A picture taken on December 7, 2015 shows a Rocket Propelled Grenade fired by Iraqi security forces in the town of Husayba that lies east of Ramadi. © Ahmad Al-Rubaye, AFP
Iraqi security forces recaptured a large part of the city of Ramadi from the Islamic State group Tuesday, officials said, scoring a significant breakthrough in their fightback against the jihadists.
Baghdad's forces have been fighting for months to secure territory around Ramadi, the capital of the vast Anbar province, and retaking the Al-Tameem area is an important step in the battle for the major city west of Baghdad.
Warplanes from the US-led coalition battling IS have backed them in the fighting, carrying out more than 45 air strikes in the Ramadi area in the past week.
"Today, our forces completely cleared the Al-Tameem area after a fierce battle against Daesh gunmen," Sabah al-Noman, the spokesman for Iraq's counter-terrorism service, told AFP, using an Arabic acronym for IS.
MIDDLE EAST
Russian forces launch 2,000 bombs against terrorists in Syria.
Syrian opposition groups discuss peace push. Syrian opposition seeks unified front at Riyadh conference.
Amnesty: Islamic State fuelled by 'reckless arms trading'.
Militants in Syria attract 31,000 foreign fighters: ex-UK spy chief.
U.S.-led coalition targets Islamic State with 31 air strikes: statement.
Iraqi PM asks NATO to press Turkey to pull troops from north Iraq.
Turkey halts troop deployment to Iraq but will not withdraw: foreign ministry. Turkish PM seeks to calm row with Iraq over troops.
ISIS smuggles majority of oil through Turkey, says Iraqi PM.
Turkish leader's son denies Russian allegations of Islamic State trade.
Russia rejects Turkey criticism over 'missile launcher'.
Yemen's Hadi urges week-long truce for peace talks. Yemeni officials expect cease-fire when UN talks begin.
Saudi Arabia accused of trying to wreck Paris climate deal.
U.S. conducting 'serious review' of alleged Iran missile test.
ASIA
Taliban militants storm Kandahar airport, clash with Afghan security forces.
Afghanistan conference opens, hopes for peace talks slim.
Afghans battle Islamic State to stalemate in east.
'No evidence' Afghan Taliban leader Mansour is dead.
Japan's economy avoids a technical recession.
China, Russia oppose U.N. council meeting on North Korea.
North Korea launches 'war on deforestation'.
Beijing's 'airpocalypse': city shuts down amid three-day smog red alert.
China is blocking Wikipedia again.
AFRICA
Rwanda sets date for referendum to extend presidential term limit.
UN report points to pre-election rights violations in Congo.
Renewed unrest in CAR after presidential candidates announced.
Central African Republic armed group says it won't allow vote.
Pentagon says airstrike killed terror leader in Somalia.
U.N. calls for rapid Libya accord after lawmakers propose rival deal.
Ugandan troops deploy along S/Sudan border.
Rights abuses likely to undermine Congo poll credibility: U.N..
Burundi opposition calls for UN involvement in crisis talks.
Egypt sees tourism returns down 10 percent after plane crash.
Oscar Pistorius granted bail after murder conviction.
EUROPE
Russia has black box of downed jet, will analyse with foreign experts: Putin.
Paris attacks 'ringleader' Abdelhamid Abaaoud evaded Athens police earlier this year.
Germany carries out raids linked to planned attack in Berlin.
Paris, Berlin 'convinced' of need to reduce migrant flow.
Norway offers refugees free flights, thousands of dollars to leave the country.
The Latest: Finland tightens immigration policies.
In rare test, Merkel to face down party rebels on refugees.
Crimea back to full power – Russian energy ministry. Ukraine restores some electricity to Crimea after damage.
Albania protesters scuffle with police in Tirana.
Spain says it has rights to Colombian treasure ship.
Eagles of Death Metal join U2 on stage in Paris.
Russians 'no longer ashamed of country' — poll.
AMERICAS
Quit 'crying' and fix Venezuela economy, opposition tells Maduro.
Donald Trump's Muslim US ban call roundly condemned.
Donald Trump urges ban on Muslims entering United States.
Daesh unlikely to be defeated before Obama leaves office - White House.
San Bernardino terror couple's bombs were set to kill first responders.
Poll: Most Americans favor ground troops against ISIS.
Obama administration to announce new terrorism alert system.
US, Cuba to hold first claims talks in Havana.
Brazilian president teeters on impeachment precipice. Brazil's Rousseff loses ground in impeachment battle.
Canada launches inquiry into murdered aboriginal women.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US kills jihadist leaders in airstrikes in Somalia and Libya.
US says airstrike killed al Qaeda leader in Somalia.
There may be an even bigger threat after ISIS is defeated.
2015 most active year for domestic terror - US House Homeland Security.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Brent crude and iron ore prices tumble.
Oil price could hit $20 as Opec ditches quotas.
Anglo American to cut workforce by 85,000 in restructuring.
Chinese investment bankers missing.
1 comment:
http://www.rferl.org/contentlive/live-blog-syria-islamic-state-isis/27363628.html
Greek Police Tried & Failed To Capture Paris Attacks Mastermind In January
Greek police tried to capture Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected ringleader of the November 13 Paris attacks, in January but failed, a Belgian anti-terrorism source has told the BBC.
Abaaoud had been directing a Belgian terror cell by phone from Athens, the source said.
Abaaoud died in a police raid on a Paris apartment five days after the November 13 attacks that killed 130 people.
Post a Comment