Operation Euphrates Shield

Turkish military intervention in Syria began in August 2016 under the code name Operation Euphrates Shield. The operation was supposed to be in an effort to support the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and crush the Islamic State from the north by doing a cross border assault en mass. What was supposed to be a swift […]

Islamic State declares war on rival Hamas with video execution

The extremist Islamic State group’s branch in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula has taken a simmering dispute with the Palestinian Hamas group based in nearby Gaza to new levels, releasing a 22-minute video in which it calls on its followers to attack the group and shows the execution of a man it said was a collaborator. Analysts say the […]

Two Russian Troops Killed in Shelling of Syrian Airfield

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that two military servicemen were killed during a shelling of a Syrian airfield on December 31 by militants according to the official news agency Tass. “On December 31, 2017, at nightfall, the Hmeymim airfield came under a sudden mortar fire from a mobile militant subversive group. Two military servicemen were […]

US turns the tables on Russia, accusses them of violating Syrian de-confliction line

The United States turned the tables on Russia this week, accusing them of intentionally violating an agreement intended to maintain the peace between the two military powers over Syria. “Russia is failing to genuinely de-conflict airspace in Syria. Some of these incidents are not mistakes,” Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana W. White told reporters on Monday. […]

Trump Withholding US Aid to Pakistan, citing “Lies and Deceit”

Never one to mince words, especially on Twitter, President Trump will, according to The White House, that the U.S. will continue to withhold $255 million in military aid to Pakistan out of frustration over what it has characterized as Islamabad’s reluctance in confronting terrorist networks.Bottom of Form “The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more […]

Middle East Sitrep 12/31/17

The current situation in the Middle East is really not all that different from before the Islamic State took control of huge swaths of land. Small pockets of Islamic State resistance are still in existence throughout the formerly occupied regions of Iraq and Syria. As such, it is inevitable that small attacks and minor combat […]

Coptic Christian Church in Cairo Attacked by Gunman, 11 Dead

A gunman, said to be part of the Islamic Stated killed at least 11 people on Friday in attacks on a Coptic Orthodox church and a Christian-owned shop near Cairo. Police forces then shot and wounded the gunman who was then arrested, the Egyptian interior ministry and church officials said. The Islamic State, as is […]

Putin Says War in Syria Shows Off Russia’s Military Might

Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted of his nation’s military strength at a ceremony where he praised Russian soldiers for their actions in Syria. The Russians supported the government of President Assad in ridding Syria of the Islamic State. Speaking at a Kremlin awards ceremony for troops who fought in Syria, Putin says Russia has “made the main, […]

Suicide Bomber Kills Dozens In Afghan Capital of Kabul

A suicide bomber struck in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Thursday morning killing at least 40 people and wounding about 30 more. The Islamic State claimed credit for the attack, while Taliban spokesmen claimed that they had nothing to do with the bombing. A Shia cultural organisation was the target but the Afghan Voice […]

Egypt hangs 15 over attacks on security forces in Sinai

Egyptian prison authorities on Tuesday executed 15 people convicted of attacks on security forces, police officials said. The men were hanged in two prisons where they had been held since being sentenced for the attacks in the restive Sinai where militants are waging a campaign. It was the largest mass execution carried out in the […]