Two years ago, the forces of the so-called Islamic State Group (ISIS) descended upon the Shingar mountain range in north-western Iraq bordering Syria. Barren and rising up above the surrounding alluvial plains, the range, particularly Mount Shingar itself, has long been revered by populations of humans, forming the backdrop to many of history’s dramas. In …
Continue reading "Reclaiming terror’s forgotten children"
September 1, 2018The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on churchgoers in Russias predominantly Muslim Dagestan region. At least five people were killed and four wounded when a gunman opened fire with a hunting rifle on people leaving a Sunday service at a Russian Orthodox church in the Dagestan city of Kizlyar. Authorities say the …
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February 19, 2018The Islamic State group killed 116 people it suspected of collaborating with the Syrian regime in Al-Qaryatain this month before losing the desert down to government forces, a monitor said today. “IS has over a period of 20 days executed more than 116 civilians in reprisal killings, accusing them of collaboration with regime forces,” said …
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October 23, 2017The Eiffel Tower went dark last night in tribute to the victims of the attacks in Las Vegas and Marseille. At least 59 people were killed and hundreds wounded Sunday when a gunman opened fire on a concert in Las Vegas in the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. Earlier Sunday, a man knifed …
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October 3, 2017The US has sent large shipments of military gears to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to help them in the battle against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria’s, the SDF said on Sunday. The large quantities of weapons aim to help the SDF in their fight to completely clear Raqqa from IS, said …
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September 25, 2017Iraq is to begin an offensive to retake Hawija, one of two remaining bastions of the Islamic State group in the country, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al- Abadi has announced. “At the dawn of a new day, we announce the launch of the first stage of the liberation of Hawija, in accordance with our commitment …
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September 21, 2017Iraq announced today that its forces have retaken the provincial government headquarters and a second bridgehead from the Islamic State group in west Mosul. The operation to retake west Mosul — IS's largest remaining urban stronghold — was launched on February 19, but the advance had slowed in the face of several days of bad …
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March 7, 2017French President Francois Hollande arrived in Baghdad on Monday to meet the French forces helping Iraq in the fight against the Islamic State group and to hold talks with top officials. Hollande, who was travelling with French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, had already visited in 2014 and remains the most prominent head of state …
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January 2, 2017