23 Questions Asked To Prospective Jihadis upon Entrance into ISIS
New Age Islam News Bureau
10 March
2016
Photo: 23 Questions Asked To Prospective Jihadis upon Entrance into ISIS
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Arab World
• Syria: 70 Al-Nusra Terrorists Killed In Hama
• Shaaban: Syria Heading Towards Victory
• Saudi Arabia Concludes 20-Nation Anti-Terror Military Drill
• Al-Nusra Terrorists Come under Heavy Airstrikes after Offensives in Hama
• Lebanese Army Destroys ISIL Base in Ras Baalbek
• Army Seizes Large Cache of Weapons, Ammunitions from Militants in Homs
• IS commander 'Omar the Chechen' survived US strike: monitor
• 97 Militants Surrender to Syrian Authorities in Homs
• ‘Children Have No Choice But to Join ISIL’ in Syria, Iraq
• 5 Villages in Aleppo Freed by Syrian Troops
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India
• Kerala Newspaper Apologizes For Comment on Prophet Mohammed
• India Is Our Strategic Partner, Pak Historic Ally: Saudi FM
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Europe
• ISIS Document Leak Reveals Name of 22,000 Recruits
• Russia Believes Fighting Would Escalate If Taliban Refuse Peace Talks
• Germany Says It Has Obtained Islamic State Files
• Balkan nations shut off migrant route to Europe
• Play about a French Muslim president hits nerve in Germany’s refugee crisis
• Flash drive identifying 'Islamic State' fighters given to British broadcaster
• European Lawmakers Slam EU-Turkey Deal as UN Clashes with Brussels Chiefs
• MP challenges press regulator over growing Islamophobia
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Mideast
• Iran Fires 2 Missiles Marked With 'Israel Must Be Wiped Out'
• Arab League Considers Closing Office in Turkey
• Syrian journalist slightly injured in ambush in Turkey: Report
• Migrants currently on Greek islands not part of readmission deal: EU Minister Bozkır
• Turkey demands Belgium contribute more in fight against PKK
• Erdoğan slams ‘unjust’ Russian interventions in Syria, Ukraine
• Rival Kurdish movements in Turkey
• Turkey, Greece discuss developing joint Aegean tours for distant destinations: Minister
• Spokesman: Iran Missile Drills No Violation of N. Deal
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Pakistan
• Pakistan Tells US Lawmakers Terrorists Trying To Undo Their State
• 14 'Afghan Taliban' militants arrested from Quetta
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South Asia
• Taliban Infighting Death Toll Rises to 150 in Western Herat Province
• 41 militants killed in clearance operations led by Afghan army
• Pakistan Should Take Decisive Actions against Haqqani Network: Gen. Austin
• 9 militants killed in Afghan army raid in Helmand province
• 14 Afghan Taliban arrested in Pakistan’s Quetta: agency
• Five Iranians, Afghans drown trying to reach Greece from Turkey
• Mohaqiq calls on Taliban to join peace or face deadly crackdown by Afghan forces
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Africa
• US Special Forces Kill 10 Extremists in Somalia
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North America
• US Air Force Veteran Guilty Of Trying To Join Islamic State
• US Hopes To Preserve Two-State Outcome for Israel, Palestinians
• Trump: 'I think Islam hates us'
• US senator does not expect Pakistan F-16 sale to be blocked
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Southeast Asia
• Philippine Militants Holding Foreigners Hostage Set 1 Month Deadline for Ransom To Be Paid
• Muslims asked to play bigger role in Philippines peace
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/23-questions-asked-prospective-jihadis/d/106608
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23 Questions Asked To Prospective Jihadis upon Entrance Into ISIS
ALEXANDRA SIMS | The Independent | Mar 10, 2016
LONDON: A cache of leaked "surveys" given to would-be Jihadis joining ISIS show the 23 questions that make up the terror group's rigorous "entrance interviews".
The documents ask new recruits to detail a host of information in 23 fields, including their birth date, nationality, blood type and "previous Jihadi experience".
Tens of thousands of the forms, obtained by Sky News, reveal the names of 22,000 people from at least 51 countries, including the UK, who gave up personal information as they joined the militant group.
The forms showing the 23-question survey in Arabic were previously published online by Zaman Al Wasl, a pro-opposition Syrian news website.
Zaman Al Wasl's report claimed the personal details of 1,736 fighters from 40 countries had been revealed, showing that a quarter were Saudis and the rest predominantly Tunisian, Moroccan and Egyptian.
The documents, written in Arabic and stamped with logos used by the so-called Islamic State, allegedly contain details of 16 British fighters.
In addition to their names, the forms show prospective ISIS recruits were asked to give their "fighter name" as well as their "mother's maiden name".
They were asked to list their "level of education", "level of Sharia understanding" and whether they had "fought before".
Potential members of the group also revealed whether they had "special skills" and what "role" they would take, with applicants asked to choose if they wanted to be used as suicide bombers, soldiers or in another role.
Their "level of obedience" is also noted on the forms and, chillingly, a field is also designated for their "date and place of death". A final field is left for "notes" about the candidates.
According to Sky News they include prominent names of figures already known to be members, such as Britons Abdel Bary from London, Junaid Hussain and Reyaad Khan from Cardiff.
They also reveal the identities of a number of previously unknown jihadis in the UK, across northern Europe, much of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in the United States and
Canada.
The 23 questions in full:
1. Name
2. Fighter name
3. Mother's maiden name
4. Blood type
5. DOB and nationality
6. Marriage status
7. Address and place of residence
8. Level of education
9. Level of Sharia understanding
10. Previous job
11. Countries travelled through
12. Area entered from
13. Who recommended
14. Date of entry
15. Have they fought before
16. What role will they take
17. Any special skills
18. Current place of work
19. Security deposit
20: Level of obedience
21: Contact numbers
22: Date and place of death
23: Notes
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/23-questions-asked-to-prospective-jihadis-upon-entrance-into-ISIS/articleshow/51337844.cms
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Kerala Newspaper Apologizes For Comment on Prophet Mohammed
2016-03-10
Mathrubhumi, Kerala’s second largest newspaper and one of the top ten in the country, was forced to issue an unconditional apology after religious and political organizations held widespread protests outside its offices for publishing ‘blasphemous’ content about Prophet Mohammed.
The newspaper had, on Wednesday, printed audience feedback sourced from social media on another of its news items related to comments made by Justice Kamal Pasha of Kerala High Court on Muslim Personal Law.
Pasha had, over the weekend, asked why Muslim women cannot be allowed to have four husbands under the law if Muslim men can be allowed to have four wives.
A facebook user had supported Justice Kamal Pasha’s stance and said in a comment that India should have a uniform civil code. In comments that were reproduced in Mathrubhumi
newspaper, he or she went on to say that people who opposed the implementation of uniform laws for all Indians were primarily afraid of losing their ability to keep multiple wives, some very young.
However, the comment led to widespread protests from the Muslim community in Kerala, many of whom considered it an affront to their religious beliefs.
Several Muslim political organizations, such as the Campus Front, SDPI and PDP held protests and rallies through many towns in the state.
On social media, many devout Muslims put up photos of themselves with burning ‘Mathrubhumi’ in their hands, decrying the ‘blasphemous act’.
Most of the ‘secular’ political parties — including the Congress and the Left — have refused to comment on the controversy, wary of losing votes ahead of state elections in May. About 27% of the state’s population profess Islamic religious beliefs.
Today, Mathrubhumi published an unconditional apology for publishing the content, clarifying that the comments were carried as ‘feedback’ from the people on the article about Justic e Kamal Pasha’s comments on Muslim Personal Law.
India has different laws for its citizens based on their religion. As a result, the laws of marriage, divorce, inheritance and so on applicable to each Indian citizen depends on whether he or she believes in Islam, Christianity or any of the Hindu religions.
Though this is a legacy of the British administrative machinery — which recognized different communities within the same geographic area — the makers of the Indian Constitution could not agree on abolishing separate laws for people belonging to different religions in the country.
However, they did add ‘Uniform Civil Code’ as a desirable goal for the Indian state, including it in the so-called Directive Principles of State Policy.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a petition around Uniform Civil Code, especially with regard to discrimination faced by women under religion-based laws in India. It recently sent a notice to the centre seeking its stand on a petition by a Muslim woman seeking equal status under the law.
Meanwhile, leaders of Kerala’s strong rationalist movement have decried the “intolerance” shown by religious people towards criticism.
E A Jabbar, a prominent pro-science and anti-superstition activist, criticized Mathrubhumi for “giving in” to religious intolerance, and said Kerala has had a long tradition of criticizing, often very harshly, religious practices through films, articles and literature.
He said the stance of certain groups that “no opinion will be tolerated” on anything related to their religion was unacceptable.
rtn.asia/g-c/18096/kerala-newspaper-forced-apologize-post-criticizing-prophet-mohammed#TQk2kibMgx6ZjLUk.99
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ISIS document leak reveals name of 22,000 recruits
Lizzie Dearden | The Independent | Mar 10, 2016
Details of more than a dozen British Isis members are among 22,000 recruits reportedly revealed in a cache of leaked documents from the terrorist group's stringent "entrance interviews".
Zaman Al Wasl, a pro-opposition Syrian news website, published a selection of the forms online showing a 23-question survey detailing extremists' names, birth dates, nationalities,
hometowns, nationalities and even blood types.
But a total of 22,000 names, addresses, telephone number and family contacts feature in a similar cache of documents, seen by Sky News.
They include prominent names of figures already known to be members, such as Britons Abdel Bary, Junaid Hussain, Reyaad Khan.
Bary, a former rapper from London, was reported last July to have deserted Isis and be on the run in Turkey. Hussain, from Birmingham, was thought to have been Isis's head of media
before he was killed in a US drone strike in August.
Khan, from Cardiff, previously appeared in high-profile Isis propaganda video, but was killed in an RAF-led drone strike.
The forms show prospective members were asked to choose if they wanted to be used as suicide bombers, soldiers or in another role, and to detail any previous "jihadist experience".
Zaman Al Wasl's report claimed the personal details of 1,736 fighters from 40 countries had been revealed, showing that a quarter were Saudis and the rest predominantly Tunisian,
Moroccan and Egyptian.
The documents, written in Arabic and stamped with logos used by the so-called Islamic State, allegedly contain details of 16 British fighters.
Most of the European extremists listed were from France, followed by Germany and the UK. Four were said to be from the US and six from Canada.
Timothy Holman, who translated part of the cache into English, said the documents were collected at border crossings into Isis territory between November and December 2013.
The authenticity of the forms could not immediately be verified but the Home Office said it was "aware" of the report, while the leak also matched descriptions of material being
investigated by security services in Germany.
The forms reveal members' names, codenames, birthdays, nationalities, countries visited, employment record and previous jihadist activities.
"Any jihadist who crosses the Islamic State's borders for the first time is made to acknowledge to the Borders Administration everything about himself, even what he wants to be in Isis -
a fighter or a suicide bomber," Zaman Al Wasl reported.
The documents were published on Tuesday, a day after reports emerged in Germany that the Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) security service had received more than a thousand Isis documents.
The Suddeutsche Zeitung's description of the material matched that given by Zaman Al Wasl, detailing 23-question "entrance interviews" from Isis territories in Syria.
"We believe it is very likely that these are real documents," a spokesperson for the BKA told the newspaper.
Prosecutors in the country are reportedly planning to use them as evidence to prosecute any Isis members attempting to return to Germany.
A spokesperson for the Home Office told The Independent it was "aware" of the apparent leak but said he could not give any further information for security reasons.
"Individuals who take part in the conflict in Syria or travel to Isis territories are subject to investigation and should expect to be prosecuted on their return," he added. "Any evidence will
be considered."
At least 700 people from the UK have travelled to support or fight for jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq, according to police, and about half have since returned.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/ISIS-document-leak-reveals-name-of-22000-recruits/articleshow/51337336.cms
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Iran fires 2 missiles marked with 'Israel must be wiped out'
AP | Mar 10, 2016
A Qadr H long-range ballistic surface-to-surface missile is fired by Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, dur... Read More
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Iran test-launched two ballistic missiles Wednesday emblazoned with the phrase "Israel must be wiped out" in Hebrew, Iranian media reported, in a show of
power by the Shiite nation as US Vice President Joe Biden's visited Jerusalem.
The new missile firings were the latest in a series of tests in recent days, aimed at demonstrating that Iran will push ahead with its ballistic program after scaling backing its nuclear
program under the deal reached last year with the US and other world powers.
Israel, long an opponent of Iran, offered no comment on the test, though Biden issued a strong warning over any possible violation of the nuclear deal.
"A nuclear-armed Iran is an absolutely unacceptable threat to Israel, to the region and the United States. And I want to reiterate which I know people still doubt here. If in fact they break
the deal, we will act," he said.
Biden's comments came after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who strongly opposed the nuclear deal.
The tests, however, don't violate the accord. The landmark deal, which led to Iran dramatically scaling back its nuclear program, does not include provisions against missile launches.
Also, when the nuclear accord came into effect on Jan. 16, the Security Council lifted most U.N. sanctions against Tehran including a ban it had imposed in 2010 on Iran testing missiles
capable of carrying nuclear warheads - a ban that likely would have covered some of the missile fired this week. To deal with the restrictions in the nuclear agreement, the councill
adopted a resolution last July which among other measures "calls on" Iran not to carry out such tests.
At the United Nations, there is likely to be a debate about whether Iran is still required to abide by the ballistic missile test ban under council resolutions.
Iran says none of its missiles are designed to carry nuclear weapons and so the resolutions do not apply.
One Security Council diplomat said the tests don't violate the nuclear deal, but "there are obligations on Iran" that stem from the resolution and "they need to abide by those obligations,"
he said. Another diplomat acknowledged, "We're not mounting an argument that it's a binding obligation."
The two diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the tests, said the council still has to consider the reported launches and if verified
determine whether it is a violation and if so what action to take.
Iran state TV trumpeted on Wednesday's test as officials boasted that it demonstrated the country's might against longtime nemesis Israel.
Video aired on state TV showed the golden-hued Qadr H missiles being fired from a crevice between brown peaks identified as being in Iran's eastern Alborz mountain range. The rockets
hit targets some 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) away off Iran's coast into the Sea of Oman, state media and Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency reported.
The US Navy's 5th Fleet, which patrols that region, declined to comment on the test.
Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's aerospace division, was quoted as saying the test was aimed at showing Israel that Iran could hit it. Israel is within 1,100
kilometers (660 miles) of Iranian territory.
"The 2,000-kilometer (1,240-mile) range of our missiles is to confront the Zionist regime," Hajizadeh said. "Israel is surrounded by Islamic countries and it will not last long in a war. It will
collapse even before being hit by these missiles."
He stressed that Iran would not fire the missiles in anger or start a war with Israel.
"We will not be the ones who start a war, but we will not be taken by surprise, so we put our facilities somewhere that our enemies cannot destroy them so that we could continue in a
long war," he said.
The Fars news agency reported the Hebrew inscription on the missiles.
Writing messages on bombs dates as far back as World War II. During Israel's 2006 war with Lebanon's Hezbollah militants, Israeli children were photographed writing messages on artillery
shells in a community near the border. More recently, pictures emerged online of US missiles bound for Islamic State group targets that had "From Paris with love" written on them,
referring to last year's IS attacks in the French capital.
Iran's message for Israel seemed timed to coincide with Biden's stop in the country on his Mideast tour. Iran has threatened to destroy Israel in the past. Israel, which is believed to have
the only nuclear arsenal in the Mideast, repeatedly has threatened to take military action against Iran's nuclear facilities.
Over the past days, Iran has launched a number of missile tests as part of military exercises. On Tuesday, the Revolutionary Guard said the tests included several missiles with ranges
between 300 and 2,000 kilometers (185-1,250 miles), including the Shahab-1 and -2, the Qiam, with a range of 800 kilometers, and the Qadr.
A US State Department spokesman on Tuesday said the US was aware of reports of missile launches and, if the reports were true, would take "appropriate responses" at the UN or
elsewhere.
Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and "the secretary did raise his concerns today with Foreign Minister Zarif about these reports,"
State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters. He did not have additional details about the call.
The Qiam and Qadr, each capable of carrying payloads greater than 500 kilograms, fit the UN definition for missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, said Jeremy Bennie, Middle
East and Africa editor for IHS Jane's Defence Weekly.
The now-lifted 2010 ban covered missiles with a range of at least 300 kilometers (186 miles) and a payload capacity of at least 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds), under a definition by a UN
panel of experts.
The nuclear accord was a victory for Iran's moderate president, Hassan Rouhani, over hard-liners who sharply opposed reining in the nuclear program. But since the deal was reached,
hard-liners in the military have made several shows of strength.
In October, Iran successfully test-fired a new guided long-range ballistic surface-to-surface missile.
UN experts said the launch used ballistic missile technology banned by the Security Council. In January, the US imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the missile
program.
Iran also has fired rockets near US warships and flown an unarmed drone over an American aircraft carrier in recent months.
In January, Iran seized 10 US sailors in the Persian Gulf and held them for about 15 hours when their two riverine command boats headed from Kuwait to Bahrain ended up in Iranian
territorial waters after the crews "misnavigated," the US military said.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iran-fires-2-missiles-marked-with-Israel-must-be-wiped-out/articleshow/51338194.cms
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Arab World
23 Questions Asked To Prospective Jihadis upon Entrance Into ISIS
ALEXANDRA SIMS | The Independent | Mar 10, 2016
LONDON: A cache of leaked "surveys" given to would-be Jihadis joining ISIS show the 23 questions that make up the terror group's rigorous "entrance interviews".
The documents ask new recruits to detail a host of information in 23 fields, including their birth date, nationality, blood type and "previous Jihadi experience".
Tens of thousands of the forms, obtained by Sky News, reveal the names of 22,000 people from at least 51 countries, including the UK, who gave up personal information as they joined the militant group.
Full report at:
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/23-questions-asked-to-prospective-jihadis-upon-entrance-into-ISIS/articleshow/51337844.cms
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Syria: 70 Al-Nusra terrorists killed in Hama
Mar 10 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Syrian Army forces put to death more than 70 terrorists and destroyed their vehicles as the army troops were pushing their way further into Northern areas in Hama province, military sources said on Thursday.
The military sources said pro-government forces impose the heavy casualties on the al-Nusra militants after they took back more lands in the province at the end of heavy clashes with the terrorists.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941220000437
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Shaaban: Syria Heading towards Victory
Mar 10 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The advisor of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Buthainia Shaaban stressed that Syria is heading towards victory, thanks to sacrifices offered by the loyal people in the
country.
In an interview with al-Manar on Monday night, Shaaban said that Damascus backs any power that fights terrorism in Syria, Almasdar reported.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941219001355
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Saudi Arabia concludes 20-nation anti-terror military drill
March 10, 2016
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Heads of state from across the Muslim world are gathered in Saudi Arabia for the conclusion of a three-week-long counter-terrorism military exercise that included 20 participating countries.
The military drills, dubbed "Northern Thunder", took place in an area near Saudi Arabia's northern border with Iraq and concluded Thursday. The training focused on how to coordinate combat operations and guerrilla warfare tactics among the Muslim-majority countries that are members of a larger counter-terrorism alliance announced by the kingdom in December.
Full report at: foxnews.com/world/2016/03/10/saudi-arabia-concludes-20-nation-anti-terror-military-drill.html
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Al-Nusra Terrorists Come under Heavy Airstrikes after Offensives in Hama
March 10, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Military sources in Syria said on Thursday that the country's air force staged massive airstrikes in Hama province in a bid to deter an Al-Nusra attack on a number of villages near Maan.
"Soon after the al-Nusra terrorist carried out assaults on several villages near Maan in Hama province, the Syrian jets conducted sweeping airstrikes on the group's positions in the region," the sources said.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941220000258
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Lebanese Army Destroys ISIL Base in Ras Baalbek
March 10, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Lebanese army in a sweep operation attacked and totally destroyed a base for suspect militants affiliated with ISIL terrorist group in Ras Baalbek in the Northern Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, leaving several terrorists dead or injured, sources and local media said on Thursday.
Sources on the ground also reported fierce clashes between the Lebanese army forces and ISIL militants which ended in more casualties being imposed on terrorists, and the Lebanese soldiers managed to drive back ISIL terrorists further to win back control over a key hilltop on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek from the terrorist previously lurking there.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941220000385
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Army Seizes Large Cache of Weapons, Ammunitions from Militants in Homs
March 10, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian army units, accompanied by popular forces, seized a large cache of arms and ammunitions by attacking the terrorists' positions near strategic hilltops in the Central province of Homs.
During the operations, the army units also defused bombs and mine traps planted by the terrorist groups and killed the last group of militants stationed in al-Talal area to regain full control over the region.
According to sources, in the past few hours, the Syrian army units and popular forces also started operations against the ISIL headquarters around the hills near Thania al-Hit in the Northwestern parts of Mahasa town, 80km Southeast of Homs city.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941220000313
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IS commander 'Omar the Chechen' survived US strike: monitor
AFP — Mar 10 2016
BEIRUT: Top militant Islamic State (IS) group commander leader Omar al-Shishani, known as Omar the Chechen, was "seriously injured" in a recent strike in northeastern Syria but not
killed despite suggestions by United States (US) officials to the contrary, a monitoring group said.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Wednesday that according to its sources the March 4 strike had indeed targeted the militant's convoy, killing his bodyguards,
while Shishani himself "was seriously injured".
"He's not dead," the Observatory's director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. "He was taken from the province of Hasake to a hospital in Raqa province where he was treated by a jihadist
doctor of European origin," he said. Raqa is IS's main stronghold.
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1244767/is-commander-omar-the-chechen-survived-us-strike-monitor
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97 Militants Surrender to Syrian Authorities in Homs
Mar 10 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- More than 97 militants, formerly operating in Homs province, laid down their arms on Wednesday and turned themselves in to the Syrian officials as the pro-government
forces keep on advancing across the Central province.
The militants formerly fighting in the Homs province's ar-Rastan, Talbiseh, and in the city of Homs surrendered to the Syrian government as the forces loyal to the Syrian President Bashar
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941219001262
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‘Children Have No Choice But to Join ISIL’ in Syria, Iraq
Mar 10 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- ISIL is raising a generation of child killers from birth. That’s according to the latest report by London-based counter-extremism think tank, Quilliam.
The document entitled “Children of Islamic State" is expected to be presented to the UK Parliament on Wednesday, Sputnik reported.
The paper says that ISIL militants train children as soldiers, executioners and suicide bombers from an early age to make them “more lethal fighters than themselves.”
Quilliam researchers also add that as many as 50 children from the UK could be in the future mujahedeen training camps, as over 800 Britons are believed to live in ISIL-controlled
territories.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941219001394
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5 Villages in Aleppo Freed by Syrian Troops
Mar 10 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian army, volunteered troops and Hezbollah managed to retake full control of five villages near the town of Khanasser in the Northern province of Aleppo.
The Syrian army continued its advances in the Northern province by taking back the villages of Zabad, Touba, al-A'la, al-Hayat al-Saqira and al-Hayat al-Kabira in the Northeastern parts of the strategic town of Khanasser in Aleppo province.
Tens of ISIL militants were killed and wounded during the operations and their vehicles and weapons were destroyed.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941220000366
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India
Kerala Newspaper Apologizes For Comment on Prophet Mohammed
2016-03-10
Mathrubhumi, Kerala’s second largest newspaper and one of the top ten in the country, was forced to issue an unconditional apology after religious and political organizations held widespread protests outside its offices for publishing ‘blasphemous’ content about Prophet Mohammed.
The newspaper had, on Wednesday, printed audience feedback sourced from social media on another of its news items related to comments made by Justice Kamal Pasha of Kerala High Court on Muslim Personal Law.
Pasha had, over the weekend, asked why Muslim women cannot be allowed to have four husbands under the law if Muslim men can be allowed to have four wives.
A facebook user had supported Justice Kamal Pasha’s stance and said in a comment that India should have a uniform civil code. In comments that were reproduced in Mathrubhumi
newspaper, he or she went on to say that people who opposed the implementation of uniform laws for all Indians were primarily afraid of losing their ability to keep multiple wives, some very young.
Full report at: rtn.asia/g-c/18096/kerala-newspaper-forced-apologize-post-criticizing-prophet-mohammed#TQk2kibMgx6ZjLUk.99
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India Is Our Strategic Partner, Pak Historic Ally: Saudi FM
Indrani Bagchi | TNN | Mar 10, 2016
PM Narendra Modi's first visit to Saudi Arabia early April will see a "tremendous uplift" in bilateral relations, says Adel Al Jubeir, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister when TOI caught up with him during his first visit to India this week.
How do you see the current state of bilateral ties between India and Saudi Arabia?
We have been neighbours and neighbouring civilizations for thousands of years. We have been trading partners and have lots of people-to-people contact. Today our two nations are facing many challenges. We face challenges to the international system, security and stability, challenges in creating economic opportunity for our citizens. I believe working together we can turn the challenges that both of us face together into opportunities.
We have extensive economic relations with India. We are the largest supplier of oil to India. Saudi Arabia is one of India's biggest markets. We have a community of almost 3 million Indian citizens who live in Saudi Arabia. They are our doctors, bankers, engineers, and teachers. They are by far the most peaceful non-Saudi community and we appreciate all their contributions to Saudi nation and society. They are an important bridge.
We have enormous security and terrorism challenges. Therefore it's incumbent on both of our countries to work very closely together in order to go after terrorists who threaten your people and ours. We are committed to doing so, and this commitment is there on part of leadership of both countries. We will see a tremendous uplift in our bilateral ties.
What should we expect during the PM Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia on April 2?
Full report at: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-is-our-strategic-partner-Pak-historic-ally-Saudi-mantri/articleshow/51335386.cms
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Europe
ISIS document leak reveals name of 22,000 recruits
Lizzie Dearden | The Independent | Mar 10, 2016
Details of more than a dozen British Isis members are among 22,000 recruits reportedly revealed in a cache of leaked documents from the terrorist group's stringent "entrance interviews".
Zaman Al Wasl, a pro-opposition Syrian news website, published a selection of the forms online showing a 23-question survey detailing extremists' names, birth dates, nationalities,
hometowns, nationalities and even blood types.
But a total of 22,000 names, addresses, telephone number and family contacts feature in a similar cache of documents, seen by Sky News.
They include prominent names of figures already known to be members, such as Britons Abdel Bary, Junaid Hussain, Reyaad Khan.
Bary, a former rapper from London, was reported last July to have deserted Isis and be on the run in Turkey. Hussain, from Birmingham, was thought to have been Isis's head of media
before he was killed in a US drone strike in August.
Full report at: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/ISIS-document-leak-reveals-name-of-22000-recruits/articleshow/51337336.cms
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Russia believes fighting would escalate if Taliban refuse peace talks
By KHAAMA PRESS - Thu Mar 10 2016
The Russian Federation believes fighting would escalate in Afghanistan if Taliban refuse to resume peace talks with Afghan government.
The escalation of the Afghan conflict could be inevitable due to the Taliban’s refusal to resume peace talks with the government, according to Sputnik news, head of the Russian Foreign
Full report at: khaama.com/fighting-will-escalate-if-taliban-refuse-to-join-peace-process-says-russia-4726
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Germany says it has obtained Islamic State files
AP | Mar 10, 2016
BERLIN: Germany's federal criminal police say they are in possession of files containing personal data on members of the extremist Islamic State group and believe them to be authentic.
Thursday's announcement comes after Britain's Sky News reported it had obtained 22,000 Islamic State files on the border with Turkey and Syria, detailing ISIS fighters' real names, telephone numbers, and even names of those who sponsored and recruited the fighters.
Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported it had also obtained "dozens" of similar files on the Turkey-Syria border.
Full report at: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Germany-says-it-has-obtained-Islamic-State-files/articleshow/51344577.cms
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Balkan nations shut off migrant route to Europe
March 10th, 2016
JUBLJANA : The Balkan trail from Greece to northern Europe used by floods of migrants was blocked on Wednesday after a string of nations slammed shut their borders, hiking pressure
on the EU and Turkey to nail down a “game-changing” grand bargain.
Slovenia and Croatia, two of the countries along the well-trodden route, said late on Tuesday that no migrants wishing to transit towards other countries would be allowed to enter.
Serbia indicated it would follow suit.
EU member Slovenia said that from midnight, the only exceptions were for people wishing to claim asylum in the country or for migrants “on humanitarian grounds and in accordance
with the rules of the Schengen zone”.
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1244601/balkan-nations-shut-off-migrant-route-to-europe
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Play about a French Muslim president hits nerve in Germany’s refugee crisis
ELOI ROUYER — Mar 10, 2016
HAMBURG: Stage adaptations of French author Michel Houellebecq’s novel Submission, in which a Muslim president takes power in 2022 France, have been a hit in Germany where a huge
Middle Eastern refugee influx has stoked fears of the impact of Islamic culture.
The first German theatre version sold out in the northern city of Hamburg, while in Dresden, birthplace of the Islamophobic PEGIDA street movement, a play premiered last weekend,
with a third adaptation planned for Berlin in late April.
“It seems like it’s a very timely story because everybody, each in their own way, picks up on a point of the topic that concerns them,” actor Edgar Selge, who plays the central
character Francois in Hamburg’s Deutsches Schauspielhaus theatre, told AFP.
In the monologue play, Selge stands on stage for nearly three hours, embodying an opportunistic and spineless academic, a loner who is slowly seduced by a new life under Islam and
becomes a political force who rises to the French presidency.
Selge said that Houellebecq, through this central character, “asks us provocatively: what values do you have in your culture that really mean anything to you?”
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1244620/play-about-a-french-muslim-president-hits-nerve-in-germanys-refugee-crisis
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Flash drive identifying 'Islamic State' fighters given to British broadcaster
The disclosure is a potential boon to Western intelligence, but also illustrates discontent in the ranks of the so-called "Islamic State." In total, broadcaster Sky News said it had received more than 22,000 documents.
USB stick next to a laptop
A disaffected "Islamic State" (IS) fighter has given a memory stick containing tens of thousands of files to British broadcaster Sky News, many of them identifying IS fighters and even their family members.
Sky News claims that the portable computer drive was stolen from the group's internal security police chief.
Full report at: dw.com/en/flash-drive-identifying-islamic-state-fighters-given-to-british-broadcaster/a-19105632
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European Lawmakers Slam EU-Turkey Deal as UN Clashes With Brussels Chiefs
Mar 10, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Lawmakers in the European Parliament have slammed the latest EU deal with Turkey under which member states are paying another US$3.35 billion to Ankara in a one-
for-one migrant swop, which the United Nations has branded "deeply concerning."
Under the deal brokered on Monday, the EU would pay another tranche of money to help Turkey deal with its refugee crisis in return for a series of measures that includes the EU sending
"irregular migrants" from Greece back to Turkey, in return for the EU taking in Syrian refugees in Turkey on a one-for-one basis, which many believe goes against international law,
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941219001385
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MP challenges press regulator over growing Islamophobia
Mar 9 2016
MP Simon Danczuk has challenged the UK’s press regulator over growing Islamophobia in the UK media.
Mr Danczuk raised the issue during a meeting between MPs and Sir Alan Moses, chairman of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).
The MP's intervention comes just weeks after The Times newspaper published an article on the murder of Rochdale man Jalal Uddin with the headline “Imam beaten to death in sex
grooming town”.
Mr Danczuk also criticised The Sun in November last year over it’s controversial front page which claimed that "1 in 5 Brit Muslims” have “sympathy for jihadis".
Mr Danczuk questioned the IPSO chair over what steps the organisation is taking to prevent such examples of Islamophobia.
Speaking afterwards Mr Danczuk said: “The Times headline is just the latest example of a growing and troubling level of Islamophobia in some sectors of the British media.
“I have written to the newspaper’s editor calling for an apology, but this is a much wider problem than just one headline.
Full report at: asianimage.co.uk/news/14331758.MP_challenges_press_regulator_over_growing_Islamophobia/
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Mideast
Iran fires 2 missiles marked with 'Israel must be wiped out'
AP | Mar 10, 2016
A Qadr H long-range ballistic surface-to-surface missile is fired by Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, dur... Read More
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Iran test-launched two ballistic missiles Wednesday emblazoned with the phrase "Israel must be wiped out" in Hebrew, Iranian media reported, in a show of
power by the Shiite nation as US Vice President Joe Biden's visited Jerusalem.
The new missile firings were the latest in a series of tests in recent days, aimed at demonstrating that Iran will push ahead with its ballistic program after scaling backing its nuclear
program under the deal reached last year with the US and other world powers.
Israel, long an opponent of Iran, offered no comment on the test, though Biden issued a strong warning over any possible violation of the nuclear deal.
"A nuclear-armed Iran is an absolutely unacceptable threat to Israel, to the region and the United States. And I want to reiterate which I know people still doubt here. If in fact they break
the deal, we will act," he said.
Full report at: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iran-fires-2-missiles-marked-with-Israel-must-be-wiped-out/articleshow/51338194.cms
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Arab League considers closing office in Turkey
Mar 10, 2016
A general view shows Arab foreign ministers during an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers in the Egyptian capital Cairo on January 10, 2016. AFP Photo
The Arab League’s representative in Ankara has confirmed that the body has been mulling whether to close its office in the Turkish capital, along with seven other representative offices around the world.
The foreign ministers of Arab League states have been set to review a committee-level decision that was made in Cairo on March 8 to close the offices for “financial and administrative purposes” and make a final decision, Ambassador Mohamed El Fatah Naciri, the head of the mission of the League of Arab States (AL) in Ankara, told the Hürriyet Daily News on March 10.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/arab-league-considers-closing-office-in-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96277&NewsCatID=352
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Syrian journalist slightly injured in ambush in Turkey: Report
Mar 10, 2016
A Syrian journalist has escaped an assault in Turkey, months after his journalist brother and a colleague were killed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in southeastern Şanlıurfa province, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said.
The CPJ said late March 9 that Ahmed Abdulkadir, director of the website “Eye on the Homeland,” was ambushed by two men outside his house in Şanlıurfa but escaped the attack with minor injuries.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/syrian-journalist-slightly-injured-in-ambush-in-turkey-report.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96276&NewsCatID=341
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Migrants currently on Greek islands not part of readmission deal: EU Minister Bozkır
Mar 10, 2016
Turkey’s EU Minister Volkan Bozkır has stressed that the readmission deal with the Union will not apply to refugees who have already made their way to Greek islands.
Turkey will only start readmitting refugees from Greece once those who are already in EU territory are resettled among European countries, Volkan told state-run Anadolu Agency on March 10.
He also stressed that EU countries would not be allowed to “cherry pick” during the resettlement process by preferring engineers or doctors over less qualified applicants, because the U.N. Refugee Agency will be overseeing the process.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/migrants-currently-on-greek-islands-not-part-of-readmission-deal-eu-minister-bozkir.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96265&NewsCatID=510
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Turkey demands Belgium contribute more in fight against PKK
ANKARA , Mar 10, 2016
Turkey has met all of Belgium’s expectations on issues concerning foreign militants, Turkish Foreign Minister said Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu after meeting his Belgian counterpart on March 9, while
demanding Belgium contribute more to Turkey’s fight against groups outlawed by Turkey.
Çavuşoğlu’s remarks came during a joint press conference held after Turkey and Belgium’s respective foreign, justice and interior ministers met at an Ankara hotel for the meeting.
Turkey’s EU accession, cooperation against terrorism and the migrant crisis were discussed at the meeting.
Çavuşoğlu said terrorism and foreign terrorist fighters were the first issues brought to the table.
“In terms of foreign fighters, we meet all of Belgium’s expectations. We cooperate with Belgium on intelligence, information sharing and taking concrete steps. We want to see the same cooperation on the issues of other terror groups like the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] and the DHKP/C [Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front]. In our bilateral meetings, we tried to explain [to the Belgian counterparts] how the PKK and the DHKP/C are working together, the latest terror acts in Turkey and the relationship among the PKK, PYD and YPG,” said Çavuşoğlu.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-demands-belgium-contribute-more-in-fight-against-pkk.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96258&NewsCatID=510
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Erdoğan slams ‘unjust’ Russian interventions in Syria, Ukraine
Mar 10, 2016
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has slammed Russia’s “unjust” interventions in Syria and Ukraine while reiterating Turkish support for the latter’s government during a joint press
conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, in Ankara.
“Russia says it entered Syria upon a call from the Syrian administration. I wonder who asked them to enter Ukraine? How will this fall in line with international law?” Erdoğan asked
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-slams-unjust-russian-interventions-in-syria-ukraine.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96261&NewsCatID=510
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Rival Kurdish movements in Turkey
Mar 10, 2016
In June 2004 the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) returned to its insurgency against the Turkish state, ending a five-year ceasefire. The ceasefire had been declared after the arrest of PKK
head Abdullah Öcalan in 1999, and the next few years passed largely without violence. Popular theories about why the PKK returned to arms ranged from nationalist criticism of the ruling
Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) EU-demanded reforms to conspiracy theories about U.S.-inspired Kurdish separatism after the invasion of Iraq.
It now seems clear that the PKK’s ending of the ceasefire was largely a result of internal factional squabbling. In May 2004, a number of high-ranking commanders split from the PKK,
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/rival-kurdish-movements-in-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96237&NewsCatID=474
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Turkey, Greece discuss developing joint Aegean tours for distant destinations: Minister
Mar 10, 2016
Turkey, Greece discuss developing joint Aegean tours for distant destinations: Minister
Ankara and Athens are developing plans to create joint tour packages for distant destinations, such as China and India, Turkish Tourism Minister Mahir Ünal has said following meetings with
his Greek counterpart, Elena Kontoura.
“I got together with my Greek counterpart a short while ago. As the world has been shrinking, many regional countries have started to define themselves as a part of the region they are
in,” he said at one of the world’s leading travel trade shows, ITB Berlin, on March 9. “With my Greek counterpart, we asked why we should not create joint tour packages together by
promoting our region in distant destinations, such as China or India. Yes, this is possible as we live in the same region and have a common culture.”
Ünal said Turkey would be one of the most significant tourism hubs in the world in terms of richness of product diversification.
Full report at: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-greece-discuss-developing-joint-aegean-tours-for-distant-destinations-minister.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96256&NewsCatID=349
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Spokesman: Iran Missile Drills No Violation of N. Deal
March 10th, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said the recent missile drills did not violate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPCOA) agreed between Tehran and the six major powers, also known as the nuclear deal.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the spokesman said the missile exercises also did not go against Resolution 2231 of the United Nations Security Council.
“Despite some western allegations, the ballistic missiles fired in the nationwide exercises did not violate the JCPOA or the UN Resolution 2231. The short- medium- and long-range ballistic missiles fired during the drills were for deterrence and defense. None of them could carry nuclear warheads, which by the way, is not in Iran’s defense doctrine,” he added.
Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941220000340
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Pakistan
Pakistan tells US lawmakers terrorists trying to undo their state
WASHINGTON: Pakistan has reminded US lawmakers that terrorists have killed thousands of Pakistani soldiers and civilians only because the country supports the US-led war against
terrorists.
In a letter to a senior Republican Senator, Rand Paul, Pakistan’s Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani referred to a US intelligence document, which quotes Osama bin Laden as asking his
followers to attack the Pakistani state and it’s military because of their anti-terrorism partnership with the United States.
Senator Paul leads the congressional campaign to block a proposed sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.
He sent a letter to his colleagues earlier this week, claiming that it was “past time” to demand accountability from Pakistan whose “coziness” with terrorists has harmed the US military.
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1244714/pakistan-tells-us-lawmakers-terrorists-trying-to-undo-their-state
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14 'Afghan Taliban' militants arrested from Quetta
March 10, 2016
QUETTA: Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) on Thursday claimed to have arrested 14 members of the Afghan Taliban during a raid at Quetta's Pashtoonabad area.
The militants were picked up from a compound located by security forces, a senior official who declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media told DawnNews.
The men were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.
"It is premature to say something about the arrest of any high profile leader among them", the official said.
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1244774/14-afghan-taliban-militants-arrested-from-quetta
South Asia
Taliban infighting death toll rises to 150 in western Herat province
By Khaama Press - Thu Mar 10 2016
The death toll as a result of the bloody clashes among the rival Taliban groups has climbed and reached to almost 150 people, local officials said Thursday.
A member of the provincial council confirmed the latest toll and said majority of those killed belong to Mullah Mohammad Rasool, one of the main side in the deadly infighting.
The local government officials confirmed the bloody infighting which broke out on Monday afternoon but said the exact death toll could not be confirmed at the moment.
Another security official earlier today confirmed that nearly 200 Taliban militants were killed or wounded in the attack.
The official further added that the two rival groups have also summary executions of the detained fighters as well as the local residents.
The clashes continue between the two sides in two regions of Shindand district, Charqala and Bakhtabad, according to the local security officials.
Meanwhile, reports emerged on Wednesday suggesting that two top Taliban leaders, Mullah Malik and Mullah Wakil, were reported in the infighting.
The infighting among the Taliban factions has not been rare and is taking place occasionally in parts of the country, which is mainly triggered due to differences over the leadership of the group which was assumed by Mullah Akhtar Mansoor last year.
The Taliban militants also entered into a deadly infighting in Herat province three months ago which followed months after the election of Mullah Mansoor as the new Taliban supreme leader.
khaama.com/taliban-infighting-death-toll-rises-to-150-in-western-herat-province-0296
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41 militants killed in clearance operations led by Afghan army
By KHAAMA PRESS - Thu Mar 10 2016
Afghan army operationsAt least 41 anti-government armed militants were killed in the latest counter-terrorism operations led by the Afghan National Army (ANA) forces in the past 24
hours.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said at least 36 others were wounded and a suspected militant was arrested by the security forces during the same operations.
A statement by MoD said at least 15 of the militants were killed in Chora and Herawood districts of Uruzgan province and 12 others including a commander of the group were wounded.
The statement further added that 6 militants were killed and 11 others were wounded in an operation in Darqad district of northeastern Takhar province.
At least 3 militants were killed and 2 others were wounded in a separate operation in Dand-e-Shahbuddin district of Baghlan province, MoD said, adding that 4 others were killed and
another suspect was held in Kot district of Nangarhar province.
MoD also added that 4 militants were killed and 6 others were wounded in an operation in Nejrab district of eastern Kapisa province.
The anti-government armed militant groups have not commented regarding the reports so far.
khaama.com/41-militants-killed-in-clearance-operations-led-by-afghan-army-0290
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Pakistan should take decisive actions against Haqqani network: Gen. Austin
By KHAAMA PRESS - Thu Mar 10 2016
The Commander of US Central Command General Lloyd J Austin has said Pakistan should “take decisive action” against the Haqqani terrorist network, calling the network as the greatest
threat to the US forces in Afghanistan.
During a congressional hearing with the Senate Armed Service Committee, Gen. Austin said “We need Pakistan to take decisive actions against the Haqqani Network (HQN). The
Pakistanis are uniquely positioned to counter the HQN, which remains the greatest threat to our forces and to stability in Afghanistan long-term.”
Gen. Austin further added that the US is encouraged by some signs from Kabul and Islamabad that point towards a renewed effort at improving Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, and
Pakistani support for the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
“The Pakistan military continues to play a visible role in efforts to reduce safe havens in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, while at the same
time actively countering VEOs, including AQ, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the newly-emerged Islamic State-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.
The Haqqani terrorist network is accused of staging numerous cross-border attacks from their base in North Waziristan, including the 19-hour siege at the US Embassy in Kabul in
September 2011.
Haqqani network was formed in the late 1970s by Jalaluddin Haqqani. The group is allied with al-Qaida and the Afghan Taliban and cooperates with other terrorist organizations in the
region.
The network is considered the most lethal insurgent group targeting the NATO-led coalition security forces and Afghan personnel in Afghanistan.
The US Department of State designated the HQN as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on September 7, 2012.
khaama.com/pakistan-should-take-decisive-actions-against-haqqani-network-gen-austin-0289
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9 militants killed in Afghan army raid in Helmand province
By Khaama Press - Thu Mar 10 2016
At least nine anti-government armed militants were killed in a raid by the Afghan National Army (ANA) forces in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said the raid was conducted in the vicinity of Lashkargah city by the Afghan armed forces from the 215th Maiwand Corps.
MoD further added that 5 militants were also injured during the operation, while 2 others were arrested in a separate raid by the commandos of the Afghan National Army from Greshk district.
The anti-government armed militant groups have not commented regarding the reports so far.
Helmand is among the volatile provinces in southern Afghanistan where anti-government armed militants are actively operating in its various districts and frequently carry out insurgency activities.
The Taliban militants launched coordinated attack on government compounds in Greshk district of Helmand province earlier yesterday, with the local officials saying the suicide bombers attacked the district police commandment, NDS department and the district administrative compound.
The officials further added that 16 suicide bombers and militants were killed in the attack and 21 others including civilians and security personnel were injured.
khaama.com/9-militants-killed-in-afghan-army-raid-in-helmand-province-0293
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14 Afghan Taliban arrested in Pakistan’s Quetta: agency
Mar 10 2016
By Khaama Press - Thu Mar 10 2016
14 Afghan Taliban have been arrested during a raid in Quetta, capital of Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, Dawn News reported on Thursday.
The report further states that strict security measures were taken during the raid by Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) at a compound in Pashtunabad area where the militants were residing.
A senior official has told Dawn on condition of anonymity that the men were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.
Sleeping bags, boots and administrative objects were also recovered from the possession of the detained men, the media report adds.
“It is premature to say something about the arrest of any high profile leader among them”, the official has been quoted as saying.
Pashtoonabad which houses a large number of Afghan refugees since three decades is located in the eastern part of Quetta.
Dawn report further states that several raids have been conducted in the area and suspects arrested from there in the past.
khaama.com/14-afghan-taliban-arrested-in-pakistans-quetta-4727
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Five Iranians, Afghans drown trying to reach Greece from Turkey
By Khaama Press - Thu Mar 10 2016
Five migrants, including a baby, hoping to reach Europe via Greece drowned when their speedboat capsized off the Turkish coast, Reuters citing Dogan News Agency reported on Thursday.
The Turkish Coast Guard rescued nine people after they called for help late on Wednesday and recovered five bodies, it said. The group, comprised of Afghans and Iranians, were trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos in the Aegean Sea.
The European Union has offered Turkey billions of euros in aid to curb illegal migration. Under a draft deal struck on Monday, Turkey agreed to take back all irregular migrants in exchange for more funding, faster visa liberalization for Turks, and a speeding up of Ankara’s long-stalled EU membership talks.
The aim is to discourage illegal migrants and break the grip of human smugglers who have sent them on perilous journeys across the Aegean. But migrants have continued to try to cross from Turkey’s coast in recent days.
More than 130,000 people this year have reached Europe from Turkey, which borders Iran and conflict zones in Syria and Iraq, while 350 people have died on the perilous journey, according to the International Organisation for Migration.
More than 35,000 people are trapped at the Greek-Macedonian border at Idomeni as Europe tries to close the Balkan route to foreigners fleeing violence and economic upheaval.
khaama.com/five-iranians-afghans-drown-trying-to-reach-greece-from-turkey-4726
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Mohaqiq calls on Taliban to join peace or face deadly crackdown by Afghan forces
By KHAAMA PRESS - Thu Mar 10 2016
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Mohaqiq called on Taliban to join peace process or face deadly military crackdown by the Afghan security forces.
During a gathering to commemorate the 21st death anniversary of Abdul Ali Mazari in northern Balkh province of Afghanistan, Mohaqiq said war against the Taliban militants is legitimate,
insisting that democratic process is the only option the group can gain power in the country.
Mohaqiq further added that Taliban should gain power in the country through elections and will of the people “if they are true Afghans and believe in Islam.”
He said the Afghan people want peace that should be achieved with dignity and and ensuring the achievements of the country in the past 15 years.
Mohaqiq also added that the Taliban group will be welcomed if they agree to join peace talks with the given conditions, or otherwise will face strict military crackdown by the Afghan
forces.
The remarks by Mohaqiq comes as the Taliban group has rejected to sit-in for peace talks with the Afghan government.
Taliban issued a statement on Saturday, saying the decision to refrain from direct negotiations was taken due to deployment of troops by US to Afghanistan, ongoing airstrikes, and
expansion of military operations by Afghan government amid ongoing efforts to revive peace talks, which the group called a ‘propaganda’.
The group once reiterated on its pre-conditions to sit-in for peace talks, saying ”unless the occupation of Afghanistan is ended, black lists eliminated and innocent prisoners freed, such
futile misleading negotiations will not bear any results.”
khaama.com/mohaqiq-calls-on-taliban-to-join-peace-or-face-deadly-crackdown-by-afghan-forces-0287
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Nearly 80 Taliban Militants Killed In Ongoing Infighting in Herat
By KHAAMA PRESS - Thu Mar 10 2016
The death toll as a result of the ongoing infighting among the Taliban militant has reportedly reached to 80 in western Herat province of Afghanistan.
According to the defence officials, the rival Taliban groups are still engaged in the deadly infighting in Shindand district.
The officials further added that the rival groups include supporters of Mullah Akhtar Mansoor and Mullah Mohammad Rasool.
Heavy clashes continue between the two sides in two regions of Shindand district, Charqala and Bakhtabad, the offcials, said, adding that the Afghan armed forces are closely monitoring the situation and will take actions if the clashes created problems to the local residents.
Full report at: khaama.com/nearly-80-taliban-militants-killed-in-ongoing-infighting-in-herat-0288
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Africa
US Special Forces Kill 10 Extremists in Somalia
March 10th, 2016
MOGADISHU: Hoping to capture a high-profile target, US special forces hopped off helicopters a couple of miles from an al-Shabab-controlled town, slipped through the dark and then got into a fierce firefight that reportedly killed more than 10 Islamic extremists.
A Somali intelligence official said that the person they wanted to get was apparently killed during the fight.
“It was a high-profile target, and chances of capture were challenged by a stiff resistance by militants guarding the house targeted by the special forces, which forced the commando to resort to the kill or capture method,” the official said.
Another Somali intelligence official provided a similar account. The exact target of the raid, if any, remains unclear.
The US forces were serving in an advisory role and provided the helicopter transportation for the mission, said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman. The US forces accompanied the Somali troops on the mission, but did not “go all the way to the objective”, he said. There were no US casualties, he said.
More than 10 militants were killed, said other US officials on Wednesday.
Roughly 50 US special operations troops have been operating in Somalia on a rotational basis for the last few years.
The raid came only three days after the US carried out an air strike on an al-Shabab training camp that the Pentagon said killed about 150 of its members.
These are some of the most aggressive military actions in Somalia since a US military intervention in the early 1990s during a famine culminated in the so-called Black Hawk Down battle, with heavy US losses.
For its part, al-Shabab said its fighters had foiled the overnight attack on Awdhegle town in southern Somalia, and that the raiders retreated with casualties. Residents of Awdhegle
described bullet-pockmarked walls blackened from explosions after the attack.
Al-Shabab fighters cordoned off the area in the morning and made arrests of people suspected to be spies, a resident in the town said.
Sheikh Abdiaziz Abu Musab, a spokesman for al-Shabab, told a militant-run online radio that the foreign forces used two helicopters and that one militant was killed.
dawn.com/news/1244658/us-special-forces-kill-10-extremists-in-somalia
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North America
US air force veteran guilty of trying to join Islamic State
AP | Mar 10, 2016
NEW YORK: A US air force veteran was convicted on Wednesday of terrorism charges for attempting to join the Islamic State group and die a martyr, the first verdict from more than 70 cases the government has brought against Americans accused of trying to support the jihadist group.
An anonymous jury began deliberations on Tuesday afternoon in the case against 48-year-old Tairod Pugh. He was convicted of attempting to provide material support to terrorists and obstruction of an official proceeding.
"I think he's sad," Pugh's attorney, Eric Creizman, said as he left the courthouse. "I feel bad for his family."
Full report at: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-air-force-veteran-guilty-of-trying-to-join-ISIS/articleshow/51345219.cms
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US hopes to preserve two-state outcome for Israel, Palestinians
Mar 10, 2016
WASHINGTON: Having twice failed to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace, the Obama administration is discussing ways to help preserve the prospect of an increasingly threatened two-state
solution, United States (US) officials said.
One possibility under discussion is to issue an outline of a deal to end the nearly 70-year-old conflict on such matters as borders, security, the status of Jerusalem and the fate of
Palestinian refugees.
Such an outline could range from a brief description of core tradeoffs the two sides might need to make to a detailed set of "parameters" like those that former US President Bill Clinton laid out for the parties in late 2000.
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1244768/us-hopes-to-preserve-two-state-outcome-for-israel-palestinians
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Trump: 'I think Islam hates us'
Mar 10, 2016
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump has said he believes that Islam hates the West.
"I think Islam hates us," the Republican billionaire businessman said in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper.
"There's a tremendous hatred. We have to get to the bottom of it. There is an unbelievable hatred of us."
Asked whether he thought there was a "war between the West and radical Islam" or "war between the West and Islam itself", Mr Trump replied: "It's radical, but it's very hard to define.
It's very hard to separate. Because you don't know who's who."
Critics have argued that Mr Trump's rhetoric, as well as his call to temporarily ban foreign Muslims from the entering the US, would only exacerbate problems by alienating moderate
Muslims.
Mr Trump called for party members to rally behind his candidacy after he won primaries in three more states, declaring that he could not be defeated in the November general election as the standard-bearer of a united party.
Full report at: asianimage.co.uk/news/14334654.Trump___I_think_Islam_hates_us_/
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US senator does not expect Pakistan F-16 sale to be blocked
Mar 10, 2016
WASHINGTON: United States Senator Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Wednesday he does not expect an upcoming vote on a $700
million sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan to keep the deal from going ahead.
However, he said there was still discussion of whether US taxpayer funds could be used to finance the purchase.
President Barack Obama's administration announced on Feb 12 that it had approved the sale of the Lockheed Martin Corp aircraft as well as radars and other equipment to Pakistan.
It drew immediate criticism from India and concern from some members of Congress.
Republican Senator Rand Paul in late February invoked legislation known as the Arms Export Control Act in the hope of stopping the sale by passing a Resolution of Disapproval, calling Pakistan “an uncertain ally”.
Full report at: dawn.com/news/1244772/us-senator-does-not-expect-pakistan-f-16-sale-to-be-blocked
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Southeast Asia
Philippine Militants Holding Foreigners Hostage Set 1 Month Deadline For Ransom To Be Paid
March 10th, 2016
MANILA (AFP/REUTERS) - Islamic militants holding two Canadians and a Norwegian in the southern Philippine jungles have set a one-month deadline for millions of dollars in ransom to be paid, according to a video released on Thursday (March 10).
In the video posted on a local militant group's Facebook page, the emaciated victims said they would be killed if the ransom was not paid.
The three foreign men, whom the Philippine authorities have identified as two Canadians and a Norwegian, were shown in a video clip, along with a Filipina woman kidnapped with
them, crouching on the ground with gunmen standing over them.
"To the Canadian prime minister and to the Canadian people in the world, please, do as needed to meet their demands, within one month or they will kill me, they will execute us," said one of the men who identified himself as Mr John Ridsdel, a Canadian mining consultant, said.
The three men were handcuffed and were thin, bearded and shirtless.
The video clip of about a minute and a half was posted on a Facebook page linked to Philippine Islamists.
Full report at: straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippine-militants-holding-foreigners-hostage-set-1-month-deadline-for-ransom-to-be
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Muslims Asked To Play Bigger Role In Philippines Peace
By Selim ALTIN on March 10, 2016
By Dogus Can Delihasan
KUALA LUMPUR – The chairman of the Philippines’ one-time largest rebel group is calling on the Muslim world to play a greater role in its 17-year peace process with the government, stating that if stability is achieved in the country’s south it could act as a model for other troubled areas.
Talking to Anadolu Agency this week, Moro Islamic Liberation Foundation (MILF) Chair Al Hajj Murad Ibrahim named Turkey, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, the European Union and Japan as playing an active role, but said others had little participated.
“The Muslim countries, aside from the ones I mentioned, are not very active. We want to appeal to them to play a bigger role,” he said on the sidelines of meetings on the process in capital Kuala Lumpur, in which Malaysia has been a key facilitator.
Full report at: newsfultoncounty.com/politics/news/1029325-muslims-asked-to-play-bigger-role-in-philippines-peace
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/23-questions-asked-prospective-jihadis/d/106608
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