If there was an area where current president Barack Obama and 2008 presidential candidate John McCain clashed, none was more combustible than defense. And if back then views were completely different on the deployment of America’s young to wage war oversees, things are bound to get heated as McCain assumes the chairmanship of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “We have no doubt that Senator … [Read more...]
Airstrikes on Gas Distribution Facility Kills Eight in ISIS-held Syrian Town
Eight people in eastern Syria lost their lives during an U.S.-led coalition airstrike targeting a gas distribution facility located in an Islamic State controlled Syrian town. The airstrike had targeted the distribution station located in Khasham, a town in the oil-rich province of Deir el-Zour and took place on Friday night according to activist’s accounts. The Deir el-Zour Free radio named four … [Read more...]
Islamic State Takes to the Air After Capturing Three Fighter Jets
A group monitoring the war in Syria reported that Iraqi pilots who have recently joined the Islamic State are now training Sunni militants to pilot the three fighter jets they have captured. It is the first time since the war began that the extremist group has taken to the air. These fighter jets have been flying over the al-Jarrah military airport located east of Aleppo, Rami Abdulrahman … [Read more...]
U.S. –Led Airstrikes Kill Hundreds of ISIS Militants
Airstrikes conducted by the United States military on Wednesday allegedly killed several hundred Islamic State fighters gathered around Ayn Al-Arab, the Syrian border town which has been under siege for weeks. Despite the airstrikes the Pentagon announced that the city of Kobani could still fall to the Sunni extremists. During the last two days, the U.S.-led coalition has prepared and conducted … [Read more...]
Middle East Situation Escalates as Turkey Bombs Kurdish Militants
As Islamic State militants continue their siege of Kobani, Turkey’s 15-million-strong Kurdish minority angrily accused the government of refusing to aid Syrian civilians in defending Ayn Al-Arab. During riots last week, at least 35 people were killed. Currently, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader is threatening to call off discussions meant to end an insurgency spanning across more than a … [Read more...]
Islamic State Militants in Syria Underestimated by U.S. Intelligence
During a television interview broadcast on Sunday, the United States President talked about the Islamic State and the threat they pose. According to President Obama, the terrorist group’s activity inside Syria was underestimated by U.S. intelligence agencies. It seems that Syria has now become “ground zero” for jihadist fighters worldwide. And just as it has underestimated the Islamic State, the … [Read more...]
Syrian Aircraft Shot Down by Israeli Military
A Syrian aircraft was shot down on Tuesday according to the Israeli military, after the aircraft had allegedly “infiltrated into Israeli airspace.” A patriot air-defense missile was used by the IAF to intercept the aircraft in midair. The Sukhoi-24 Syrian fighter jet was detected at 8:57 AM by Israel’s Air Force, just as it was crossing into the country’s air space over the Golan Heights. … [Read more...]
Obama Presents Strategy to Eradicate ISIL, Orders Airstrikes in Syria
President Obama addressed the American people on Wednesday evening on the involvement of the U.S. in the war against ISIL. “Our objective is clear: we will degrade, and ultimately destroy, ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy,” the president said in a statement reminding of George W. Bush. Obama summarized the American efforts taken so far against terrorism … [Read more...]
Obama May Authorize Airstrikes against Isis in Syria
Although there had been demands that the U.S. not begin airstrikes in Syria and despite the Syrian government’s request that any airstrike be approved by the government beforehand, it seems that President Obama is preparing to expand the United States campaign against the IS extremist group beyond Iraq’s borders. The President will address the nation and lay out his political and military … [Read more...]
Islamic State Group Gains the Arab League as a New Enemy
After their meeting on September 7th, the Arab League has agreed to combat the Islamic State militants that have been terrorizing Iraq and Syria. Either collectively or individually, all Arab League foreign ministers have agreed to confront the extremist group by all means necessary as well as to cooperate with international efforts aimed at limiting the rise to power of this terrorist … [Read more...]