A member loyal to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) waves an ISIL flag in Raqqa June 29, 2014. REUTERS/STRINGER
Reuters: Islamic State eyeing oil targets beyond Syria stronghold: U.S. official
Islamic State is looking at potentially vulnerable oil assets in Libya and elsewhere outside its Syria stronghold, where the militant group controls about roughly 80 percent of the oil and gas fields, a senior U.S. official said on Tuesday.
The official, who briefed reporters in Washington on condition of anonymity, said the United States was carefully examining who controlled oil fields, pipelines, trucking routes and other infrastructure in places that could be vulnerable to attack.
Those include in Libya and the Sinai Peninsula, the official added.
"They are looking at the oil assets in Libya and elsewhere. We'll be prepared," the official said.
MIDDLE EAST
U.S., allies launch 11 strikes in Iraq, six in Syria: U.S. military.
Russian Air Forces conduct 59 sorties, hit 200 Daesh targets in Syria. Russian warplanes delivered 17 strikes at IS positions to support opposition offensive. Russian warplanes destroy 6 terrorists’ oil production facilities in Syria.
Syrian opposition: No ceasefire unless Assad goes.
Assad can stay for now: Kerry accepts Russian position.
ISIS sympathizers taunt Saudi-led coalition: ‘Come over, you cowards’.
Iraq demands 'complete withdrawal' of Turkish forces.
Turkey accuses Russia of playing up military threat after downed jet.
Yemen peace talks under way as fighters ignore cease-fire.
Yemen's rival sides agree on mass prisoner swap.
ASIA
US-backed forces in Afghanistan struggle to make gains against Taliban. Pentagon: Afghan security worse in second part of 2015.
Philippine military says 18 dead in clashes with Abu Sayyaf.
China tightens rules on maps amid territorial disputes.
Australian military plane flies over disputed South China Sea.
U.S. said to move ahead with $1.83 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
N Korea sentences Canada pastor to life in jail.
Scars laid bare one year after Peshawar school massacre. Pakistan closes all schools on anniversary of Taliban attack that killed 144 students.
Rare tornado rips through Sydney, damaging beachside suburbs.
AFRICA
Cash-strapped Daesh targeting North African oil fields.
UNESCO warns Islamic State poses threat to historic artifacts in Libya.
Libya peace deal delayed again over logistics - U.N..
Burundi refugees recruited as rebels in Rwanda.
South Sudan: Devastation of civil war continues, 2 years on.
Rebel declares autonomous state in Central African Republic.
#ZumaMustFall: South Africans march against Jacob Zuma.
EUROPE
Eurozone growth 'slows' in December.
Thousands reach Greece despite Turkey-EU refugee deal.
Paris attacks: Austria arrests two suspects at refugee camp. Two suspected of links to Paris attacks arrested in Austria refugee center.
East Ukraine Conflict: Despite cold winter, the war here remains as hot as ever.
Ukraine’s government decides to stage trade blockade of Crimea. Ukraine to suspend trade with Crimea in 30 days: PM Yatseniuk.
Russia says out-of-court deal on Ukraine debt impossible.
Merkel says not yet possible to ease Russia sanctions.
Spain's PM says open to pact after too-close-to-call election.
AMERICAS
5 takeaways from the CNN Republican debate.
Congress reaches deal on 2016 spending bill to fund federal government.
US Speaker Ryan expresses support for ISIS war authorization.
Executions in US 'lowest in 25 years'.
US to charge Venezuelan military officials with cocaine trafficking.
Colombia president hails Farc war victims reparation deal.
L.A. defends response to threat that New York dismissed as a hoax.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
U.S. cautiously optimistic about Saudi coalition to fight terror.
US military insists al Qaeda is “concentrated” in Afghan east and northeast.
National Guard soldier 'who planned Paris-style attack on US soil' to kill 150 people facing 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine after pleading guilty to trying to join ISIS.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Shares climb on US Fed rate hike expectation.
U.S. on verge of lifting 40-year oil export ban in spending bill.
No comments:
Post a Comment