Islamic State

Russia reaches out to Turkey to discusses Syria

In a recent phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the two leaders discussed the current Turkish military’s transgressional besiegement on the Kurdish Canton of Afrin in northern Syria as well as resolving humanitarian issues in the region. A Kremlin public statement made after the discussion supported that the situation […]

Mattis: Victory in Afghanistan, To Come Politically, Not Necessarily Militarily

In a change of tone for the first time, the U.S. is stating that a military solution to Afghanistan may not be possible. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday that victory in Afghanistan is still possible, by facilitating a Taliban reconciliation with the Afghan government. Mattis spoke shortly before arriving in Kabul, where security concerns […]

Turkish military forces lay siege to Afrin

Under the cover of heavy artillery and airstrikes, Turkish military forces have advanced to the outer reaches of Afrin. As of now, the central city is under siege and the outlying villages have been decimated by the shelling. Street fighting is still going on though and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces are not yielding under […]

ISIS militants ambush Peshmerga during failed sheep heist

In the village of Kifri, just southeast of Erbil, members of the Islamic State attempted to kidnap a local shepherd and his flock of sheep on Friday afternoon. Local Kurdish security forces responded and a firefight ensued. The attack happened around 1500 and was committed by 8 military age males. Attacks and kidnappings like this are […]

Afghan Special Forces Capture German Taliban in Helmand

Afghan Special Forces reported that they’ve captured a German national in southern Helmand province who has been an eight-year advisor to the Taliban. The German man was captured along with three other militants in a government raid on a bomb-making site in Gereshk district. His identity is unclear. Officials say he speaks German and says […]

US Must Counter Russia, China in Middle East After Defeat of ISIS

With the defeat of Islamic State, both Russia and China are attempting to grow their influence across the Middle East, adding to the growing concerns for the United States, the commanding general of Central Command said on Tuesday. Gen. Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), described an array of steps those “great power” […]

United States releases Peshmerga salaries to the KRG

According to the Kurdish Regional government’s Secretary General of the Ministry of Peshmerga, Jabar Yawar, the United States has begun paying the Peshmerga’s monthly salaries with an allocated fund of $365 million. Yawar told local media during a press release, “This year, the US will assist the Peshmerga with $365 million contribution. It’s expected these funds […]

Assad regime forces enter Afrin to aid Kurdish SDF

Pro Syrian Regime forces entered the city of Afrin last week under the request of the SDF (Syrian Defense Forces) and YPG to help them fight the Turkish armed forces at their doorstep. Over the course of a week 3 convoys packed with fighters and weapons have arrived in the city. The fighters will be […]

US Disputes Russian Numbers of ISIS Fighters in Afghanistan

The United States military in Afghanistan has disputed Moscow’s claim the number of Islamic State militants in the country runs into the thousands, and urged Russia and Iran to support the Kabul government, not the Taliban, to help defeat IS in the country. Commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan General John Nicholson made the remark […]

European Union to Double Funding for Military in West Africa

The West African Sahel region will get double the funding for its multi-national military operation from the European Union to counter the growing threat of Islamist insurgencies which is part of a broader effort to stop the flow of migrants and jihadists according to a top European diplomat. The rise of jihadist insurgencies allied to […]