Britain is at war: RAF Tornados are in the air over Iraq with orders to strike ISIS - and SAS are on the ground to guide in the bombs

[superbeets]

[h=3]Coalition Continues Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 20, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrikes in Syria
Attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted five airstrikes in Syria:
-- Near Hasakah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL mobile oil rig.
-- Near Kobani, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL building.
Airstrikes in Iraq
Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 10 airstrikes in Iraq:
-- Near Haditha, an airstrike destroyed three ISIL boats.
-- Near Kirkuk, an airstrike struck an ISIL fighting position.
-- Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL armored vehicle, an ISIL building and an ISIL excavator.
-- Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL buildings.
-- Near Tal Afar, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL culvert, an ISIL bunker and an ISIL fighting position.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.
Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 21, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria, using bomber aircraft to conduct an airstrike, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Separately, U.S. and coalition military forces conducted five airstrikes using attack and fighter aircraft against ISIL terrorists in Iraq.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrike in Syria
-- Near Kobani, an airstrike destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
Airstrikes in Iraq
-- Near Al Asad, an airstrike destroyed six ISIL boats.
-- Near Ar Rutbah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
-- Near Mosul, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
-- Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed five ISIL buildings.
All aircraft returned to base safely.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations.
Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Iraq include the U.S., Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Syria include the U.S., Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]ISIL ‘a Very Complex Threat,’ Dempsey Says in Marshall Islands[/h]By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity KWAJALEIN ATOLL, Marshall Islands, Feb. 21, 2015 – Regional governments must take the lead in solving the "very complex threat" posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discusses the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant during a town hall meeting at the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Feb. 21, 2015. DoD photo (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey made the comments in a town hall meeting here, in his first visit to this tiny atoll in the Pacific, the site of a World War II battle and the home of the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site. Following the town hall that featured about 200 attendees, Dempsey noted how crises in the Middle East continue to demand significant attention even as he travels to discuss U.S. security interests in the Pacific. Extremism Problem Not Easily Solved The U.S. will continue its rebalance to the Pacific, Dempsey said. Meanwhile, the fight against violent extremism in the Middle East, an issue which the general described as a “generational problem” that’s not going to be easily solved, will continue to demand U.S. military attention. Persuading U.S. partners in the Middle East to take responsibility in the fight against ISIL while providing U.S. support and leadership are key factors of the campaign, he said. The U.S. campaign design, Dempsey said, calls for a "light" footprint in enabling and assisting the region in the fight against ISIL. However, he added, ultimately it is up to moderates -- governments, Muslims and populations -- to reject ISIL’s violent ideology. "It's tough, and it's tough to figure out how to use the military in that environment," Dempsey said. Reconstruction, counter-messaging, stopping the flow of foreign fighters, and stopping terror financing, the general said, are all needed to create conditions that will defeat the extremists. In the meantime, he said, the U.S. military won't take its eye off the ball in dealing with direct threats to U.S. interests. Keeping the Pressure on Extremists "We will continue to keep pressure on those who are plotting against us," Dempsey said. "We have a network fighting this network and when we see pockets that are conducting external plotting that might affect the homeland, we can deal with it." ISIL’s followers believe “that they are in the midst of a crusade against other Muslims who don't believe exactly what they believe, and the West," the general said. "ISIL is really just the most recent manifestation of what I think is actually an internal conflict, internal to Islam, the conflict between Sunni and Shia, and between moderates and ultra conservatives," he told the audience of U.S. civilian workers and military personnel. ISIL is not growing exponentially, as may be the perception, the chairman said. Rather, he said, other violent extremist groups, including those in Libya, Somalia, and the Arabian Peninsula, are "rebranding themselves" to align with ISIL, in the hopes of increasing their own influence. The United States and its coalition partners are continuing airstrikes against ISIL in Syria and Iraq, he said. After the town hall, Dempsey departed for Australia where he is meeting with Australian government officials as part of the focus on the U.S. rebalance to the Pacific region.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 22, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrikes in Syria
Attack, fighter and bomber aircraft conducted six airstrikes in Syria:
-- Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units.
-- Near Dayr az Zawr, an airstrike destroyed an artillery system.
-- Near Kobani, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL counter mobility berm and destroyed two ISIL checkpoints.
Airstrikes in Iraq
Attack and fighter aircraft conducted four airstrikes in Iraq:
-- Near Kirkuk, an airstrike stuck an ISIL tactical unit.
-- Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed nine ISIL vehicles, an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL building.
-- Near Tal Afar, an airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
All aircraft returned to base safely.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations.
Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Iraq include the U.S., Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Syria include the U.S., Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 23, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrikes in Syria
Attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 18 airstrikes in Syria:
-- Near Hasakah, 11 airstrikes struck 10 ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL bunker and an ISIL fighting position.
-- Near Dayr az Zawr, an airstrike struck an ISIL crude oil collection point.
-- Near Kobani, six airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, four ISIL tactical units, and five ISIL fighting positions and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions.
Airstrikes in Iraq
Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted seven airstrikes in Iraq:
-- Near Asad, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL fighting position and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint and an ISIL fighting position.
-- Near Rutbah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
-- Near Kirkuk, an airstrike stuck an ISIL tactical unit.
-- Near Mosul, an airstrike struck an ISIL checkpoint.
-- Near Tal Afar, an airstrike destroyed four ISIL armored vehicles.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.
Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[superbeets]

[h=1]French aircraft carrier joins the fight against ISIS in Iraq as US airstrikes are revealed to have killed 1,600 people in five months[/h]

• France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier has been deployed to Iraq
• Will take part in missions 'for several weeks' according to naval sources
• First airstrike missions leaving from the carrier have already taken place
• News comes as monitors say U.S.-led airstrikes have killed 1,600 people
• Vast majority are ISIS terrorists, although 62 civilians were also killed

France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier has started military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq, a French army source said today.
'The carrier and its naval group has officially started missions as part of its Chammal operation in Iraq,' the source told journalists in a reference to the name of the mission. A second source said the carrier would be engaged for several weeks.
Le Figaro newspaper, which is accompanying Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian ahead of an official announcement he is set to make on the carrier today, said the first reconnaissance and possible air strikes in Iraq took place in the morning.
The news came as it was revealed that U.S.-led airstrikes on ISIS targets had resulted in the deaths of 1,600 people - the majority of them terrorists - in Syria and Iraq over the past five months.

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+3


Ready: France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier (pictured) has started military operations against the IslamicState in Iraq, a French army source said today

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Dempsey: Coalition Gains Put ISIL in 'Difficult Position'[/h]By Lisa Ferdinando
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
SYDNEY, Feb. 24, 2015 – Strategic and tactical gains by coalition partners have made a difference in the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
"I think that ISIL is in a difficult position; we just have to make sure it stays that way," Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said at a media roundtable.
Dempsey spoke as he wrapped up a visit here that focused on the U.S. rebalance to the Pacific and strengthening military cooperation with Australia, which has been a key partner in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Efforts Have 'Blunted and Reversed' ISIL Momentum
ISIL aspires to spread its radical ideology across the Middle East and to establish a government that is exclusive to its particular beliefs, Dempsey said. The terrorists would need to keep up momentum to convince people to adopt this ideology, he added.
"On that basis, we have strategically made progress against ISIL,” he said. “In other words, we have blunted and reversed the momentum that they were making in Iraq and in Syria."
Coalition partners in the region "now feel ownership for this security challenge," the chairman said. They have a greater stake in the fight, he added, and are expected to take the lead in the efforts, with military support from the United States.
"Strategically, we're about where I expected we would be," Dempsey said. "Tactically, we've also made progress, but progress tactically will always be challenged because of some of their tactics, whether it's suicide bombers or vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices."
The way to continue to make gains is to maintain the strength of coalition and advance the nine lines of efforts in the campaign, including counter-financing, counter-foreign fighters, counter-messaging and reconstruction. It will take time, Dempsey said.
ISIL will be defeated if those nine lines of effort are "applied and are synchronized and integrated with each other," he said.
Concern About Ukraine, 'Fragile' Cease-fire
The top U.S. military officer expressed concern about the situation in Ukraine. "The cease-fire does appear to be threatened by continued action on the part of separatists," he said, noting that there is not enough evidence yet that heavy weapons are being withdrawn.
"Certainly, I think all of us have been concerned about this issue and expected there would be moments where the cease-fire would once again be fragile -- and it's fragile," he said.
The military, the general said, is working on how to best follow through after the Congress approved providing defensive assistance to the Ukraine.
"We're providing options and entering into a consultation within our government about how and when, if that were to occur," Dempsey said. "Those decisions have not been made yet."
U.S. Military Focuses on Pacific
The centerpiece of Dempsey's Australian visit was a day-long strategy session yesterday with Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, chief of the Australian Defense Force.
"Australia has such an important role in the region," Dempsey said. "They've been an incredible partner globally."
The strategy session, which included their senior staff, examined ways to deepen military cooperation and increase interoperability. Because of the close relationship between the United States and Australia, discussions were able to be candid and open, the general said.
The meeting also included a look toward how the Australian Defense Force will focus regionally and globally in the future, Dempsey said. "We certainly encourage Australia to maintain a global perspective while recognizing their regional importance that they bring to the region," he added.
The trip also highlighted the U.S. military's rebalance to the Pacific. Dempsey said that strategy is "delivering on its promise," with greater cooperation, military exercises and discussions.
"In the context of our own strategy of rebalance, we are working with our closest allies in the region to make sure that we can not only continue to work together but enhance our ability to do so," he said.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Coalition Continues Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 24, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrikes in Syria
Attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 16 airstrikes in Syria:
-- Near Hasakah, 10 airstrikes struck nine ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles.
-- Near Kobani, six airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, three ISIL tactical units, two ISIL fighting positions and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL checkpoint and an ISIL vehicle.
Airstrikes in Iraq
Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted five airstrikes in Iraq:
-- Near Asad, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL improvised explosive device location.
-- Near Fallujah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun.
-- Near Hit in Al Anbar Province, an airstrike stuck an ISIL tactical unit.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.
Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Operation Inherent Resolve Airstrikes Continue in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 25, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrikes in Syria
Fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted nine airstrikes in Syria:
-- Near Hasakah, three airstrikes struck an ISIL vehicle.
-- Near Kobani, six airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units, an ISIL fighting position and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions.
Airstrikes in Iraq
Fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted six airstrikes in Iraq:
-- Near Asad, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
-- Near Mosul, three airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, multiple ISIL checkpoints, an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 11 ISIL buildings, two ISIL armored vehicles and seven ISIL vehicles.
-- Near Ramadi, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL mortar system.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.
Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[ScottL]

These MFers kidnapped 150 Syrian Christians today. Referred to them as 'Crusaders' despite the fact these people have lived in the same place for generations.

Yazidi women being sold as sex slaves have it really bad. One ferried out a message to a reporter with GPS coordinates begging for an airstrike so she would be killed.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 26, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrikes in Syria
Attack and fighter aircraft conducted five airstrikes in Syria:
-- Near Hasakah, four airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units.
-- Near Kobani, an airstrike destroyed four ISIL fighting positions.
Airstrikes in Iraq
Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted nine airstrikes in Iraq:
-- Near Asad, four airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL buildings, an ISIL armored vehicle, an ISIL boat and an ISIL vehicle.
-- Near Qaim, an airstrike struck an ISIL training camp.
-- Near Ar Rutbah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
-- Near Fallujah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
-- Near Kirkuk, an airstrike destroyed two ISIL excavators.
-- Near Mosul, an airstrike struck two ISIL excavators.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.
Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Coalition Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 27, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrikes in Syria
Attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 20 airstrikes in Syria:
-- Near Hasakah, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle and an ISIL vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.
-- Near Dayr az Zawr, an airstrike struck a crude oil collection point.
-- Near Kobani, 13 airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, eight ISIL tactical units, three ISIL fighting positions and destroyed 21 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL staging areas, two ISIL tanks and three ISIL vehicles.
-- Near Tal Harris, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL checkpoint.
Airstrikes in Iraq
Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 11 airstrikes in Iraq:
-- Near Asad, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building.
-- Near Fallujah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building.
-- Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL checkpoint and an ISIL vehicle.
-- Near Hit in Anbar province, an airstrike stuck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
-- Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL buildings and an ISIL armored vehicle.
-- Near Rawah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.
Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[superbeets]

That is a nice day kicking ass.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Operation Inherent Resolve Airstrikes Continue in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 28, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrikes in Syria
Attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted nine airstrikes in Syria:
-- Near Kobani, four airstrikes destroyed two ISIL tactical units and four ISIL fighting positions.
-- Near Al Hasakah, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles.
-- Near Tal Hamis, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
-- Near Aleppo, one airstrike struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL HQ building.
Airstrikes in Iraq
Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 11 airstrikes in Iraq:
-- Near Asad, four airstrikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed four ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.
-- Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed one ISIL building, damaged another, and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and damaged another.
-- Near Mosul, three airstrikes destroyed an ISIL mortar and an ISIL fighting position.
-- Near Fallujah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL humvee and an ISIL front-end loader.
-- Near Huwayjah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL tactical unit.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.
Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[superbeets]

Another nice day kicking ass.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 1, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrikes in Syria
Remotely piloted aircraft conducted two airstrikes in Syria:
-- Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles.
Airstrikes in Iraq
Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted seven airstrikes in Iraq:
-- Near Asad, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL storage facility and two ISIL boats.
-- Near Qaim, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL building.
-- Near Kirkuk, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL storage containers.
-- Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL building, an ISIL excavator and destroyed an ISIL building.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.
Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[superbeets]

Iraq moves against Islamic State in Tikrit


Iraq has launched a military operation to recapture Tikrit, the hometown of former leader Saddam Hussein, from Islamic State (IS) and its allies.
A force of about 30,000 troops and militia were said to be attacking on different fronts, backed by air strikes from Iraqi fighter jets.
Fighting is reported in towns to the north and south of Tikrit.
A Shia militia commander has told the BBC that Iran's Gen Qasem Soleimani is also taking part in the operation.
'Last chance'

Gen Soleimani is the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' overseas operation arm, the Quds Force.
He emerged from decades in the shadows after the IS advance in Iraq last summer, personally overseeing the defence of the capital Baghdad and mobilising pro-Iranian Shia militia - by organising them as well as funnelling money and weapons to them.

Gen Soleimani has played an important role in countering IS in IraqTikrit lies 150km (95 miles) north of the capital Baghdad in Salahuddin province. It was seized in June 2014 by IS militants backed by anti-government Sunni allies loyal to Saddam Hussein's banned Baath party.
A commander of a Shia militia unit involved in the offensive told BBC Persian that IS announced it had taken a number of youths hostage and threatened to kill them if government forces entered the city.
He added that the Iranians had been involved in the Tikrit operation for the past two days.
Major offensive


Gen Soleimani has been pictured visiting the front lines north of the capital on several occasions.
Tehran says it has only sent troops to advise Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and Shia militiamen.
However, members of the Guards and the Quds Force are widely believed to be involved in combat operations, including those that have benefited from US-led coalition air strikes.

IS issued images it said showed its fighters controlling the streets in Tikrit on Monday

On Monday, Al-Iraqiya TV said IS militants had been dislodged from some areas outside Tikrit.





It added that Iraqi troops and fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces - an umbrella group of Shia militia fighting IS - were moving on Tikrit as air strikes hit northern militant strongholds.
There are unconfirmed reports that al-Dour, south-east of Tikrit, has been taken by Iraqi forces and fighting is also reported in the town of al-Alam, north of the city, and Qadisiya.
Government forces say they are 5km away from the heart of the city, the BBC's Ahmed Maher reports in Baghdad, but this has not been confirmed by independent sources.
Later, army and medical sources said five soldiers and 11 militia fighters had been killed by gunfire and roadside bombs.
Shia militia have done much of the fighting against IS militants but have also been accused of killing scores of Sunni civilians in apparent revenge attacks.

Analysis: Ahmed Maher, BBC News, Baghdad

The operation involving up to 20,000 government troops is being backed by an alliance of volunteers mainly from the Shia community but also Sunni tribal fighters.
The Popular Mobilisation Force was formed last summer following the collapse of army troops after IS militants swept through the Sunni heartlands in the north and west of Iraq.
The jihadist movement is backed by Sunni insurgents, who started to take up arms against the Shia-led government in late 2013 after months of protests against what the Sunni community perceived as marginalisation and discrimination.
Several governments have attempted to reclaim Tikrit, the capital city of Salahuddin


province, but have failed since July 2014.
The city is also symbolic for being the birthplace of Saddam Hussein. US forces found the former president hiding in southern Tikrit eight months after the US-led invasion in 2003.
If the military operation succeeds, the government forces and their allies will face a much bigger challenge to retake the main stronghold of IS in the north, the city of Mosul.
How strong is Iraq's army?

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met military leaders in Salahuddin province ahead of the advance.
He declared the start of the operation late on Sunday, as tens of thousands of troops and militia gathered in the central town of Samarra.
Mr al-Abadi offered to pardon all Sunni tribal fighters "who have been misled or committed a mistake to lay down arms" and abandon IS.
He described it as a "last chance", saying that the city of Tikrit would soon be returned to its people.
IS militants hold several areas of Salahuddin, a predominantly Sunni Muslim province.

Iraqi forces had gathered in the mainly Sunni Muslim province of SalahuddinTikrit was the second major gain for IS after the group captured the city of Mosul in June last year.
Mosul was home to more than a million people when it fell to IS after the militants launched an offensive in northern Iraq that saw it seize large swathes of the country.
Soldiers and allied Shia militiamen have now begun to recapture territory from IS north of Baghdad, with the help of US-led coalition air strikes.
At the same time, Kurdish Peshmerga forces have been making advances around Mosul.
In February, Mr al-Abadi said that Iraqi armed forces would be launching a major offensive "in a few months' time" to retake the city from IS militants.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Coalition Continues Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 2, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Airstrikes in Syria
Fighter and bomber aircraft conducted four airstrikes in Syria:
-- Near Dayr az Zawr, an airstrike struck an ISIL crude oil collection point.
-- Near Kobani, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL bunker.
Airstrikes in Iraq
Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted five airstrikes in Iraq:
-- Near Asad, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL boats and two ISIL vehicles.
-- Near Bayji, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
-- Near Kirkuk, an airstrike struck multiple ISIL checkpoints and fighting positions.
-- Near Mosul, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL fighting position, two ISIL vehicles and two ISIL pieces of engineer equipment.
-- Near Rawah, an airstrike struck an ISIL compound.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.
Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

[superbeets]

[h=1]From joker to jihadi bride: Exclusive pictures of the London schoolgirl who ran off to join ISIS - and just what poisoned her mind[/h]

• Amira Abase is one of three pupils from East London who went to Syria
• She was joined on travels by Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Shamima Begum, 15
• 60 young UK women, many of them schoolgirls, have left for the country
• Her friends have given exclusive interviews to explain how she changed

These pictures show a teenage girl enjoying life in modern Britain before joining ISIS to become a ‘jihadi bride’.
She laughs in the park, shows off vividly painted nails, and poses with the athletics’ squad of her East London school, where she was top of her science class.
On Facebook, she writes of going swimming with a friend, loving the music of American rapper Tupac Shakur and enjoying a birthday treat.
Few could have predicted what 15-year-old Amira Abase would do next.
Two weeks ago, in the middle of half-term, she abruptly walked out of her family’s council home in East London, wearing black jeans and trainers.
She caught a bus to Gatwick Airport and flew to Istanbul with two fellow Muslim classmates, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Shamima Begum, 15.
Next — in footage captured by CCTV cameras — the trio waited in the snow to board another bus to travel to the Turkish border with Syria. There, Islamic State militants were waiting for them.
The girls, by now dressed in burkas, were bundled into cars and disappeared to a life where they will have to marry a fighter selected for them, never step foot outside without him, and become a household drone doing chores restricted to women.
Intelligence services say they may even be trained to become fighters themselves.
Amira is not the first Western girl to join Islamic State. Police said this week that 60 young British women, many of them schoolgirls, have left for Syria. Few, however, have been radicalised so swiftly as Amira Abase.
Back in East London, her friends — many of them non-Muslims — have given a series of exclusive interviews to explain how she had changed before their eyes.
As one 16-year-old girl told me this week: ‘She was perfectly normal. She talked about having a lip-piercing one day, and listened to pop chart songs.
‘She was pretty, popular, and a bit of a rebel who saw the funny side of life. I first met her in maths class four years ago. We became best friends.’

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Top of her science class: Amira Abase, in her uniform for Bethnal Green Academy in East London

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Painted nails: Fifteen-year-old Amira, who was born in Ethiopia, larks around with her friends in the park

Born in Ethiopia, Amira moved with her family first to England, and then Germany, before returning here and starting school at Bethnal Green Academy at the age of 11.
‘When I visited, I found her home was not overpoweringly Islamic,’ her friend added. ‘We had a family meal cooked by her mother, who did not wear the hijab at home. After eating, Amira and I went out to the park.
‘She had a BlackBerry phone at 11 or 12, and later an iPhone and computer. She was on them all the time.’



At school, Amira, a Chelsea football fan, shone in debates, once giving a speech on why Muslim women wear the veil. She passed three GCSEs in maths and science early, at age 14.This autumn, she’d planned to study A-level history, maths and biology at the London Academy of Excellence, set up for high-fliers under the free school programme.
Her talents did not stop in class. At 13 and 14 she was a star of the school athletics squad, competing across Southern England in the 800 and 1,200 metres.

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Off to join ISIS: Amira (centre, circled) caught a bus to Gatwick Airport and flew to Istanbul with two fellow Muslim classmates, Kadiza Sultana (left), 16, and Shamima Begum (right), 15. They are pictured at Gatwick




Although she wore the hijab to class, covering her hair in line with Islamic teachings, she abandoned the headgear when she played sport or was with her girl friends.
A member of the athletics squad explained: ‘Amira didn’t make a big thing about her Muslim faith. She came to parties if there was no alcohol, and we’d go shopping for clothes. She was one of us.
She talked about having a lip-piercing one day, and listened to pop chart songs. She was pretty, popular, and a bit of a rebel who saw the funny side of life





‘She got friendly with a boy she met at athletics. We teased her about standing very close to him, so she joked she was leaning on him for support. Her parents would not have approved of a boyfriend.’
Yet last year Amira was exposed to a parallel world from her non-Muslim friends.
While they were going clubbing, meeting boyfriends, and taking foreign holidays together, these Western ways were forbidden to Amira because of her background.
She was expected to pray regularly, and was, her friends think, facing an arranged marriage to a man of her family’s choice in the future.
Another friend said: ‘We suspect she joined ISIS because it was exciting thing to do; a way of rebelling. Unlike us, there were not a lot of exciting options open to her.’

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Model student: Amira was due to study three A-levels at the London Academy of Excellence this autumn

By the time of her 15th birthday in May last year, Amira had become a ‘different person’.
She cut herself off from her ‘clique’ of non-Muslim friends, and mixed instead with two other Muslim girls in the same school year group: Kadiza and Shamima, who, of course, are now with her in Syria.
She got friendly with a boy she met at athletics. We teased her about standing very close to him, so she joked she was leaning on him for support. Her parents would not have approved of a boyfriend






Her old school friends said they were shocked when she sent them a video link claiming that Israelis were deliberately burning Palestinian children.
‘It was horrifying because it showed babies being hurt. I deleted it,’ admitted one.
Amira and her two Muslim friends were overheard using derogatory terms for non-Muslim girls, calling one a ‘slag’ and others ‘kafir’ (an Arabic term for non-believer).
‘She was getting into religion and Middle Eastern affairs seriously. She hung around with these two Muslim girls all the time,’ said her friend.
We now know that one of those girls, Shamima, used her Twitter account to contact a former medical student, 20-year-old Aqsa Mahmood, who left Glasgow last year to join ISIS and marry a jihadist.

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Bayrampasa bus station: In footage captured by CCTV cameras, the trio (above) waited to board a bus to travel to the Turkish border with Syria. There, Islamic State militants were waiting for them

Shamima was following 70 other ISIS terrorists on Twitter, too, many of whom, like Aqsa, used a messaging programme called Surespot.
This encrypts messages to avoid interception by intelligence authorities. When messages are deleted by ISIS recruiters, they are automatically erased from the phones of those who have received them.
Amira is portrayed by police and the school as naïve and vulnerable. But she was savvy and intelligent, and used to getting what she wanted






Friends suspect that Amira and the other girls were in touch with Aqsa and other ISIS recruiters via their mobile phones or home computers since before Christmas.
‘Amira is portrayed by police and the school as naïve and vulnerable,’ said one of her friends. ‘But she was savvy and intelligent, and used to getting what she wanted.’
Police were called to Bethnal Green Academy in December after a friend of Amira’s, a Muslim girl of 15 who has not been named, disappeared to Syria.
They talked to Amira and her two new friends, but concluded they were not being groomed by ISIS online recruiters.
Yet one of Amira’s friends insists: ‘By the time the police came, Amira had isolated herself from non-Muslim pupils. I am surprised the police did not discover she was already fascinated with the Islamic State and people like Jihadi John.’

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Runner: At 13 and 14 Amira was a star of the school athletics squad, competing across Southern England in the 800 and 1,200 metres

Amira left her family home in the morning of Tuesday, February 17, telling her father she was going to a wedding. He believed her.
She was carrying no luggage, although CCTV shows her and the other girls at Gatwick before boarding a flight with heavy holdalls.
She told girls in school that she agreed with what the Islamic State was doing in Syria. I feel that I have lost my friend for ever

Who gave them the bags? Was it an on-the-ground ISIS recruiter in London? The question has not yet been answered. The bags contained the Islamic robes and coats with hoods that the girls were wearing by the time they reached Istanbul.
By late morning on the Tuesday, Amira had texted her father, 47-year-old Abase Hussen, who thought his daughter was at the wedding.
She said it was ‘a little bit far’, and added: ‘Daddy, I will pray my midday prayer and get back home.’
At midnight, the family reported Amira missing and were desperately messaging her school friends to see if she was with them.
One of her old friends admits now: ‘I was getting worried about her. She told girls in school that she agreed with what the Islamic State was doing in Syria.
‘I feel that I have lost my frie

 

[superbeets]

[h=1]Hurled to his death in front of a baying mob: ISIS barbarians throw 'gay' man off building in another sickening day in Jihadi capital of Raqqa[/h]

• Young man was thrown from a building in the terror group's 'capital city'
• He was accused of being gay by the ISIS militants that control Raqqa
• Huge crowds gathered at the foot of the building to watch the atrocity
• Some climbed on buildings to get a better view of the gruesome scene

Militants fighting for the Islamic State in Syria have thrown yet another young man to his death from a building after accusing him of being gay.
Stomach-churning photographs show a large bloodthirsty crowd gathered at the foot of a multi-storey building in the group's de facto capital Raqqa to watch the murder of the young victim.
With the baying crowd clambering on to rooftops to get a better view of the savage scene, the blindfolded man is dragged to the roof of the tallest building in the neighbourhood by bearded militants, who use mobile phones to film him being barbarically thrown to his death.

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Barbarians: Militants fighting for the Islamic State in Syria have thrown yet another young man to his death from a building after accusing him of being gay

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Horror: The blindfolded man is dragged to the roof of the tallest building in the neighbourhood by bearded militants, who use mobile phones to film him being barbarically thrown to his death

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Sick: The stomach-churning photographs show a large bloodthirsty crowd gathered at the foot of a multi-storey building in the group's de facto capital Raqqa to watch the murder of the young victim

The images were released by local activist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, who work undercover in the ISIS stronghold to expose the terror group's atrocities.
The photographs carry the distinctive yellow logo of ISIS' propaganda wing Al Hayat Media Centre, suggesting they come from an as-yet unreleased video of the savage murder.
The photographs shows a huge crowd gathering at the foot of a run-down building in the west of the city, which ISIS captured in early 2014 amid the ongoing chaos of the Syrian Civil War.

So many people are seen in the streets to watch the man being thrown to his death that vehicles are unable to pass along the streets, although it appears the militants have erected metal railings to keep the crowds in line, giving a chilling sense of order to the savagery.
The blindfolded victim - who is understood to be in his 20s - is seen being dragged to the top of the building by three black-masked militants while two armed but undisguised fighters stand at their side using mobile phones to film the gruesome murder.
The next image shows the man plunging to his death, falling face first from behind a white metal railing towards the ground several stories below.

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Savages: ISIS militants are seen filming the man with mobile phones shortly before he is thrown to his death

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Propaganda: The photographs carry the distinctive yellow logo of ISIS' propaganda wing Al Hayat Media Centre, suggesting they come from an as-yet unreleased video of the savage murder

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Spectators: The baying crowd are seen clambering on to rooftops to get a better view of the savage scene

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Bloodthirsty: The photographs shows a huge crowd gathering at the foot of a run-down building in the west of the city, which ISIS captured in early 2014 amid the ongoing chaos of the Syrian Civil War

The horrific murder is just the latest example of ISIS throwing men accused of being gay to their death.
In December ISIS released their first images of the shocking punishment as part of a release that also showed men accused of rape being crucified and left for dead in the centre of Raqqa.
Similar images emerged in January and early February of men being thrown from 'the highest point in the city' following accusations of homosexuality. In a horrific twist, both of these men somehow survived the fall but were then stoned to death by the crowds gathered below.
And just last week another young man was thrown off a roof and stoned to death after being accused of homosexuality. Following a trial in an Islamic State court, the man was taken to the roof of the building and thrown to his death in front a large crowd below.
The man was described as a 'child of Lot' and accused of committing acts of sodomy.
Lot is referred to in the Bible and the Qur'an, where it is claimed the people of Sodom and Gomorrah carried out sinful acts and were severely punished by God.