There were no militants near their house. I don't
understand why innocents become the victims rather
than militants who [have] never been damaged much by
these strikes."
The father of three, now in Sulaymaniyah in the
semi-autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq's north, said
he wanted to return but "it's still too risky and I
don't want to lose any more of my family."
"The situation here is getting worse and worse every
day," a senior doctor from the university hospital in
Ramadi, who did not want to give his name for security
reasons, told IRIN.
"Recently we have seen a lot more casualties from the
airstrikes. Last week, just in my small neighbourhood,
[within] one day, two people I know - an engineer and
a student - were killed and 12 other people were badly
injured in fighting. And then this week my neighbour
was shot dead by a sniper."
IS still advancing
Across Anbar the front lines between the government
and IS fighters shift almost daily, with conflicting
reports about who commands each area. Yet the
militants appear to be gaining ground.
In late September, IS attacked Saqlawiyah, a
government military base north of Fallujah, reportedly
killing more than 300 Iraqi soldiers and later posting
photographs of the attack online.
And despite media claims from local government
officials that the threat of airstrikes was pushing IS
members to retreat, on 2 October the group overran the
town of Heet to the northwest of Ramadi and on 4
October seized the town of Kubaisa, posing a threat to
Ain al-Asad military base, used by Iraqi forces to
send troops and supplies to defend the province's
Haditha Dam.
Heet, in the Euphrates river valley, is a significant
take for IS, according to Washington-based think tank
the Institute for the Study of War, whose experts
believe it is part of a longer-term play to move into
the Baghdad belt.
According to the International Organization for
Migration, more than 100,000 IDPs are staying in Heet,
many of whom had already been displaced three of four
times. The town was one of the few parts of the
province to where humanitarian aid has been delivered
in recent months.
An aid worker in Heet told IRIN that it seemed IS had
been operating in parts of the city carrying out
suicide attacks for some time, but on 2 October
"stormed various parts of the town and took it",
adding that soon afterwards shelling and airstrikes
began.
In September, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)
reported figures from the Anbar Directorate of Health
showing 268 civilians were killed and 796 injured in
the governorate during the first eight months of the
year.
Some, however, say the number is far higher. Karhut,
of the Provincial Council, said he believed as many as
1,000 civilians had been killed, and blamed the Iraqi
military for indiscriminate attacks.
In September, following the bombing of a hospital in
Fallujah, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called for an
end to all airstrikes in civilian areas.
Karhut acknowledged there have not been any airstrikes
in civilian areas since then, but he said rockets
launched by Iraqi army ground forces had recently
fallen in residential areas after offensives by IS.
A desperate reality
In Anbar people continue as best they can. The doctor
said his area in Ramadi was still under government
control but he feared IS would take it soon. "This
city is on fire," he said. "The situation is very bad.
My own house is covered in bullet holes."
Describing desperate conditions at the hospital due to
a lack of drugs, surgical equipment and staff, many of
whom have fled, he said: "The hospital has had no
mains electricity for four months and we depend
totally on generators, but it is hard to get fuel and
spare parts."
Food was also in short supply, the doctor said,
explaining that basic items were now between 30 and
100 percent more expensive than this time last year.
The situation has been compounded by the fact that few
people are still working and receiving salaries.
"Another big problem is medical supplies for chronic
conditions like diabetes and basic drugs for
respiratory conditions," he said.
"Winter is coming and this is a real problem for the
children and the elderly because we will not be able
to supply them with drugs to cure simple conditions
from the cold. I am already seeing patients in my
clinic who need surgery because basic infections were
not treated because the people cannot afford drugs or
to access a doctor."
Due to the security concerns, only a handful of aid
organizations, such the International Committee for
the Red Cross (ICRC), the Iraqi Red Crescent Society
and some local groups, have been able to deliver
supplies to people in Anbar.
Last month, the World Food Programme (WFP) re-started
its distributions around Heet after a five-month
suspension, and more than 3,000 IDPs received core
relief kits made up of food, hygiene supplies and
other items, which the Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
distributed in Ramadi with help from community
volunteers and the local authorities.
But access is still very limited. In a report
published on 4 October, OCHA acknowledged: "In Anbar
Governorate alone there are 400,000 IDPs to which
humanitarian actors enjoy only very limited access.
While the UN and NGO partners are intensifying their
efforts to reach those in need, assistance falls far
short of what is required."
This is not the first time Anbar has been caught up in
violence. In 2006-2007, the majority Sunni province,
which shares a long border with Syria, was the scene
of vicious fighting between IS predecessor al-Qaeda in
Iraq and US forces who mobilized with local tribal
leaders to push the militants out.
Although Jihadist cells remained in Anbar, IS returned
in force to Anbar in late December, seizing control of
parts of Fallujah and Ramadi. It was out of Anbar that
they then moved north to take Mosul and Tikrit in June
and declare their so-called Caliphate.
Many analysts have accused Iraq's former Prime
Minister Nouri al Maliki, a Shia Muslim, of alienating
Sunnis and allowing jihadists to gain a foothold in
places like Anbar.
"There are people who joined IS just to revenge the
government policy and they were tempted by IS under
jihad and paradise slogans," said Karhut, chairman of
Anbar Provincial Council.
He said the Council backed the US airstrikes in Iraq
against IS, but added: "The government must also
respond to the constitutional demands of Anbar's
people and [fix] the mistakes adopted by the previous
prime minister, so that the Sunnis feel justice and
that they are part of Iraq."
IRIN
Confronting Barbarism: ISIS, The United States
And the Consequences Of Torture
By Michael Meurer
In a televised address on August 7, President Obama
announced that he had ordered "targeted" US airstrikes
in northern Iraq against the self-described Islamic
State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on the pretext of a
humanitarian intervention to help stranded Kurds and
US diplomatic staff in Erbil. In his address, Obama
said, "I will not allow the United States to be
dragged into fighting another war in Iraq." Just 47
days later, on September 23, a new phase in the war on
terror had been declared, and US bombing was expanded
into Syria.
There is ample reason to believe that Obama's August
"humanitarian bombing" of ISIS targets in northern
Iraq was equally about the protection of ExxonMobil
and Chevron oil and gas production facilities in Erbil.
It was a costly action. On August 19, US journalist
James Foley was beheaded by ISIS in retaliation. On
September 2, Steve Sotoloff, another US journalist,
was beheaded by ISIS in a further act of retaliation.
Both murders were accompanied by highly publicized
beheading videos, with Foley and Sotoloff forced by
ISIS to wear symbolic orange jumpsuits. A beheading
video of British aid worker David Haines followed on
September 13, with Haines also mockingly clad by his
ISIS captors in an orange jumpsuit. President Obama's
new war in Syria began 10 days later with full
Congressional backing. British Prime Minister David
Cameron quickly endorsed US bombing and received
parliamentary approval for Britain to join the US
campaign in Iraq.
The New Yorker's John Cassidy has labeled this Obama's
"YouTube war." The carefully choreographed ISIS
beheading videos, with their mocking use of orange
jumpsuits, were a major factor driving both public
opinion and Obama's decision-making. The actions of
ISIS jihadists are barbaric, but they represent
something worse than publicized incidents of terrorist
inhumanity. Yasser Munif, co-founder of the Global
Campaign of Solidarity with the Syrian Revolution,
believes the moral taunting on the beheading videos
was designed to lure the United States into wider war
in the Islamic world, thereby elevating ISIS as the
primary anti-American force in the region. It is as if
the moral compass of the universe has gone tilt as the
world descends into barbarism. The vertiginous sense
of suspended morality is heightened by tens of
millions of TV viewers and YouTube site visitors
worldwide witnessing ISIS's open and brutal mockery of
the United States and United Kingdom on supposedly
moral grounds as they commit murder for the camera.
During September, with the ISIS beheadings and United
States drive to war as background, the Department of
Defense (DOD) and the Obama administration have also
been forced into a debate over how to respond to an
August 27, District Court decision in New York
ordering the release of 2,000 previously unpublished
photos of US torture, brutality and death at the
infamous Abu Ghraib prison and five other US detention
facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan. The American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU) has been seeking release of the
photos since 2004 in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
lawsuit. Obama and the DOD were opposed to the release
of these photos, years before ISIS emerged, on the
grounds that the images are so grisly, they would
inflame anti-US sentiment in the Islamic world.
However, with the ACLU's litigation on the verge of
success, the photos and the war against ISIS have
clearly become interrelated.
There is already a huge element of the absurd in the
Obama administration's new war scenario that should
provoke further debate about overall US policy in
Central Asia. There are questions about the role that
US and European actions played in incubating and
arming ISIS in Syria, as well as clear evidence that
Sunni distrust of the US-backed Shiite government in
Baghdad has driven Iraqi Sunnis reluctantly into the
hands of ISIS jihadists. There are open divisions and
disagreements among national security experts in both
parties and within Obama's military team about threat
assessment, tactics, timing and the need for ground
troops. Many activists on the ground in Syria question
the motivation and potential efficacy of US bombing in
their country.
In spite of these lingering uncertainties, Obama
seemed to be responding primarily to the ISIS
beheading videos in his September 24 speech to the UN
General Assembly, when he described ISIS as a "network
of death" and noted that their brutality "forces us to
look into the heart of darkness." The clear
implication is that war policy is being hurriedly
thrown together without sober reflection because of a
visceral reaction to globally publicized ISIS videos.
With the pending court order to release the previously
unpublished Abu Ghraib photos, the need for such
reflection cannot be easily dismissed.
Should the photos be released? Should the United
States openly look into its own "heart of darkness"
while confronting ISIS? The timing of this decision
follows more than a decade of official denial and
obfuscation about the images. An estimated 108
captives died in US prisons in Iraq and Afghanistan,
including as many as 26 that the DOD has classified as
homicides. Obama and Cameron are right to point out
that ISIS jihadists are evil and lawless killers. Yet
these photos are not about ISIS except to the extent
they have tried to co-opt the symbolic imagery of
orange US prison jumpsuits to rationalize their
barbarity. Before Obama's new war escalates out of
control or drags on for months or years with an
inevitable need for ground troops, it seems advisable
for the United States to finally confront its own
barbaric actions and failed strategic decisions in the
13-year-old war on terror - not because of ISIS, but
in spite of ISIS.
Orange Jumpsuits and the Alternative
Reality of Torture
Nearly every news report explains that ISIS is making
their victims wear orange jumpsuits as a mocking
reference to the orange jumpsuits worn by prisoners at
the US detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. It
is seldom mentioned that captives in the entire web of
US prisons from Bagram in Afghanistan to Abu Ghraib in
Iraq, were also made to wear orange jumpsuits.
Further, the photos of torture, humiliation and death
that have made it into the public domain from Abu
Ghraib are even worse than Guantánamo, making it a
more potent symbol of US human rights violations.
While the prison at Guantánamo is universally known,
the public was unaware that the secretive prison at
Abu Ghraib existed - housed in a torture facility used
by Saddam Hussein before the US invasion - until a
compact disc of digital photos taken by guards was
accidentally discovered and reported in 2003. These
images depicting widespread torture and violent abuse
of prisoners by US troops were subsequently featured
in investigative reports by The New Yorker and 60
Minutes II in 2004. When the story finally broke, Bush
administration officials, from then Defense Secretary
Donald Rumsfeld to Bush himself, declared the
atrocities at Abu Ghraib to be the work of "a few bad
apples."
A total of 11 low-level enlisted Army soldiers were
eventually convicted on charges varying from
dereliction of duty to human rights abuses. A colonel
was relieved of duty and a lieutenant colonel received
a reprimand. Brigadier General Janis Karpinski, the
commanding officer at the prison, was cited for
"dereliction of duty and shoplifting." In essence, no
one was held responsible except a few low-level
scapegoats.
The abuses at Abu Ghraib did not happen in a vacuum.
It quickly became clear that Abu Ghraib was the end
point in a causal chain that led all the way back to
the Bush White House and Justice Department, where top
administration officials were rewriting US laws
defining torture. Following recommendations to
President Bush from then White House Counsel Alberto
Gonzales, the United States effectively opted out of
the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions on the rights
to humane treatment for both prisoners of war and
civilians. The Third Geneva Convention "bars torture,
cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, as well as
outrages against the human dignity of prisoners of
war, or POWs."
The Unintended Consequences of Torture
Writing in Foreign Policy, Steven R. Ratner, an expert
on international law who has worked as an advisor to
both the UN and the US State Department, makes it
clear that torture does not work as advertised:
Seasoned interrogators consistently say that
straightforward questioning is far more successful for
getting at the truth. So, by mangling the [Geneva]
conventions, the United States has joined the company
of a host of unsavory regimes that make regular use of
torture. It has abandoned a system that protects U.S.
military personnel from terrible treatment for one in
which the rules are made on the fly.
In losing sight of the crucial protections of the
conventions, the United States invites a world of wars
in which laws disappear. And the horrors of such wars
would far surpass anything the war on terror could
ever deliver.
The Bush administration also tried unsuccessfully to
block the adoption of the UN Convention Against
Torture in the General Assembly after more than 10
years of deliberation by UN member states. In spite of
this failure at the UN, the United States continued to
opt out of the Geneva Convention against torture. This
was done by rewriting domestic laws on human rights
and defining captured prisoners as "unlawful enemy
combatants" who had no legal standing as prisoners of
war, a decision that Obama continued to support until
after his reelection in 2008. The Washington Post
described the new regime of officially sanctioned
torture in 2004:
In fact, every aspect of this new universe - including
maintenance of covert airlines to fly prisoners from
place to place, interrogation rules and the legal
justification for holding foreigners without due
process afforded most U.S. citizens - has been
developed by military or CIA lawyers, vetted by
Justice Department's office of legal counsel and,
depending on the particular issue, approved by White
House general counsel's office or the president
himself.
In addition to the fabricated rationale for the
invasion of Iraq and the invention of concepts such as
"pre-emptive war" and "unlawful enemy combatants," the
entire world has become aware of US practices such as
extraordinary rendition (sending prisoners to
countries outside the United States for torture and
interrogation), enhanced interrogation techniques
(e.g., water boarding and other forms of torture) and
the continued operation of a string of prisons in
Afghanistan and Iraq that have been repeatedly
investigated for fundamental human rights violations.
Yet in August 2014, a 6,000 page, $40 million report
produced by a months long investigation into US
torture techniques by the Senate Select Committee on
Intelligence was shelved after being heavily redacted
by the CIA. Bowing to the CIA and pressure from the
Obama administration, committee chairperson Sen.
Dianne Feinstein (D-California) issued a statement
that the report is being "held for declassification at
a later time."
The Long Road Back
War truly is hell. It always will be. Human rights
violations occur in every war. What is new since the
dawn of the ill-defined and never ending war on terror
in 2001 is that the world's most economically powerful
and heavily armed superpower has begun to untether
itself from its foundational democratic moorings by
making such violations a matter of de facto state
policy - unapologetically. When moral outrage was
expressed by some US senators during May 2004 hearings
on the abuses at Abu Ghraib, Sen. James Inhofe
(R-Oklahoma) commented that he was "more outraged by
the outrage" than by the overwhelming evidence of
abuse, torture and violation of internationally
sanctioned human rights.
Recent history in Central Asia makes it abundantly
clear that the abandonment of democratic ideals and
values by powerful nations such as the United States
and Britain does nothing to stop terrorism and runs
counter to the self-interests of democracies. The long
road back from the past decade of state-sanctioned
torture and systematic human rights violations begins
with democratic openness.
The ACLU lawsuit is a timely case in point. The US
Army still has more than 2,000 unreleased photos that
document 400 cases of alleged abuse between 2001 and
2005 in Abu Ghraib and six other US prisons. Senators
who have seen these images say that many of the photos
are worse than the images that have been leaked from
Abu Ghraib to date.
The ACLU won a FOIA suit in federal District Court on
August 27, 2014, in which Judge Alvin Hellerstein
ordered the Department of Defense (DOD) to hand over
the photos unless they can conclusively prove that
their release would endanger American lives. If the
judge maintains his ruling against the DOD, they will
almost certainly be encouraged by the administration
to appeal the decision. Obama has said that, "The most
direct consequence of releasing them . . . would be to
inflame anti-American public opinion and to put our
troops in greater danger."
The ISIS beheadings give the Obama administration a
seemingly urgent rationale for continued secrecy in
their refusal to release inflammatory photos of US war
crimes committed in Islamic countries. This argument
overlooks the fact that it is not possible to stop a
descent into barbarism by consciously ignoring
history.
More than 100,000 prisoners have been run through the
US complex of prisons in Iraq since the US invasion in
2003. Ignoring this reality is no longer an option.
Releasing the photos and openly debating the actions
and policies that led to their existence would be a
more courageous projection of democratic values at
this crucial juncture, sending a powerful signal that
the United States stands by its core democratic values
even when it is least convenient. It would also
provide an opportunity for a much-needed reexamination
of the premises for Obama's proposed bombing adventure
in Syria, and by extension, of the longer-term war on
terror. With Obama harking back to George W. Bush's
initial Iraq war authorization in 2002 to rationalize
his actions, it is a reexamination that is long
overdue.
Sentiment Divided At
Haj Pilgrimage Over Role Of Islamist Militants
Former Egyptian army officer Suliman Ouda minced no
words as he climbed Mount Arafat, denouncing Islamist
militants in Syria and Iraq as terrorists.
But Syrian engineer Ahmed Orabi, standing nearby on
the hill where Muslims on their haj pilgrimage beg
God's forgiveness, disagreed.
"Islam is about peace and kindness, not murder and
violence, and I don't consider these fighters in Iraq
and Syria to be Muslims," Ouda told Reuters as he
joined the mass of pilgrims early on Friday. "They
bring shame to the word Islam."
Orabi, in his 40s, served time in Syrian prisons for
criticising the government of Syrian tyrant Bashar al-Assad
before fleeing to Turkey. One of his sons was still in
jail.
"If the Islamic state, or Nusra, or any other group
can fight the government, I'm in full support of
them," he said in a hushed voice.
"Bashar is the terrorist here, Iran is the enemy. And
although I can't raise my voice today and say that,
I'm crying out to God in my heart to give victory to
those brave Islamic fighters."
The haj, a hectic journey that brings millions from
around the world to Mecca and Mount Arafat, is tinged
this year with concerns over the threat posed by
Islamist militants who threaten to target allies of
the United States, including Saudi Arabia.
In past years, Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims airing
political views were the main threat for security
forces keen to keep the haj free from politics. But
the rise of political Islam since the Arab Spring
protests of 2011 has focused attention on Islamist
Sunni groups as a new potential source of friction.
While a systematic poll of pilgrims' views at the haj
would be impossible, a random sampling indicated
sentiment is divided over Islamic State, who have
dominated the news since they captured Mosul, Iraq's
second largest city, in July.
Abdel-Rahman al-Gahtani, a Saudi haj organiser, said
the militants, known in Arabic as Daesh, gave Islam a
bad name.
"Our sheikhs told us that Daesh are terrorists and we
believe they are. Those who kill in cold blood and
make threats to kill innocent people are not Muslims
like us," Gahtani, who works at food and water
distribution, told Reuters.
The sermon given by the preacher in the local Namira
mosque on Friday included a reference to the Islamic
State and the pledge that "Islam is innocent of their
actions", pilgrims who attended said.
But Mohammed Askar, a Syrian teacher, said militants
fired by religious zeal may be the only way to topple
tyrant Assad.
"I know America and the Gulf countries see the Islamic
state as terrorists, but they should not think that
way," Askar said.
"These are the people who can fight to get rid of
Bashar, and after Bashar is gone I swear to you no one
will want Islamic State. We are just using them."
HEIGHTENED SECURITY
Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, has
funneled cash and arms to rebels fighting against
tyrant Assad in a conflict which has raged for three
years and killed nearly 200,000 people. But it has
also consistently opposed Islamist militants within
the insurgency. Last week, Saudi air force planes
pounded targets in Syria in U.S.-led air strikes.
Security appeared much tighter than usual at this
year's haj, with more men in uniform deployed in holy
sites and frequent vehicle checkpoints.
"I came to haj two years ago and I don't remember
seeing so many special forces as there are today,"
said Amr Abdallah, an Egyptian engineer on his way to
the summit of Mount Arafat. "They must be worried
about the threat of Daesh."
Interior Ministry spokesman Major General Mansour al-Turki
said the kingdom has allocated more security personnel
and National Guardsmen along its borders with Iraq.
"We have enforced our security readiness at all the
border of Saudi Arabia, the northern border and the
southern border," he told Reuters on the sidelines of
a news conference.
The authorities continue to warn pilgrims against any
political protests. Last week Interior Minister Prince
Mohammed bin Nayef told the Saudi state agency (SPA)
that Saudi Arabia will have a zero tolerance policy.
"Authorities will deal with all propaganda,
intellectual and political slogans because the purpose
of haj is worship alone," Prince Nayef said in a
statement.
The haj has attracted some 3 million people this year,
including 1.4 million from outside the kingdom. To the
casual observer there appears to be fewer Iraqi and
Syrian pilgrims than last year, and many more visitors
from Asia.
Saudi authorities have said that no restrictions have
been placed on visas to Syrians or Iraqi for political
reasons, however.
"There are over 10,000 pilgrims from Syria this year
and I'm not aware of any restrictions placed on Iraqis
or Syrians, every country has a quota and we follow
that system," said Major General Turki.
Reuters Reporting by Amena Bakr; editing by Sami
Aboudi and Sonya Hepinstall
Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh'
Urges On Arafat Defeat Of Forces Sowing Chaos
Muslim leaders must strike the enemies of Islam with
"an iron hand," Saudi Arabia's top cleric said during
Friday prayers, in apparent condemnation of the
Islamic State jihadist group.
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh's comments
came after Saudi Arabia and four other Arab nations
joined the United States in aerial bombardment of the
ISIS militants in Syria.
Speaking to Muslims from around the world in an
address during the annual hajj pilgrimage, the mufti
called on fellow Islamic leaders to "hit with an iron
hand the enemies of Islam."
The ISIS group has declared a "caliphate" straddling
Syria and Iraq where they have committed a spate of
atrocities including crucifixions and beheadings.
"Your religion is threatened. Your security is
threatened," he thundered, according to the official
Saudi Press Agency.
"These criminals carry out rapes, bloodshed and
looting," he said, adding that "these vile crimes can
be considered terrorism" and their perpetrators have
nothing to do with Islam.
"They are tyrants," he said, warning of "their deviant
ideology."
The mufti spoke from Nimrah Mosque at Mount Arafat in
western Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites.
Close to two million Muslims from around the world
were gathered at Mount Arafat for a day of prayer at
the peak of the annual hajj.
The comments were the mufti's latest criticism of the
extremists.
In August, he urged Muslim youth not to be influenced
by "calls for jihad ... on perverted principles," and
he described al-Qaeda and ISIS jihadists as "enemy
number one" of Islam.
The kingdom is seeking to deter youths from becoming
jihadists after Syria's conflict attracted hundreds of
Saudis.
King Abdullah decreed in February jail terms of up to
20 years for citizens who travel to fight abroad.
Agencies
Fightings in Iraq - Bombardments, Bombings,
Ambushes
By Markaz Kavkaz
A series of powerful explosions rocked Baghdad,
Karbala, Babylon and Basra, where 1,500 Iranian
soldiers have been recently sent, on Tuesday. Details
are not known, but according to preliminary data,
dozens of Rafidites were killed or injured.
Meanwhile, aircraft of western alliance with together
Arab satellites continue to inflict bomb and missile
strikes on Iraq. On Tuesday, French planes attacked
positions of Ad Dawla al-Islamiyya/Islamic State (IS)
near the Yarubiya north of the city of Mosul. IS units
previously captured 11 villages there.
Since August, American-Nato aircraft have carried out
more than 4,000 attacks on Iraq and Syria.
Fightings near the city of Ramada continue. Shiite
troops suffered losses in battles with the IS. A
Shiite military convoy has been neutralized. Shiites
began a large-scale assault on Ramada on September 26,
but after 3 days, they were forced to retreat, losing
control over three quarters of the city.
A powerful explosion occurred on Tuesday on the
outskirts of Tikrit against positions held by the
troops of the Baghdad regime. A car bomb was set off
near the headquarters of Shiite troops. Raafidites
suffered heavy fatalities and casualties but exact
figures are not known.
Meanwhile, the press office of the IS released a new
video with a British prisoner named Cantlie.
Reuters claims that Kurdish gangs Peshmerga with
American support were able to drive out IS units from
the strategically important border crossing Rabia on
the border with Syria, which is the main highway
linking Syria to Mosul.
The western alliance also claim that a local Sunni
tribe of Shammar, which entered into alliance with
Peshmerga after three months of negotiations, is
fighting against the IS along with the Kurds. One of
the leaders of the tribe, Shammar Abdullah Yawar,
allegedly confirmed in an interview with Reuters an
alliance with the Kurds against the IS.
It also claaimed that the gangs of Kurdish Peshmerga
recaptured from the IS two settlements 40 km from
Kirkuk. Kurds said they had been helped by American
air attacks
The Americans claimed they had carried out 11 aerial
attacks in Iraq, and the same number of air strikes in
Syria over the past 24 hours. Local sources reported
on an air attack on positions of the IS south of
Baghdad. The Fadil district have been subjected to the
most fierce bombardments.
Meanwhile, sources of the IS report on fightings in
Anbar province, where the IS used heavy artillery
against Shiite troops. It also reported about the
routing out of a convoy of the Baghdad regime in Albu.
Report Of First US
Military Death in War Against ISIS Released From From
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public
Affairs
U.S. forces in the North Arabian Gulf concluded a
search and rescue operation for a missing U.S. Marine
Corps aircrew member today at 3:00 p.m. (GMT), after
efforts to locate him were unsuccessful. The Marine is
presumed lost at sea.
The Marine aircrew member went into the water
yesterday when the aircraft he was aboard lost power
shortly after takeoff from USS Makin Island (LHD 8).
Another air crewman also exited the aircraft at the
same time and was safely recovered. He is in stable
condition aboard Makin Island.
The pilot of the aircraft, a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B
Osprey, was eventually able to regain control and
safely land back aboard Makin Island. There were four
personnel aboard the aircraft when it took off, two
pilots and two enlisted aircrew. The lost Marine was
one of the two enlisted aircrew who exited the
aircraft when it appeared the Osprey might crash into
the ocean.
U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel
conducted an extensive search of the area using all
available assets, which continued throughout the night
and the next day.
The Osprey's crew was participating in flight
operations in support of its current mission at the
time of the mishap.
The Navy and Marine Corps will investigate the cause
of the incident. In accordance with U.S. Department of
Defense policy, the name of the Marine will be
withheld until 24 hours after family member
notification.
USS Makin Island, with embarked elements of the 11th
Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently on a scheduled
deployment to the U.S. Central Command Area of
Responsibility where it is supporting operations in
Iraq and Syria, and throughout the region.
From America's Commander, U.S. Naval
Forces Central Command Public Affairs' Website
ISIS War a Financial Windfall for US Arms
Makers: Companies Surge in Anticipation of Spending
Hikes
An open-ended war in Iraq and Syria isn't good for
many people. Not the American public, which is paying
for it, and certainly not for the Iraqis and Syrians.
Arms dealers are salivating at the profits they are
likely to make as the war continues to escalate.
The big winner early in the war is Raytheon, who
netted a big new Tomahawk cruise missile contract
because of all of the missiles the US has been firing
into Iraq and Syria.
In the long run, the people who benefit most from the
war may not be the ones making the missiles the US
fired, however, but rather the companies that made the
vehicles the US is trying to destroy.
ISIS' vehicles are mostly US-made vehicles looted from
Iraq, and companies that made them, like Lockheed
Martin and Northrop Grumman, are eventually going to
be paid to buy the Iraqi military a whole new
collection of gear to replace what they lost and was
eventually destroyed.
With expectations for a return to runaway military
spending, all of the major military contractors are
trading near all-time highs on the stock market, with
their prices escalating as the war does.
For Pentagon, ISIS War Funding Likely to Bypass
Sequestration: Expects Congress to Put it On 'War
Credit Card'
Congress had mostly been ignoring sequestration at any
rate when it comes to military spending, but Pentagon
officials say they expect Congress to bankroll the
entire new ISIS campaign in the Overseas Contingency
Operations (OCO), which is explicitly treated as
separate from the defense budget.
The OCO, which some call a "war credit card," was
supposed to be on the way out as the White House
Office of Budget Management sought to fold it back
into the Pentagon's official budget.
Instead, the OCO now seems likely to grow from its
$58.6 billion in FY2015 to a dramatic new second
military budget designed just to bankroll the
open-ended war in Iraq and Syria.
The administration's use of the OCO as a way to fund
operations Congress never approved would normally make
it a controversial move to grow it so dramatically,
but with so many Congressional hawks champing at the
bit to ditch sequestration and fund the military at
even higher levels, it seems likely they'll embrace
this as a simple way to get around the budget
limitations.
Earlier this week, it was estimated that the ISIS war
had already cost $1 billion. With the war escalating
seemingly every week, the costs are going to continue
to surge in the months and years to come.
Fighters with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
(ISIS) are changing their tactics and hiding among
civilians, making it "more difficult" for the U.S. and
allies to target them with airstrikes, a Pentagon
official said Thursday.
"We are seeing them change their posture. We're seeing
them change their communications. We're seeing them
disperse more, to hide more," Pentagon press secretary
Rear Adm. John Kirby said on Fox News.
"Certainly, it makes targeting a little bit more
difficult. No question about that."
Kirby stressed that the military campaign against ISIS
"isn't necessarily about … killing individual
terrorists" but rather focused on eliminating the
terror group's capabilities.
"We are trying to take away from them the ways that
they sustain, train and equip themselves," he said.
"We're doing a lot more dynamic targeting, which is
going after trucks, convoys, armored personnel
carriers, artillery positions, trying to take away
their ability to wreak havoc and continue violence."
On Monday Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, Air Force
assistant deputy chief of staff for operations, plans
and requirements, told reporters that ISIS forces were
adjusting to the U.S. airstrikes.
The terror group, which controls large swaths of Syria
and Iraq, still poses a danger to Baghdad, according
to Kirby.
"They still threaten Baghdad. They have been
threatening Baghdad. But they haven't made any great
strides in that regard," he said.
Kirby also hailed Thursday's vote by the Turkish
parliament to authorize its military to join the
international coalition battling ISIS, calling the
outcome a "very positive development."
"We're in consultation with the Turks right now about
the details on that, what it is actually going to
mean," he said.
Antiwar Coalition Jason Ditz contributed to this article
One Cost Of War:
U.S. Blowing Up Its Own Humvees
CNN - The United States is spending millions of
dollars to destroy U.S. equipment in Iraq and Syria —
gear the U.S. gave the Iraqi military that was later
captured by ISIS forces.
The U.S has hit 41 Humvees since attacks began in
August, according to data from United States Central
Command.
The U.S. is sending $30,000-bombs to eliminate these
armored vehicles, which cost about a quarter of a
million dollars each depending what it is equipped
with, according to Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at
the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.
The U.S. Defense Department confirmed the targets to
CNN. "In some cases, we have seen instances of ISIL
capturing and employing U.S.-made equipment," said a
spokesperson. "When we've seen these terrorists
employing this equipment, we've sought to eliminate
that threat."
Once the U.S. destroys the equipment, it might have to
re-supply the Iraqi military.
"If we want them [the Iraqi military] to be able to
secure their own borders in the long run, we're going
to have to re-equip them," said Harrison. "So we'll be
buying another Humvee and sending it back to the Iraqi
military.''
This loop is only one small example of the
complexities that drive current expenses and how the
U.S. may be paying for them in the future.
The overall cost of U.S. operations in Iraq and Syria
rose this week with the U.S.'s first strikes inside
Syria. That campaign began on Monday evening with the
blunt force of 47 Tomahawk missiles, which cost about
$1.5 million each.
The U.S. led coalition sent 48 strike-ready aircraft.
Those formations included the first combat mission for
the F-22 Raptor, which costs about $62,000 an hour to
fly, making it the most expensive manned aircraft to
operate.
Those aircraft were likely carrying bombs that range
in cost from $20,000 to $30,000.
The Tomahawk, which is launched from a ship, is more
expensive because it's essentially a disposable plane.
"It is launched out of a tube, its wings deploy, and
it has a jet engine that flies it up to 1,000 miles to
its intended target," said Harrison. ''The whole thing
blows up when it reaches its target, so it only gets
used once."
In total, the U.S. has conducted 20 strikes in Syria
and 198 in Iraq from August 8 through September 23.
Many of those operations weren't included in the
Pentagon's daily average spending figure of $7.5
million at the end of last month.
CNN Cristina Alesci and Kate Trafecante contributed
to this article
Fightings In Anbar
Province Ensure Shiite Troops Suffer Losses - French
Bomb Kurds
By Markaz Kavkaz
The Washington Post reported that a few hundred
soldiers of the Baghdad regime "disappeared" during
the fightings in the Anbar province. Meanwhile, social
networks publish information about the capture by the
IS units of about 400 Shiite soldiers. All of them
were then executed.
It is also reported on the defeat of the Baghdad
regime army's 8th division and capture of bases in the
area of Saqlawiyah.
"The situation is very bad," said Lt. Col. Abdulwahab
al-Saidi, head of counterterrorism operations for
Anbar.
Meanwhile, French air force carried out air strikes in
Iraq. It is reported that French aircraft mistakenly
bombed its allies - the Kurds from Peshmerga. In the
raid, at least 75 Kurds were killed.
Fierce fightings between Shiite troops and fighters of
the IS and local Sunni tribes moved to the west of the
city of Ramada.
The fightings continued in the area of Kurdish
settlements of Zummar, Sinjar, Jalawla, despite air
strikes by America.
Red Cross Says US Strikes Add to Humanitarian
Crisis in Iraq, Syria: US Strikes Boost ISIS
Recruitment in Syria's Aleppo
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
has warned that the US-led airstrikes against ISIS in
Iraq and Syria have "compounded the humanitarian
consequences of the conflicts in both countries."
Even though the US couched the initial attacks in Iraq
as a "humanitarian intervention," their focus has
since expanded to a full scale war to "destroy" ISIS,
in which officials have promised to keep civilian
casualties to a minimum, but didn't appear overly
concerned about the deaths in the strikes so far.
The Red Cross warns that the situation is continuing
to worsen, and warned that all the combatant factions
must refrain from harming civilians and must allow
humanitarian workers to bring help.
As US strikes have increased, ISIS has moved most of
its forces to less conspicuous targets that are less
convenient to hit. This has made the US more likely to
go after difficult targets, particularly those in
populated areas, which means the humanitarian woes of
the conflict are likely to grow as the war continues.
US Strikes
Boost ISIS Recruitment in Syria's Aleppo: Over 200
Joined Since Obama Announced Attacks
Syrian rebels say that the US airstrikes on ISIS
inside Syria haven't helped them. If you're wondering
who is benefiting, the answer could well be ISIS.
Since President Obama announced his intention to
strike Syria on September 10, ISIS has gained more
than 200 new fighters in Aleppo Province alone. That's
likely a drop in the bucket compared to what it did
for recruitment in provinces where they have a larger
presence.
The US couldn't be following the ISIS map more closely
if they planned it, as the group is building itself up
into a larger and more influential faction primarily
on the credibility it gets from being a top US enemy
right now, moreso than the territory it gained in the
past year.
The administration's answer to ISIS growing
increasingly influential has been to hype them even
further, and present them as a new, global enemy that
needs to be wiped out through force of arms.
Unsurprisingly, that has made many of the people in
the line of fire of America's newest war stand up and
take notice, and is bringing a lot of them to ISIS,
where they can resist the incoming US attacks on their
homes.
Antiwar Coalition Jason Ditz contributed to this
article
'Indiscriminate'
Iraqi Air Force Bombings Killing Civilians, Watchdog
Says
"Indiscriminate" Iraqi air
force attacks meant to wipe out Islamic State forces
have killed dozens of civilians, including 24 refugee
children housed at a school near Tikrit at the start
of this month, according to an international rights
watchdog.
"This is not an isolated incident. We have documented
a pattern of indiscriminate attacks from the air in
which civilians have died," Fred Abrahams, special
advisor at New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW),
told Rudaw in a phone interview.
"The death toll is high from these cases. At least 75
civilians have been killed and hundreds of others have
been wounded in 17 airstrikes," he said.
HRW has called on the Iraqi government to promptly
probe a September 1 airstrike it says hit a school
near Tikrit housing refugees. At least 31 civilians,
including 24 children, were killed in the raid, which
also wounded 41 others, according to the rights group.
The al-Alam Vocational High School was housing
displaced people who fled Tikrit after the Islamic
State (IS, formerly ISIS) militants took control of
the city in mid-June, HRW says.
"The death toll is high from these cases, at least 75
civilians have been killed and hundreds of others have
been wounded in 17 airstrikes," according to Abrahams.
HRW called for a probe a day after Iraq's Shiite Prime
Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered the army to stop
shelling militant-held populated areas to minimize
civilian casualties.
"Unlawful" attacks, Abrahams said, have been reported
within IS-controlled areas in Fallujah, Beiji, Mosul,
Tikrit, and al-Sherqat, with Sunni Iraqis the primary
victims.
"The government is trying to fight ISIS but it is
going to create more enemies among the Sunni
population if it is not more careful and is only
targeting compounds," Abrahams said.
Abadi issued on order on September 11 to halt Iraqi
air forces strikes on neighborhoods with civilian
populations. But the bombings have continued in Anbar
province, where a hospital was hit.
Iraqi officials have given "a very weak explanation"
for the questioned air attacks, Abrahams said. He
added that, while subsequent airstrikes have not been
investigated yet, they are "definitely concerning."
Iraq's government has told HRW that the explosion that
hit the school was from a vehicle nearby that was
transporting militants. The strike on the vehicle
caused an explosion that was "far larger than normal,"
the government said, because of the explosives the car
was apparently carrying.
"All of the witnesses we've interviewed, people in the
school and in the neighborhood, nobody spoke about a
car and actually the witnesses said the missile hit in
the middle of the courtyard, not on the outside where
there was any car," Abrahams said.
The civilian casualties by the Iraqi air strikes
reveal "a level of unprofessionalism that puts
civilians in danger," Abrahams said. He added that
orders to shoot, when it was unclear whether the
targets were military or civilian, was "unacceptable."
HRW has called on all governments supporting the
campaign against IS to pressure the Iraqi government
to follow the rules of war.
"We have unconfirmed reports of some civilian
casualties in Syria, from US airstrikes," Abrahams
said, adding that those are being investigated.
American strikes in Iraq over the past month
successfully targeted individual IS targets, patrol
boats and trucks. On Tuesday, the United States and
its allies launched the first rounds of airstrikes
against Sunni militants in Syria. Several allies have
signed up to the US-led air raids.
With Focus on Syria,
US Escalation in Iraq Continues Apace: Over 200 More
Troops Headed to Iraq From Fort Riley
Antiwar Articles
With all of the attention this week on the US
expansion of its ISIS war into Syria, one might expect
that the war in Iraq is on the back-burners, simply
treading water for the time being. That's not the
case.
The Syria strikes indeed put coverage of Iraq on the
back-burners, but the escalations of that war have
continued, with Fort Riley today announcing over 200
troops from the 1st Infantry Division will be heading
to Iraq, operating out of both Baghdad and Arbil.
The new deployments are above and beyond the 1,600 US
ground already in Iraq, and will only add to
speculation that the administration is slowly but
surely building up to the ground war that they have
repeatedly promised isn't being considered.
The US has been adding troops to its force in Iraq on
a weekly basis, though it seems to be less public
about that fact this time, leaving it up to the fort
to announce the planned deployments.
The Campaign Against ISIL Could Cost $1.5B a
Month
By Emerson Brooking
On September 22, the air campaign against ISIS
expanded into Syria in a coordinated attack that
included 47 Tomahawk missiles and nearly 50 coalition
aircraft. This action had been all but inevitable
since the commencement of overflight reconnaissance in
Syria on August 26. Significantly, these strikes also
included targets of the Khorasan Group, an al-Qaeda
affiliate unrelated to ISIS. Also significantly, five
Arab militaries—Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab
Emirates, Jordan, and Qatar—participated in the
operation. At this stage, there are three important
questions to address: the targeting of the strikes,
the implications of this action, and potential
challenges that might await the operation moving
forward.
What was hit?
The primary targets of the initial bombing in Syria
were ISIS training bases, military vehicles,
headquarters, and resupply facilities. These were
clustered in the Islamic State's de facto capital of
Raqqa. Although the Pentagon is in the midst of a
battle damage assessment (BDA), officials have stated
that initial reports suggest a high strike
effectiveness. Preliminary estimates place the number
of ISIS fighter casualties at a minimum of 70—and
likely more. 95 percent of expended munitions were
precision-guided, suggesting a clear awareness of the
strategic peril of unconstrained bombardment and
collateral damage. This also marked the first combat
deployment of the F-22 Raptor
It is important to distinguish the "hard target"
strikes against ISIS from the targeting of high-value
individuals that has often characterized the global
war on terror. Unlike most "traditional" terror
networks, ISIS has amassed significant amounts of
conventional military equipment, including U.S. made
equipment abandoned by the Iraqi army that they have
been putting to good use. Destroying these stationary
targets, along with training sites, supply and
munitions depots, etc, will significantly degrade
ISIS's ability to conduct lethal military operations.
For many Americans, this will be their first time
hearing of the Khorasan Group, a small group of
roughly 50 "seasoned al-Qaeda veterans" who had based
themselves amid the chaos of the wider Syrian Civil
War in order to plot attacks beyond the region. The
decision to include strikes against Khorasan with the
wider anti-ISIS effort was based on intelligence about
an "imminent," spectacular attack, to take place in
either the United States or Europe. Eight Khorasan
targets were destroyed in the bombardment.
What are the
wider implications?
Most immediately, the enlargement of the anti-ISIS
campaign's zone of operations demonstrates an
understanding that ISIS has long been twisting
international boundaries to its own advantage. As one
senior White House official stated in a September 23
media call, "We're fighting an organization that
operates irrespective of borders—we have to look at it
that way." It is a worthwhile question, however, if a
quicker expansion into Syria might have been more
strategically impactful.
The conduct of these strikes also shows a keen
awareness of the optics of the whole anti-ISIS effort.
Even a 26-nation coalition will be insufficiently
compelling if it remains constrained to paper. The
Pentagon was careful about not revealing exactly which
regional nation conducted what parts of the military
operation, saying that it will be up to each partner
nation to make such announcements. Regional partners
should be as open as possible about their support and
contributions in order to refute the perceptions that
this is an American-only effort. The visibility and
active participation of these nations will be critical
in stemming and rolling back the ISIS threat.
Domestically, there is now broad-based American public
support for strikes against ISIS, likely prompted by
the resonating impact of the James Foley and Steven
Sotloff execution videos. 79 percent of Americans
reported in a CBS News/New York Times poll conducted
September 12-15 that they viewed ISIS as either a
major or minor threat. 71 percent favored air strikes
against ISIS in Iraq; 69 percent supported expansion
of air strikes into Syria.
What are the
questions to ask moving forward?
The effort against ISIS has now expanded enough to
have a substantial effect on ongoing debate over the
FY15 National Defense Authorization Act and the
Overseas Contingency Operations account (the means
through which ongoing operations are funded). Although
anti-ISIS air strikes had cost an average of $7.5
million per day through August, recent events suggest
a considerable escalation. Consider, for example, that
the fully burdened cost of a new Tomahawk cruise
missile is roughly $1.6 million. Gordon Adams,
professor of U.S. Foreign Policy at American
University and a specialist in defense budgeting, has
suggested the costs of anti-ISIS operations could
climb as high as $1.5 billion monthly.
If the anti-ISIS coalition's mission enlarges further,
it will also become increasingly necessary to consider
the laws by which this use of force has been
authorized. On September 22, the White House sent two
War Powers reports to Congress: one for actions
against ISIS, the other for actions against the
Khorasan Group. The U.S. military is currently
operating against ISIS under the powers granted by the
2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF)
that authorized operations against the original Al-Qaeda
network and affiliates.
Finally, it must be asked how the anti-ISIS coalition
can transition from simply stopping the Islamic
State's momentum to ultimately destroying it. In order
to achieve this broader objective, there must be
locally-designed and implemented economic and
political initiatives that accommodate the myriad
interests and drivers of conflict in the region.
These efforts must be actively led by the leaders in
the region. The United States may be able to support
and coordinate the fight against ISIS—but it cannot
unilaterally, nor through purely military means,
defeat the terrorist group or bring lasting stability
to the region.
Emerson Brooking is a research associate for defense
policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.
US Airstrikes in Syria Don't Slow ISIS
Offensive: ISIS Continues to Press Into Kurdish Area
Antiwar Articles
US and coalition airstrikes continue to pound ISIS in
Syria, with the latest attacks focusing on ISIS
fighters advancing into the Kurdish area around Ayn
al-Arab in northern Syria.
Despite that area being the new focus of the
airstrikes, the attacks do not appear to be slowing
ISIS even a little, as the group continues to press
ahead into more Kurdish villages, and civilians
continue to flee into neighboring Turkey.
"Those air strikes are not important," noted one of
the refugees, who called for US troops on the ground
to retake the villages for the Kurdish factions there.
The ISIS battles with Syrian Kurds seem to be a major
source of pressure for US involvement in Syria, with
influential Kurdish factions trying to paint Ayn
al-Arab with the same false narrative of humanitarian
calamity as Mount Sinjar, which was the initial
pretext for the US attacks in Iraq.
In Iraq, the US airstrikes are being done nominally to
aid Kurdish fighters on the ground, and that's had
little success either. Officials continue to insist
the US isn't considering ground operations, though
they continue to escalate the war in ways that are
adding to pressure to commit boots on the ground,
pointing to a lack of planning or an intention to
eventually renege on the promise of no ground troops.
ISIS
Surrounds Another Iraqi Army Camp in Anbar: 200
Trapped - Troops Cornered Just South of Ramadi
Despite the addition of US airstrikes complicating
their operations, ISIS continues to have the advantage
on the ground in Iraq, and for the second time in less
than a week has cornered a large camp full of Iraqi
soldiers.
Over the weekend, ISIS overran the Saqlawiya base,
near Fallujah, killing 40 soldiers and capturing 70
others in an offensive that led over 100 trapped
soldiers to flee into the countryside. This time, the
troops are trapped at a base just south of Ramadi.
"There was an army group in front of us whom ISIS
destroyed completely six days ago," reported one
soldier from inside the camp. ISIS has surrounded the
site and mined the roads to prevent more Iraqi forces
from reaching them.
This was the same strategy in Saqlawiya where, after
wearing out the out-of-supply soldiers, they launched
a suicide attack that sparked a panic and picked off
the troops along the roads, capturing large numbers.
200 soldiers are believed to be in the Albu Etha camp,
and they report that they have begun to run low on
food and ammunition. Despite Iraq's claims of progress
against ISIS since the US strikes began, the losses
seem to be mounting.
Pentagon: ISIS Will Rebound from US Airstrikes: Monday
Night Attacks 'Only the Beginning'
Pentagon officials downplayed the chances of last
night's airstrikes against Raqqa, the ISIS capital if
Syria, having a serious impact on the group's
day-to-day operations, with Lt. Gen. William Mayville
Jr. saying ISIS will quickly adapt to the air war and
rebound from any losses suffered overnight.
"We have seen evidence that they have already done
that," Mayville confirmed. The strikes were the first
on ISIS in Syria, after six weeks of airstrikes
against the group in Iraq which have, similarly,
yielded very little.
Reports on the strikes in Raqqa suggest a handful of
buildings were hit, and around 70 ISIS fighters were
among the slain. Civilian casualties are unclear.
Indeed, last night's strikes seem to just be the
administration going through the motions, with no real
expectation for a meaningful change on the ground, and
the "rebels" this is supposed to be supporting a year
away from being trained and ready.
If anything, officials seem to be doing what they can
to add to the hawks' call for boots on the ground,
while continuing to deny that they are even
considering that, at least not yet.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby insisted
that despite the estimates that they would quickly
recover, last night's attacks on ISIS were "very
successful," and were "only the beginning" of a long,
drawn out conflict.
That seems to be the one thing everyone agrees on,
whatever their opinions on the chances for success.
The war is not only open-ended, but seems likely to
span many, many years. What happens in the next two
months before the mid-term election doesn't seem to be
of particular concern, and unpopular escalations can
be launched thereafter with less political fear of
repercussions.
Seven years ago, US Senator Chuck Hagel, now Obama's
defence secretary, said of the occupation of Iraq,
"People say we're not fighting for oil. Of course we
are. They talk about America's national interest. What
the hell do you think they're talking about? We're not
there for figs."
President Barack Obama and Hagel's talk of going after
the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which its
regional allies have financed as a proxy force to
topple the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad,
is a cover for their plans to overthrow Assad. But an
additional issue at stake is the control of Iraq's
vast energy resources and the supply routes through
its territory.
Iraq has the fifth largest proven oil reserves in the
world and Washington and its allies have no intention
of surrendering the oil contracts now controlled by
Western companies. The US is seeking to preserve its
unimpeded access to oil and gas, while determining how
much of these vital energy resources are available to
other countries—especially to its rivals China and
Russia.
ISIS has taken control of vast swathes of eastern
Syria and north-western Iraq, including Iraq's second
city Mosul, and their oil infrastructure. It now
threatens Erbil, the capital of the autonomous
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), whose reserves,
were it a separate country, would position it tenth in
the world, and the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
The ISIS advance into western Iraq and the Sunni
Triangle means that it controls parts of two main
pipelines. The first, the 500-mile Kirkuk-to-Banyas (a
port in Syria), was largely destroyed by US airstrikes
during the 2003 war, although the stretch between Ain
Zalah and Suweidiva is operational. The second
pipeline runs from Kirkuk to Ceyhan, Turkey. While
ISIS has stopped the flow through to Syria, it has
allowed the flow to Turkey to continue.
US air strikes on ISIS and its Sunni tribal allies,
alongside the KRG's Peshmerga forces and Kurdish
fighters from Syria and Turkey on the ground,
prevented ISIS from taking control of one of Iraq's
largest oil fields in Kirkuk, which the KRG had
earlier seized from the Iraqi forces. The Iraqi Army
drove ISIS out of Baiji, home to Iraq's largest oil
refinery and power plant. The US also provided air
cover to enable Iraqi security forces to regain
control of the K3 Refinery in Haditha, northwest of
Ramadi in Anbar province, and the site of a key dam
downstream of the recently recaptured Mosul dam.
Energy companies such as Genel, the British-Turkish
company run by former BP CEO Tony Hayward, and Oryx
Petroleum, a Canadian firm, said that their Taq Taq,
Tawke and Hawler oilfields were now secure, and it was
safe for staff to return.
As yet, the giant oilfields in southern Iraq, a
largely Shiite area, controlled by BP, Exxon-Mobil,
Shell, the Russian Lukoil, Angola's Sonangol, Italy's
ENI and the Norwegian Statoil, as well as other
smaller companies, have not been affected by fighting,
although there have been attacks on pipelines. This
has led a number of the firms and their contractors to
sell at least part of their stakes, while others have
turned their attention to the KRG's oilfields.
Following the defeat of the regime of Saddam Hussein
in the 2003 war, US oil bosses moved in to run Iraq's
oil industry. While they were unable to ensure the
passage of the hydrocarbon law that would have given
them complete control of Iraq's oil, they were able to
open up Iraq's oil to Western companies, after an
absence of three decades, on very favourable terms.
These have included long-term concessions and large
ownership stakes. There are no restrictions on the
export of oil or the remittance of profits overseas
and no requirements that the companies hire a majority
of Iraqi workers or invest in the local economy.
The industry is now run by international corporations
such as BP, Exxon-Mobil, Shell, Chevron, the French
company Total as well as Russian, Chinese and
Malaysian and a raft of smaller companies.
Earlier this year, Russian oil giant Lukoil started
production at the giant oil field of West Qurna-2,
south of Basra, which is possibly the world's largest
untapped field, with oil reserves believed to be about
20 billion barrels. While initial production is
120,000 bpd, this is set to rise to 400,000 bpd next
year and possibly 1.2 million bpd in a few years'
time.
Exploitation of the oil field, discovered by the
Russians in the 1980s, was blocked first by US
sanctions in the 1990s and later by the occupying
forces, despite a 2004 agreement in exchange for
Russia's forgiving Iraq's $13 billion debt. After the
Iraqi government, under pressure from Washington, was
forced to cancel the original deal, Lukoil beat BP for
development rights in 2007. Lukoil's CEO Vagit
Alekperov, who is close to President Vladimir Putin,
has so far escaped US sanctions over Ukraine.
In the Kurdish autonomous region, the oil fields that
were largely neglected before 2003 have come into
play. The corrupt regional government--dominated by
the rival Barzani and Talabani families who in turn
control the two main Kurdish parties--has awarded
contracts that permit it to sell up to 25 percent of
its stake in the oil projects to private companies in
defiance of the federal government. As well as Genel
and Oryx Petroleum, four big oil companies - Chevron,
Exxon-Mobil, Hess and Total - and 30 smaller companies
have signed deals with the KRG. Production in KRG,
which is set to rise further, accounts for 10 percent
of Iraqi oil.
The KRG has sought to use a newly opened pipeline
within KRG territory to link to the pre-existing
pipeline to Ceyhan and export oil directly. This is
deemed illegal by Baghdad. As a result, Kurdish oil is
used in Turkey and not sold on the world markets for
fear of lawsuits brought by the Iraqi government. The
KRG has also allowed Genel to send 700 tanker trucks a
day to Turkey, thereby avoiding the pipeline whose
throughput is monitored at Mosul. The US is opposed to
the KRG's sale of oil independently of Baghdad, but it
is using the KRG as a pawn to bully the federal
government into acceding to its dictates.
The oil industry has now largely recovered from the
2003 war and the deliberate destruction carried out
during the US occupation. Oil production has reached
about 3.3 million bpd, just below the 3.5 million bpd
under the state-owned enterprises in 1979, making Iraq
the world's seventh largest producer.
About half of all Iraqi oil is exported to China,
which recently became the world's largest oil
importer. Last year, PetroChina, one of China's four
state-owned energy corporations, bought a stake from
Exxon in the southern Iraqi oil field West Qurna and
bought into three other large fields. Sinopec and
CNOOC also have concessions in Iraq. The Chinese
typically partner with the major Western oil companies
or take low-margin contracts. China has built its own
airport in the south near the border with Iran to
transport 10,000 workers to the oil fields.
The Iraqi people have seen little benefit from the oil
boom. The oil and gas industry employs less than 2
percent of the employed workforce, because the
international companies bring in their own staff.
Eighty percent of the oil (2.7 million bpd) is
exported, leaving little for the domestic market. Fuel
shortages and power shutoffs are rife. According to
the World Bank, poverty is on the rise, with 28
percent of families--more than 9.5 million
Iraqis--living below the poverty line. Thousands of
families look for food in the garbage and live in
landfills and slums.
The government has failed to pass social security
legislation to provide unemployment benefits, despite
revenues rising from $50 billion in 2010 to more than
$100 billion in 2013. The $50 billion increase, if
used for the benefit of the Iraqi people, could have
provided benefits and services worth $10,000 for each
of the 5 million families. Such infrastructure and
service improvements that did take place were in
Shiite not Sunni areas. This was one of the factors
driving Sunni militants who have, since December 2012,
targeted the local Shiite and oil facilities in the
Sunni areas, in order to gain control of some of
Iraq's oil proceeds.
Turkey: Oppressing
Sunnis In Iraq And Syria Lead To Chaos
Turkey warned the
international community that the former Iraq
government's exclusion of Sunni's would lead to
problems in the region, said Turkey's Prime Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu Monday evening in an interview
broadcast by private channels, NTV and Star.
Davutoglu stressed that neither Syrian president
Bashar al-Assad , nor former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri
Al Maliki "listened to us while we pleaded for nine
months" and that the "current chaotic situation" could
have been avoided had the international community also
listened to Turkey's warnings.
Sunni politicians were sidelined one by one Davutoglu
said, "[former Iraqi Vice President] Tariq Hashimi,
Rafi Isavi, Nujaifi... there was no Sunni politician
left, Where does a non-political formation go? It
tends to this kind of actions to protect itself."
In several diplomatic attempts Turkey pleaded with
Maliki to include Sunnis and all other groups in his
government, however, consistent dissociation of Sunnis
from the political process, resulted in a strong
insurgency in the form of Islamic State (IS)
militants.
"I am telling it to international community: Turkey
does not have to prove anything. Turkey has always
displayed a determined approach around the facts it
believes in," said Davutoglu.
"If some people have to prove anything to move
international community, the United Nations should
prove it before these oppressed people (of Syria and
Iraq), 350 thousand people have been killed, there are
4 million refugees, if anyone has to prove something,
international community should prove its existence
first."
Syria's civil war has resulted in the deaths of an
estimated 191,400 people since it began three years
ago, and displaced roughly half of the country
population, according to the UN.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said
in a statement that the figures had doubled in the
past year but "tragically it is probably an
underestimate of the real total number of people
killed."
According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, more
than 158,000 civilians have been killed in Syria.
It said that, in the operations carried out by Assad
forces, 124,752 men, 17,139 children and 15,278 women
had been killed.
A total of 831 men, 137 children and 81 women died in
attacks carried out by IS militants in the country.
It added that 5,644 people had been exposed to torture
under the Assad government, and 13 had been tortured
by IS militants.
Syria's war began in March 2011 as a peaceful protest
movement demanding Assad's ouster, but morphed into a
brutal war after pro-Assad forces unleashed a massive
crackdown against dissent.
Fightings In Anbar
Province As Shiite Troops Suffer Losses While French
Bomb Kurds
The Washington Post reported that a
few hundred soldiers of the Baghdad regime
"disappeared" during the fightings in the Anbar
province. Meanwhile, social networks publish
information about the capture by the IS units of about
400 Shiite soldiers. All of them were then executed.
It is also reported on the defeat of the Baghdad
regime army's 8th division and capture of bases in the
area of Saqlawiyah.
"The situation is very bad," said Lt. Col. Abdulwahab
al-Saidi, head of counterterrorism operations for
Anbar.
Meanwhile, French air force carried out air strikes in
Iraq. It is reported that French aircraft mistakenly
bombed its allies - the Kurds from Peshmerga. In the
raid, at least 75 Kurds were killed.
Fierce fightings between Shiite troops and fighters of
the IS and local Sunni tribes moved to the west of the
city of Ramada.
The fightings continued in the area of Kurdish
settlements of Zummar, Sinjar, Jalawla, despite air
strikes by America.
Iraqi Muslim
Scholars Voices Out On The New America's International
Coalition Against The So-Called Terrorism
The Association of Muslim
Scholars
In the name of Allah the Most Merciful the
Compassionate
Statement concerning the new international
coalition against the so-called (terrorism)
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon
the Messenger of Allah, his family, companions and
allies. And after:
In hotly global pursuit, alliances has been formed and
conferences have been held in the context of joint
action and held military alliances to hit the
so-called (terrorism) in all of Iraq, Syria, and
periods put to this international war, by the accounts
of a number of Western and Arab officials, ranging
from three to ten years, without reveal till now what
this coalition holds of surprises, and what its
activities will excrete as repercussions on the region
and the world.
Besides, if the militants number of the targeted
organization does not exceed thirty thousand at top
expectations, according to reports and CIA, does not
possess modern and lethal weapons, such as those owned
by its opponents; It is unreasonable to mobilize all
the energies against it only, and this raises a lot of
questions about the real objectives behind this
coalition, and the fate which will be to Iraq and
Syria, and the region, after this long-term conflict,
and the combat violent activities?
Based on the above, we record openly and frankly what
is to come:
First, the insistence of the international community
to start from the results, ignoring address the root
causes and its developments that it shows concern of
them; will not settle the matter, The situation
existing in Iraq and Syria created and contributed to
the composition of several factors, including: the
unspeakable injustice upon the two peoples, especially
in Iraq after the American occupation, then Iranian
influence, the first beneficiary of the occupation and
collaborating with it over the past years, through the
tools of political and security situation in the
country, a policy that Iranians continued to adopt
sectarian cleansing by killing, arresting, torturing
and exclusion; and unless remedy this injustice done,
the international community will not be able _ If
intentions true _ to handle the results.
Second: The targeting of the organization by bombing,
its members are scattered among civilians; will lead
to the raise of the death toll of civilians, who will
be the number of the victims were the greatest, this
would generate a sense at the side of the Sunnis of
Iraq that the international community targeted them
primarily base on component, the culture and doctrine,
that take the war as a cover for it; this will lead to
the reaction of a strong and growing feelings of
injustice, and to strengthen the influence of the
choice of resistance; because people will be rushed
instinctively to maintain themselves and their beliefs
and culture, and will engage more volunteers from the
Muslim world to the region and involve with the
struggle for the same reasons, and if what tricks
between him and it, they will hurt scorn, and dispels
desires revenge in targeting the interests of the
countries participating in the coalition, internally
and externally, and this would not be in the interest
of any one, and this will complicate the scene, and it
will sap the last bit of hope of the just and lasting
solution, and keep the region and the world in the
case of an unstable situation.
Third: It is so strange that countries resort to the
longer and the highest cost way, in dealing with this
issue, while have a shortcut route, and less
expensive, and does not need a cost prohibitive
international coalition, the paved road will be
achieved by the followings:
A- The recognition of the disability of the ongoing
political process in Iraq since ten years to achieve
the needed solution to the abnormal situation in Iraq,
which has contributed its establishment, its
components from the parties and elements loyal to the
State of neighboring Iran, a country that is known to
have a major interest in the continuing chaos across
Iraq, and to keep the allies on the helm, and in
military institutions and the security services, not
to mention its militias that support these devices to
work within the plans put by it, which exclusively
serve its national and expansionist intentions in the
region.
B- Renounce the sectarian and ethnic quota system "Muhasasah",
that caused to tear Iraq apart and turn it into a weak
state, easely penetrated by urgent organizations and
security services and military institutions of the
States, as well as the global mafia and others, and in
particular the implications of this system; now
reflected negatively on the international community
because of the complexities of the historical, social
and geopolitical on the region.
C- Open the way for Iraqis to rebuild their country,
on the correct basis, and away from sectarian quotas
and ethnic groups, to help set the strategic balance
in the region, and to achieve peace and social
security in the region and the world, although we are
fully aware that there are major powers and minor ones
dislike this solution ; because they build their
strategy on the disintegration of Iraq and the region,
and developed scenarios to accommodate surprises and
possibilities in order to ensure the success of this
strategy, but it is clear that these countries made
??mistakes that each one costs a price should be paied
in many cases, Iraq's site for the region and the
world is extremely sensitive, which was a point of
balance across the histroy, and what happened after
2003 is the manipulation of this balance; where
overlap at home players from everywhere and
considerable disruption happened, the world began to
suffer from it now and the defect will remain unless
it is bring Iraq back to its normal status as an
independent stable country returns to the region and
the world this point of balance, and alleviate compete
internationally on it.
The observer of the Iraqi affair finds no trouble in
the stand on the fact that the repercussions began to
spin out of control, and began to push the
international and regional poles to to be fault and
enter into an international conflict, no one can
speculate what would disclose in future, and in our
appreciation that as we posed, the international
community - if it will - has an opportunity may not be
repeated to fix things and to stop the dangerous
developments, and has Forewarned is forearmed.
General Secretariat
22 / Thul-Qadah / 1435 AH
17/ September / 2014 AD.
We - The Awqaf,
Awqaf Africa And Awqaf Asia - Plead For Release Of
British Aid Worker Alan Henning In Support Of CAGE's
Appeal
The Awqaf, Awqaf Africa and Awqaf Asia hereby
confirm on their publications including
EsinIslam.Com and
IslamAfrica.Com the plead to Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria (ISIS) leadership in Syria for the safety of
British aid worker hostage Alan Henning threatened with beheading.
This, therefore, is to confirm that Sheikh
Abu-Abdullah Adelabu and the council of the Awqaf
endorse and seek to award credibility from the Ulamaa and
their Mujahidun to the plea to secure the
safety and release of British Aid Worker Alan Henning.
Initial positive sentiments and generous approaches
from the senior members of the Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria (ISIS) among whom had studied at same
establishments in Syria has been promising for all
efforts for the release of Alan Henning.
Following the
Awqaf's direct appeal, the senior members of
the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) leadership
have expressed their satisfaction over that Alan
Henning is a humanitarian aid worker who went to Syria
to help victims of the civil war and indicated the
readiness of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
(ISIS) to show him some mercy to Alan Henning.
Sheikh Abu-Abdullah Adelabu and his Awqaf have
related to the leadership of the Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria (ISIS) their responsibilities to stop all
possible damages to the amiable efforts of the Islamic
scholars and Du'at (the preachers) in propagating
Islam in the West and beyond after the latest threat
to Henning's life in a new video released Saturday
which showed him in the hands of the kidnappers who
might have been the beheaders of British captive David
Haines and two American journalists.
Upon their request and release to EsinIslam.Com
and IslamAfrica.Com,
which they described as the most effective alternative
media outlet that reaches the very hearts of Alan
Henning's kidnappers and the true audience of the
leadership of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
(ISIS), CAGE an independent advocacy organisation
working to empower communities impacted by the War on
Terror which the aid worker was helping in relieving
the Syrian people from the brutes of Tyrant Assad's
regime. Below is the CAGE's appeal as released:
CAGE's Editor
Calls For Release Of British Aid Worker Alan Henning
CAGE [1] condemns the arbitrary arrest, detention
and punishment of anyone without cause and without
being afforded their right of due process. This is the
case whether the denial of these rights takes place in
Egypt or Iraq - as is the case of Alan Henning - or by
Western forces around the world in prisons or through
drone strikes.
For ten years now, CAGE has been advocating respect
for the principles of justice, due process and the
rule of law in the War on Terror. We have documented
hundreds of cases of abuse and torture by western
countries and brought to the attention of the world
grave rights violations through our research and
casework.
Asim Qureshi, Research Director of CAGE, had the
following points to make:
1. Alan Henning should not to be considered a prisoner
of war: "Alan Henning went to Syria with Muslims and
is known to have been helping the people of Syria. He
is not involved in any hostility to Islam or Muslims.
Therefore, he cannot be considered a prisoner of war
under Islamic law and should be released immediately.
We believe there are no grounds for holding Mr Henning
prisoner or executing him."
2. Western Intervention in Iraq is the root cause:
"The recent spate of be-headings of Western
individuals caught in conflict zones in Syria and Iraq
appears to be a direct consequence of current Western
intervention in Iraq and Syria. Prior to recent events
there was no killing of Western hostages."
3. The West has set the worldwide example of arbitrary
detentions: "Since 9/11, Western policy has developed
a process of arbitrary detentions, torture and
extrajudicial killing. It is an example which others
around the world now appear to be following. It goes
without saying that many of the men now perpetrating
rights abuses in Iraq and Syria were themselves
victims of rights abuses in places such as Abu Ghraib.
4. The UK Government has put aid-workers at risk: "The
UK Government coupled with irresponsible media
reporting have created significant difficulties for
Muslim charities by stigmatising them and labelling
them as extremists/terrorists. This has put aid
workers at great risk."
5. Fundamental principles of due process must be
respected by all: "The only way forward is a world
which respects fundamental principles of due process,
a concept central to the Islamic legal framework as
well as that of all civilised societies."
Majid Freeman, an aid worker who accompanied Alan
Henning on his last convoy to Syria, said to CAGE:
'Alan is a selfless man who was moved by the suffering
of the Syrian people. He understood the risks of going
into Syria and, despite our protestations against it,
he felt compelled to help the orphans and widows he
had met on an earlier trip. I am full of admiration
for his courage and bravery and am hopeful that he
will soon be released.'
Notes:
1. CAGE is an independent advocacy organisation that
works to empower communities affected by the War on
Terror and to highlight abuses of due process.
2. The plea for the release of Alan Henning by British
aid workers can be viewed above https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qftTf0itVm4
3. The last known recorded footage of Alan Henning, on
the Greece-Turkey border can be seen here: http://youtu.be/YfB8RnukCM8
About CAGE:
CAGE is an independent advocacy organisation working
to empower communities impacted by the War on Terror.
The organisation highlights and campaigns against
state policies, striving for a world free from
oppression and injustice.
CAGE has been campaigning against the War on Terror
for more than a decade. Its work has focussed on
working with survivors of abuse and mistreatment
across the globe. Its website is one of the leading
resources documenting the abuse of due process and the
erosion of the rule of law in the context of the War
on Terror. CAGE has delivered more than 750 lectures
across the UK, produced cutting edge reports and
provided a voice to survivors of the War on Terror
through its media work.
CAGE says its vision is to see a world free from
oppression and injustice.
CAGE says its mission is to highlight and campaign
against state policies developed as part of the War on
Terror.
Contact: Mr Amandla Thomas-Johnson
Phone: +(44) 207 377 6700
Email: press@cageuk.org
Web: www.cageuk.org
CAGE
27 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3XX
How Turkey Refuses
Fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and The Levant (ISIL)
Turkey will refuse to allow
a US-led coalition to attack the Islamic State of Iraq
and The Levant (ISIL) or the Ad Dawla al-Islamiyya/Islamic
State (IS) in neighboring Iraq and Syria from its air
bases, nor will it take part in combat operations
against IS, a government official told AFP Thursday.
"Turkey will not be involved in any armed operation
but will entirely concentrate on humanitarian
operations", the official said on condition of
anonymity.
The decision echoes the country's refusal to allow the
US to station 60,000 troops in Turkey in 2003 to
invade Iraq from the north, which triggered a crisis
between the two allies.
Ankara then also refused Washington permission to use
its air bases to attack Saddam Hussein's regime.
Ankara's Western allies and Arab countries accuse
Turkey "in the indirect encouraging the formation of
IS", and the Assad regime believes that the Turkish
authorities directly support the "jihadist groups
operating in Syria". Ankara denies all charges.
US Secretary of State John Kerry was to hold talks in
Saudi Arabia on Thursday to drum up support from 10
key Arab nations and Turkey, after President Barack
Obama announced Washington's new strategy against IS,
which will include air strikes in Syria.
The government of Turkey declared that the IS is a
threat to the security of the country and pointed out
that IS held hostage 49 Turkish citizens, including
children, who had been kidnapped from the Turkish
consulate in Mosul in Iraq on June 11.
Ankara is therefore reluctant to take a stronger role
in the coalition against IS in apparent fear of
aggravating the hostage situation.
"Our hands and arms are tied because of the hostages",
the official told AFP.
Turkey can open Incirlik Air Base in the south for
logistical and humanitarian operations in any US-led
operation, according to the official who stressed that
the base would not be used for lethal air strikes.
"Turkey will not take part in any combat mission, nor
supply weapons", he said.
Jordan Doesn't
Enters NATO Coalition Against the Islamic State of
Iraq and The Levant (ISIL)
Jordan has decided not to
participate in the coalition against the Islamic State
of Iraq and The Levant (ISIL) or the Ad Dawla al-Islamiyya/Islamic
State (IS), said prime minister of Jordan, Abdullah
al-Nusur, adding, that Amman is not going to interfere
in affairs of other countries.
The coalition was created at the NATO summit in Wales
on American suggestion. It includes 10 countries -
America, England, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark,
Turkey, Canada, Poland and Australia.
Abdullah al-Nusur, in his speech at the Center for
Political Studies in occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem),
noted that the information about Jordan joining the
coalition did not correspond to reality.
He said that Jordan was not going to interfere into
internal affairs of other countries.
With regard to a threat allegedly posed by the IS for
Jordan, the prime minister of this country said that
they were "ready to defend their country, but they
would not get involved in a war on the territories of
other countries."
The Association Of The
Muslim Scholars In Iraq Renews Rejection Of The
Current Political Process
The Association Of The Muslim
Scholars In Iraq has issued a statement numbered 1022
concerning the formation of a new government, in which
the Association renewed its rejection of the current
political process, and warned the Iraqi people of the
risks of the intention that the new government and
those who stand behind it to lead a new war against
the revolutionaries and the uprising areas, under the
pretext of counter terrorism.
The statement said that at a time when the current
Prime Minister seemed happy while delivering a speech,
Iraqis are accustomed to hear at the beginning of each
stage of the political process, which filled with
false promises and pseudo pledges, the government army
warplanes were dropped barrel bombs on the city of
Fallujah, joining a number of children, women and
elderly to the caravan of Death, and they complain to
God Almighty the injustice of the government of
tyranny, which used to lie on the people, and
exercised hypocrisy in front of the world.
The Association emphasized that the formation of this
government reminds the Iraqis the formation of the
first government of occupation, because of whose in
charge of that process in 2003, they themselves charge
of it in 2014, under the same sponcers America and
Iran based on the government of sectarian and ethnic
bases.
The Association suggested in its statement that the
right place for many who have been entrusted to them
ministerial portfolios in the new government is
prisons and jails and fair courtrooms, not honoring
their attribution by new positions to them, regarding
crimes they have committed over the past years against
Iraq and innocent Iraqis.
The Association of Muslim Scholars, draw attention
that the politicians of (Sunni Arabs) who claim to
represent the uprising provinces; ignored requests for
the masses who were elected them hoping to lift or
lighten the injustice they are suffering from, and it
was their top concern to achieve political interests
of their blocks and their parties, regardless all the
cries of the detainees, and the groans of the
displaced, not to mention of those who received the
barrel bombs every day which demolishing homes and
tearing bodies.
Cleric And Jihad
Ideologue Abu Qatada Slams IS For Beheading Of US
Journalists Declaring The Extremist Group "Dogs Of
Hellfire"
Jordanian cleric and
Mujahidun's ideologue Sheikh Omar Mahmud Othman Abu
Qatadah, has denounced the beheading of US journalists
by the Islamic State group, calling IS fighters "dogs
of hellfire" as he denounces the beheading of U.S.
journalists by Islamic State militants, calling ISIS a
"killing machine".
Speaking to reporters from the dock at a Amman
courthouse Sunday, Sheikh Abu Qatada was once
described by European politicians and agents as the
right-hand man in Europe of al-Qaeda terror network
founder Osama bin Laden Abu Qatada repeated his
condemnation of IS that controls swathes of territory
in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.
Asked about the beheading claimed by IS of American
journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, he said:
"Journalists should not be killed because they are
messengers of the truth."
He lambasted IS, branding it "a killing and demolition
machine" and likened its fighters to "dogs of
hellfire".
Following his victory in several terror charges in
June 2014 when he was acquitted of plotting a 1999
attack on the American school in Amman Abu Qatadah,
who has repeatedly criticized ISIS, urged other
Muslims against joining the Sunni jihadist group. He
wrote and published another scholastic and
authoritative 21-page paper titled: "The announcement
of a caliphate by the Islamic State of Iraq and
Greater Syria (ISIS) Is Void And Meaningless Because
It Was Not Approved By Mujahidun In Other Parts Of The
World."
Speaking to reporters from the dock at a Amman
courthouse Sunday, Abu Qatada repeated his
condemnation of ISIS that controls swathes of
territory in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.
Asked about the beheading claimed by IS of American
journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, he said:
"Journalists should not be killed because they are
messengers of the truth."
He lambasted ISIS, branding it "a killing and
demolition machine" and likened its fighters to "dogs
of hellfire".
Nevertheless Abu Qatada said he opposed plans by the
United States to set up an international coalition to
destroy the jihadist group, saying: "I am against any
coalition opposed to any Muslim."
Abu Qatadah remains fearless and outspoken against the
western aggression in the Muslim World depsite still
being tried on another terror charge of conspiring to
attack tourists in Jordan during millennium
celebrations which trial the court had postponed to
September 24.
Abu Qatada had previously denounced IS for declaring
an Islamic caliphate calling the declaration "void".
"This group does not have the authority to rule all
Muslims and their declaration applies to no-one but
themselves," said Abu Qatadah.
"Its threats to kill opponents, sidelining of other
groups and violent way of fighting opponents
constitute a great sin, reflecting the reality of the
group," wrote the Palestinian-born preacher.
In July, Abu Qatada joined fellow Jordanian
Mujahidun's ideologue Sheikh Abu Mohammed al-Maqdessi
denouncing ISIS for declaring an Islamic caliphate in
the territory it controls in Iraq and Syria.
"The announcement of a caliphate by the Islamic State
(ISIS) is void and meaningless because it was not
approved by militants in other parts of the world,"
Abu Qatada echoed scholars astance against the ISIS.
"Its threats to kill opponents, sidelining of other
groups and violent way of fighting opponents
constitute a great sin, reflecting the reality of the
group. They are [also] merciless in dealing with other
Mujahidun (or the Holy Warriors). How would they deal
with the poor, the weak and other people?" he added.
"They are merciless in dealing with other Mujahidun.
How would they deal with the poor, the weak and other
people?"
A growing number of al-Qaeda figures have denounced ISIL's so-called caliphate,
with senior Mujahidun scholars and ideologues warning against collaborating with
the extremist "caliphate".
According the statement posted on social media, North African group confirmed
its allegiance to al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri, rejecting the
Ibn Muljam caliphate (of assassination) declared by ISIS, the militant Islamist group in Iraq and
Syria.
Meanwhile on his part, Sheikh al-Maqdessi,
once mentor to Iraq's now slain al-Qaeda leader Abu
Musab al-Zarqawi, said ISIS must "reform, repent and
stop killing Muslims and distorting religion".
Saudi's Grand Mufti
Sanctions Muslims To Fight Against IS
- The "Enemy Number One" Of Islam
Saudi Arabia's leading
religious leader has urged Muslims to confront the
"oppressive" Islamic State group if it fights Muslims.
"If they fight Muslims, then Muslims must fight them,"
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh said in a
response to a request from an Iraqi for a edict on
fighting IS.
"This group is aggressive and oppressive. It sheds
blood,"
"They have been killing ever since they began their
fight. Their killing is filled with mutilations and
hideousness that distort [the image of] Muslims,"
Sheikh said.
Afetr the last Ramadan, the Grand Mufti blasted
militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
(ISIS) as "enemy number one" of Islam.
"The ideas of extremism, radicalism and terrorism ...
have nothing to do with Islam and (their proponents)
are the enemy number one of Islam," the kingdom's top
cleric said in a statement last month.
He cited militants from ISIS, which has declared a
"caliphate" straddling parts of Iraq and Syria, and
the global al-Qaeda terror network.
The scholar's verdict on the millitants and its
leadership came as US launches strikes around Iraq's
Haditha Dam deploying fighter jets to - according to
the US officials - carry out air assaults against the
ISIL fighters near the strategic dam which was under
threat from Islamic State group.
Last month, IS fighters tried to capture the Haditha
Dam, which has six power generators located alongside
the country's second-largest reservoir. Iraqi forces
backed up by local Sunni tribes were able to hold them
off.
The IS group was able to take control of the Mosul Dam
in northern Iraq last month, but persistent US air
strikes helped Kurdish and Iraqi forces retake the
dam.
US officials say that while the Anbar Province dam
remains in control of the Iraqis, the US offensive is
an effort to beat back fighters who have been trying
to take over key dams across the country.
Last month Islamic State fighters tried to capture the
Haditha Dam, which has six power generators located
alongside Iraq's second-largest reservoir.
Iraqi forces backed up by local Sunni tribes were able
to hold them off.
US President Barack Obama says he will unveil a
strategy to go after the Islamic State group on
Wednesday.
Obama told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that his
speech on Wednesday will "describe what our game
plan's going
to be."
"I just want the American people to understand the
nature of the threat and how we're going to deal with
it and to have confidence that we'll be able to deal
with it," Obama said.
Barbaric
Hezbollat Terrorists Torture, Execute Muslim Civilians In Iraq
Various social networking sites published the graphic
video below which shows Hezbollat terrorists torturing and executing Sunni Iraqi
civilians in the areas of Jurf al Sakhr on the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
The video was recovered from a mobile device found with one of the Hezbollat
terrorist militiamen who was ambushed by terrorists from the organization of the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant near the village were the executions
occurred, Jurf al Sakhr, which is located North of Babil. Most members of this
Hezbollah unit were killed or captured by ISIL.
Iraqi News sites has reported extensively about Hezbollat
terrorist activities in Iraq since evidence of their presence first emerged:
URGENT: 1st Hezbollat terrorist leader killed in Iraq while
fighting ISIL
Hezbollat militiamen harass 2 Sunni Iraqi civilians,
demanding to know the whereabouts of hidden weapons, before executing them on
the first day of Eid-al Fitr in the Jurf al Sakhr area, located north of Babil.
Hezbollat terrorists opening fire on Sunni Iraqi civilians
on the first day of Eid-al Fitr in the Jurf al Sakhr area, located north of
Babil.
The horrific aftermath of the Hezbollat terrorist
executions of Sunni Iraqi civilians on the first day of Eid-al Fitr in the
Jurf al Sakhr area, located north of Babil.
Hezbollat terrorists beating an injured Sunni Iraqi
civilian with their shoes and filming the torture on mobile devices on the
first day of Eid-al Fitr in the Jurf al Sakhr area, located north of Babil.
Fighting In Provinces Of Nineveh And Diyala As
Iran Threatens With 'Sending (More) Troops'
Western and Arab sources report that in the northern
Iraqi province of Diyala local tribes rebelled against the Ad Dawla al-Islamiyya/Islamic
State (IS). Fightings in the area has been non-stop for a few days now. Both
sides suffered losses.
The representative of the tribe of al-Anbaki told reporters that previously the
collision had occurred in the district of Indjana in the northeast of Baquba -
the administrative center of the province of Diyala, and that all the dead were
local tribesmen. According to him, the local tribes intend to continue to fight
against the IS.
The tense situation persists in Nineveh province, where the IS retain control
over significant areas.
Information sources of IS reported that an attempt of an offensive had been made
by Kurdish Peshmerga forces with the support of American aviation at the
forefront of the IS units.
According to sources, the Kurds were repulsed by IS. During the counterattack,
40 members of the Peshmerga were killed and several armored vehicles destroyed.
IS did not inform about their losses.
Meanwhile, according to Arab media, US aircraft fired two missiles against the
IS who had besieged the city of Amerli in northern Iraq. In turn, the Pentagon
spokesman said that yet another airstrike was implemented in the area of the dam
near Mosul. It is reported that since the beginning of American air attacks, the
total number of air strikes reached 120 on the positions of the IS in Iraq.
Arab sources claim that as a result of the offensive by the Shiite and Kurdish
groups with the support of the United States they managed to break the siege of
Amerli, which is inhabited by Shiite Turkmen. Al Arabiya reported that on Monday
the city of Sulaiman Bek, located near Amerli, was retaken. IS were forced to
leave the city.
It is also claimed that the Shiites and Kurds captured villages of Habesh, Lokum,
Hafriya and Yengidja and IS units were forced to retreat after suffering heavy
losses. IS sources have not commented on these reports.
Meanwhile, Iran has threatened to "send the troops" to Iraq, if there is any
kind of threat to Shiite "holy places" in Karbala and Najaf. In Tehran they
declared that "the deployment of troops would be coordinated" with the puppet
Baghdad regime.
Iranian media reports that the large scale military exercises are taking place
aimed at "special forces training for emergency intervention in neighbouring
Iraq using air support and drones".
Bombing The Caliphate:
Why US Airstrikes Will Only Strengthen ISIS
By John Feffer
The last Islamic caliphate ended in 1924. Claimed by
the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, the caliphate
saw its fortunes rise and fall with those of its
imperial protectors.
When the Ottoman Empire expired at the end of World
War I, the caliphate's days were numbered. Never
recognized in far-flung areas like Somalia or Malaysia
or by the Shi'a and other minority communities, the
Sunni caliphate didn't represent the entire Muslim
world any more than the Vatican spoke for all
Christians. But it had great symbolic value, promising
a kind of universal Muslim order that fused the
religious and political spheres.
The weakened caliphate was no match for the
modernizing nationalism of Kemal Ataturk, who built
Turkey from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire. Ataturk
drove a stake through the caliphate as one more proof
that he intended to banish religion to the periphery
of Turkish society. In 1924, The Economist declared
the end of the caliphate with typical Eurocentric
triumphalism.
"The repudiation of the Caliphate by the Turks marks
an epoch in the expansion of Western ideas over the
non-Western world, for our Western principles of
national sovereignty and self-government are the real
forces to which the unfortunate 'Abdu'l Mejid Efendi
has fallen a victim," the magazine editorialized.
"Both by tradition and by theory, the Caliph is an
absolute monarch over a united Islamic world, and it
is therefore almost impossible to find a place for him
in a national state (whether it be called a republic
or a constitutional monarchy) in which the sovereignty
is vested in the parliamentary representatives of the
people."
The Economist spoke too soon. True, Turkey managed to
hold together as a nation-state in the ensuing
decades, preserving its territorial integrity by using
considerable military force against its perceived
enemies at home and abroad (including the "dirty war"
against the Kurds and the battle with Greece over
Cyprus). But the rest of what was once the Ottoman
Empire continues to struggle to maintain traditional
nation-states. Syria is trapped in a devastating civil
war. Iraq has effectively broken into three or four
parts. Israel and Palestine have fought for decades
over borders and sovereignty. Western colonialism,
followed by a counter-surge of Arab nationalism,
failed to turn the Middle East into a durable
patchwork of Westphalian states.
Meanwhile, the caliphate has returned with a
vengeance. In what seems an impossibly short time, the
Islamic State (IS) has challenged the borders of three
nation-states—Syria, Iraq, and now Lebanon—and
established its own caliphate in this territory. It
has no patience for "our Western principles of
national sovereignty and self-government" that The
Economist proclaimed victorious 90 years ago. It
doesn't even subscribe to the de facto
multiculturalism that intermittently held sway during
the previous Ottoman caliphate, under which Shi'ites,
Christians, Jews, and members of other faiths lived in
some approximation of tolerance for long stretches of
time. Even al-Qaeda, which shares IS's contempt for
existing governments in the Middle East, hesitated to
declare a caliphate because it hadn't yet prepared the
necessary groundwork. IS is nothing if not
presumptuous.
IS doesn't care what al-Qaeda thinks. Nor does it give
a fig for the opinions of prominent Sunni scholars
like the International Union of Muslim Scholars, which
declared its caliphate "null and void." And it
certainly doesn't pay attention to the blathering of
infidels, a rather large category of humanity that
includes Muslim apostates, all non-Muslims, and,
naturally, that inheritor of "our Western principles,"
the United States.
Now, if the United States doesn't do something
stupid—like bombing this newly declared caliphate and
its army—IS will likely be consumed by the fires of
its own extremism. All manner of groups fought
alongside IS in order to defeat their common enemy—the
woefully corrupt and dangerously sectarian leader of
Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki. But IS signaled its inability
to maintain a popular front of Maliki haters by
recently rounding up former Baathists that had been
fighting on their side and forcing them to swear
allegiance to the new entity or risk execution.
With Maliki finally on the way out, further splits
will take place within IS. Again, if the United States
doesn't do something stupid like…
Oh.
The United States did something stupid.
The Obama administration's newly restated
doctrine—don't do stupid shit—has just gone up in
smoke. I'm not sure why Hillary Clinton has just
chosen just this moment to observe that not doing
stupid shit doesn't constitute a foreign policy
strategy. After all, what's her alternative? The
Hippocratic oath—first, do not harm—is a more politely
stated version of the Obama doctrine. So, Clinton's
anti-Hippocratic approach logically amounts to: first,
do some stupid shit. Now, with bombs falling again on
Iraq, Clinton and Obama can be on the same page.
Let me be clear. I have zero sympathy for IS. I'd love
to read its obituary and that of its cardboard
caliphate as well. I also value what remains of the
confessional diversity in the Middle East and do not
doubt the genocidal urge of IS to wipe out anyone and
anything that challenges its totalitarian views. But a
campaign of U.S. aerial strikes to save one such
pocket of diversity, in this case the Yazidis, is just
the kind of outside force that will keep ISIS strong
and unified in the absence of an obvious focus of
hatred, as Maliki was.
I understand the pressure the Obama administration is
under to do something to help the beleaguered Yazidis,
not to mention the anemic Kurdish army to the north
and all the Shi'ites and Sunnis in Iraq that want to
push IS back into the Syrian petri dish that spawned
it. The Republican opposition, of course, would like
the Pentagon to apply even more force since it
believes that IS, as John McCain opined, "is a threat
to America." (Has anyone commented on the irony of
McCain making this statement from Vietnam, which for
more than a decade was deemed a threat to America only
to evolve, after years of senseless U.S. bombing, into
a semi-ally in the cordon sanitaire against China?)
IS, like al-Qaeda before it, would love to be
considered an actual threat to the United States. Such
posturing, backed up by the use of unilateral force,
elevates IS's status to legitimate combatant. It
changes the tagline of Uncle Sam's terrorist
recruitment poster into: I Want You to Join IS! It
draws the U.S. government even further into a tangle
of political and sectarian disputes that it only dimly
understands.
Did Obama have a choice in the matter? Politically, he
could have resisted Republican calls for the use of
force by reiterating that the solution to Iraq's
problems cannot be military. He could have relied on
the polls suggesting deep-seated American aversion to
putting boots back on the ground in Iraq (though
Americans seem to support air strikes). He could have
ignored the near-unanimous consensus among Beltway
pundits—i.e., the Washington Post's editorial
pages—that he was not providing sufficiently strong
leadership on foreign policy issues. He could have
swatted away the concerns of oil companies and their
"national security" enablers worried about restricted
U.S. access to Iraqi oil, particularly in the Kurdish
north.
Well, it's tough to imagine Obama pushing against this
tide. Even more difficult to imagine would be the
president taking real leadership by spearheading a UN
effort to provide humanitarian relief to the trapped
Yazidis and all the others who have been dispossessed
by IS.
The United States, like other wealthy powerful
countries, has a responsibility to act on behalf of
civilians in perilous conditions. I don't agree with
those who point to all the other victims around the
world to undercut any argument to extend assistance to
some subset of sufferers. Internationalists have to
come up with something better than such dilute
relativism.
How about this: every time the United States allocates
$1 in emergency aid for a specific group of people,
another $1 goes to the overall foreign assistance pot
until we finally get up to the 0.7 percent of GDP
level adopted as the Millennium Development Goal for
the industrialized world (currently, the United States
spends less than half that amount).
Be realistic, you might object. What's the point of
dropping food and blankets into what could very well
be merely a holding tank for those about to be
executed? What about the use of force?
But even the generals are cautious about the use of
unilateral force. Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently stated that IS
will ultimately be defeated "because pressure is
placed on it from multiple directions and with
multiple partners. So this isn't about us deciding
that ISIL is the latest in a series of threats and
taking it on unilaterally."
But surely the atrocities committed by IS offer one of
the strongest cases for the use of multilateral force
for humanitarian purposes. Virtually no one is willing
to go to bat for IS, and Iraq is welcoming outside
intervention. If the Obama administration really wants
to prove its leadership chops, it would help create a
truly international mechanism, like a UN standing
army, that can apply force to protect civilians. To
get the support of all those concerned about anything
that would compromise sovereignty, this mechanism
would have to be explicitly stripped of any "regime
change" aspirations.
But even if the option were available to use
multilateral force to save civilian lives, the problem
ISIS poses is not, as the administration previously
insisted, a military one. The underlying problem is
political: the blatant Shi'ite favoritism of the
government in Baghdad and the long simmering Sunni
grievances. It's not the U.S. role to pick and choose
governments for the Iraqis. But putting pressure on
the new government to maintain a confessional balance
in the distribution of political offices and public
goods is something Obama can usefully do.
At this point, with the bombs already falling on the
caliphate, it's best to remind the administration that
IS is like one of those creatures in a horror movie
that only grows stronger the more drone strikes or
artillery shells that it absorbs. The IS blob thrives
in an environment of violence and conflict. Unless we
remove the sources of that conflict—political and
sectarian grievances—IS will only grow larger. And we
will face that inevitability of the horror movie
genre: an unfortunate series of endless, bloody
sequels.
John Feffer is the director of Foreign Policy In
Focus.
Quiz: Obama
Said
Isis
Has No Place in the 21st Century for Killing
1
Journalist: What Place for
Bibi
in the 21st Century for Murdering
11
Journalists in Gaza?
Civilians Killed in US
and Iraqi Raids in Northern Iraq
More than 20 people were
killed, more than half of which were children in both
US and Iraqi raids in northern Iraq in two regions,
Kerkuk and Nineveh to the north of Iraq on Friday
alone, at a time when US president Barack Obama said
that raids on the ISIS strongholds will keep on
happening.
Sources in the Huweija Hospital which is situated
south West of Kerkuk (almost 150 kilometers to the
north of Baghdad), that 11 children were killed and
another 30 were injured among which were women and
children as well in a raid completed by Iraqi fighter
jets. Such sources added that the strikes hit
household buildings in the populated neighbourhood of
Al-Salam in the Huweija region and added that building
of the Bank of Huweija taken by the organization as
its HQ was hit as well. According to sources in
Huweija, today's raids have caused the death toll in
the city to increase from 20 to more than 30 people.
It is important to note that ISIS organization
controls towns in the Ta'mim gouvernorate region (Kirkuk)
as well as other towns in Salah El-Din situated to the
north of Baghdad, in addition to most of Nineveh
governorate and parts of the Al-Anbar in the western
part of the country.
Since IS has controlled cities and regions in Ta'mim,
Salah El-Din, Nineveh, and Anbar governerates last
june, Iraqi airforce is doing almost on daily basis
raids and bomings which cause civilian deaths in
cities such as Fallujah (Anbar) in addition to Biji
and Tikrit (Salah El Din).
Simultaneously, activists claimed the killing of 5
members of one family because of air raids by the
Iraqi airforce which hit the Tajnid neighbourhood in
the Jlola' town in Dyala in the north east of Baghdad
at a time when ISIS has taken over the town after the
latter was under the control of the Kurdish Pershmerga
forces.
US Bombing
In the Nineveh governorate 11 Iraqis were killed in a
raid completed by a US fighter jet in the Sinjar area
west of Mosul.
Eye witnesses have also said that missiles launched by
US planes hit houses of civilians by mistake.
For more than a week, US airforce has been launching
airstrikes which targeted IS positions in an attempt
to prevent it from reaching Iraqi Kurdistan. US
president Barack Obama has already announced that
airstrikes against IS will continue and invited Iraqis
to form a united government inclusive of all Iraqi
parties. Sources in Mosul said that the city's
hospital received more than 20 bodies since the US
airstrikes in Iraq started in the north of Iraq.
US said that the aim of those airstrikes was to
protect thousands of the Yazidis refugees which left
their native regions in Nineveh governorate.
The USSD admitted that airstrikes have slowed the
advance of IS towards Kurdistan but has not weakened
it."
Iraqi Muslim Scholars
React To New Political Climates In Baghdad and
America's Involvements
The Association of Muslim
Scholars
An open letter to the Iraqi people and the heroes
revolutionaries, and new prime minister and Sunni
politicians and others
((Consider not that Allah is unaware of that the
wrong-doers do, but He gives them respite up to a Day
when the eyes will stare in horror)) [Ibrahim: 42]
Praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon the
Messenger of Allah, his family, companions and allies,
and after:
O our great people of Iraq
Thanks to God, an idol of the current political
process has been fallen, that created to service the
major goals of the two countries U.S and Iran, where
both countries have been forced to take this step
under the pressure of the Iraq's popular revolution,
after both of them were insisting on him, and this is
just the beginning, many collapses will be continued,
God willing.
What happened in compatibility with the key players in
the fate of Iraq and the Iraqis by choosing another
figure from the same party (Dawa) for the fourth time
respectively, a step indicates that no of the brute
powers that controlling Iraq - depending on the great
services done by this party for them - want to waive
it.
Although we believe that the game is still in the
hands of the colonial powers, however, they have not
yet abandoned its goals in Iraq; but any newcomer who
wants to turn the page of injustice, and starts a new
era in Iraq; So he can manage - if willing - to do the
following:
First: Relieve the oppressed, and stop the criminality
of government against the uprising provinces, and
others, by prevention the dropping of barrel bombs on
civilians in Fallujah, Garma, Hawija and others, and
stop the targeting of the cities with heavy artillery
and fighter jets, which still ongoing until now.
Second: Release hundreds of thousands of prisoners of
men, women and children and the elderly, who
imprisoned years ago wrongfully without trials.
Third: Prevent militia activity which practiced
sectarian killings and displacement, which did not
cease throughout the rule of predecessors.
Fourth: Ending the policy of exclusion and
marginalization of the people of Iraq, and to preserve
what's left of their money as much as he could.
Fifth: Hold a trial of all who committed crimes
against the Iraqi people and has carried out killing,
displacement and theft of public money.
VI: Re-displaced the displaced persons to their homes
safe and secure from the oppression of the powerful
militia.
But the important question is : Is the newcomer today
can do so, or it is a new episode in a series of death
which is not meant to be finished till eliminate all
that is good in Iraq; because the required today is
not changing faces, but what is needed is to change
the conditions to achieve justice for all Iraqis, and
preserves the unity of Iraq and its social fabric, and
this is what will be revealed by the coming days.
But you, Sunni politicians; what you will do now .. We
warn you from falling into the sins affecting the
people's rights and their future, as what many of you
did with the previous government and the former ones,
by betrayal the revolution, or instigation of it, or
involvement in the fight against it, this is the
revolution of an oppressed people, you claim that you
represent his issue, also we warn you of exploiting of
what you think that it is an opportunity to push the
country to the danger of division, this time you will
not find tolerant of your people, nor forgiveness.
And you, politicians all, what you will do after an
era was filled with blood and corruption, and damage
to Iraq and its people, and you are before any others
know very well that Iraq will not witness any
stability, or interruption of the bloody bombings and
painful assassinations, and dangerous conditions at
the political, economic, social and other; so long as
the political process which made ??by the American
occupation and built on the same foundations, the
people will not enjoy its wealth or minima of the
necessities of life, if the big thieves still at the
helm, or still having the reins of wealth, a fact many
people may refuse to hear from us now, and consider it
as unjustified pessimism, but the day will come - as
it happens every time - where these themselves say to
us you are saying the truth.
But you, the heroes revolutionaries of Iraq whom give
your lives cheap in the way of Allah, then for the
sake of freedom and dignity of your people, you have
to know that, ousting a tyrant who tasted his people
over the torment, is a celestial medal honoring you,
that many others were unable to get it, even though
they were named him the dictator and the corrupt , and
the glosser over the killers and robbers the people's
money, and we asking you not to waive any of the
rights of your people, that you have revolted - and
still - in order to achieve them.
We know, ye revolutionaries, that there are who harmed
your revolution, and deviated in some fields off
track, and also there is a new international coalition
is about to take various pretexts; as a gateway to nip
this revolution, and wasting the rights of the
oppressed, and wasting a golden opportunity had people
waiting indeed for salvation from injustice and
suffering; but these obstacles will be gone, God
willing, and the history of the popular revolutions
had this pattern of surprises; so should not let
wasting your efforts, do not stop your march, and as
successfully your revolution to overthrow a dangerous
idol, it is able to make a lot of achievements to your
people, and as for the people who hurt the people and
got him, the nation will not forgive them, and will
punish them, and there is no right lost when a
demander exists.
On this occasion, the Association confirms that the
fundamentals of the stance from the occupation and its
political process does not vary with changing shapes
and governments, nor by words and wishes; but it
varies by changing deeds and facts, and by sincere
efforts on the ground and in the fact, and it warns
the Iraqi people and the other of dangling by honeyed
promises of newcomers, they will be tested at the
first opportunity and the closest position requires
the criterion between what is right and what is wrong,
and the right step is to transfer of all Iraqis of all
sects and components, to safety and state-building
through a project represents all of them, not a
project limited to the imposed tyrants, away from
their real choices.
The Association also alerting all who welcomed the
arrival of the new governor to the Green Zone; should
beware of exploiting the Iraqi scene for the
application of the policy (impunity) for the interest
of the former prime minister, and all those involved
with crimes against the Iraqi people, namely, (war
crimes), that has been committed in the framework of
general plans and policies and is not as a personal or
partial, as well as being (genocide) and (crimes
against humanity); because it targeted - by total or
partial destruction - a certain groups of the
population for overlapping reasons : national, racial
and religious, and has been done under widespread and
systematic attack against a large sector and
well-known of the population.
May Allah save a united Iraq and save Iraqis and bring
them back to safety and security, certainly He is The
All-Hearer.
General Secretariat
21 Shawal 1435 AH
17 August 2014 AD.
The Association of Muslim Scholars
ISIS Is Enemy Number
One Of Islam - Saudi Grand Mufti Echoes Scholars
Stance On The Erratic Dawlah
Militants of the Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and al-Qaeda were
blasted by Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz
al-Sheikh on Tuesday as "enemy number one" of Islam.
"The ideas of extremism, radicalism and terrorism ...
have nothing to do with Islam and (their proponents)
are the enemy number one of Islam," the kingdom's top
cleric said in a statement
He cited militants from ISIS, which has declared a
"caliphate" straddling parts of Iraq and Syria, and
the global al-Qaeda terror network.
Last Wednesday, Saudi Arabia donated $100 million to
the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) to
help combat terrorism.
"Terrorism is an evil that must be eradicated from the
world through international efforts," Saudi Ambassador
to the United States Adel al-Jubeir said during a
ceremony at the United Nations in the presence of U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
"The [UNCCT] is the only center in the world that has
the legitimacy to combat terrorism," added al-Jubeir.
Jubeir was joined by Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the
U.N. Abdullah Al-Mouallimi who said that the UNCCT
combats the kind of thinking "that stands behind
terrorism."
The United States, Germany and Britain have also
donated to help run the U.N. center. ISIS has seized
large parts of Iraq and drawn the first American air
strikes since the end of the U.S.-led occupation in
2011.
On Monday, ISIS warned the United States it will
attack Americans "in any place" if the raids hit its
militants.
The video, which shows a photograph of an American who
was beheaded during the U.S. occupation of Iraq and
victims of snipers, featured a statement which said in
English "we will drown all of you in blood."
Al Arabiya.
Iraq: The Stance From
The Occupation and Its Political Process Does Not Vary
With Changing The Governments' Shape Only
The Association of Muslim
Scholars in Iraq emphasized in an open letter
addressed to the Iraqi people and the revolutionaries
and others, that the fundamentals of the political
situation of the brutal U.S led occupation and the
current political process does not change with varying
the shapes of the governments, and neither by words
nor wishes; but only by changing deeds, facts, and the
sincere efforts and acts on the ground.
The Association urged Iraqi people not to dangle by
honeyed promises of the newcomers, which will be
revealed by a first opportunity and closest position
requires the criterion between right and wrong, or
truth and falsehood .. pointing out that the right
step is to transferring all Iraqis to a safety site
and state-building project that represents all Iraqi
components, not a limited project for only those
imposed rulers who have been designated away from the
real choices.
The Association of Muslim Scholars demanded who wants
to turn the page of injustice, and claims to start a
new era in Iraq, to do the following urgent measures :
Give up the ongoing policy of exclusion and
marginalization of the people of Iraq.
Stop the brutal crimes committed by the government
security agencies troops and Iran-backed sectarian
militias against the people of Iraq's provinces,
particularly uprising ones, and end militias activity
that practiced kidnapping, murdering, extrajudicial
killing and forced displacement on sectarian basis.
Immediate prevention of dropping "barrel bombs" on
civilian areas in uprising provinces, and stop
targeting Iraq's cities with mortar attacks, heavy
artillery bombardment and fighter jets, at once.
Release of hundreds thousands of innocent prisoners,
as soon as possible, who are still languishing in
government prisons for years wrongfully.
The Association of Muslim Scholars asked in its letter
by saying: Can who came today to do so, or he is a new
episode in a series of death that not meant to be
finished till eliminate all that is good in Iraq? ..
Stressing that what is required today is not changing
faces only, but changing conditions in order to bridge
sectarian divide and preserve Iraq's unity and social
fabric by providing justice to all Iraqis, at the time
it warned all who welcomed the arrival of the new
governor to the Green Zone from the exploitation of
the Iraqi scene for the application of the policy of
(Impunity), for the interest of the head of the former
government, and all those involved in crimes against
the Iraqi people, a war crimes, as well as crimes of
genocide and crimes against humanity.
At the end of its letter, the Association of Muslim
Scholars, drew attention that the Iraqi people will
not enjoy its rewards, as long as the political
process that made by the American occupation is exist
on the same basis, and the big thieves still at the
helm, or still having the reins of wealth .. praising
the heroic epics written by the brave Iraq's
revolutionaries who give their lives in the way of
Allah, then for the sake of freedom and dignity for
their people, and asked them not to waive of any of
the people rights, they revolted for them.
Abadi Will Fail To Face Sectarianism Pursues Same
Maliki's Policies
The British newspaper (The Guardian) confirmed that (Haider
Al-Abadi), the designated PM to form a new government,
faces a big dilemma because of the urgent need of the
country to confront sectarianism, which caused many
Iraqi crises since 2003.
The Guardian in an article published recently under
the title (Iraq 'doomed' if new prime minister Abadi
fails to bridge sectarian divide) said that "Iraq is
in danger of division because of the war and sectarian
divisions among Iraqis unless (Abadi) reunites the
country again and adopts new policies are different
from that the ousted Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has
used".. pointing out that under Maliki, the central
government's authority has been so compromised that
many Iraqis have lost faith in any leader's ability to
reunite the country two months after the revolution,
that overran more than two thirds of the country.
Senior politicians and observers say Haidar al-Abadi
faces near-impossible task of trying to form unity
government.
Regional and Iraqi officials have encouraged Abadi to
start by revitalising the demoralised national
military and overhauling state institutions that have
been co-opted by warlords and political blocs over the
past decade. Many barely function.
At the end of the essay, an Iraqi political analyst
said: "But only if Abadi changes the way that Maliki
used to operate and doesn't follow in his footsteps."
He added: "Iraqis are optimistic about al-Abadi but
they are worried that the new government will use the
same policy of allocating ministries to political
parties and based on ethnicities. If this happens
again, it will sap the last bit of hope of changing to
a better Iraq."
Iraq And The American
Cult Of Bombing: Why You Should Expect More Bombs To
Be Dropped Everywhere
By William J. Astore
When you do something again and again, placing great
faith in it, investing enormous amounts of money in
it, only to see indifferent or even negative results,
you wouldn't be entirely surprised if a neutral
observer questioned your sanity or asked you if you
were part of some cult. Yet few Americans question the
sanity or cult-like behaviour of American presidents
as they continue to seek solutions to complex issues
by bombing Iraq (as well as numerous other countries
across the globe).
Poor Iraq. From Operation Desert Shield/Storm under
George H.W. Bush to enforcing no-fly zones under Bill
Clinton to Operation Iraqi Freedom under George W.
Bush to the latest "humanitarian" bombing under Barack
Obama, the one constant is American bombs bursting in
Iraqi desert air. Yet despite this bombing -- or
rather in part because of it -- Iraq is a devastated
and destabilized country, slowly falling apart at
seams that have been unraveling under almost a
quarter-century of steady, at times relentless,
pounding. "Shock and awe," anyone?
Well, I confess to being shocked: that US airpower
assets, including strategic bombers like B-52s and
B-1s, built during the Cold War to deter and, if
necessary, attack that second planetary superpower,
the Soviet Union, have routinely been used to attack
countries that are essentially helpless to defend
themselves from bombing.
In 1985, when I entered active duty as an Air Force
lieutenant, if you had asked me which country the US
would "have" to bomb in four sustained aerial
campaigns spanning three decades, among the last
countries I would have suggested was Iraq. Heck, back
then we were still helping Saddam Hussein in his war
against Iran, sharing intelligence that aided his
military in pinpointing (and using his chemical
weapons against) Iranian troop concentrations. The
Reagan administration had sent future Bush secretary
of defense Donald Rumsfeld there to shake Saddam's
hand for a photo op. We even overlooked Iraq's
"accidental" bombing in 1987 of a American naval
vessel, the USS Stark, that resulted in the death of
37 American sailors, all in the name of containing
Iran (and Shia revolutionary fervor).
It's said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but
Saddam didn't remain a friend for long. Emboldened by
US support in his war with Iran, he took Kuwait, only
to initiate the first round of devastating US air
raids against his military during Desert Shield/Storm
in 1990-1991. As these and subsequent bombing
campaigns damaged and debilitated Iraq, contributing
to Saddam's overthrow in 2003, the Shia majority in
that country found common cause with Iran,
strengthening one branch of militant Islam. At the
same time, the general destabilization of Iraq from a
generation of air war and invasion has led to a Sunni
revolt, the strengthening of an al-Qaeda-style
movement, and the establishment of a "caliphate"
across significant parts of Iraq (and Syria).
Now, given that less-than-stellar record, does anyone
want to hazard a guess about the next American
response to peoples and leaders our government doesn't
like in Iraq or the rest of the Middle East? My money
is on more bombing, which surely requires explanation.
Cranking out
bombers
If one weapon captured the image of the former Soviet
Union, it was the main battle tank. From T-34s during
World War II to T-72s near the end of the Cold War,
the Russians cranked them out like sausages. And if
one weapon captured the image of the US, then and now,
it has surely been the bomber, whether of the
strategic or heavy variety (think B-52) or the
tactical or fighter-bomber variety (think the F-105 in
the Vietnam years, the F-15 "Strike Eagle" in Iraq,
and for the future, the most expensive weapons system
of all time, the F-35). As the richer superpower, the
US cranked out high-tech bombers like so many
high-priced sausages.
"The bomber will always get through." That article of
faith, first expressed in 1932 by Stanley Baldwin,
thrice Prime Minister of Britain, was seized upon by
US airpower enthusiasts in the run-up to World War II.
Despite decidedly mixed and disappointing results ever
since, bombing remains the go-to choice for American
commanders-in-chief.
What we need in 2014 is a new expression that catches
the essence of the cult of US air power, something
like: "The bomber will always get funded -- and used."
Let's tackle the first half of that equation: the
bomber will always get funded. Skeptical? What else
captures the reality (as well as the folly) of
dedicating more than $400 billion to the F-35
fighter-bomber program, a wildly over-budget and
underperforming weapons system that may, in the end,
cost the American taxpayer $1.5 trillion. Yes, you
read that right. Or the persistence of US plans to
build yet another long-range "strike" bomber to
augment and replace the B-1 and B-2 fleet? It's a
"must-have," according to the Air Force, if the US is
to maintain its "full-spectrum dominance" on Planet
Earth. Already pegged at an estimated price of $550
million per plane while still on the drawing boards,
it's just about guaranteed to replace the F-35 in the
record books, when it comes to delays, cost overruns,
and price. And if you don't think it'll get funded,
you don't know recent history.
Heck, I get it. I was a teenager once. In the 1970s,
as an Air Force enthusiast and child of the Cold War,
I hugged exotic and therefore pricey bomber jets to my
chest. (Well, models of them, anyway.) I considered
them to be both uniquely American and an absolute
necessity when it came to defending our country
against the lumbering (but nevertheless menacing)
Soviet "bear." As a result, I gasped in 1977 when
President Jimmy Carter dared to cancel the B-1 bomber
program. While I was a little young to pen my outrage,
more mature critics than I quickly accused him of
being soft on defense, of pursuing "unilateral
disarmament."
Back then, I'd built a model of the B-1 bomber. In my
mind's eye I still see its sexy white body and its
rakish swing wings. No question that it was a man's
bomber. I recall attaching a firecracker to its body,
lighting the wick, and dropping the plane from the
third-floor porch. It exploded in mid-air, symbolic to
me of the plane's tragic fate at the hands of the
pusillanimous Carter.
But I need not have feared for the B-1. In October
1981, as one of his first major acts in office,
President Ronald Reagan rescinded Carter's
cancellation and revived the mothballed program. The
Air Force eventually bought 100 of the planes for $28
billion, expensive at the time (and called a "turkey"
by some), but a relative bargain in the present
budgetary environment when it comes to bombers (but
these days, little else).
At that point, I was a young lieutenant serving on
active duty in the Air Force. I had by then come to
learn that Carter, the peanut farmer (and former Navy
nuclear engineer), was right. We really didn't need
the B-1 for our defense. In 1986, for a contest at
Peterson Air Force Base where I was stationed, I wrote
a paper against the B-1, terming the idea of a
"penetrating strategic bomber" a "flawed strategy" in
an era of long-range air-launched cruise missiles. It
earned an honorable mention, the equivalent of drawing
the "you have won second prize in a beauty contest"
card in Monopoly, but without the compensatory $10.
That "penetrating," by the way, meant being loaded
with expensive avionics, nowadays augmented by
budget-busting "stealth" features, so that a plane
could theoretically penetrate enemy air defenses while
eluding detection. If the idea of producing such a
bomber was flawed in the 1980s, how much more is it
today, in an age of remotely-piloted drones and
missiles guided by GPS and in a world in which no
country the US chooses to bomb is likely to have air
defenses of any sophistication? Yet the Air Force
insists that it needs at least 100 of the next
generation version of them at a cost of $55 billion.
(Based on experience, especially with the F-35, you
should automatically double or even triple that price
tag, cost overruns and product development delays
being a given in the process. So let's say it'll cost
closer to $150 billion. Check back with me, God
willing, in 2040 to see whether the Air Force's figure
or mine was closer to reality.)
Idols for
worship, urges to satisfy
Obviously, there are staggering amounts of money to be
made by feeding America's fetish for bombers. But the
US cult of air power and its wildly expensive
persistence requires further explanation. On one
level, exotic and expensive attack planes like the
F-35 or the future "long range strike bomber" (LRS-B
in bloodless acronym-speak) are the military
equivalent of sacred cows. They are idols to be
worshipped (and funded) without question. But they are
also symptoms of a larger disease -- the engorgement
of the Department of Defense. In the post-9/11 world,
this has become so pronounced that the
military-industrial-congressional complex clearly
believes it is entitled to a trough filled with money
with virtually no accountability to the American
taxpayer.
Add to that sense of entitlement the absurdist faith
of administration after administration in the efficacy
of bombing as a problem solver -- despite overwhelming
evidence to the contrary -- and you have a truly
lethal combo. Senator John McCain was widely mocked by
progressives for his "bomb Iran" song, warbled during
the 2008 presidential campaign to the tune of the
Beach Boys's "Barbara Ann." In fact, his tuneless
rendition captured perfectly Washington's absolute
faith in bombing as a solution to... whatever.
Even if the bombs bursting over Iraq or elsewhere
don't solve anything, even when they make things
worse, they still make a president look, well,
presidential. In America, land of warbirds, it is
always better politically to pose as a hunting hawk
than a helpless dove.
So don't blame the Air Force for wanting more and
deadlier bombers. Or don't blame only them. Just as
admirals want more ships, flyboys naturally want more
planes, even when strategically obsolete from scratch
and blazingly expensive. No military service has ever
willingly given up even a tiny slice of its share of
the prospective budgetary pie, especially if that
slice cuts into the service's core image. In this
sense, the Air Force takes its motto from King Lear's
"Reason not the need!" and from Zack Mayo's "I want to
fly jets!" (memorably uttered by that great
Shakespearean actor Richard Gere in An Officer and a
Gentleman).
The sad truth runs deeper: Americans evidently want
them, too. More bombers. More bombs. In the movie Top
Gun, Tom Cruise's Maverick got it all wrong. It's not
speed Americans feel a need for; they have an urge to
bomb. When you refuse to reason, when you persist in
investing ever more resources in ever more planes, use
almost automatically follows.
In other words, fund it, build it, and, as promised in
the second half of my equation, the bomber will always
get used. Mock him all you want, but John McCain was
on to something. It's bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb if
not (yet) Iran... then Iraq, or Pakistan, or Libya, or
Yemen, or (insert intransigent foreign country/peoples
here).
And like cults everywhere, it's best not to question
the core belief and practices of its leaders -- after
all, bombs bursting in air is now as American as the
"Star Spangled Banner."
-William Astore, a retired lieutenant colonel (USAF),
is a TomDispatch regular who edits the blog The
Contrary Perspective.
Barrage Of Barrel Bombs
Still Hitting Iraq's Cities, U.S Occupation Army
Launches 68 Airstrikes
Sources at the American
ministry of war (Pentagon); said in a statement issued
on Monday; that the air force of the occupation army
carried out 68 airstrikes affected several areas in
the provinces of (Nineveh) and (Erbil) northern Iraq.
According to the statement; the Air Force of the
American occupation army launched a total of 68 air
raids since the 8th of August.; and bombing different
sites in the two provinces mentioned, pointing out
that the purpose of these intensified strikes come in
the context of "protecting American citizens" in Iraq.
In pursuing of al-Maliki's war against Iraqi people,
especially in the uprising provinces; the current
government is raining high explosive barrel bombs on
civilians in defiance of international calls that
urged to end the conflict in Iraq and to stop the
notorious indiscriminate use of barrel bombs and other
weapons in populated areas.
It has documented major new damage sites consistent
with barrel bomb impacts on neighborhoods, hospitals
and mosques of the cities of Falluja, Garma, Tikrit,
Hawija, Jurf Al-Sakhar, Al-Taji and other areas held
by opposition armed groups.
Month after month - on daily basis - new barrel bomb
attacks on Iraqi civilians, as well as hospitals and
mosques; leaving scores dead and injured as well as
demolishing civilian areas, that go unpunished by
world dominating countries especially U.S, which need
to show the same resolve and unanimity it brought to
the elsewhere issues of humanitarian aid to call a
halt to the deadly attacks on civilians.
Witness statements and video and photographic evidence
obtained by Human Rights Watch indicate that
government forces have maintained and even increased
their bombardment rate of Falluja, Garma and Jurf Al-Sakhar
since the beginning of last June, Human Rights Watch
identified many distinct damage sites in areas of
those cities, including hospitals, mosques and
certainly residents' homes and other private property.
A substantial majority of these damaged sites strongly
consistent with the detonation of barrel bombs. Barrel
bombs, and other high explosive unguided bombs, tend
to create larger zones of building destruction than is
typically seen with other types of air strikes and
artillery fire, often with irregularly shaped blast
craters of shallow depth with scalloped edges.
These unguided high explosive bombs are cheaply made,
locally produced, and typically constructed from large
oil drums, gas cylinders, and water tanks, filled with
high explosives and scrap metal to enhance
fragmentation, and then dropped from helicopters. The
damage to a small number of the identified sites was
probably caused by other explosive weapons, either
bombs delivered by conventional aircraft or prolonged
artillery shelling. There is also strong evidence that
government forces on the ground have fired hundreds of
mortars and heavy artillery shells during this period,
international human rights organization said.
By using barrel bombs on densely populated areas,
forces loyal to Nuri al-Maliki and the designated
prime minister Haider Al-Abadi are using means and
methods of warfare that do not distinguish between
civilians, who are accorded protection under the laws
of war, and combatants, making attacks indiscriminate
and therefore unlawful.
Companies and individuals that provide arms,
ammunition, or materiel to the current government and
sectarian militias, or to Iran-backed terrorist groups
that have been implicated in crimes against humanity
or war crimes, risk complicity in these crimes, NGOs
warned.
Under international law, providing weapons to forces
or armed groups in Iraq knowing that they are likely
to be used in the commission of war crimes or crimes
against humanity may amount to assisting in the
commission of those crimes. Any arms supplier could
bear potential criminal liability as an accessory to
those crimes and could face prosecution, NGOs said.
"So far, barrel bombs and indiscriminate mortar fire
have killed hundreds of Iraqi civilians, most of
victims were women and children", a medical source at
Falluja General Hospital said.
Local provincial sources stated that the barrel bombs
dropped and random shelling on the civilian areas by
the deployed government troops outside Anbar's cities
pushed hundreds thousands citizens flee their home.
It is worth mentioning that the pro-government
militias " Iran-backed terrorist groups " participate
in indiscriminate attacks across the country as well,
including mortar attacks, abductions and forced
disappearances, decapitated and charred corpses,
sectarian revenge killings, extrajudicial executions
of prisoners and detainees, forced displacement, car
bombings in both Sunni and Shiite areas, all those
crimes intensified over the last seven months in
uprising provinces, particularly in Baghdad, Babil and
Diyala provinces.
An Iraqi political analyst said, regarding the
designation of the new prime minister Haider Al-Abadi
: "Abadi must change the way that Maliki used to
operate and doesn't follow in his footsteps." He
added: "Iraqis are optimistic about al-Abadi but they
are worried that the new government will still
proceeding with the war against Iraqi people - that
led to displacement hundreds thousands of unarmed
residents - and keep on supporting sectarian militias
and the unconstitutional paramilitary groups; if this
happens, it will sap the last bit of hope of changing
to a better Iraq."
The UN strongly condemned these crimes against
civilians in Iraq, and demands Baghdad authorities
promptly to full stop indiscriminate shelling of
civilian areas to preserve the lives of unarmed
residents there, and to allow safe and unhindered
humanitarian access for local and international
humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners.
But al-Maliki's government had deliberately failed to
comply with that demand of keeping delivery of
humanitarian assistance to the displaced families,
that have become homeless and suffered from hard
living conditions. It seemed that al-Maliki's
successor tends to follow in his footsteps.
Obama
Ego Has Landed, Finally, As He Orders New Bombings Of Iraq: American Dreams, Again?
In the middle of a speech vowing the US wouldn't be dragged into
another war in Iraq, President Obama laid about
exactly how the US indeed will be dragged into the
ongoing ISIS war in Iraq, revealing that he has
ordered bombings of northern Iraq and other
operations.
As the attention
of the world focused on Ukraine and Gaza, the Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) captured a third of
Syria in addition to the quarter of Iraq it had seized
in June.
But in his most desperate measure to date to curb the
advancement of ISIS Obama announced during the
Thursday speech he had authorized targeted air strikes
against Sunni fighters in Iraq, saying the measure was
meant to avert what he called genocide in the country,
referring to a religious minority group besieged by
fighters from the so-called Islamic State.
Presenting the new US offensive as entirely
humanitarian in nature, Obama vowed to see the US save
the Yazidis whose faith is said to include worshipping
of Tawus Sahytan (The Devil Jin Or 'Devil Angel') who fled into the
mountains, declaring another "America's help" for the
Iraqis after a decades of violence of the US invasion
and killings that had made the current crisis
possible. The war on terror for which civil liberties
have been curtailed and hundreds of billions of
dollars spent has failed miserably.
"I therefore authorized targeted air strikes if
necessary to help forces in Iraq as they fight to
break the siege and protect the civilians trapped
there," he said.
The frontiers of the new Caliphate
declared by Isis on 29 June are expanding by the day
and now cover an area larger than Great Britain and
inhabited by at least six million people, a population
larger than that of Denmark, Finland or Ireland.
Obama did not, however, confirm or deny whether the US
had already carried out air strikes in Iraq as claimed
by a spokesman for the Kurdish peshmerga force.
"F-16s first entered Iraqi airspace on a
reconnaissance mission and are now targeting Daash
(Islamic State) in Gwer and in the Sinjar region,"
Holgard Hekmat told the AFP news agency earlier.
The Kurdish official said: "They just struck the
bridge linking Mosul to Gwer. The bridge had been used
by Daash to channel reinforcements and ammunition to
Gwer."
Obama's announcement came hours
after the United Nations Security Council condemned
the recent attacks by the Islamic State group in Iraq
and called for international support for the country.
"The members of the Security Council call on the
international community to support the government and
people of Iraq and to do all it can to help alleviate
the suffering of the population affected by the
current conflict in Iraq," Britain's UN Ambassador
Mark Lyall Grant, president of the council for August,
said after a meeting of the 15-member body on
Thursday.
Obama claimed to have a "mandate" for such operations
from the Iraqi government, and cited US diplomats and
civilians stations in Arbil as part of the
justification for the new US military involvement,
adding that the troops already sent weeks ago would
support the Iraqi and Kurdish military in their
ongoing fighting.
The Pentagon denied reports earlier Thursday of US
airstrikes against ISIS targets, and recent reports
have suggested that Turkish warplanes have carried out
bombing strikes against ISIS, and those may have been
mistaken for US airstrikes. The US air campaign is
coming, but exactly when it will begin is thus far
unclear.
In a few weeks of fighting in Syria
Isis has established itself as the dominant force in
the Syrian opposition, routing the official al-Qaida
affiliate, Jabhat al-Nusra, in the oil-rich province
of Deir Ezzor and executing its local commander as he
tried to flee.
In northern Syria some five thousand
Isis fighters are using tanks and artillery captured
from the Iraqi army in Mosul to besiege half a million
Kurds in their enclave at Kobani on the Turkish
border. In central Syria, near Palmyra, Isis fought
the Syrian army as it overran the al-Shaer gasfield,
one of the largest in the country, in a surprise
assault that left an estimated three hundred soldiers
and civilians dead. Repeated government
counter-attacks finally retook the gasfield but Isis
still controls most of Syria's oil and gas production.
The Caliphate may be poor and isolated but its oil
wells and control of crucial roads provide a steady
income in addition to the plunder of war.
The belief that Isis is interested
only in 'Muslim against Muslim' struggles is another
instance of wishful thinking: Isis has shown it will
fight anybody who doesn't adhere to its bigoted,
puritanical and violent variant of Islam. Where Isis
differs from al-Qaida is that it's a well-run military
organisation that is very careful in choosing its
targets and the optimum moment to attack them.
For the Iraqi Sunnis, opposing Isis
is very dangerous and, for all its brutality, it has
brought victory to a defeated and persecuted Sunni
community. Even those Sunnis in Mosul who don't like
it are fearful of the return of a vengeful Shia-dominated
Iraqi government. So far Baghdad's response to its
defeat has been to bomb Mosul and Tikrit randomly,
leaving local people in no doubt about its
indifference to their welfare or survival. The fear
will not change even if Maliki is replaced by a more
conciliatory prime minister.
A Sunni in Mosul, writing just after
a missile fired by government forces had exploded in
the city, told me: 'Maliki's forces have already
demolished the University of Tikrit. It has become
havoc and rubble like all the city. If Maliki reaches
us in Mosul he will kill its people or turn them into
refugees. Pray for us.' Such views are common, and
make it less likely that Sunnis will rise up in
opposition to Isis.
Islamic State Lashes Out At The Coalition Of
Tribalistic Peshmerga And The Safavid (Khomeinist Shiites)
A huge assault the Islamic State launched on Kurdish positions in the province
of Mosul on 2 August was a response to reports of newfound military and
political cooperation between Baghdad and the Kurds, says the militant group.
The reports follow hints at a political reconciliation between Erbil and Baghdad
seen in the Iraq's parliament successful election of a Kurdish president on 24
July.
"The [Kurdish] coalition with the Safavid Shia [Shiites] and the cross
worshippers [Christians] to attack the Sunni Muslims to stop them from their
'project' to create an Islamic state resulted in all the Mujahideen standing up
and fighting back," read an IS statement posted online on 6 August after they
attacked Peshmerga positions in the religiously diverse town of Gwer and
Makhmour. The IS attacks, which were just 50kms from the Kurdish capital of
Erbil have raised concerns among the residents of Erbil with some fleeing in the
directions of the mountainous areas in the tourist resort of Shaqlawa and Maseef.
When the Islamist militants launched lightning attacks on Mosul and across army
in the beginning of June, the Kurds promised help to secure Mosul. However,
Baghdad refused, according to a testimony of US deputy secretary Brett McGurk.
After Iraqi soldiers abandoned their posts in the face of the IS advance,
Kurdish forces secured several areas - including the oil-rich, disputed province
of Kirkuk - that lie outside of the official autonomous region. Kurdish
president Masoud Barzani announced for plans a referendum, and further angering
Baghdad, said the Kurds would independently export oil from Kirkuk that used to
be under the control of Baghdad.
However, both Iran and the US have since strongly warned Erbil against seeking
any form of independence, while pressuring the Kurds to work with Baghdad
against the IS. Former US intelligence officer Jessica D Lewis has suggested in
a report for the Institute for the Study of War that the Islamic State would
exploit any Kurdish moves towards independence and minimize "opportunities for a
joint military effort involving the Peshmerga, the Iraqi Security Forces, and
external allies to defeat the Islamic Caliphate. Therefore, the IS did not
launch any major attacks on the Kurds after 10 June".
Baghdad's initial response to what it saw as Kurdish intransigence was to accuse
Erbil of becoming a shelter for ISIL fighters, with Shiite militias also
harassing the Kurds. Halgurd Hikmet, a spokesperson of the Peshmerga Ministry,
had said on 15 June said the Kurds would only defend areas they had secured
after the Iraqi army fled. "The Peshmerga forces are ready to be killed for
their land, but not for Arab land," he said.
When asked if the Iraqi army could take back these areas, he suggested it would
be impossible without the Kurds. "No, if we don't help them, they can't. Off
course we are not going to help them for free," he told the regional media.
The Islamist militants assumed the Kurds would not move towards cooperation with
Baghdad without recognition of their demands - such as the recognition of
disputed areas as Kurdish and allowing independent oil exports. Erbil is also
seeking delayed payments of the Kurdish budget and Kurdish armed forces which it
says Baghdad has been withholding for months.
But since the Iraqi president was elected in July, there are increasing news
reports that the Kurds will attack the IS - and the language of the Kurdish
officials has started to change. On 1 August, the Kurdish NRT TV-channel
reported a decisive war could be waged against the IS by Sunni insurgents inside
Mosul by the Iraqi army and the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
Senior Kurdish commanders have also said they had received weapons from Western
countries, among them the United States, to attack IS militants in Mosul.
"We have re-organized ourselves and are ready. We have received the heavy
weaponry we need to fight IS and will attack Mosul shortly and won't stop until
we control it," said Major General Abdulrahman Kawreni to Bas News in August.
Meanwhile, the Iranians have ended a media campaign against Kurdish president
Masoud Barzani. In the past they accused him of dividing Iraq and attempting to
create a Kurdish state with the support of Israel.
On 3 August, Hoseyn Amir-Abdollahian, deputy foreign minister for Arab and
African Affairs, in an interview with IRNA, suggested Barzani had ended his
hostilities towards the Baghdad government.
"Barzani who is one of Iraq's old and experienced leaders, believe that all
issues and initiatives progress according to the framework of the constitution
and with coordination with the central government," Amir-Abdollahian said.
When the IS launched attacks on 2 August against Kurdish positions in the Zummar
and Kesik military bases, the Peshmerga withdrew to make room for Iraqi air
force bombardments. And last Monday, the Iraqi PM ordered the Iraqi air force to
help the Kurds.
Kurdish media reported that the Peshmerga already carried out operations in the
Mosul city on 5 August in the neighbourhoods of Bu'eweza, Qahira, Gokjalil and
Mosul Radio.
Kurdish officials denied that there is any deal with Baghdad and only on the
ground cooperation despite of increasing reports of cooperation between Baghdad
and Erbil against the growing threat.
Full of this article as written by Wladimir van Wilgenburg was
published by the Middle East Eye
ISIS Withdraws From Iraq's Second Largest City,
Mosul, Handling Over Its Gains To Saddam-era Ba'athists
The Guardian
Isis fighters have partially withdrawn from Iraq's second city, Mosul, where
another militant group - closely linked to former members of Saddam Hussein's
regime - has taken over large areas, according to the city's governor.
In an interview with the Guardian the governor, Atheel Nujaifi, who escaped from
Mosul last month, said the Islamic State's main "strike force" had withdrawn
from the city to fight the Iraqi army further south in Tikrit, he said. A
smaller number of local Isis supporters remained in Mosul's western part, known
as the right bank, he said.
Last month Isis staged a stunning advance, seizing Mosul and Tikrit, and raising
the spectre of Iraq's collapse. On Tuesday the Iraqi army was forced to retreat
from Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's birthplace, 100 miles north of Baghdad, after its
latest attempt to retake the city met heavy Isis resistance.
But according to Nujaifi, most of the eastern half of Mosul is now dominated by
the Naqshbandi Army, a group led by high-ranking Saddam-era Ba'athists including
Izzat al-Douri, the king of clubs in the US deck of "wanted Iraqi" playing
cards. Naqshbandi militants had taken down Isis flags from "a lot of buildings"
and replaced them with their own, he said. Other sources inside Mosul confirmed
that Isis fighters began to withdraw from the city about a week ago.
The lightning Isis offensive, which swept Iraqi government forces from swaths of
the country's north, is thought to have been partially enabled by an alliance
with the Naqshbandi group - known in full as the Army of the Men of the
Naqshbandi Order which emerged around 2007. The group is believed to be under
the control of Douri, the most senior of Saddam's commanders to evade capture
after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. His whereabouts is unknown, though many
think he is in Syria.
"They [the Naqshbandi group] have a direct relationship with al-Douri," the
governor said. "It's a Sufi group. Al-Douri is himself a Sufi."
Nujaifi said the only way out of Iraq's current violent turmoil was a political
solution involving talks not with Isis but with the "six or seven" other Sunni
groups fighting in different parts of the country. All are opposed to Iraq's
Shia-led government, and its prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki. "The solution must
be without Maliki. Nobody trusts him," the governor said.
Residents in Mosul, meanwhile, say Iraqi aircraft are regularly bombarding the
city, and on Tuesday night hit its main power plant, next to Mosul University.
Water supplies have already been cut. Electricity - previously available for a
couple of hours a day - is now down to just a few minutes, forcing people to
rely on generators. Prices for basic foodstuffs and petrol have risen
dramatically.
The northern city of around two million is by far the biggest to have fallen
into the hands of Isis. When jihadi fighters swept into Mosul on 10 June, many
initially welcomed their arrival: the city is predominantly Sunni, and the
Shi-dominated Baghdad government and its local police force in Mosul were deeply
unpopular. Locals described how Isis militants attempted to win over locals,
using army cranes to remove Mosul's numerous checkpoints, for example. One
shopkeeper said that before the militants' arrival it had taken one hour to
cross the city; now it took just 15 minutes.
Gradually, however, Isis began imposing its own Salafist rules - pulling down
municipal statues of Mosul singer Mala Osman and poet Abu Tamam. Fighters asked
shops not to stock western-style women's clothes. They told female public-sector
employees - doctors, teachers, nurses - to stay at home. According to residents,
Isis promised to give male street cleaners and other workers 30% of their
salaries to keep essential services going - but failed to pay anything.
One resident said most Isis fighters had vanished late last week. They were now
largely invisible, with only a few low-key checkpoints inside the city. "They
left their houses. You only see them now in on patrol at night, a couple of
cars. Before in the same neighbourhoods I saw hundreds of fighters celebrating
their victory," the resident said.
So far, there has been no conflict between the Naqshbandi Army and Isis, who are
now facing off in Mosul on opposite banks of the Tigris river. But the governor
said that a struggle was inevitable. "Logically, they will confront each other,"
he said. Local Sunni factions in several Iraqi provinces were stronger than
Isis, he added. The faultline was between "nationalist" groups and hardline
Salafist outfits, he said, which had emerged from a rigid "ideological, Islamic
background".
Nujaifi said he reluctantly left Mosul on the advice of his security officers on
10 June, as the Iraqi army fled. He initially stayed at his farm outside the
city, but left that too as Isis rolled forward.
His son Abdullah said Isis had stolen the family's 200 pure breed Arab horses,
adding: "One third of them will be dead by now."
The governor hinted there could be a deal over control of Mosul in the near
future. "With Naqshabdni it's easier to get a solution," he said. "The
ideological people [from Isis] aren't interested in the city. They've left."
For the moment, though, Isis militants are killing about five or six people a
day, the governor said, citing sources inside the city's mortuary.
The group had also taken prisoners, including two high-ranking Ba'athists: Sayf
al-Din al-Mashhadani, a Ba'ath party commander and the three of clubs in the US
"most-wanted" deck, and his cousin Fadhil. According to Reuters, Isis militants
last week rounded up between 25 and 60 senior ex-military officers and Ba'ath
party members in Mosul, taking them away in SUVs for questioning.
The governor said he believed the man who appeared in a video making a speech
from Mosul's al-Nuri mosque on 5 July was indeed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Isis's
leader. In the footage, Baghdadi proclaimed a new Islamic caliphate stretching
from Iraq to Syria, with himself as its ruler. "I think he is a simple man," the
governor said. "It wasn't a high-level speech."
Nujaifi said the choice of the 900-year-old mosque, known for its wonky minaret,
and elaborate brickwork, was deliberate. It evoked a historical war against the
Shia, he said: in the 12th century Nur al-Din set off from the mosque to defeat
the Shia Fatamid caliphate in Cairo.
One former Saddam-era general, now in Kurdish Irbil, said he had shared a cell
with Baghdadi back in 2004. Both were imprisoned by the Americans in Abu Ghraib,
in camp C, just outside Baghdad, he said. The general said the prison become a
training school for Sunni militants who would go on to take part in the growing
insurgency against US forces. "I would give lectures on special forces
training," he said wryly.
He described Baghdadi as an "average guy". "He was a normal fighter, one of
thousands who fought the Americans. He smoked a lot. Strange to think he is now
leading Isis."
Mohammad Moslawi is the pseudonym of an Iraqi journalist working in Mosul
EsinIslam
Has Received A Solicited Pledge From ISIS Senior Figures To Stop Attacks On
Fellow Mujahidun, Especially Al-Nusra. The Message Sent To The Leadership Of
The Awqaf Revealed ISIS New Approaches
To Cooperate With The Mujahidun And The Scholars It Described As Reliable And
Beloved In An Effort To Defeat Tyrants Like Assad
And The Khomeinists. We Hope This Message Is Not
Just Empty Words As We Pray Both ISIS And Al-Nusra Are Able To Keep To This
Honourable Commitment And Channel Sacred Efforts In The Right Way.
The Awqaf Thanks ISIS For Its Respectful Sentiments,
Particularly To Our Sheikh, And The Appreciation Of - As They Put It - Our 'Humble
Honest Efforts'.
Al-Qaeda In The Islamic Maghreb (North & West
African) ~ The Year of Jam'a - The Hope of The Ummah (The Muslim World)
Yesterday EsinIslam run exclusively as below a statement posted
online by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb rejecting the self-declared
"caliphate" of the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) following
reports and analysis in the mainstream Western and Arab media including Al
Arabiya reported Tuesday (July 15th).
Of course the damning denunciation by Al-Qaeda in The Islamic Maghreb against
ISIL and Al-Baghdadi's 'caliphate' has not come to many, especially the
Mujahidun leaders and leading Islamists as a surprise days after the
proclamation of the Islamic State or Caliphate by the Islamic State in Iraq and
as-Sham. In fact the statement posted on social media, North African group which
confirmed its allegiance to al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri and rejected the
Ibn Muljam caliphate (of assassination) declared by ISIS, the militant Islamist
group in Iraq and Syria was another strong evidence of outlawed al-Baghdadi and
his heretic organizations are becoming.
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is right to rejects everything ISIS of Assad
stands for after a growing number of al-Qaeda figures have denounced its
practices of al-Gulu` (extremism), especially against the Mujahidun which senior
Mujahidun scholars and ideologues like Sheikh Abu Qatada and Sheikh Abu Mohammed
al-Maqdisi among the most recent have correctly condemned and refuted
accordingly.
al-Baghdadi's ISIS now calling itself the Islamic State or IS announced last
month it was creating a caliphate on lands it has captured in Syria's civil war
and during a rapid advance through swathes of Iraq.
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) condemnation of Baghdadi's group and its
failure to practice ethics of true Jihad as warned by the Mujahidun leaders has
come at a time many ignorant young Muslims and nationalistic Arabs need better
information about the danger of the ISIS and its propaganda.
Read below the full transcript of the official communiqué from Al-Qaeda In The
Islamic Maghreb:
Translation:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
**The Year of Jama'ah … The Hope of the Ummah**
Praise be to Allah, who said in His Holy Book: "And do not dispute and [thus]
lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed,
Allah is with the patient." (Al-Anfal, 46). Peace and prayers be upon he who was
sent as a mercy upon mankind, who said: "Allah's Hand is with the Jama'ah" (Ibn
'Abbas), and on his pure family and his companions and those who followed them
cheerfully to the Day of Judgment… And henceforth:
We begin this statement by congratulating our Muslim brothers everywhere on the
holy month of Ramadan, praying to Allah to make it a victorious month for the
Muslims and for this month to lessen the agonies of the Muslims and heal their
wounds. We ask You O Allah to grant victory to the Mujahideen and to free the
captured and imprisoned, amen.
We followed and did not overlook the recent incidents in Sham and why would we
not do that since Sham is the land of the believers and the angels of the
Gracious have spread their wings over it, and on its land the Muslim epics will
take place.
We remained silent all this time not because of our inability to speak, nor a
lack to be upfront, but we feared that our words will add fuel to the inflamed
fire, as many who lie in wait for the Jihad of the Muslims in Sham have done,
and many added flames to the fire of fitna, and there is no power but from
Allah. We feared that the enemies of Allah would take advantage of our words and
distort them against a group of the Mujahideen, as we hoped that the rift would
mend and the ordeal would ease. We were not content with hope and silence, but
we secretly tried to mend the situation with the help of other Jihadi groups,
believing that conflict among the Mujahideen should be resolved secretly away
from the eyes and ears of the lurking media enemies. Allah allowed incidents to
accelerate and we were not successful as Allah commanded before and after.
Today, while standing in front of the most serious of these incidents, it became
necessary to stipulate our position, record our words, and advise our Ummah and
our brothers, and we seek help and steadfastness from Allah, may His glory be
glorified.
We heard as the Mujahideen and Muslims have heard the words of the official
spokesman of the Islamic State in Iraq and Sham announcing the restoration of
the Caliphate and pledging allegiance to Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as a Caliph
to the Muslims. With such an announcement, we say:
First: The establishment of the Caliphate based on the prophetic platform which
governs by the law of Allah in Muslims and unifies their word and preserves
their noble deeds, is the effort of every truthful Mujahid and every
organizations and Jihadi group that is known for their speaking the truth and
the validity of their approach, and sacrificed and continues to sacrifice the
soul and blood, and spends money for that cause.
Second: It is obvious to all Muslims and Jihad organizations with a truthful
approach that such an announcement (about the Caliphate) cannot come without
Shura, in accordance with the command of Allah the Glorious to His believing
slaves: "Those who conduct their affairs with Shura" (Ash-Shura, 38). And He
said to His Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: "and consult them
in affairs" (Al-Imran, 159). We speak before everyone when we say that when the
signs of fitna appeared in Sham, the brothers in the Dawla brought to our
attention what happened, and we thank them for this and their trusting us.
So how today when the affliction and issues greater do they make such an
announcement without the advice of the leaders of the Mujahideen, whose honesty
has been proven and who have advised their Ummah and pursued the establishment
of Khilafat-e-Rashida.
O our brothers in the Islamic State what is your position on the command of the
Taliban and their Emir Mullah Muhammad Umar, may Allah protect him, who
sacrifice his state for a group of Muhajireen, including the founder of the
Islamic State in Iraq, Sheikh Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, may Allah have mercy on him?
What is your position on Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri, who hardly gave a speech
without commending your heroism in Iraq, even though you disagreed with him
recently? What is your position on the Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus? What is
your position on the leaders of al-Qaeda branches in other areas and others from
the Mujahideen?
This, let alone the scholars and callers, the people of truthfulness who proved
thier dedication to Islam and called for the establishment of the Caliphate, and
did not settle for the tyrants who rule with positive law in loyalty to the
enemies of their Ummah. Most notable are the Lion of Tawhid Sheikh Abu Muhammad
al-Maqdisi, Sheikh Abu Qatada al-Falastini, Mujahid Sheikh Abu al-Walid al-Gazzi,
the renewing Sheikh Suleiman al-'Alwan, who spent so many years in prison
because of his support for Jihad in Iraq. The matter is greater than to be
bounded by jurisprudential or political differences, for it is the Caliphate
which all Muslims desire, the devoted and the wicked.
Fourth: In light of the new reality, we call upon those responsible ones,
scholars and emirs, especially Sheikh Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Sheikh Abu al-Walid
al-Gazzi, Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Mullah Muhammad Umar, Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri,
Sheikh Nasir al-Wuhaishi, Sheikh Abu al-Zubair, Sheikh Abu Muhammad al-Julani,
among other scholars and Mujahideen commanders to agree on one statement, mend
the flow inside the unified house away from media so they can achieve the purity
of Islam and unity of Muslims and to prevent bloodshed.
Fifth: We clearly declare that we will be at the forefront to abide by what they
decide. As we await this honorable decision, we reiterate that we still pledge
allegiance to our Sheikh and Emir Ayman al-Zawahiri, as our allegiance to him is
firm and we do not see a reason to disaffirm it as it is an allegiance to Jihad
to liberate Muslim lands and affirm Islamic Shariah law in it and bring back the
Caliphate that is based on prophetic principles.
Sixth: We put our position in front of the scholars of our Ummah, head by the
leading sheikhs of the Mujahideen and their references, to state their opinion
very clearly on this calamity, and to make right our position if they see it to
be distorted. Truth is our demand. This is the right time to mend the rift and
direct the Mujahideen.
And we cannot fail in this regard to direct the following messages:
We call upon all the Jihadi groups fighting with the Dawla, head by our brothers
in Jabhat al-Nusra, to stop their incitement against it, and to commit to the
orders of Sheikh Ayman, may Allah protect him, as we call on our brothers in the
Islamic State to commit to them. All this is to prepare the reconciliation
between them, as a truthful believer does not rejoice for the fighting among the
Mujahideen, and none finds joy in it but the malevolent enemy or envious
hypocrite.
We hope the Jihad groups contribute to this endeavor and refer it to the
scholars in order to collect the word of the Mujahideen and make the lurking
enemy miss the opportunity.
We remind all the Jihadi media outlets that any announcement or position that
does not come from al-Andalus Media Foundation does not represent al-Qaeda in
the Islamic Maghreb, as we point out the need to verify and investigate the
credibility of the carrier.
Finally: We emphasize that the Islamic Caliphate is our demand, and we strive
for that through our Jihad and our fight against the enemies of the Ummah who
are conspiring night and day to prevent its establishment, and want the
Caliphate based on the prophetic platform and based on Shura, and that strives
to unite Muslims and preserve their blood. We also emphasize that there is still
time to mend the issues in this announcement, through involving the symbols of
knowledge and Jihad in this decision and taking their opinion, as they are the
first to be described as the people of resolution and agreement.
O Allah! Conclude for this Ummah the righteous matter that glorifies the people
who obey You and humiliates the people who disobey you!
O Allah! Unify the ranks of the Muslims and disappoint the enemies who lie in
wait for them and overturn the plotting of the hypocrites and the rumor-sowers!
Our last prayer is praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Al-Andalus Foundation for Media Production
6 Ramadan 1435H, Corresponding: 4 July 2014M.
Giving ISIS Bai'ah - Your Allegiance To Assad:
Tyrant Bashar al-Assad And The Devil's Gambit - Has The Syrian Tyrant Used ISIS
To Become A de facto U.S. Ally?
The Evidence:
In a response to Al Qaeda Emir
Sheikh Ayman al
Zawahiri's latest attempt at reconciliation (see
below) with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham,
ISIS spokesmanAbu
Muhammad Al Adnanimade
a startling admission: Al Qaeda has ordered its
fighters and branches to refrain from attacking the
Iranian state in order to preserve the terror group's
network in the country. (Long War Journal May 2014)
ISIS was established on April 8, 2013,
when its subsidiary organization, Jabhat Al Nusra,
merged with the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), which
itself was a successor to what suppose to be Al-Qaeda in Iraq.
The organization's leader isAbu
Bakr al-Baghdadi, who recently announced theIslamic
Caliphate.The
group announced on 30thJune
that it was now called the"Islamic
State". An official document was also released,
in English and several other languages.
According to the statement, the new
caliphate stretches from Iraq's Diyala province to
Syria's Aleppo. "The words "Iraq"and
"Levant"have
been removed from the name of the Islamic State in
official papers and documents."
Many believe that this an Iranian
inspired step to frighten the West that Bashar Al
Assad regime is the only bulwark against the new
Islamic bugaboo.ISISclashed
with its formerAl-Qaeda sister branch,
already active in Syria,Jabhat
Al-Nusraor Al-Nusra
Frontheaded
byAbu
Mohammad Al Golani.
The clash betweenISISand
Al-Nusrasparked
accusations that the former (i.e ISIS) was nothing but a means
for the Syrian Military Intelligence Directorate,
along with the Iranians, to plant agents of theAssad
regime and of Iran within the Syrian opposition,
thereby spreading confusion in its ranks and diverting
it from the fight against Assad into internecine
struggle, according to a report published by theJerusalem
Centre for Public Affairsin
June 2014.
During the invasion of Iraq, Syria
would sendISIS
purportedly affiliated to Al-Qaeda operatives
to Iraq to attack US forces. Syrian intelligence in
full coordination with Iran recruited theISIS to infiltrate the ranks of the
Al-Qaeda
Salafisnow
fighting in Syria. Once free, they broke into Iraqi
prisons to liberate their comrades, thereby creating
the basis for expandingISIS.
Iran's Motivation and
Collusion:
What would Iran's motivation be to
support a Sunni jihadist organizations likeISIS?
In Syria,ISIShas
forced the West to choose between the regime ofBashar
al-Assador
a religious outfit. Given that choice, it was assumed
that the West would back Assad, as did the Russians
and the Chinese.
Cynically Iran is exploiting the
Western fear of terrorism to make common cause with
the West against
ISIS.
ISISsuddenly
emerged in Syria, at a time when the collapse of
Assad's regime seemed imminent. The emergence ofISISsaved
the Syrian regime by threatening the world with an
alternative fighters regime would replace Assad's.
The same scenario happened in Iraq.Nouri
al-Maliki, who is an Iranian puppet as most
Iraqis believe, was about to lose his position as
Prime Minister, especially that Sunni, Shi'ite and
Kurds leaders unanimously refused to renew his term.
Suddenly again,ISISemerged.
TheISISconnection
with the Syrian leadership, and hence with Iran,
raises serious questions. It was recently noted that
President Assad releasedISISoperatives
from his prisons and for the most part left it alone,
sparing it from attacks by the Syrian army. Two
leading American analysts just wrote in the Washington
Post, "The non-jihadist Syrian opposition insists
that ISIS is a creation of Iran."
David Butter,
a leading expert on Syria and an associate fellow at
think-tank Chatham House, told Channel 4 News recently
that the links betweenISISand
Syrian intelligence date back to the aftermath of
the Iraq war of 2003.
"The leaders ofISIShave
already worked hand in glove with Syrian intelligence,
whether supplying them with weapons or supplying money
flowing from their racketeering activities around
Mosul. "Assad has a long history of supporting
terrorist groups and activity in the region. There
have been pictures ofISISflags
on buildings that have escaped shelling and reports of
supposed collusion on oil and gas deals".
WhenISISwas
formed in April last year, Syrian activists claimed it
served the interests of President Bashar Al-Assad and
his main ally, Tehran. A report in the Economist
magazine 21stJune
14 explained howISISwas
less interested in toppling the Assad's regime than
fighting other groups.ISIShas
been criticized for its attacks on civilians and rival
opposition groups. It has never targeted Al Assad's
regime and not a single barrel bombs has been dropped
by the regime onISIS.
The Iranian ISIS/ISIL
connections:
According toAl-Shorfa.coma
web site sponsored by USCENTCOM "The Iranian regime's
continued interference in Syrian affairs is rooted in
preserving its economic and political interests in the
region "Iran's current goal is to abort the Syrian
revolution and portray the ruling Syrian regime as
waging a war on terrorism". The connection between the
Iranian regime andISILis
evident.
"Since the outbreak of the Islamic
Revolution, Iran has worked to establish external
bases through some of the armed groups that follow its
policy directly, such asHezbollah's
branches in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria".
"The first organisation born of the
womb of the Iranian intelligence [services] was the
Islamic State in Iraq (ISI),
which later becameISIL/ISISunder
the leadership ofAbu
Bakr Al-Baghdadi,"
These contradictions raise questions
about how far Iran is willing to go in using ISIS and
its leadership groups to implement its
policies.
The Iranian regime's support of groups
such asISILaims
to "project a dark image of the Syrian opposition as
nothing butAl-Qaeda-affiliated
religious groups," said Sami Gheit, an economist and
researcher withAl-Sharq
Centre for Regional and Strategic Studies.
Many ofISIL's
practices, including field executions, assassinations
and beheadings, aim to tarnish the image of the Syrian
revolution, saidMohammed
Abdullah, a Syrian journalist residing in Cairo
who is documenting the Syrian war, with a focus on the
Iranian file. FIGHTING the Free Syrian Army INSTEAD OF
SYRIA'S REGIME,ISIShas
never engaged the Syrian army or Hezbollah. "In al-Raqa,
for example,ISILspared
strategic Syrian regular army positions, despite the
fact it controls the bulk of the territory in the
province." The three positions are the airport and
[the headquarters of] the 17th Division and 93rd
Brigade.
Iranian Documents Found
In ISIL's Possession:
Other evidence of the Iranian regime's
involvement withISILincludes
the discovery of official documents and passports
issued by the Iranian authorities atISIL's
headquarters in rural western Aleppo earlier this
year, said Syrian journalistMohammed
Abdullah.
These documents include Iranian
passports and several other documents belonging to
fighters from Chechnya and Kazakhstan, in addition to
many Iranian SIM cards, he said.
This points to a connection betweenISILleaders
and Iranian intelligence, he said. The brain-washed
rank and file of ISIS are ignorant of the political
alliances betweenISIS,
Tehran and Damascus.
Iran is Syrian President Bashar Assad's
strongest ally, providing military, financial and
diplomatic, and propaganda support. The U.S. has
repeatedly accused Iran of using its Revolutionary
Guards to train and deploy Shi'ite fighters to bolster
Assad's forces.
In June the Islamic State of Iraq and
Al-Sham(ISIS)humiliated
the Iraqi army and focused world attention on Iraq
again. What the world does not recognize is the role
played by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad helping and
strengtheningISIS.
ISIShas
long been at war with the moderate opposition groups
like theIslamic
Frontand
theFree
Syrian Army (FSA), who have successfully driven
it out of much of its former turf in the north. Alex
Rowell writing on 17thJune
inNow
Media Me""Blame
Assad for ISIS Rise"". He gives examples of the
collaboration betweenISISand
the Syrian regime.
-ISISbases
have never been targeted by the Syrian regime
A government adviser told the New York
Times' Anne Barnard this was indeed a deliberate
policy, designed to "tar" the broader opposition and
"frame [the] choice" as either Assad or the religious
groups.
-As oneISISdefector
told The Daily Telegraph, "We were confident that the
regime would not bomb us. We always slept soundly in
our bases.
-According to the same Daily Telegraph
report, bothISISand
Jabhat al-Nusra have raised millions of dollars
through sales of crude oil from fields under their
control to the regime.
- Nawaf al-Fares, the defected former
Syrian ambassador to Iraq, has claimed the regime
ordered a series of suicide bombings in Syria in 2012,
carried out by the very jihadists he himself had sent
to Iraq years previously.
Yet more recently the siege of Deir
ez-Zor has been maintained by the army of Bashar al-Assad
in the south and byISISto
the north and east. Among the forces that have been
trapped in the middle are theFree
Syrian Army (FSA), raising the question of
whetherISISwas
colluding with the Syrian government and its Iranian
allies to defeat the more mainstream elements of the
Syrian opposition. Also at the time of writing we read
reports of collusion betweenISISand
Assad's army in Aleppo.
As the conflict in Syria and Iraq
continues, more facts about the collaboration betweenIran, ISISand
the Syrian regime will emerge.
Al-Qaeda In The Islamic Maghreb Rejects ISIL And
Al-Baghdadi's 'Caliphate'
In a statement posted online, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
rejected the self-declared "caliphate" of the "Islamic State of Iraq and the
Levant" (ISIL), Al Arabiya reported Tuesday (July 15th).
According the statement posted on social media, North African group confirmed
its allegiance to al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri, rejecting the
Ibn Muljam caliphate (of assassination) declared by ISIS, the militant Islamist group in Iraq and
Syria.
A growing number of al-Qaeda figures have denounced ISIL's so-called caliphate,
with senior Mujahidun scholars and ideologues like Sheikh Abu Qatadah and Sheikh
Abu Mohammed al-Maqdisi among the most recent.
Sheikh Abu Qatadah wrote a scholastic and authoritative 21-page paper titled:
"The announcement of a caliphate by the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria
(ISIS) Is Void And Meaningless Because It Was Not Approved By Mujahidun In Other
Parts Of The World."
"This group does not have the authority to rule all Muslims and their
declaration applies to no-one but themselves," said sheikh Abu Qatadah.
"Its threats to kill opponents, sidelining of other groups and violent way of
fighting opponents constitute a great sin, reflecting the reality of the group,"
wrote the Palestinian-born preacher.
al-Baghdadi's group calling itself the Islamic State announced last month it was
creating a caliphate on lands it has captured in Syria's civil war and during a
rapid advance through swathes of Iraq.
In a direct challenge to al Qaeda, its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi assumed the
title of caliph and issued a message seeking to assert authority over Muslims
everywhere and rally them for jihad, or holy war. The Islamic State is an
offshoot of al Qaeda, whose global leadership has disowned it.
In the statement, Africa's al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb announced its
continued allegiance to al-Qaeda leader Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri and scolded
ISIL for its unilateral declaration.
In the last few weeks ISIS leadership had tried to provoke and displayed clear
lack of Adab (immoral) in one of his savage verbal attacks on several Mujahidun
leaders like Sheikh Az-Zawahiri, Sheikh Al-Jolani, Sheikh Adam al-Ameriki and
Sheikh Mullah Omar.
After personal and public attacks on one of the most influential Jihad
ideologues and respectable scholars Sheikh Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, ISIS Ghulu`
(extremism) receives another strong and timely refutation.
Shaykh al-Maqdis representing the true and worthy leaders of the Mujahidun and
their struggles described ISIS and al-Baghdadi as deluded. "We refuse to be
silenced by the extremist Jama't Ad-Dawlah (or the Islamic State) despite their
plenty Ibn Muljam, the Khawarijite Assassins", he said.
The statement attributed to Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) criticized
Baghdadi's group for failing to consult with jihadi leaders, according to SITE,
an authoritative U.S.-based organization that monitors Islamist militant
communiques.
"We confirm that we still adhere to our pledge of allegiance to our sheikh and
emir, Ayman al-Zawahri," the statement said, referring to the Egyptian who took
on al Qaeda's leadership after U.S. special forces killed Osama bin Laden in
2011.
AQIM was originally based in Algeria, but has expanded more widely across the
Sahel region of North Africa. Its leader Abdelmalek Droukdel has been loyal to
the core al Qaeda leadership alongside other Islamist militant groups in the
region.
Sheikh Abu Qatadah Denounces ISIS, Voids Its
Caliphate: A Message Of Sheikh Omar Mahmud Otman Abu Qatadah - A Letter to the
People of Jihad
This week Sheikh Omar Mahmud Othman Abu Qatadah wrote and
published another scholastic and authoritative 21-page paper titled: "The
announcement of a caliphate by the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria
(ISIS) Is Void And Meaningless Because It Was Not Approved By Mujahidun In Other
Parts Of The World."
"Its threats to kill opponents, sidelining of other groups and violent way of
fighting opponents constitute a great sin, reflecting the reality of the group.
They are [also] merciless in dealing with other Mujahidun (or the Holy
Warriors). How would they deal with the poor, the weak and other people?" he
added.
"This group does not have the authority to rule all Muslims and their
declaration applies to no-one but themselves," said Abu Qatadah.
Abu Qatadah, who has repeatedly criticized ISIS, urged other Muslims against
joining the Sunni jihadist group.
"They are merciless in dealing with other Mujahidun. How would they deal with
the poor, the weak and other people?"
Abu Qatadah's latest liquidation of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and
its 'Ibn Muljam's caliphate' mirrored an earlier denunciation of the so-called
Islamic State and its Caliph al-Baghdad by another respected Jihadist ideologue
Sheikh Abu Mohammad al-Maqdessi (see below), who condemned ISIS leaders earlier
this month, calling on al-Baghdadi and his folowers to "reform yourselves,
repent and stop killing Muslims and distorting religion."
A Message to the People of Jihad and those who Love Jihad By Sheikh Abu Qatadah
Al-Filistini (my Allah keep him firm and free him)
In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent, the most Merciful. And His aid we
seek… All praises are due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May the peace and
blessing of Allah be upon the Messenger Muhammed, the truthful one, his family
and companions.
This is a letter that I write with deep sorrow, and if it were not for the
covenant that Allah took upon the creation, I would have not rushed to writing
this letter. By Allah, I struggled with myself not to release this letter as
much as I could. However, I could not do so, fearing that I would conceal the
truth that I believe. I tried my utmost in private and in public to repel all
harm from all those affiliated with Jihad and the people of Jihad, however some
of them are drowning in falsehood, evil and misguidance. Their main priority is
to ruin the Jihad and not to do good towards it. The onus these words should be
held by the command of the Islamic State of Iraq and their branch in the land of
Ash-Shaam (Syria).
It has become clear for me with certainty and without a shadow of doubt that
this group with its military and Islamic leadership, and whose actions testify
that they are 'the dogs of Hellfire'. And they are most deserving of the
description of the Prophet (peace the peace and blessings be upon Him): "They
kill the people of Islam and they leave the people of the idols [idol
worshippers]. By Allah! If I live to see them, I will kill them like the people
of 'Aad were killed."
I do not hesitate to pass this judgment, because of their evil actions. I tried
as much as possible to forward advice to them until they stopped listening to
the word of truth, advice and guidance. I say these words of mine to those who
remain ascribed to them who have an ounce of Sunnah, Deen or Taqwa, fearing to
spill the blood of the Muslims, and this is the Prophetic saying regarding such
people.
This Prophetic description regarding such contemporary people leaves no need to
research another name for them. Some will say that the Islamic definition of the
Khawarij is not fitting to their creed, for the [Khawarij] believe that the one
who performs a major sin is an apostate. However, the Prophetic description
guided us to their attributes without consideration of their motives. The
attributes of their leaders at the time of 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)
are the same attributes today. Therefore, no one should debate except regarding
the Prophetic ruling. Examples of such people are those who fight the people of
truth, like Jabhat Al-Nusra may Allah protect them, their commanders and
scholars, ameen.
Those that blame the leaders and command of Jihad, like [the wise] Al-Zawahari,
or those that claim that he has changed [his manhaj] are those who play with
words. This is because they have no experience regarding the path of Jihad, nor
do they understand the belief of the people of Jihad, their words or method. It
is strange that those claiming that Dr. Ayman (may Allah protect him) has a
different ideology to Abu Abdillah [Osama] Bin Laden. Nobody listens to these
people except those similar to those making such claims, who do not know the
history of people or their achievements.
As for those that accuse others of misguidance because of their words and their
terminologies, they are more deserving of being described as misguided, liars
and ignorant. Even though all of this didn't affect me much, their crime is what
makes it incumbent upon us to announce our innocence and our disavowal, because
the Prophetic description fits them.
I know that there will be insignificant men who will say many things. The least
of this being "the man is in prison and knows nothing". I say: "By Allah! I know
more than what they know". The case is not the lack of information I am
receiving, but the lack of information that I can release. I am in a situation
that I am not able to release statements every day, like others. For this reason
the field has been left for the minors and the fanatics clinging to the Dawla
like the ignorant clings to his tribe without understanding or awareness. I am
not addressing these people in particular in this statement. If the innovation
in the religion spreads amongst the people, it is like the sickness of a dog
weakening it and blinding his sight and insight. I thank Allah because from a
different perspective, the matter reached this stage so the truth appears and
the ranks are distinguished, and so the difference between the Jihadi groups and
the extreme innovative groups is made known. I feel sympathy for our Mujahideen
brothers in the land of Ash-Shaam for all the pain they feel as a result of the
crimes committed at the hands of those who were once fighting the tyrants
alongside them, but their madness led them to regard that the blood of their
former comrades as Halal, out of ignorance and extremism.
I call upon all the Mujahideen and those who love them to carefully study the
hadith of the Prophet (may the peace and blessing of Allah be upon Him) "there
will remain a group of my Ummah…". This is so they can know that the continuous
chain of this group is that which the criminals are trying to break by means of
slandering the leaders of Jihad and their commanders and those who nurtured the
Jihad with their efforts, sweat and blood. Nay! They even sacrificed their
families, children and time. After this, these criminals come forth with such
disastrous statements. Therefore, I thank the beloved students of knowledge in
Jabhat Al-Nusra such as Dr. Sami Al-Oradi, Abu Maryiya Al-'Iraqi and Abu
Abdillah Ash-Shami, as well as others like Al-Mohaisni, for their patience and
their efforts in clarifying the truth and repelling the ignorant statements of
the ignorant. I know that I cannot mention here all of the people of knowledge
in Syria, Ash-Shaam.
This Jihad is affected by the hating enemies just as it is affected by ignorant
ones who love Jihad. [Those who love Jihad but are ignorant] harm the Jihad just
as much as the enemies. Let the people of truth be patient with the pain they
have faced from the crimes of these people. Let the people of knowledge and
insight ponder upon the hadith of the Prophet regarding these people: "I will
kill them like the people of 'Aad were killed". This saying was not implemented
upon the Jews in Khaybar, in Bani An-Nadeer nor Bani Qaynuqa'. It was not
implemented with Quraish. And they were all his worst enemies. This is because
the madness of their dog can never be rectified, and the one who survives
amongst them is harmful upon the Ummah of Mohammad (may the please and blessings
from Allah be upon Him). This is the case with the history of this group. In
some cases one or two men would survive and quickly spread their misguidance in
the deserts and the places where knowledge is scarce, which results in them
returning to what they were once upon. These people today are the same group
that existed in the past. There is not the slightest difference between the two.
If a questioner asks about the ruling regarding them or the proof for this, they
should refer to the people of Jihad. It is shocking that they have reached a
level where they have taken the people of Jihad to be their enemies, ascribing
the attributes of murtaddeen (apostates) to them, assassinating their leaders,
considering their wealth Halal. After all of this, what is there left for the
questioner to hesitate about!
These are my words regarding them. I will meet Allah with this stance, and if it
were not for the benefit of Jihad, and if I could have kept quiet, I would have
done so. By Allah, I only seek to advise you with these words. I only seek to
uphold the Sunnah, repel the ignorant and claim the innocence of Jihad from
them. These are my words which I say in a position that I cannot respond to the
questions of the people, nor can I respond to those who oppose me or have
doubts. One has little life left to worry about other than pleasing Allah as
much as one can. The aforementioned is the opinion of other scholars who stem
from the same roots. However, each individual has his excuses and his way.
May Allah guide all to what is pleased and beloved to Allah. May Allah give
victory to Jihad and its people. Ameen, ameen.
And all praises is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Your brother,
Abu Qatadah
Date of publishing:
28 Jumada Al Ukhra, 1435 28th April, 2014
Is Al-Baghdadi's Caliphate Ibn Muljam State
(The State Of Khawarijite Assassins)? Mujahidun Scholar And Leader Abu Muhammad
al-Maqdisi Voids ISIS And Its Heretic Caliphate
In his lengthy provocative and clear lack of Adab (immoral)
assaults [that a commentator noticed would even put the worst oration of George
W Bush or Tony Blair to shame] on several Muslim leaders, particularly scholars
and authorities of the Ummah including Mujahidun leaders Sheikh Az-Zawahiri,
Sheikh Al-Jolani, Sheikh Adam al-Ameriki and Sheikh Mullah Omar, ISIS leadership
responded angrily to a reference of Ibn Muljam mentioned in the correspondences
between the ISIS leader and Al-Qaedah.
After personal and public attacks on one of the most influential
Jihad ideologues and respectable scholars Shaykh Abū
Muhammad al-Maqdisī, ISIS Ghulu` (extremism) receives another strong and
timely refutation.
Below is the new scholastic approach to Al-Baghdadi's deluded
Caliphate (or the Imamate) from Shaykh Abū Muhammad as the true and worthy
leaders of the Ummah refuse to be silenced by the extremist Jama't Ad-Dawlah (or the Islamic State)
despite their plenty 'Ibn Muljam, the Khawarijite Assassins':
"And Be Not Like Her who Undoes the Thread which She has Spun, After it has
Become Strong" (An-Nahl, 92) - 13 Ramadan 1435H
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All praise be to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. And
henceforth…
The Caliphate and the Imamate are among the important positions and great
matters for the people of Islam, which the faithful of the people of Islam
continue to aspire to restore and establish, and their anticipation of these
affected them until a group rose out of haste to establish the Caliphate and
install a Caliph. They made the Imam already established on the people of Islam,
a man with no authority nor dominion, who sought refuge in London, and they
called upon people to pledge allegiance to him and made those who did not pledge
allegiance to him sinners… and others narrowed the issue by claiming to be
guides for others. Without a doubt this depicts a search for a rightly-guided
Caliph whose leadership people would accept.
These attempts and their like were and still come in service of one person, and
they have no place in reality among the Muslims. Instead, he is named and
elected by his people and group, and he is not the choice of the actual
responsible people in the Ummah, its divine scholars, who would always fade and
recede without the Muslims being hit with despair or distortion of this great
position in their chests…
But a group comes with predominantly extremist rhetoric, and an exclusionary
approach in dealing with opposition, and has no consideration for the scholars
of the Ummah and its prominent figures, and for it to claim its desire to
implement the Shariah upon the Ummah, while it does not accept to be judged by
it in disputes of blood and money of others! So it overcomes some aspects of the
lands of the Muslims, and before it holds matters firmly, and people and the
virtuous scholars agree upon it even in those lands, it declares the obligation
to pledge to its Caliph that it named upon the Muslims all over the world, and
the obligation upon the Muslims to emigrate to him, and it considers those who
do not sinners… until it was necessary for fatwas such as that of Imam Malik
about the invalidity of compelled divorce and the pledge of allegiance. I have
received questions from women whose husbands gave them the choice between
pledging to this Caliph or divorce. I said: Pledge if you hate divorce. This the
pledge to something hated and it is not obligatory. The words of Imam Ahmed are
known regarding the coercion of a woman by her husband even if it is correct if
her husband threatens her with divorce… I categorize such questions and fatwas
for the intransigence of the intransigent and their restriction upon the Muslims
and intimidating them with the sword and branding them as sinners and infidels,
and they exceed this by threatening women with divorce…
More serious than this divorce, and this is what called me to write these words,
is what they made as a consequence of divorce among the members of the
Mujahideen and their groups and leaders, and what they will spread of chaos in
the ranks and destabilization of their structure, when their official spokesman
said: "The message to the factions and groups all over the face of the earth,
the Mujahideen, and those who work to support the religion of Allah, and raise
the slogans of Islam, and to the leaders and emirs, we say: Fear Allah in
yourselves, fear Allah in your Jihad… By Allah, we find no Shariah excuse for
you in delaying to support this Dawla." And he said: "As for you, the soldiers
of the factions and organizations, understand that after this empowerment and
the establishment of the caliphate, the legitimacy of your groups and
organizations is invalidated, and it is impermissible for any of you who
believes in Allah to sleep and not have bear loyalty to the Caliph."
Therefore, reflect on how they invalidate the Jihad of the Mujahideen and incite
to follow the followed, and put students over sheikhs… What is this conspiracy
to fragment the ranks of the Mujahideen and undermine and weaken their
structures…
We say to our brothers, the preachers and the Mujahideen all over the world:
Listen to the words of Allah and His appeal, and strike against the wall that
which violates them…
Allah the Exalted said: "O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger,
and make not vain your deeds!" (Muhammad, 33) And the Exalted said: "And be not
like her who undoes the thread which she has spun, after it has become strong."
(An-Nahl, 92)
So rally around your leaders, your heads, and your senior figures, and do not be
weakened by the calls of those who fragment the ranks of the Muslims, those who
see that there is no truth today but with them, and all who are not with them
are the enemy…
They have even used and still used - I do not know if it is deliberate or by
mistake or nonsense - in achieving the pillars of this heinous plot against this
blessed group in particular and against the people of Islam in general… putting
on the dress of a genuine Islamic project! And thus a segment of the children of
this Ummah were deceived by them, and I do not doubt the sincerity of many of
them and their fervor for Islam, but I question the wisdom of their minds and
the accuracy of their understanding and knowledge… It is no secret to them that
due to the intransigence of the leaders of this organization and their
superficiality, haste, and short-sightedness, and their refusal to be guided by
the guidance of the scholars, on whose writings they were raised and they are
still studying, probably because of their penetration by deviants and extremists
or others, that this plot was carried out and is still carried out against the
people of this current in many ways, including:
- Eliminating those who oppose them from the veterans of the Mujahideen and
those who are relied upon to reap the fruits of Jihad in Syria so that all that
remains in the field is the stubborn and the ignorant, or the foolish and the
inane.
The atmosphere is clear for you, so make it white and yellow *** and destroy
what you wish to destroy
- Taking down the symbols of the jihadi current and its scholars because they
did not get caught up with the choices of this organization and did not support
its intransigence, its transgressions, and its deviations.
- Corrupting the compass of the current, dispersing the circle of its conflict
with the tyrants, and moving the rifle from the chests of the enemies of the
Ummah to the chests of its children from the sincere mujahideen or the Muslims
in general, citing various excuses and generalizations they are not allowed to
make.
- Distracting the people and diverting their attention from the Islamic project
and burning any potential popular support and deterring any of the supporters
across the Ummah from this current due to their bad practices and their
application on the ground, and the ill-dealings with the people in their various
strata and religions.
- Distorting the project of the Caliphate and the Islamic State in the chests of
the people with their practices, their intransigence, and their extremism and
bloodshed. This could deter the people from this project for a period a time
after the failure of their experiment that is replete with drawbacks,
transgressions, and violations.
- They exceeded all this with their aforementioned declaration: They work to
fragment the ranks of those who strive for this religion, and the Mujahideen,
and sabotage their groups that strive for the religion of Allah and pit their
followers against their emirs, and their students against their sheikhs!
Have you ever seen fruits more ominous than these for this current and its
children, than the call for building the Caliphate?! Does building the caliphate
in a spot of the earth require taking down Da'wa and Jihad in all the other
areas by fragmenting and scattering the jihadi groups and pitting them against
their Sheikhs in the various battlefields?!
It is another conspiracy against this blessed current and its sincere groups. In
summary: Either you are with us or we sow division in your ranks and strive to
fragment them. It is the method used by the anarchists in our country when they
impose themselves upon others, and during games you see them say, "either I play
or I will ruin your game," meaning, either they impose themselves and accept a
primary player, or they will sabotage the game. These are morals apt for
children of the streets and are not worthy of those who are part of Da'wa and
Jihad… So What then if the choice that these people impose, either to preside
over the game and directing it according to their whims, ignorance, and
intransigence, or they will sabotage and corrupt it!?? Or in other words: Them
or the flood.
The face is that this is the most dangerous part of their most recent
declaration. As I said before, it does not harm me if they declared the
Caliphate in Sham or in Iraq or in London!!
But the harmful matter is what have those people arranged and what did they
arrange in terms of effects and acts based on this declaration??
We are not the enemies of the Caliphate, but we are from among the best of its
supporters and preachers and those who strive to establish it and seek to
restore it. However, the Caliphate is legitimate to preserve the essence of the
Muslims and put their fragments back together, and not fragment or split their
ranks. Thus is the Imam, as told by the Chosen Prophet, peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him: "They fight behind him and they are protected by him."
(Narrated by Muslim) It is Paradise and protection of the Muslims from all evil,
not a call or invitation to evil…
The Caliphate should be a haven and safe place for every Muslim… not a threat
and a matter that intimidates and brings worry to the minds…
They abrogated their first pledge of allegiance to their leaders and rebelled
against their emirs, and they transgressed against their senior figures when
they declared the first state, and when they declared the second they shed
protected blood and refused to be judged by the Shariah. Therefore, it is our
right to ask: What will they do after the declaration of the Caliphate??
The most dangerous thing they have done so far call to fragment the Muslims and
strive to split the ranks of their Jihadi and Da'wai groups, after they had
split the Muslims in general betwen those who are with them and those who are
against them. They did not show mercy to the weak among them, and did not excuse
those who aligned with other than them from the groups in Syria. Instead, all
who opposed them was either a backstabber who contradicted the pledge to them,
or a Salooli, a Suroori, or Sahawati or supporter the Sahawat or lover of the
Sahawat, or is seen or walks or goes with the Sahawat and so on… and they would
kill those who did not pledge, and they were blamed for threatening to kidnap
the wives of those who are against them!! This has not yet been proven to us,
but if it were true then we would have with them quite an issue, may Allah
defend the Muslim women from the evil of every aggressor and oppressor.
They know today when they call to disband the groups in order to pledge to them
and to them, that there are superficial people in most of the groups, and most
of those who listen to them are from this rank and from the ranks of the
extremists, as well… and those whose enthusiasm and extremism dominates their
wisdom, thought, and insight, their ignorance exceeds their knowledge. They
build their hopes and manage the fuel of their battles upon those due to the
separation from them of the scholars, the sages, and the people of
understanding…
And then there is the fact of their call to abrogate the pledge of allegiance of
the groups to break the jihadi current fragment their groups, and split their
ranks. This makes us look to what is behind the masks and not take their path
with the naïveté and superficiality of the masses… If the situation before
declaring the Caliphate was: either you are with us or against us, how will they
be after…?
The Caliphate should be a haven for the Muslims and their lost paradise that
they seek, so do not make it hellfire upon them and increase their frustration…
It is the dream of the Muslims that they are trying to achieve, so do not maim
this beautiful dream with your bullets that split open the heads of those who
oppose you, and spill what is inside!! Instead, achieve it, if you wish, while
having mercy for the Muslims and supporting the oppressed. You are mortal as
others are mortal, so keep the good thought and not the mutilation, and
contribution to the construction, which will be the pillars of the
rightly-guided Islamic Caliphate, and not the intransigent, transgressing, and
unjust one. Contribute to reuniting the people of Islam and their groups, and
not fragmenting them. Contribute to supporting the oppressed and removing from
them the hardships and not increase them. Contribute to preserving the blood of
the Muslims, not spilling it…
Imams Ahmed, Muslims, and al-Nisa'i reported that Abu Huraira said: "Whoso
attacks my Ummah killing the righteous and the wicked of them, sparing not even
those staunch in faith and fulfilling not his promise made with those who have
been given a pledge of security - he has nothing to do with me and I have
nothing to do with him."
The Caliph Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik said to the Follower Salamah bin Dinar al-Madani,
the ascetic: O Abu Hazim, what do you say in what we are in? [Salamah] said:
Would you pardon me [from this question], O Emir al-Mu'mineen? [The Caliph]
said: But as an advice, give it to me.
[Salamah] said: Your fathers established rule over the people in this matter,
taking it by force of the sword without consulting nor meeting with the people,
and killing in a heinous fasion, then they departed. So if you were feeling what
they said and what was said to them. So a man among the sitting ones said: How
regretful is what you said!
Abu Hazim said: You lied. Allah the Exalted had the covenant upon the scholars
to set it forth.
Yes, by Allah: They departed, so if you were feeling what they said and what was
said to them…
And if thy Lord created for ants *** Their wings they would have retreated
Every person has limits *** And the end of him is when he crosses it
In the Hadith of Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased him, the Messenger of Allah,
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: "An Imam is a shield for them.
They fight behind him and they are protected by him."
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was and remains to be the Imam of
not only the Muslims, but the world, and his Imamate was not to separate the
Muslims and fragment them, but to unify them; and it was not to fill the heads
of the protected with bullets or to split them with swords to empty what is
inside them, but to preserve those heads and what is in them, and develop them,
and elevate them to the highest of stations and raise them above their meager
options. Even the fighting factions that were unable to give allegiance to the
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, or to enter under his
political
territory, like the gathering of Abu Baseer at the time of the Treaty of
Hudaybah, and also those working against al-Aswad al-Ansi after his revolt
against the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in Yemen, he did
not call any of their jihad void or their Hijrah mandatory while leaving the
lands of work and jihad. They were not declared as sinners or threatened or
exiled or their group dissolved; instead they were left alone and working until
they were able to emerge victorious and catch up to Dar al-Islam.
This is the case in the time of the Caliphate. The Caliphate was never a
position that works to invalidate the Jihad of the Mujahideen or to fragment
them or call upon them to turn against their seniors, leaders, and scholars in
the lands that were outside of or left the fold of the Caliphate. Instead, the
likes of those scholars would call to remain steadfast on their method and
support them from the Caliphate. They were sponsored and not asked to leave the
fields of Jihad and dissolve their groups, and those who did not do so were not
called sinners. History has glorified and recorded the steadfastness of such
groups from the people of Islam with the leaders and scholars in lands who left
the fold of the Caliphate and its rule and pledge, and entered under the rule of
the Ubayyads, Tatars, or Crusaders…
Therefore, we warn the Muslim public and particular ones among them from
responding to the call of fragmenting the ranks, destabilizing the structure,
and scattering the Mujahideen. We call upon them to remain unaffected by this
psychological, moral, and physical terror that is being spread by the advocates
of fragmentation and to remain steadfast on their promise, and around their
leaders, gathered and prevalent on the truth, unharmed by those who oppose them
and from those who disappointed them, until the order of Allah arrives.
I conclude with these warnings:
- The Imam of Haramayn said in his book Ghiyaath al-Umam fi al-Tiyath al-Zulm):
"If the era is void of an Imam, and lacks the presence of a wise, intelligent
and able Sultan, the matters turn over to the hands of scholars, and it is
mandatory upon the creation in spite of the differences in their status, to
return to their scholars and take all their matters and concerns to them. If
they do this, they have been rightly-guided. The scholars will then turn into
caretakers of people. If they cannot agree upon one, every area should follow
their scholars, and if there are many scholars in one area, the most
knowledgeable among them should be followed".
This is the weakest point of those who declared the Caliphate today. Not even
one scholar from the divine scholars supported them or trusted them or aligned
with them, from the scholars attributed to them in creed, thought, and method…
Let the people think of this, and let the reasonable person think of it well:
Why did those people lose the trust of the scholars from whose letters and ooks
they studied and learned, until they abandoned them and no one supported them?!!
They are scholars who do not fear the blame of anyone other than Allah… there
must be an answer.
- The Caliphate cannot achieved by Da'wa and the name, nor by intentions or
want, but by the actual application on the ground. When Omar named Abu Bakr the
Caliph, he did not become the Caliph just because of this announcement; he did
not become the actual Caliph until the Sahaba pledged allegiance to him and he
firmed up his position unchallenged… Every Emir who is not given loyalty by the
Muslims and the best of the people of knowledge from the divine scholars is the
emir of his group or his emirate, but not Emir al-Mu'mineen in general or the
Caliph of the Muslims, and it is not right to call sinners those who do not
pledge allegiance or travel to him. The fact that the outstanding scholars who
are trustworthy have not flocked to give their allegiance shows that the one
named and his group are not their point of trust with regards to religion and
the world.
- It is necessary to state that if there was no other group on the fronts, then
the knowledge of these scholars would have forced them to support the emir of
this group because they are required to put the most ideal emir at the lead. So
there is no doubt that these are better than the tyrants and the apostate
rulers. However, as the front is filled with fighting factions and groups who
rival and are on equal footing with this group in power and strength, and better
in methodology and leadership, then the worse should not put about the better…
- Lastly, we do not accept for ourselves to be from those who do not engage in
anything except words with Jama'at al-Dawla, and we do not like our enemies to
feel pleased when we speak, or that they think that we are on their side, that
is in truth not against Jama'at al-Dawla, but against the project of the Islamic
State and the Islamic Caliphate. We do not like these people to be pleased with
what we write, for it is not for them that we write, and we seek refuge in Allah
that there must be any connection or understanding between us. What we are
writing and saying is due to the trust of knowledge and Da'wa, and telling the
statement of truth and supporting the truth and its people. Other than that we
do not care who is pleased with our saying or who is angered, and who is happy
or whose throat narrows on it. If we sought the approval of the people and put
fame and glory in what we write and say, we would have ridden the wave of the
Dawla and they would have raised us above their heads or even above the clouds,
but we have decided to ride the wave of truth no matter how difficult it is. We
shall not step back from it or leave it, even if they put us below the earth, or
fill our heads with bullets and empty their contents.
However, the dilemma is that Jama'at al-Dawla and its chiefs and spokesmen
attack us every day, which obliges us to respond to them; otherwise we would
have left ourselves to statements and their confirmation, as the war is not
declared on Jama'at al-Dawla, from my side at least. Instead, it is truth that I
support and speak of when there is need, and it is not permissible to delay the
statement when it is needed. They are the ones who compel us to this and we can
no longer remain silent.
O Allah, we ask You for guidance, rightness, determination, and a good
conclusion. May Allah pray on and have peace on our Prophet Muhammad, and upon
his family and his companions, all of them.
Written by Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi
13 Ramadan 1435H
Obama And The Persian
Empire Agenda Conundrum!
A Clarification Regarding the Alleged
Announcement of an Emirate by Jabhat an-Nusra July 2014
In reaction of the leaked audio-message in
which Jabhat an-Nusra allegedly announced their own Emirate in Syria; it didn't
take too long before Jabhat an-Nusra reacted officially on this rumours. Below
is their official reaction published via their official account on Twitter:
Arabic:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
بيان توضيحي حول ما أشيع عن إعلان جبهة النصرة لإمارة إسلامية
الحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله وعلى آله وصحبه ومن والاه، وبعد:
1-إنَّ مشروع جبهة النصرة من أول يوم أُسست فيه هو إعادة سلطان الله إلى أرضه
وتحكيم شريعته.
2-إننا نسعى لإقامة إمارة إسلامية وفق السُنن
الشرعية المعتبرة ولم نعلن عن إقامتها بعد، وفي اليوم الذي يوافقنا فيه المجاهدون
الصادقون والعلماء الربانيون سنعلن عنها بإذن الله.
3-إننا نسعى لتحكيم الشريعة من خلال إقامة دور
للقضاء ومراكز حفظ الأمن وتقديم الخدمات العامة للمسلمين في غضون عشرة أيام بديلا
عن الهيئات الشرعية السابقة.
4- لن نسمح لأحد أن يقطف ثمار الجهاد ويقيم
مشاريع علمانية أو غيرها من المشاريع التي تقام على دماء وتضحيات المجاهدين.
5- لن تتهاون جبهة النصرة مع المجموعات المفسدة
في المناطق المحررة بالاتفاق مع الفصائل الصادقة.
6- رص الصفوف ضد الأخطار التي تهدد الساحة
سواء من قبل النظام النصيري أو جماعة الخوارج الغلاة.
(( جَبْهَةُ النُّصْرَة ))
|| مؤسسة المنارة البيضاء للإنتاج الإعلامي ||
لا تنسونا من صالح دعائكم
والحمد لله ربِّ العالمين
تاريخ نشر البيان: يوم السبت14 من رمضان 1435 للهجرة، الموافق 12/ 7/ 2014
Translation:
All Praise is due to Allah, and may the Peace and
Blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet of Allah, his family, companions and
those who follow him. As for what is to come…
1. From the first day of its establishment, Jabhat Al-Nusrah had set its mission
to restore the dominion of Allah on the earth and establish His Shari'ah.
2. We, in Jabhat Al-Nusrah, strive to establish an Islamic Emirate according to
the regarded Islamic Sunnan. We have not announced the establishment of and
Emirate, yet. When the time comes and the sincere Mujahidoon and the pious
scholars agree with our stance, we will announce this Emirate, by the Will of
Allah.
3. We strive to rule by Shari'ah by establishing Islamic Courts, Security
Offices and offering general services to the Muslims within the next ten days.
This project will replace the previous project of Al-Hay'aat Al-Shari'eeyah.
4. We will not allow anyone to pick the fruits of this Jihad and establish a
secular scheme, or any other scheme, which takes advantage of the sacrifices of
the Mujahideen and is established on their blood.
5. Jabhat Al-Nusrah will not hesitate to deal [militarily] with the corrupt
groups in the liberated areas. This will be done by cooperation with the sincere
groups [of Mujahideen].
6. Jabhat Al-Nusrah is determined to unify ranks to face the dangers which
threaten the Jihadi front [in Al-Shaam], whether these threats are from the
Nusayri Regime or from the group of Khawarij and ghulaat (extremists).
"And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know."
(Qur'an 12:21)
Jabhat Al-Nusrah Al-Manarah Al-Baidaa' Media Productions
Remember us in your Du'aa
All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of all
Date of Publication: Saturday, 14th Ramadan 1435 Hijri
July, 2014
Shaykh Abū Muhammad al-Maqdisī Echoes Stance
Of The Mujahidun Scholars On ISIS And Its Pseudo Caliphate
After the Islamic State announced its Caliphate on the first day
of Ramadan 1435 (Sunday June 29th 2014) it was to be expected that Shaykh Abū
Muhammad al-Maqdisī, one of the most influential Jihadist ideologues, recently
released from a Jordanian prison would react on it.
This text was published on his
websitejust
a few days after the Caliphate was re-established by the Islamic State:
In the Name of Allah, the Most
Compassionate, the Most Merciful
All praise be to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon the
Messenger of Allah.
To proceed,
These are some of the points and observations that I wished to
write down in this Blessed Month (Ramadan), the month of the Qur'an. We ask
Allah to grant us the blessing to be able to distinguish between right and
wrong, and to use us in support of the truth, unafraid of any enemy or affected
by contradictions. May Allah guide us and all our brothers to the right path. (Ameen!)
First: Due to the flow
of visitors, I heard much in the past two weeks. I was unable to read much and I
still have a lot to read, but from the little that I have read, every side was
eager to attain victory for the faction (party, group) to which they pledged
allegiance. They worked hard to show its evidence, data, and arguments, and many
of it has no juristic (fiqhorshar'i)
basis. Much of it was given to me and I looked at it prior to my release from
prison. I will not dismiss completely what was presented to me as I see no
usefulness in it. Either affirm the truth or admit that you were wrong.
Second: In the parties
I heard from there are certainly wise and virtuous people. Both parties have
those who seek righteousness and desire its success, and they do not wish for
evil but reject it, even if it comes from those with whom they are allied. I was
pleased with them and decided to continue to communicate them and they
strengthened my assemblies. Such people are counted upon for reform and closing
the rifts. And in those parties are also fanatics and on whom the saying
applies:"the fanatic does not
distinguish". They did not provide much use to the assemblies, but enflamed
issues and they must learn to listen and understand.
Third:Moral
pressure was exerted on me to retract that statement that I [previously] issued
after a productive and lengthy communication between the parties involved in
either the reconciliation or the arbitration that was refused by the State's
(ISIS) group. A large number of people claim that the statement is null or will
be voided. None of it was issued by me (promises of recantation) and I did not
promise anyone of it [in retracting the statement].
What I have said in front of them and still say: The statement
and its author are not flawless. [The statement] came about as a result of
fruitful communication between all those involved especially those who refused
the previous initiatives and who refused to resort to legal (Shariah)
arbitration. Some of them claim that I only listened to one side only.
[Yet] in my prison cell, I had a supporter of the State (ISIS)
who used to call weekly about Syria and often provide us with pro-State (ISIS)
news. I received State (ISIS) news, reports, and writings that are pro-State
(ISIS), as I also looked at the State's scholars' response to such news. The
replies are saved to keep-off those who doubt it. I reiterate that if I appear
unjust to one side in my statement or deviated from the truth, then I will
immediately and without hesitation retract it as truth is my guide and it is
easily followed as I am not committed or biased to either side.
Regarding the statement, its issuance was borne from those who
refused to go down to the judgment of Allah, and in it I advised to stand by the
side of those who arbitrate with the Shariah of Allah. That does not mean that
the party in which we called to stand aside is infallible or that we recommend
them with an absolute recommendation, but the matter is as Sheikh al-Islam (ibn
Taymiyyah) said:"Pure justice in
everything is impossible, by knowledge and work, but the ideal is idealized."Fatwas
(10/99)
Fourth:I
still repeat that fairness is the suit of the honourable, and the honourable are
few among the contesting parties and their supporters in all the countries. The
result of this lack of fairness by many among the prominent ones in the media
and the muftis of the contesting parties is that negative phenomena have spread
among the youth of the current in many of the countries. They found bad examples
and follow them in swearing, lacking manners, having mistrust, and lacking in
polite dialogue.
Before my release, I heard about abuses by some of the media
spokesmen and jurists of both contesting sects, and I relayed some of this and
rejected it. After my release from prison I read about abuses and abasement from
people who do not deserve to describe the Mujahideen or jurists in such a way.
If they had described street people instead of jurists it would have been
better. They accused the offenders as being bastards, sons of whores, and other
obscene and vulgar language, and uttered other than that of lies, falsehood, and
slander - and this is not worthy of those who issue the signature of Allah and
give fatawa in the religion of Allah - to inciting for the spilling of protected
(Muslim) blood and devaluing it (the blood and lives of the Muslims).
They became bad examples for youth of this current all-over
the world and not only in the Syrian field; affliction overran them, lack of
manners spread among them, as well as insults towards young and old, and
scholars and educators. The assault even spread to offenders among the Muslims,
and their blood and souls were made permissible. Sufficient for us is Allah and
(He is) the best Disposer of affairs from these mistakes that they spread among
the public and the villainous among the people.
We are surprised by anything that comes from the like of those
jurists, muftis, and spokesmen who are characterized by such base morals and
daring against the blood of the Muslims! Therefore, we disavow their falsehood
and we demand their officials from all the parties be concerned for the religion
of Allah, the purity of this current, and the character of its people and the
affair of Jihad and the Mujahideen. We demand that they exclude them and keep
them away from positions of directing and giving speeches, for everyday they
repel from this religion with their contradictory speeches, and they flee from
its correct method with their crooked method, and they deform its honourable
morals with their base "ethics".
Whoever seeks the interest of Jihad must exclude the low ones,
the misguiding ones, those who incite to shed the blood of the Muslims, who
spread bad morals and obscenities among the Muslim youth. Instead, make them
guiding advocates who are merciful with the Muslims, who adhere to the ethics of
the Prophethood and follow its guidance in the Ummah and know how to address all
the people.
Fifth:Some
good people conveyed to me that some people in Sham, in an attempt to influence
me to retreat from the statement, saying that blood was shed because of it, or
at the time of its issuance, a bombing was dedicated to me under name of"Millat
Ibrahim"(a famous book authored
by the Shaykh) from parties hostile of the State organization (ISIS).
This is intimidating talk and pressure as much as possible to
obtain greater portions of concessions, and it is a technique which might be
useful in negotiation or buying and selling, but it is not useful in arguing,
convincing, or fulfilling truth and aborting falsehood. Therefore, it is not
beneficial to use it in this aspect. The complaint is lacking credibility,
because the statement did not incite to shed blood of a Muslim, nor did it not
mention a call to kill or fight.
Rather, all the efforts exerted over the past eight months
resulted in this statement, which was for the sake of stopping the bloodshed and
keeping the rifles from being directed at the chests of the Muslims and the
Mujahideen; and for the sake of stopping the negligence of others among the
Muslims or objecting to perform their rights; and for the sake of stopping from
devaluing their blood and money, under pretexts of interests of the State (here
he means both the interests of the true Islamic State and also the organisation
ISIS), building the (Islamic) State, etc, as if everyone else (other than ISIS)
does not want to build an (Islamic) State or empower the Shariah of Allah.
In any case, whoever refused the arbitration will be the one
to bear the responsibility for the ongoing bloodshed, just as whoever embarked
in shedding it (initiating the fighting to begin with) will bear it from all the
parties. On my part, I praise Allah, He who saved me from shedding one drop of
Muslim blood. I ask Him the Almighty, [for me] not to be a cause, not even with
a single letter or half a word in that. I say that those who apply pressure in
such these techniques:"I am not
a man who heeds the sound of hatred".
I say: To whoever dedicated any operation to me that shed the
blood of a Muslim from any party of the parties:"Nay
it is ye who rejoice in your gift!"[Al-Naml,
36] Dedicate to me if you like, but obey my advice and respond to my calls to
stop the bloodshed and accept arbitration, reform, and straightforwardness on
the guidance of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in Da'wa
and Jihad. This is what we demand of you to dedicate it to us if you love us or
love to delight our eyes.
Our eyes cannot be delighted with the shedding of Muslim blood
from any party that is within the circle of Islam even if they were disobedient.
We do not give permission to fight any Muslim at all but to push away the
assailant, and it is known that pushing away the assailant does not mean killing
specifically, but to push away first, and what cannot be pushed by the tongue or
hand then it is not permitted to push by weapon, because the origin is the
sanctity of the Muslim blood and his money and honour.
Sixth:I
was asked about the victories of the State organization (ISIS) in Iraq, so I
said: There is no believer that does not rejoice for the victories of Muslims,
no matter their condition, (over those who) their description is as Rawafidh and
apostates. The fear is for the consequences of these victories and how the
Sunnis and the other Da'wa or Jihadi groups and all the Muslims in the liberated
areas will be treated? And against whom the heavy weapons will be used that were
taken as spoils from Iraq and sent to Syria? This is my question and my concern.
We are afraid of the answers on the ground, because we do not trust the minds
that hold these weapons for many reasons.
Seventh:In
the morning today I was asked: Do you know about the writings of someone about
the Caliphate and his saying that its empowerment is not a requirement!
I said: I did not know about it, but the writing is read by
its title, and the announcement of their naming their organization the Caliphate
must be soon.
Then he said: And what is your opinion if they (ISIS) announce
that (Caliphate)?
I said: The name and its announcement do not bother me and I
will not waste my time refuting what someone blackened in his writings, because
all of us wish for the return of the Caliphate, the breaking of borders, the
raising of banners of Tawhid, and the dropping of the banners of denouncement.
No one hates that but a hypocrite. The wise lesson is through matching the names
with the facts and its existence and to apply it truly and, indeed, on the
actual land. Whoever rushes something before its due time will be punished by
being deprived from it.
But what concerns me the most is what those people will
require for this announcement and the name in which they developed it from an
organisation (AQ in Iraq the ISI), to the State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS), and
then to a general Caliphate (IS). Will this Caliphate be a safe haven for every
vulnerable one, and a shelter for every Muslim? Or will this name be considered
a sword hanging over those who disagree from among the Muslims? Will it
write-off all the emirates that preceded their announced state? And will they
abort with it all the groups that do Jihad in the Cause of Allah in all
different fields before them?
The brothers in the Caucasus have already announced their
blessed emirate and did not require that all the Muslims everywhere comply, and
neither did they shed inviolable blood for the sake of a name. What then is the
destiny of the Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus to those people after declaring
aloud the name of the Caliphate?
The Taliban announced an Islamic Emirate before them, as well,
and its Emir, (Amir al-Mu'maneen) Mullah Omar, may Allah preserve him, is still
fighting the enemies, he with his soldiers. They did not require the shedding of
inviolable blood or untangling a complex knot in the name of the emirate, which
was truly founded on the land for years. So what is the destiny of this emirate
to those who speak in the name of the Caliphate today and announced it?
What is the destiny of all the active Muslim groups, those
whose members pledged allegiance in Iraq and Sham and all-over the land? And
what is the destiny of their blood to those who speak in the name of the
Caliphate today and have yet to stop threatening those who offend them among the
Muslims by tearing apart their bodies with bullets?
These are the important questions that I have that require
answers.
And here we are, before the day is over, al-Adnani shouts out
the expected questions. He was like we have expected. We did not do him
injustice.
O Allah, have mercy and grace on the Muslims, O Lord of the
Worlds. Distance evil and malice away from them. (Ameen!)
I conclude with a warning to those who wade in the blood of
Muslims, whoever they are: Do not think that with your loud voices you will
silence the voice of truth, or that with your threats, your shouts, your lack of
manners, and your aggression that you will silence our bearing witness to the
truth. No, a thousand times no… We will stay loyal guardians for this religion,
protectors who stand on guard for these groups, defending them from those who
tamper and do wrong, from the slander of the fanatic and the intransigent and
others who maim… Either you reform yourselves, repent, and keep away from the
blood of the Muslims and distorting this religion, or we will strike upon you
with words like swords, striking with evidence the livers of mounts and moving
with its sayings the riders.
You and others know that we will not be silent in prison or
behind bars, and we will not be silent after escaping the jaws of the jailer. By
Allah, He who raised the sky without pillars, we will not leave anyone to tamper
with this religion and devalue the blood of the Muslims, even if they accuse us
of hostility, distortion, and lies, and slander everyone near and far… We warn
you about distorting the religion of Allah and corrupting and staining with the
blood of the Muslims and the Mujahideen. Be pious and always speak the truth.
For every event there is a Hadith, and for every situation
there is a saying.
I say: This is some of what I have and not all of It… I put it
forward in this Blessed Month (Ramadan), recalling the Hadith of the Prophet,
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him:"Whoever
does not give up lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should give
up his food and drink."
It was said that Abu Mas'ud, may Allah be please with him, had
asked: How do you welcome the month of Ramadan? He said:"None
of us would dare to welcome the crescent [moon] and in his heart with malice on
his Muslim brother."
Fourth of Ramadan, 1435 (July 2014) from the Hijrah of
al-Mustafa, Peace and Blessings be Upon Him.
Guess Who Wants To Help Failed Miliki's Army
Fight ISIL! The Shia Hindus Sign Up To Face ISIL Mujahidun Who Are Holding
Tight To America's Sophisticated Weapons Seized From Iraqi Fleeing Shiites
Both western mainstream media and India subcontinent news outlets reported last
week the irresponsible and hopeless recruits of thousands of young Indian Shiite
volunteers as announced by Shia group Anjuman-e-Haideri which claimed it already
had 25,000 volunteers and floats tender for flights to Baghdad.
Indian Shiites felt particularly humiliated last month when the
Sunni tribal fighters and militants led by the Islamic State of Iraq and the
Levant ISIL (now called simply the Islamic State IS) staged an offensive to overrun swathes of four provinces north
of Baghdad and more areas in Anbar, displacing hundreds of thousands of people,
alarming the international community and heaping pressure on Maliki as he bids
for a third term as premier.
The reckless and sectarian Shia group Anjuman-e-Haideri in India boasted it had
called for thousands of volunteers to travel to Iraq to fight the militants led
Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) which last month seized from the
Maliki's armies a large volume of American sophisticated weapons and resources
after they had overrun large swathes of Iraq, including second city Mosul, and
has since declared a "caliphate" straddling the border with Syria.
The Indian extremist Shiite organization claimed it had already registered
thousands of Muslims for the mission which one of the Indian critics of the Shia
organisation Anjuman-e-Haideri described as a gimmick to prove the Indian Shias
can also be helpful in all that Shiite running away from battles.
Reports suggested the group has also floated a tender inviting India's aviation
industry to carry the thousands of volunteers to Baghdad in a short period
starting from August.
A local Indian parliamentary has reacted angrily to the dangerous scheme of the
Shia group noting while the US has not come to Baghdad's aid by supplying the
weapons because the Western world knew very well that the country was heading
for a disaster as Maliki was not acting in a democratic fashion.
"If the civilized nations never sent their underage young people to fight
foreign wars, why should any group in India be allowed to waste lives of our
youth generation for the struggles out of their borders and beyond their
capabilities," said the Indian parliamentarian.
"No group or agency should be allowed to send our children as militants for
other nations' mercenaries for whatever reason and under any circumstance," he
said.
However, President of Anjuman-e-Haideri (New Delhi chapter), Ali Naqviwas was
quoted to have said on Tuesday that so far 25,000 people have volunteered for
the Iraq mission and that his sectarian organization expect special rates from
the aviation industry.
He said the volunteers were funding their journeys to Iraq and those unable to
assemble money "will be funded by the organisation".
The group members, however, had denied its religious mission was sectarian,
pointing out that the Islamic State has gained so much in the short period of
their lightning offensives against Maliki's army that the Shiite groups find it
hard to ignore and do nothing.
"Iraq new Islamic State needs to be stopped," he said.
"We will go to Iraq come whatever may happen to fight the ISIL and treat the
wounded. This is purely a humanitarian effort. The volunteers include doctors,
engineers and civil servants," chief patron of Anjuman-e-Haideri, M Ali Mirza
said.
He said the group would send more than 100,000 volunteers to Iraq to fight ISIL
which, he said, could reach India too.
Talking about Shia and Iran's humanitarian mission, Ken
Blackwell described Iran as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism - a
major persecutor of religion.
Blackwell wrote the State Department reports on the full range of human rights
abuses in Iran. These include: "disappearances; cruel, inhuman, or degrading
treatment or punishment, including judicially sanctioned amputation and
flogging; politically motivated violence and repression, such as beatings and
rape; harsh and life-threatening conditions in detention and prison facilities,
with instances of deaths in custody; arbitrary arrest and lengthy pretrial
detention, sometimes incommunicado; continued impunity of security forces;
denial of fair public trials, sometimes resulting in executions without due
process…"
Meanwhile, a New Delhi-based young Sunni doctor disagrees with the hate stance
of Mirza.
"I am sure all Indians are now regretting donating to these guys of
Anjuman-e-Haideri who used Indian poor and middle class contributions to
humanitarian appeals for funding all those Shia death squads," said Numan Riz
"Then I am not surprising that Mirza prefers to join rank with Maliki who could
rather do with more Badr Brigade types fleeing the battlefield instead of
waiting for rightful swords of the Islamic State fierce fighters," he said.
He reckoned some Indian Shiite commentators claiming Sistani's call to fight in
Iraq was not religious but to defend what they see as Shiite elections victory
won by the Shia prime minister.
The Iranian-born Sistani, who claimed he had forced
Washington to modify its blueprint for the country and agree to the election of
a constituent assembly that drafted the nation's constitution is believed to be 86
and lives in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, south of Baghdad. Last month
he called to arms thousands of Shiites to fight
against the Iraqi Sunnis who now control a large swath of territory astride both
sides of the Iraq-Syria border.
"These people in India don't understand elections are a small part of a
democracy. They need to be taught that pluralism and inclusiveness where the
majority insures the rights of the minority are essential goals to strive for is
the tru democracy and not ballot papers," said Riz pointing out that Maliki has
hindered the democratic process accorded on him for a good 8 years.
"If anything, democracy proves it has its deficiencies with Maliki such a weak
fool at the helm in the crucial first years of the young Iraq post 20003 war,"
he said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's sectarian-based
domestic policies backfired last month in a dramatic
fashion when his army - pieced together across
sectarian lines - quickly fell apart when confronted
with Mujahidun fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria (ISIS).
The sudden collapse of military units defending Mosul,
Iraq's second largest city, the late Saddam Hussein's
hometown of Tikrit and the oil-rich northern city of
Kirkuk is reminiscent of the swift disintegration of
Saddam's army at the gates of Baghdad in 2003 when the
Americans invaded Iraq.
Washington, meanwhile, has pointedly declined to endorse Prime Minister al-Maliki, a Shiite,
who is blamed here for failing to reach out to the Sunni community in the
two-and-a-half years since US troops left, thus laying the conditions for the
current crisis.
"We gave Iraq the chance to have an inclusive democracy. To work across
sectarian lines to provide a better future for their children. And unfortunately
what we've seen is a breakdown of trust," Obama said.
Obama warned that only a new effort to frame an "inclusive" political system
by Iraqi leaders will keep the country together and in a wishful thinking to
repel the challenge from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters who
have seized several key cities in Iraq, including Mosul. In an angry
reaction to Obama's warning that no amount of U.S. firepower could keep Iraq
together if its political leaders did not disdain sectarianism and work to unite
the country,
Shiite cleric Nassir al-Saedi, who is loyal to anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Mahdi
Army militia fought the Americans during their eight-year presence in Iraq,
threatened that the US 300 advisers in Baghdad would be attacked
It's rather easy to dismiss these Shia groups talking about
humanitarian mission, helping poor people, defending land of their holy shrines
when one wonders where are these Indian organizations when their Iraqi holy
cities were invaded by US, Syria people used to be killed by Assad dynasty and
Libya was destroyed by the US in the name of humanitarian missions. It is
crystal clear these Shia terror groups and their top cleric leaders are only
mere servants to their beloved nation Khomeini state of Iran which also was
sitting and watching all the invaders with no single action in defending Shia
holy cities.
Indian columnist and television commentator, Saeed Naqvi, derided the
Anjuman-e-Haideri's effort saying the move was "sentimental" and "foolish".
"This is sheer nonsense. It's a foolish effort. It's a bunch of nuts planning
this journey. I don't think India will ever allow them to reach Iraq. There
won't be visas or passports for them. Will they go on horseback?" Naqvi said.
'ISIS Marriage Of Convenience': Iraqi Baathists
Wage 'Campaign Of Assassinations' Against Islamic State
Fighting is said to have erupted among the armed Sunni groups of resistance who
have routed Baghdad government forces in a swift military offensive across Iraq.
There are reports that an ally of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIS
(now called Islamic State, IS) has begun to implement a "campaign of
assassinations" against the Mujahidun group's leaders in Iraq, as cracks begin
to appear in the alliance of armed Sunni groups of resistance against the
Baghdad government that have seized large swathes of the country in recent
weeks.
A security source in the eastern province of Diyala reportedly told local news
site Shafaaq News on 6 July that "armed factions linked to the former Baath
Party, and others belonging to the Naqshbandi organisation began waging a war of
assassinations against leaders of the Islamic State organisations in Diyala".
The source said fighting among Naqshbandi fighters and IS militants is taking
place in provinces where they have "joint control" over. In the past two weeks,
the source said told Shafaaq, "two leaders and a number of their [IS] companions
and assistants" have been killed.
Disagreements have arisen in Mosul, Tikrit and "a number of regions in Kirkuk,
Diyala, Anbar and Salahuddin" over how to manage the "so-called Islamic State",
according to the security source.
A coalition of armed Sunni groups of resistance took control of Iraq's second
largest city Mosul on 10 June and moved swiftly to capture large areas of the
country. The fighters led by IS have played a public role in the offensive,
which they claim is targeting the capture of Baghdad, capitalising on what many
have said is Sunni anger against perceived sectarian policies by Shiite Prime
Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government.
In the aftermath of the Mosul takeover, it emerged that what was initially
viewed as an IS takeover actually involved a number of armed Sunni groups,
including Baathist former military officers who served in Saddam Hussein's army
and are now in the Naqshbandi Army. There is no comprehensive report on the
coalition of groups involved, although locals have identified Ansar al-Sunna and
the Mujahideen Army as taking part, both of whom rose to prominence after the
2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.
'Marriage Of Convenience'
News of infighting among the coalition of armed Sunni groups is not a surprise
for some analysts, who point to widely divergent ideologies and goals making a
long term alliance the Baathists formerly loyal to the late Iraqi leader Saddam
Hussein and the Mujahidun group of IS impossible.
"The Baathists are anathema to ISIS and vice versa. They may have a
common enemy in the central government, but they also hate each other," said
Hayder al-Khoei, associate fellow at Chatham House. "The sweeping gains made by
IS in the last few weeks could only have been possible with the coordination and
support of non-Islamist revolutionary groups, but it was a marriage of
convenience and I think both sides knew from the start that this wouldn't last."
"The honeymoon period is over," he added.
The Baath Party officers certainly do not hold to the same extremist ideology IS
do and, given their previous positions of power within the Hussein-era army,
they are unlikely to do what they are told by IS either, all of which could
unleash a powder keg of violence destroying fragile alliances.
"To hang onto power you need to start punishing anyone who opposes you," said
Cathrin Schaer, editor-in-chief of Niqash. "Once you start punishing anyone who
opposes you, relationships start breaking down. You get former allies, who never
really liked you much anyway, starting covert campaigns to assassinate you."
At that point, Schaer said, "you need to stop worrying about taking Baghdad and
start worrying about how best to control the terrain you have."
The group formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant announced
their Islamic State on 30 June, amidst a significant slowdown in their
advancement across Iraq, and Schaer says the burden of building a "caliphate"
will prove a heavy one.
"To make their Islamic Caliphate, as they call it, successful in the long run
they need to start providing local people with fuel, power, drinking water,
healthcare and jobs," she said. "They need to get the rubbish collectors back on
the streets."
"And from what our correspondents in cities like Mosul are telling us, this
isn't happening yet," she added.
Rumours of infighting among the coalition of Sunni groups or resistance have
been circulating over the past few weeks, with little confirmed reports of how
far this has impacted on their advance.
It is clear, however, that the lightning fast offensive that shocked the world
has slowed considerably and the focus may turn to how these groups interact with
each other now their common enemy of the government forces has been routed from
areas under their control.
Iraq's foreign ministry says weapons in facility seized by ISIS are
non-functional
Stockpiled weapons in a former chemical weapons depot seized by militants in
Iraq are non-functional, according to Iraq's foreign ministry.
In a letter circulated at the United Nations, Iraq's UN Ambassador Mohamed Ali
Alhakim told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the Al-Muthanna site had been
captured by rebels on 11 June.
Iraq's foreign ministry released a statement on Friday saying it did not believe
the militants led by the Islamic State would be able to make the weapons in the
Al-Muthanna facility, northwest of capital Baghdad, functional because they are
old and contaminated.
"The substances could not threaten Iraq's security," the ministry said.
The Islamic State may now be armed with chemical weapons, Iraqi authorities have
warned.
The fighters led by ISIS took control of a former chemical weapons depot
northwest of Baghdad, Iraq last week said in a letter circulated on Tuesday at
the United Nations.
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Iraq's UN Ambassador Mohamed
Ali Alhakim said that IS seized the Muthanna facility, north of Baghdad, on 11
June.
Alhakim said Iraqi officials had spotted the looting of some equipment via the
camera surveillance system before disabled it, also mentioning that
the militants had detained guards at the facility and seized their weapons.
Until the Iraqi government can regain control of the Muthanna facility and
stabilise the country's security situation, Alhakim said it cannot make progress
in eliminating the leftover chemical weapons stockpile.
The US has downplayed concerns about the seizing of Muthanna, with US State
Department spokesperson Jen Psaki expressing her concern on 20 June but
describing the facility as home to "degraded chemical remnants."
The last major report on the facility, completed in 2004 by UN chemical weapons
inspectors, found that it was used to store around 2,500 degraded chemical
rockets that were filled decades ago with sarin, the deadly nerve agent thought
to have been used by Saddam Hussein in attacks against Kurds in Halabja in 1998.
Iraqi officials said the United Nations Special Commission supervised the
complex and that much of the material was destroyed between 1991 and 1994.
Iraq's security forces and allied Shiite militias executed at least 255 Sunni
prisoners as they fled a lightning Mujahidun-led advance last month, Human
Rights Watch said on Friday.
"Iraqi security forces and militias affiliated with the government appear to
have unlawfully executed at least 255 prisoners... since June 9," the watchdog
said in a statement.
"The mass extrajudicial killings may be evidence of war crimes or crimes against
humanity," the New York-based HRW said.
It said the killings appeared to have been carried out in rage for capturing
swarth of the country's territories led by what was still known last month as
the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
'Outrageous violation'
The group, which has since rebranded itself as the Islamic State (IS), is a
Sunni Mujahidun organisation which last month overran large swathes of Iraq,
including second city Mosul, and has since declared a "caliphate" straddling the
border with Syria.
"Gunning down prisoners is an outrageous violation of international law," said
HRW's deputy Middle East director, Joe Stork.
"The world rightly should not turn a blind eye to sectarian killing sprees by
government and pro-government forces."
The rights group said it had documented massacres of prisoners last month in
Mosul, as well as in the towns and villages of Tal Afar, Baquba, Jumarkhe and
Rawa.
"In one case the killers also set dozens of prisoners on fire, and in two cases
they threw grenades into cells," HRW said.
It demanded an international investigation into the killings.
Agencies
Khomeinist Safavid Hate Crimes Rise In And Around
Baghdad
Escalating violence in Iraq crossed a new and very dangerous threshold nowadays.
Shi'a militias in Iraq launched a concentrated wave of attacks against civilian
Sunnis in and around Baghdad, not to mention the southern rim areas of the
capital.
As an example, armed men belong to an active sectarian militia abducted 35
farmers from the central market to sell vegetables on Thursday evening south of
the city of Tikrit, the center of the province of Salah al-Din.
Press sources quoted that Sheikh Hussein Al Mazrui, one of the elders of the
town Yathrib, said that gunmen of Shia militia stormed a market to sell
vegetables in the district Balad south of Tikrit, and have kidnapped 35 farmers
who were selling their crops there.
Al Mazrou'i said the gunmen herded abducted at gunpoint in front of the eyes of
people to the Youth Center of Dujail, a building belonging to the Ministry of
Youth and Sports .. blaming officials at the district (Dujail) responsiblity for
the safety and security of the abductees.
It noted that earlier similar abductions crimes took place in the district that
carried out by infamous Shia militias which were demanding a ransom for the
release of the abductees.
Earlier, as a result of the irresponsible fatwa of Sistani; Shia militias were
mobilizing and have begun a round of sectarian killings facilitated by
government security checkpoints and supported by top officials of the current
government; under a counterterrorism pretext.
The outgoing Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki has backed those militias; to be
appeared as he remains in control of the situation.
The expansion of Shi'a militia activity, however, is likely to persuade many
Iraqis that he is either not in control or is actively abetting the killings.
It is worth mentioning that earlier this week security forces have found 53
corpses in a town south of Hilla, blindfolded and handcuffed, of Sunni people
who had been kidnapped by Shia militias a few days before from the areas Jurf
al-Sakhar, Alexandria and Latifiyah - purely Sunni areas - had been killed and
left in the Shia village of Khamissiya, about 25km southeast of the city of
Hilla, near the main highway running from the capital to the southern provinces.
Officials said that the bodies had been left in the mainly Shia Muslim village
of Khamissiya early on Wednesday, about 25km southeast of the city of Hilla,
near the main highway running from the capital to the southern provinces.
The head of the provincial council, the local police and the governor's office
all confirmed the discovery of the bodies, who appeared to have been killed
execution style.
Confirmed news reports said that the corpses of civilians - ages between twenty
and forty years old - had been kidnapped by Shia militias a few days before from
the areas of southern rim of Baghdad which are Sunni areas .. Noting that the
bodies were blindfolded and handcuffed and bearing signs of torture and bullet
wounds in head and chest .
The news reports concluded by saying that the bodies currently exist in the
forensic medicine department at a hospital in Hilla, but their families did not
handed them over, fear being targeted by Shia militias deployed in the city
which have been active in the rural districts of Baghdad.
According to medical officials, the number of unidentified bodies found around
south of Baghdad has risen steadily since the beginning of the year.