Tag: IS
US-backed forces breach IS defences in heart of Syria’s Raqa
by Layal Abou Rahal with Ahmad Mousa in Mosul Agence France Presse BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — United States-backed forces have penetrated the heavily fortified heart of jihadist bastion Raqa for the first time, in a key milestone in the war against the Islamic State group in Syria. Air strikes by the US-led coalition battling IS punched two holes in the mediaeval wall surrounding the Old City of Raqa, allowing fighters of the Syrian Democratic […]
News in photo: Civilians flee Mosul as Iraqi gov’t forces try to retake city from IS fighters
Tougher fighting, more suicide attacks as IS hits back in Mosul
by Emmanuel Duparcq and Ahmad al-Rubaye Agence France Presse MOSUL, Iraq (AFP) — Iraqi forces are facing increasingly difficult fighting and a rising number of suicide attacks, including some by female bombers, in the final stages of the battle for Mosul, commanders said Monday. Following recent suicide bombings by two girls, security forces in the Old City were seen ordering civilians to remove some of their clothing before approaching to guard against the threat. More […]
AFP: Militants holed up in buildings in Marawi
Islamist gunmen are holed up in about 1,500 buildings in Marawi after weeks of ferocious fighting that has left people dead, officials said Monday. President Rodrigo Duterte last month vowed to “crush” the militants who rampaged through the city on May 23, with the military saying they were hoping to end the fight soon. The gunmen are led by Isnilon Hapilon, one of the world’s most wanted men, who is believed to be still alive […]
Six suspected IS jihadists arrested in Europe
MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Six suspected members of the Islamic State group were arrested in Spain, Britain and Germany on Wednesday in an operation led by Spanish authorities investigating a jihadist recruiting network, the Spanish interior ministry said. Raids were continuing Wednesday morning targeting the group, based on the island of Majorca and led by an Islamist imam, who was arrested in Britain, the ministry said in a statement. The imam, 44, was the target […]
Palace still verifying reports that 89 foreign terrorists had entered the country
(Eagle News) — Malacanang is verifying reports that 89 foreign terrorists have entered the country. Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that foreign terrorists may have entered the backdoor where the point of entry is Mindanao via Indonesia or Malaysia. “This is the purpose why we are making a collective effort against terrorism and violent extremism through a trilateral cooperation with Indonesia and Malaysia,” he said. The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia have recently beefed up […]
Philippine gov’t verifying reports that Malaysian financier and Maute brother killed in Marawi fighting
A Malaysian militant and former university professor who allegedly funded the Islamist militants in Marawi City was among those killed by government forces in the besieged city, according to intelligence information received by the government forces as fighting entered its second month. Wire reports from the Associated Press quoted Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Eduardo Ano as saying that Malaysian Mahmud bin Ahmad, who reportedly channeled more than $600,000 or P30 million […]
US-led coalition ‘cannot confirm’ IS chief death
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — The United States-led coalition battling the Islamic State group said Friday it could not confirm the death of the jihadists’ leader following reports by the Russian army that he might have been killed. “We cannot confirm these reports at this time,” said US Army Colonel Ryan S. Dillon, spokesman for the coalition’s Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria and Iraq. The Russian army said earlier that it hit IS leaders in an air […]
Video showing Islamic militants with their hostages in Marawi released by IS-affiliated news agency
Islamic State spokesman praises jihadist attack in Marawi City in audio broadcast Islamic militants in action, with high-powered firearms and ammunition, as well as with their hostages, were seen on a video posted on the internet by the Islamic State-affiliated Amaq News Agency showing what appeared to be IS-inspired Filipino extremists fighting Philippine government forces. The video purports to show militants using high-powered firearms in Marawi City, as well as several civilians, which Amaq […]
When IS reign ends, who will rule Syria’s Raqa?
by Rana Moussaoui with Ayhem Al-Mohammad in Hasakeh Agence France Presse BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — The battle by United States-backed forces to oust the Islamic State group from its Syrian bastion of Raqa will solve one problem but create another: who will then govern the city? The Syrian Democratic Forces Kurdish-Arab alliance backed by Washington is leading the fight for majority-Arab Raqa. But the strategic city is also coveted by Bashar al-Assad’s government and its […]
Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia to launch joint patrols off Mindanao to fight militants
SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia will launch joint patrols in waters off the Mindanao region this month to counter threats from Islamic State group militants, Malaysia’s defense minister said Saturday. Hishammuddin Hussein made the comments at a security conference in Singapore as Philippine troops continued to battle self-styled Islamic State group gunmen who attacked the city of Marawi on Mindanao island nearly two weeks ago. Hishammuddin said joint sea patrols in […]
