ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) – by Fulya OZERKAN Turkey on Thursday called on Russia to carry out joint operations against Islamic State (IS) in Syria, after crucial talks between President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan aimed at ending a diplomatic crisis. The comments by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu came as a Turkish delegation was in Russia for talks aimed at coordinating actions on Syria and other bilateral issues. “We will discuss all the […]
Tag: IS
Multiple suicide blasts hit Saudi Arabia; four killed
by Ian Timberlake RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — At least four people died in suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia on Monday following attacks elsewhere in the region before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the three attacks one of which, at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, left four members of the security forces dead and others wounded. Since late 2014 Saudi Arabia has […]
Bangladesh in mourning after hostage bloodbath
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AFP) — Bangladesh began observing two days of national mourning Sunday after 20 hostages were slaughtered at a restaurant packed with foreigners in a terrifying escalation of a campaign of attacks by Islamist extremists. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina decreed the mourning period as she vowed to drag Bangladesh back from the brink, warning of a concerted bid to turn one of the world’s most populous nations into a failed state. Amid mass condemnation of […]
41 dead in Istanbul airport carnage blamed on IS
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) by Katy Lee with Fulya Ozerkan in Ankara Turkey pointed the finger of blame at Islamic State jihadists Wednesday after suicide bombers armed with automatic rifles attacked Istanbul’s main international airport, killing 41 people, including foreigners. Witnesses described scenes of terror and panic on Tuesday evening as the attackers began shooting indiscriminately and then blew themselves up at the entrance to Ataturk airport, one of Europe’s busiest hus. The assault, which comes at […]
Suicide raid on Iraq gas plant kills seven
Baghdad, Iraq (AFP)—Suicide attackers broke into a gas plant north of Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least seven people and setting fire to gas tanks, officials said. The attack on the Taji plant, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of the capital, took place around 6 a.m. (0300 GMT). Eight suicide bombers broke into the gas plant and blew up a car bomb at one of its entrances, interior ministry spokesperson Saad Maan said […]
Syria ceasefire should be ‘revitalised’ before peace talks resume: UN envoy
GENEVA , Switzerland (AFP) — The UN’s Syria envoy said Thursday he planned to hold another round of peace talks next month, but called for a stuttering ceasefire to be “revitalized” before setting a date, as at least 20 civilians were killed in second city Aleppo. Staffan de Mistura made the comments after briefing the United Nations Security Council on the talks, which he said had made gains despite escalating violence on the ground that […]
Three Brussels attackers identified as nation mourns
by Danny Kemp and Lachlan Carmichael BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — Three suicide bombers who struck Brussels airport and a metro train in attacks claimed by the Islamic State were identified Wednesday, as a grieving nation observed a minute’s silence for victims of the carnage. As hundreds of mourners gathered in the city in a show of solidarity with the 31 people killed and 300 injured, prosecutors said brothers Ibrahim and Khalid El Bakraoui […]
Two suicide bombers kill 15 at Shi’ite mosque in Baghdad
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) — Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a Shi’ite mosque in Baghdad on Thursday (February 25), killing at least 15 people in an attack claimed by Islamic State militants. Fifty other people were wounded in the blast in the predominantly Shi’ite Shuala neighbourhood of the Iraqi capital, police and medical sources said. The first bomber detonated his vest inside the mosque and the second blew himself up when security forces gathered […]
Obama warns Russia ‘world will be watching’ Syria ceasefire
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Barack Obama put the onus for upholding a ceasefire in Syria firmly on the regime and its Russian ally Thursday, warning Moscow and Damascus that the “world will be watching.” Hours before the Saturday cessation of hostilities comes into force, Obama huddled with his top national security advisors to plot the way forward and discuss the campaign against the Islamic State group. “Everybody knows what needs to happen,” Obama […]
Obama says U.S. will prevail in fight against Islamic State
WASHINGTON D. C., United States (Reuters) — U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday (February 25) expressed confidence that the United States would prevail in its fight against the Islamic State, but said that an end to the conflict in Syria would be key to dismantling the group. Obama made the comments following a meeting with the National Security Council at the State Department. Obama said his security team was realistic about how difficult the fight […]
Islamic State ‘enjoyed Turkish money for oil’ – Israeli minister
Israel’s defence minister Moshe Yaalon said on Tuesday (January 26) that Islamic State militants had been funded with ‘Turkish money’, an assertion that could hinder attempts to mend fences between the two countries after years of estrangement. Yaalon said that the Turkish government wasn’t pulling their weight in the fight against “terrorism”. “Now it’s up to Turkey, the Turkish government, the Turkish leadership, to decide whether they want to be part of any kind of […]
Fight against ISIS “bearing fruit”, says commander of French aircraft carrier
The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle arrived in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on Thursday (January 21), its 2,000-strong crew taking a break from nearly two months of intensive air strikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. The jihadist group lost control of the western Iraqi city of Ramadi last month, in a sorely needed victory for Iraqi forces backed by a U.S.-led international coalition. Rear Admiral Rene-Jean Crignola, the commander […]
