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Islamic World News ( 26 Oct 2016, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Iraqi Analyst Discloses S. Arabia, Turkey's Plot to Transfer Al-Baghdadi to Libya

New Age Islam News Bureau

26 Oct 2016

Queen Margarethe II has called on Muslim migrants to adopt European values

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• Letter Sent To Temple Terrace Homes Says Muslim Candidate Unfit For Office

• Don't Meddle With Shariat: Ahle Sunnat Val Jamaat Forum to Centre

• Turkey Asks US to Isolate Gülen from His Network

• Pak Govt Orders Immigrants’ Registration, Crackdown on 93 Seminaries

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Arab World

• Iraqi Analyst Discloses S. Arabia, Turkey's Plot to Transfer Al-Baghdadi to Libya

• ISIL's Treasury Man, Economic Brain Disappears with Millions of Dollars in Mosul

• Iran Calls for Collective Efforts to Fight Global Terrorism

• Hundreds of Syrian Army Special Forces Arrive in Aleppo

• ISIL Fails to Prevail over Gov't Positions in Oil-Rich Regions in Homs

• Iran, Russia in Close Cooperation on Syria

• Syrian Army Soldiers Score More Victories against Terrorists in South-western Damascus

• Iranian DM: US Support for Human Rights A Gesture to Rescue Terrorists in Aleppo

• Syrian Artillery, Air Attacks Pre-empt Terrorists' Great Epic Operation in Aleppo

• Suspected Syrian government air strike kills Turkey-backed rebels

• Iran's Ambassador Praises Ties with Russia, Calls for Joint Anti-Terror Fight

• Senior Terrorist Commander Killed in Syrian Air Raids in Hama

North America

• Letter Sent To Temple Terrace Homes Says Muslim Candidate Unfit For Office

• Pakistan Should Act Against Militants Group Targeting Its Neighbours: US

• Why Donald Trump is winning over many American Hindus

• Northern, central Minnesota fertile ground for anti-Islam speakers

• Young Muslim Americans unnerved by fear and loathing

India

• Don't Meddle With Shariat: Ahle Sunnat Val Jamaat Forum to Centre

• Uniform Civil Code Will Not Be Brought Without Consensus: Minister

• Bangla PM Said Youths in Border Areas Being Funded For Terror Acts In Bengal: BJP Leader

• Muslim doctor held for ‘obscene’ Diwali post sent on WhatsApp group

• Reforms in Telangana Waqf Board yielding positive results

Mideast

• Turkey Asks US to Isolate Gülen from His Network

• July 15 Made Turkish Public Holiday to Mark Coup Bid

• Diyarbakır Mayor Gültan Kışanak, co-mayor detained on terrorism charges

• Istanbul should be center of UN: President Erdoğan

• Turkish justice minister heads to US for Gülen extradition talks

• Halt to democracy no way to fight coups: CHP

• New police chiefs assigned to 61 provinces in Turkey

Pakistan

• Pak Govt Orders Immigrants’ Registration, Crackdown on 93 Seminaries

• Pakistan Ranked As Second-Worst Country in Gender Gap Index

• Polio worker gunned down in Khyber Agency

• Team formed to probe Quetta police academy attack

• At least five civilians injured in firing across Working Boundary: ISPR

• Assailants came from Afghanistan, PM told

• Locking down Islamabad not a matter of right, says senator

South Asia

• 45 Including 19 ISIS Loyalists, 1 Arab Militant Killed In East Of Afghanistan

• 33 Afghan Civilians Shot Dead After Kidnapped In Ghor Province

• NATO: Taliban rocket destroyed, 2 minor injuries caused in IED attack

• Bangladesh police say two Islamists killed in gunfight

• The Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan slams Pak officials for irresponsible remarks regarding Quetta attack

Africa

• African Terror Franchise Now Has Competition from Islamic State

• Tunisian Police Detain Two US Nationals for Terrorist Propaganda

• Gambia Withdraws from ICC

Southeast Asia

• Some Indonesians 'Joining Pro-Islamic State Groups in Philippines'

• Will a Rohingya Armed Struggle Be Legitimate?

• Southeast Asian terror mastermind to stay at Guantanamo: US

Europe

• ‘Living Here Doesn't Make You One of Us’ Danish Queen Tells Muslims to Adopt West's Values

• European Parliament resolution condemns Iran for anti-Semitism

• 7th international Halal conference in Brussels

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/iraqi-analyst-discloses-s.-arabia,/d/108926

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Iraqi Analyst Discloses S. Arabia, Turkey's Plot to Transfer Al-Baghdadi to Libya

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- A prominent Iraqi military analyst disclosed that Riyadh and Ankara had hatched plots to transfer ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi from Mosul to Libya but the massive presence of the popular forces and Russian fighter jets at the bordering areas of Iraq and Syria dissuaded them.

"The two countries were working to take al-Baghdadi to Turkey either by moving him through Mosul and Kirkuk to the North or through al-Qa'em and al-Ratba corridor to Deir Ezzur in Syria and then to Turkey to eventually transfer him to Libya," Safa al-A'asam told Iraq's al-Ma'louma news agency on Wednesday.

He added that the ISIL concluded that transferring al-Baghdadi through Tal Afar region to Raqqa in Syria is also impossible given the massive presence of Hashd al-Sha'abi (popular forces) in the Southern front near Be’aaj district, Northwest of the Iraqi province of Nineveh as well as the numerous flights done by the Russian fighter jets over the Syrian bordering areas with Iraq.

"The ISIL is now working to find a different path through the Iraq-Syria borders to take al-Baghdadi to Turkey and then to Libya or any other countries," al-A'asam said.

The statements came as reports from western Iraq said earlier this month that al-Baghdadi has succumbed to his last month's fatal injuries and died in a region along the border with Syria.

"Al-Baghdadi had been severely wounded in the Al-Anbar battle in Western Iraq last month, and his wounds were so lethal that he could not at all move freely," a local Iraqi source told the Arabic service of the Russian Sputnik news agency.

The source said despite long treatment in Mosul, the general health conditions of the ISIL leader deteriorated due to "a deep abdominal cut, damage to his liver and crippling wounds in his left limbs".

Full report at: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000803

Letter Sent To Temple Terrace Homes Says Muslim Candidate Unfit For Office

October 26, 2016

TEMPLE TERRACE — City Council candidate Wael Odeh has lived more than three decades in this town of 25,000 straddling the Hillsborough River.

He is a husband, father of four and grandfather of three. As a civil engineer, he has designed bridges and roads throughout the United States.

Odeh is also a Muslim, born in Palestinian territory, and someone believes that’s enough to disqualify him from election to the City Council.

An anonymous letter has been mailed to a number of addresses in Temple Terrace questioning whether City Hall is safe with a Muslim working there and whether Odeh has ties to terrorism.

Odeh is offended by the blanket implications.

“If it was directed at me personally it would not be an issue, but this thing is hitting the more than 40,000 Muslims living in the Tampa Bay area,” Odeh said. “It is absurd. Not every Muslim is radical. We are human beings.”

The typewritten, single-spaced, one-page letter is dated October 2016. Among a number of questions it poses: “Could Odeh’s election be a foot in the door of Sharia Law’s subtle influence in our community?”

“This is an unfortunate attempt to split the community,” Odeh said. “We are trying to put the community back together.”

Sharia is the detailed system of religious law developed by Muslim scholars in the early centuries of Islam and still in force among fundamentalists.

Among other questions raised in the letter are why Odeh has not revealed in campaign mailers where he was born.

Odeh’s response: “Does he want to know where the other candidates were born?” He notes that he has lived in the United States for 38 of his 56 years and says, “My country now is America.”

The letter also questions whether he forces his wife into a subservient role, as do some observers of sharia.

“My wife is definitely not subservient to me,” Odeh said with a chuckle.

In addition, the letter says the Council on American-Islamic Relations endorses Odeh and claims the group has links to terrorism. CAIR is a nonprofit civil rights organization focused on promoting a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America, according to its website. Its non-profit status prohibits candidate endorsements.

In a statement to the Times, CAIR Florida’s government affairs director Laila Abdelaziz said, “This unfounded and slanderous attack on Mr. Odeh is concerning, and we hope Temple Terrace residents, community leaders and neighbors will reject its Islamophobic message.”

Still, Temple Terrace City Council member Grant Rimbey said he worries the truth may not matter to a certain block of voters.

“That is the sad reality,” Rimbey said. “I think there is racism in the city” and there are people “who want to keep Temple Terrace looking like it did in 1952 forever.”

Rimbey and Odeh estimate that 20 to 25 percent of Temple Terrace’s population is Muslim.

The anonymous letter came in envelopes identifiable only by a St. Petersburg postmark. The addresses were printed on mailing labels. Rimbey said he heard from a dozen recipients of the letter, one an Episcopal church — an indication, he said, that the sender was seeking a mass audience.

Most seem to have been sent to addresses on the north end of the city, where he said voters generally are registered as Republicans.

Overall, Temple Terrace voters are mostly Democratic, with 7,754 registered in the party compared to 4,891 Republicans and 4,036 with no party affiliation, according to the most recent Hillsborough County supervisor of elections numbers.

The City Council race is bipartisan.

Six candidates have applied for two open seats on the council; the two candidates recording the most votes Nov. 8 will fill the positions.

Odeh said he invites anyone with questions about Muslims to reach out to him — including the author of the anonymous letter.

“If he wanted to learn more, he should have come to me directly.”

Source: tbo.com/news/politics/letter-sent-to-temple-terrace-homes-says-muslim-candidate-unfit-for-office-20161026/

Don't Meddle With Shariat: Ahle Sunnat Val Jamaat Forum to Centre

Oct 26, 2016

VIJAYAWADA: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that the lives of Muslim women cannot be ruined with triple Talaq, Ahle Sunnat Val Jamaat Forum has reacted strongly asking the government not to interfere with the Shariat.

At a press meet here on Tuesday, convenor of the forum Mufti Mohammed Abdul Qadeer Razvi said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poking its nose in the personal law of Muslims instead of solving the socio-economic problems faced by the community. "Muslims the world over practise equality between men and women in accordance with the Quran. The BJP, instead of resolving the problems faced by us, is just interfering with personal laws and lives," he said.

Co-convenor of the forum Mohammad Altaf Raza fumed that the BJP-led Union government is trying to nullify the Muslim personal law which has been in practice even before India got its Independence. "The government, which has failed to implement the recommendations of Sachar and Ranganath Misra committees on Muslim welfare, is trying to invalidate the law which has been in practice since 1937. When lakhs of acres of Wakf lands are being neglected and are being encroached upon, the government is talking about Muslims' personal laws. It is shameful," he said.

He added that Muslims played a pivotal role during the freedom struggle and threatened to go on an agitation if the Union government continues to hurt the sentiments of the community. "If the government is really committed to the welfare of Muslims, it should focus on the socio-economic issues affecting the community, rather than politicising personal laws," he said.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/Dont-meddle-with-Shariat-Muslim-forum-to-Centre/articleshow/55060806.cms

Turkey asks US to isolate Gülen from his network

October 26, 2016

Ankara is set to ask Washington to arrest the U.S.-resident Islamist preacher Fethullah Gülen, accused of masterminding the bloody July 15 coup attempt, in order to “isolate” him from his network, while legal proceedings on the demand to extradite Gülen continue, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş has told the Hürriyet Daily News.

“Gülen has been using communications and other facilities in the U.S. to give instructions to his network around the world. This is a clear and present threat to Turkey that must be stopped,” Kurtulmuş said on Oct. 25.

He also noted that the immediate aim of Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ’s contacts with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and other officials in Washington was to secure Gülen’s temporary arrest, rather than focusing on his extradition.

“The Americans are telling us that Gülen’s extradition is a matter of law and cannot be secured simply by political will. We understand that the judiciary is independent of politics. But we also want to hear an expression of their political will. We want to see a stance demonstrating that they are against the coup attempt in Turkey and stand for democracy. A temporary arrest would be enough to serve that purpose. There are legal grounds for this. The 10th article of the exchange of criminals agreement between Turkey and the U.S., dated 1981, allows the temporary arrest of people for whom arrest warrants have been issued until legal proceedings are completed. It has a 60-day limit but it could be extended,” Kurtulmuş also said.

Before departing from Turkey, Justice Minister Bozdağ said he had “more than enough” material in the files to provide a basis for the temporary arrest of Gülen, which he would give to his American counterpart. Members of parliament from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), as well as the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) will be accompanying Bozdağ during his contacts, as they share the widespread view in Turkey that it was Gülen’s followers who committed the coup.

The files against Gülen contain testimonies of military and police officers and judiciary members who have been arrested since the coup attempt and who have applied to access the repentance law, which suggests a reduction in sentences if information given about a crime proves correct. “There are a number of important statements, some of which reach directly up to Gülen himself,” Kurtulmuş said on the files carried by Bozdağ.

Information harvested from the use of the mobile application ByLock gives further support to the Gülen files, Kurtulmuş added. “ByLock is evidence that helps us understand the Gülen network and its hierarchy, especially when combined with the statements and testimonies,” he said.

In an interview published in Hürriyet on Oct. 24, David Keynes, the registered owner of the Lithuania-operated ByLock system, said he agreed that the existence of ByLock in somebody’s phone could be considered as a link to the Gülen network.

“It’s not only Gülen that we are asking for,” Kurtulmuş said. “We have managed to map almost the entire Gülen network in the U.S. and Europe, name by name, which our justice minister is going to share with our American allies. We have respect for their legal system and expect them to understand the immediate danger we are facing.”

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-asks-us-to-isolate-gulen-from-his-network.aspx?pageID=238&nID=105366&NewsCatID=409

Pak Govt Orders Immigrants’ Registration, Crackdown On 93 Seminaries

Oct 26, 2016

KARACHI: The Sindh government on Tuesday decided to register all immigrants living in the metropolis, including slum areas, and on its outskirts to have their complete database, and constituted 15 teams to launch this exercise.

The home department would design a proforma to collect data of each and every immigrant, legal or illegal, about “who is who and where he lives and what he does”, it was decided at a special meeting held at CM House. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who presided over the meeting, also directed the law enforcement agencies to crack down on drug dealers and the seminaries which had strong links with terrorists or banned outfits. He asked the IGP and the Rangers DG to strengthen their checkpoints at Hub to keep a check on the movement of terrorists and set up a working group to coordinate with the Balochistan government in this regard on a regular basis.

CM asks law enforcers to present progress reports on key decisions in provincial apex committee meeting

The directives were part of the policy decisions taken at the meeting after the chief minister had been briefed about the ongoing targeted operation, credible information about the terror links of 93 seminaries, and clues given by some recently held high-profile terrorists regarding their accomplices in the city and their plans.

The meeting was attended by the provincial heads of intelligence and law enforcement agencies besides chief secretary Siddique Memon, home secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo, adviser to the chief minister on law Murtaza Wahab and information adviser Maula Bux Chandio.

Before any deliberations, they condemned the terror attack on the police training centre in Quetta, offered Fateha for those killed in the incident, and expressed solidarity with the people of Balochistan.

Reviewing the law and order situation in Sindh in general and Karachi in particular, the chief minister termed the overall situation satisfactory because of the wonderful job done by the law enforcement agencies. “I appreciate all of you for your efficient work,” he said while addressing the chiefs of the agencies. However, he highlighted the need to improve their watch and ward.

Earlier, the heads of law enforcement agencies briefed the participant in the meeting on security matters. They were informed that illegal immigrants living in the city, on its outskirts or those in slum areas were either directly involved in terrorist activities or harbouring and supporting terrorists.

The meeting was further informed that around 93 madressahs (seminaries) had solid links with terrorists or banned outfits. The intelligence agencies had gathered credible information about activities at these places. The chief minister directed the Rangers and police to start an operation against them. “We will not allow anybody to shed blood of innocent people in the name of religion or using sacred places,” he said.

The chief minister was also given a report on the operation launched to bulldoze the offices of parties or groups built on government land and gave his approval to extend the operation of bulldozing illegal constructions on government land near markets, parks and seminaries next month.

Mr Shah said that he would call an apex committee meeting shortly to discuss law and order issues. By the time, he added, the law enforcement agencies should start the registration process and other operations as decided in the meeting and present their progress reports in the apex committee meeting.

Source: dawn.com/news/1292215/govt-orders-immigrants-registration-crackdown-on-93-seminaries

Arab World

Iraqi Analyst Discloses S. Arabia, Turkey's Plot to Transfer Al-Baghdadi to Libya

October 26, 2016

"The ISIL is now working to find a different path through the Iraq-Syria borders to take al-Baghdadi to Turkey and then to Libya or any other countries," al-A'asam said.

The statements came as reports from western Iraq said earlier this month that al-Baghdadi has succumbed to his last month's fatal injuries and died in a region along the border with Syria.

Full report at:en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000803

ISIL's Treasury Man, Economic Brain Disappears with Millions of Dollars in Mosul

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- A top ISIL member in charge of the terrorist group's financial resources along with a German woman who trained ISIL's female suicide attackers fled with millions of dollars from the city of Mosul in Nineveh province, media reports said Wednesday.

"ISIL's financial chief known as Abi Motaz al-Qahtani has disappeared with a German woman who was in charge of training ISIL's female suicide bombers," the Arabic-language al-Sumeriya news channel quoted a local source as saying on Wednesday.

The source noted that the disappearance of al-Qahtani and the unnamed German woman has been a planned move as they have escaped with important dossiers and millions of dollars in cash.

The fleeing of the ISIL's financial chief came as Iraq's joint military forces are getting closer to seize back Mosul city.

In early August, ISIL’s former financial resources chief in Mosul reportedly stole a sizable amount of money and fled along with a number of militants.

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) official from Mosul said in a statement that ‘ISIL’s Wali of Baitul-Mal’ in Mosul along with three other militants have fled the state to an unknown location after they took out a large amount of money and other valuable archaeological pieces from the group’s treasury known as Baitul-Mal, BasNews reported.

The ISIL later executed six guards of its treasury building on charge of facilitating the robbery, the statement added.

The Iraq's second largest city of Mosul fell to the ISIL militants in mid-2014, and the city became the group's main bastion in Iraq which it has been keeping the hold of it ever since.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000784

Iran Calls for Collective Efforts to Fight Global Terrorism

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani underlined the need for cooperation among all countries to fight against terrorism in the region.

"The campaign against terrorism requires international determination," Larijani said in a meeting with President of Bosnia-Herzegovina Bakir Izetbegovic in Tehran on Tuesday.

The Iranian parliament speaker said that the pace of terrorist events in the region is higher than political solutions and this factor has created obstacles in the way of resolving the issue.

"Terrorism poses a threat to the security of all countries as acts of terror have increased over the recent years," Larijani said, adding, "Terrorism has now turned into a big problem in the region and the world."

The Bosnian president, for his part, said his country believes that terrorism has nothing to do with true Islam and urged all Muslim countries to engage in a joint fight against the malicious phenomenon.

Izetbegovic voiced his country's deep confidence in Iran, and said, "Iran as a stable country and a regional power can help solve the current issues in the region."

The Bosnian president said that his government is resolved to counter sectarianism and extremism, and added, "Bosnia-Herzegovina has taken positive steps in this respect.

The Bosnian president arrived in Tehran on Monday at the invitation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Izetbegovic has held talks with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, President Rouhani, and Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, Iranian and Bosnian officials signed a memorandum of understanding on the promotion of business cooperation and mutual investment in the presence of President Rouhani and President Izetbegovic.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000598

Hundreds of Syrian Army Special Forces Arrive in Aleppo

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Experienced commandoes of Desert Hawks Brigade have arrived in Aleppo city to join a large-scale battle against the terrorist groups in the region, military sources disclosed on Wednesday.

"The Syrian Special Forces, also known as Liwa Suqour al-Sahra, are also experienced in street battle," the sources said, adding, "The Brigade will lead the operation of government forces to drive Jeish al-Fatah out of Aleppo city and its outskirts in the next few days."

A military source disclosed on Tuesday that the Syrian Army troops and Air Force struck a large gathering of the terrorist groups in the Northern outskirts of Aleppo city, killing or wounding scores of them and foiling their plan to hit government strongholds.

"Following sensitive intel received from army agent in the region, the Syrian government forces and fighter jets carried out surprise attacks on terrorists' concentration centers in Haraytan and al-Malaah regions near Castello road to preempt them and defuse their plan for raiding army positions in the Northern outskirts of Aleppo city," an army officer told FNA.

"Dozens of militants were killed or wounded in the attack, and now the Castello road is safe and under the army's full control," he added.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000475

ISIL Fails to Prevail over Gov't Positions in Oil-Rich Regions in Homs

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Syrian Army troops and National Defense Forces repelled ISIL's offensive on their defense lines in al-Maher oilfield in Eastern Homs, inflicting several casualties on the terrorists.

The Syrian government forces fended of ISIL's attack to recapture the position they have lost in the battles of the last several days.

The ISIL terrorists suffered a number of casualties in the failed attack.

Meantime, Syrian fighter jets pounded ISIL's centers in Arak oilfield and its nearby areas, near the town of al-Sukhnah and in the village of al-Tibeh in Eastern Homs.

Syrian army men also clashed with terrorist groups of Fatah al-Sham Front (formerly known as the al-Nusra Front), Ahrar al-Sham and Rejalollah near the town of al-Rastan blocking their invasion.

Military sources said on Tuesday that the Syrian Army and popular forces continued to beat ISIL terrorists back from two main oil-rich regions in Eastern Homs, establishing a 10-kilometer-deep buffer zone around one of them.

The Syrian ground troops that received strong air support from the Syrian and Russian fighter strikers inflicted major losses on the ISIL terrorists, driving the Takfiri terrorists out of more strategic heights in al-Sha'er oil-rich region.

In the meantime, the army soldiers pushed ISIL back from a terrain near al-Maher oilfield and established a deep buffer zone around the energy field.

Positions of Fatah al-Sham Front in the villages of Deir Foul and al-Za'afaraniyeh and al-Rastasn region in Northern Homs also came under heavy attacks by the Syrian army men.

Syrian military forces also targeted terrorists' movements in the villages of Rahoum, Mas'adeh, Um al-Rish and Salam al-Sharghiyeh, destroying their bases and military vehicles.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000741

Iran, Russia in Close Cooperation on Syria

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi Sanayee underlined close cooperation between his country and Russia in assisting Syria with the war on terrorist groups.

"In general, Iran and Russia are working closely on the Syrian issue. Now there are no serious problems here," Sanayee told Ria Novosti news agency on Wednesday.

He noted that "regular consultations on settlement of the Syrian issue are underway between Iran and Russia at different levels", including the ministers and deputy ministers.

His remarks came after Russian Ambassador to Tehran Levan Jagarian underlined strategic ties between Tehran and Moscow, and said Russian officials inform their Iranian counterparts of details of their negotiations with the US on Syria.

"Our Iranian friends are informed of the details of what we negotiate with the US on Syria," Jagarian said in an interview with a Persian-language daily on Tuesday.

Stressing that Russia would never cut a deal with the US that could endanger Iran and its interests, he said, "Everything is transparent and Iranian officials are kept informed."

Jagarian said Tehran and Moscow exchange views on Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon and Central Asia on a routine basis, and the two states have also held talks on Yemen.

Noting that Russia views Iran as a friendly state, he said, "Mr. Putin has a positive view of Iran, and the Iranian Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Khamenei) and Mr. Rouhani also have a positive view of Russia."

Earlier this month, Syrian Deputy Information Minister Ali al-Ahmad underlined that Iran and Russia are helping Damascus in its anti-terrorism efforts to prevent Washington's implementation of its unilateralism policies.

"I never believe that Russia will change its positions under the US pressures since this issue is not merely related to Syria and its national security but it is related to Russia's future geopolitics and governing the world and therefore, it is correct that the war in Syria is its own battle, but there is no doubt that it is also Iran and Russia's battle to prevent the US move to rule the world unilaterally," Ahmad said.

Noting that Russia doesn’t want any conflict with the US or NATO, he said that such a conflict will be highly dangerous for international peace and security.

Meantime, Ahmad underlined that Tehran and Moscow will never withdraw from the achievements they have gained, and they will become more powerful each day and partner in governing the world.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000690

Syrian Army Soldiers Score More Victories against Terrorists in Southwestern Damascus

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Syrian military forces continued to beat the terrorist groups back from more lands in Khan al-Sheih region in Western Ghouta, capturing several farms after brief clashes.

Syrian army troops struck terrorists' defense lines in the farms between the Northwestern side of the town of Khan al-Sheih and the Southwestern side of the town of al-Zakiyeh, inflicting heavy casualties on the militants and capturing several farms.

The terrorist groups' military equipment sustained major damage in the attack.

In relevant developments in the province on Sunday, Fatah al-Sham (formerly known as the al-Nusra) Front suffered a heavy death toll in a heavy army raid and ordered withdrawal from key farms near Khan al-Sheih in Western Ghouta.

Syrian Army soldiers struck heavily the positions of Fatah al-Sham and captured al-Bawayeh farms, inflicting a heavy death toll on the militants.

The Syrian army men backed up by the Syrian fighter jets' air support further made a headway in the Southwestern flank of Khan al-Sheih and prevailed over the terrorists in the region after hours of non-stop battle.

After seizing control over al-Bawayeh farms and the areas Southwest of Khan al-Sheih, the army deployed fresh forces to the opposite side of the city to make a headway from the Southeast.

Meantime, Retired Army General Heisam Hassoun said the Syrian army is nearing the end of its large-scale military operations in Western Ghouta and the war on terrorism in the Western parts of Damascus province will end soon as tens of towns and cities have been purged of terrorists.

"The final phase of the military operations in the Western countryside of Damascus, specifically in Western Ghouta is underway," Gen. Hassoun told FNA on Tuesday.

He said the Syrian army has now focused on cutting off all the supply and defense lines of the terrorists, specially after it could score a major achievement in winning control over the town of Darkhabieh and establishing security there.

"The security chain will be expanded further by spreading control over the region between Darkhabieh and Darousha towns," he added.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000678

Iranian DM: US Support for Human Rights A Gesture to Rescue Terrorists in Aleppo

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan blasted the US and its allies for their hollow human rights slogans, and said they are blocking evacuation of civilians from Aleppo war zone through their continued support for the terrorist groups.

"On one hand, the US and its regional and trans-regional allies chant humanitarian slogans, and on the other hand, they give the green light to the terrorist groups affiliated to them, including Fatah al-Sham Front, formerly al-Nusra Front, to prevent people's exit from the military regions so that they can use people as human shield, distort the Syrian army's anti-terrorism operations and guarantee the terrorists' survival with such measures," General Dehqan said in Tehran on Wednesday.

He warned that the western powers and their regional allies are attempting to create and spread terrorism and extremism to support the Zionist regime and continue instability in the region and their hegemonic presence.

General Dehqan stressed the necessity for the US and its allies to terminate their support for terrorism, abandon their evil plots to disintegrate the regional states, recognize the legal governments and help them to fight against terrorism and hold internal talks, adding that these are the needed recipe for ending the crisis.

Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Ministry said that terrorists of Fatah al-Sham Front are using civilians as their shield during battles in the Syrian Northern city of Aleppo, noting that ongoing situation in the flashpoint city remains tense.

"The situation in Syria remains tense, especially in the Northern parts of the country with battles going on in Aleppo and around it where al-Nusra Front militants use civilians as human shield," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"So far we see in the actions of primarily Western countries no concern for the humanitarian situation in Syria, but the desire to protect al-Nusra, its affiliated forces and other militant groups," Zakharova said.

The Syrian government has created safe corridors for the evacuation of civilians but the militants prevent them from leaving Aleppo and even fire at those people who want to pass through the corridors.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000366

Syrian Artillery, Air Attacks Preempt Terrorists' Great Epic Operation in Aleppo

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Russian and Syrian warplanes and artillery units targeted reinforcements, gatherings and military columns of the terrorist groups in Northern and Western Aleppo, preventing their move towards Aleppo city to lift the army siege on the militant-held districts, Arab media reported.

Al-Watan reported that the terrorist groups in the Northern and Western territories of Aleppo province had been preparing to launch a large-scale operation, codenamed Great Epic Operation, against government positions around Aleppo city, but the Syrian armed forces and their Russian allies in a preemptive move attacked the militants' gatherings and foiled their plan.

"The Syrian Army's artillery units shelled the terrorists' gathering in the town of Kafr Dael in Northern Aleppo and near the town of al-Mansoureh in the Western countryside of Aleppo city, inflicting heavy losses on the militants, who were preparing to move towards Aleppo city," the source said.

"In the meantime, the Syrian and Russian fighter jets targeted a convoy of terrorist reinforcements, as they were moving into the region held by Turkey-backed terrorists of Nouralddeen al-Zinki from Idlib, inflicting a heavy death toll on them," the source went on to say.

"Three convoys of fresh militants were targeted and a large number of fighters were killed or wounded before arriving in al-Zinki-held region, which was deemed as the terrorists' start point for launching Great Epic Operation," the source added.

"Dozens of militants were killed or wounded in the attack, and now the Castello road is safe and under the army's full control," he added.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000634

Suspected Syrian government air strike kills Turkey-backed rebels

October 26, 2016

A suspected Syrian army helicopter dropped barrel bombs on Turkish-backed rebels on Oct. 25, killing two rebels, the Turkish military has said.

A helicopter “assessed to belong to regime forces” bombed the rebels in the Jabal Naif village near Akhtarin, a town 5 kilometers southeast of Dabiq, the Turkish military said in a statement on Oct. 26.

Dabiq is a former Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) stronghold which the Ankara-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels seized from the jihadists this month within the scope of Turkey’s Euphrates Shield Operation.

Two FSA rebels were killed and five wounded, the statement said.

The Syrian military said last week the presence of Turkish troops on Syrian soil was a “dangerous escalation and flagrant breach of Syria’s sovereignty.” It warned it would bring down any Turkish warplanes entering Syrian air space.

Turkey launched the Euphrates Shield operation in northern Syria in late August, using its armor and air power to help FSA fighters take territory near the border held by ISIL.

The statement said the Turkish army hit 99 ISIL and 18 Syrian Kurdish Democratic Party Union (PYD) targets as part of the same operation, now in its 64th day.

Turkey regards the PYD as a terror organization on grounds of its links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Two more opposition fighters were killed and 21 others were injured in a separate car bomb car attack by ISIL in the southeastern Akhtarin region, the military added.

Opposition forces have managed to gain control of around 163 residential districts and 1,300 square kilometers since the beginning of the operation, the military added.

At least two ISIL militants were also killed, while a vehicle and a building were destroyed in Susiyan in an air strike carried out by U.S.-led coalition forces, the military said.

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com/suspected-syrian-government-air-strike-kills-turkey-backed-rebels.aspx?pageID=238&nID=105376&NewsCatID=352

Iran's Ambassador Praises Ties With Russia, Calls for Joint Anti-Terror Fight

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei said he appreciates bilateral relations with Russia and called for joint efforts in the struggle against terrorism.

Speaking in an interview with Sputnik, the diplomat talked about the current level of relations between Moscow and Tehran in a number of spheres, including defense, economy, diplomacy and struggle against terrorism.

Diplomatic Ties, State Visits The level of relations between the two nations could be characterized by the intensity and frequency of interstate contacts.

Sanaei listed a number of planned visits of Russian officials to the Asian nation. He said that the Iranian authorities were awaiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to the country later in the year, however the visit of the minister was not on the official agenda yet.

"Our ministers hold regular phone consultations. They have also met in Lausanne recently, this means that there is an active exchange of views. Yes, Iran is awaiting the visit of Lavrov and it has been reported that [it will take place] this year, but it is still not in the program [of official visits].

Maybe it is caused by the fact that the [foreign] ministers [of the two countries] often meet at other venues," Sanaei said. He added that diplomats from the two foreign ministries would meet in Tehran in December to discuss consular ties, as well as visa-free travel for the citizens of the two nations. "In December, Tehran will host a commission on consular cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries," Ambassador Mehdi Sanaei said.

Russia and Iran have already simplified visa rules in place for their nationals – business people, scientists, educators and several other categories of travelers – which have been in force since February 2016. "Now they are talking about abolishing visa requirements for tourist groups," Sanaei said, adding the two sides were going to raise this question at the December meeting. "I hope they will strike common ground."

The ambassador told Sputnik about the upcoming visit of Valentina Matvienko, the speaker of the upper house of the Russian parliament, who is expected to visit Iran on November 13-14 for talks with her Iranian counterpart. The officials from both Iran and Russia were also expected to discuss economic cooperation at the next session of the Russian-Iranian intergovernmental commission in December.

"As for economy, the most significant event is the scheduled meeting of the [Russian-Iranian] intergovernmental commission on December 5-7 in Tehran. It is very important event, which I hope, will give a new impetus to our trade and economic relations," Sanaei said.

According to the ambassador, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, who is also the commission's co-chair, is expected to attend the meeting. Oil, Eenergy The two nations are among the biggest oil producers in the world that is why the cooperation in the energy sphere, as well as the countries' response to falling oil prices, was also important for both Iran and Russia.

Speaking about cooperation in the sphere of oil production, the ambassador said that Russia’s energy company Rosneft could participate in oil extraction and refining projects in Iran. "Rosneft is cooperating directly with the Petroleum Ministry and the headquarters [for Executing the Order of the Imam (Setad)]… The headquarters has various projects, and Rosneft may invest and participate in them," Sanaei said, specifying that these projects include both oil extraction and its processing.

The ambassador said that the two nations were also engaged in active and productive consultations on steps to curb oil production to stabilize global oil market. "Consultations between Iran and Russia on this issue are ongoing, they are productive.

The [Iranian and Russian] ministers… met in Algeria, they are in constant contact. I think that the cooperation between Iran and Russia in this respect is very important," Sanaei said, commenting an agreement of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member states on oil output freeze, which was reached on September 25 in Algeria. According to the diplomat, the two countries are also expected to hold the first stone-laying ceremony of the Bandar Abbas power plant in Iran's Hormozgan province soon.

"The ceremony of the first stone laying of four units of the Bandar Abbas power plant, which will be constructed by the Russian company Technopromexport together with the Iranian partners, will take place soon.

The units' capacity is 350 and 400 MW with the total output of 1,400 MW," Sanaei said. Defense Ties Moscow and Tehran have been long-time partners in the field of military and technical cooperation. For example, Russia has recently concluded the contract on supplying Iran with divisions of S-300 missile systems to Iran.

Speaking about the relations between the two sides in the sphere, the diplomat said that Tehran was looking to expand the existing level of relations. "Iran is interested in continuing cooperation in defense area with Russia and even in expanding and developing it.

I hope that even in those sectors that require coordination with the UN Security Council and need a resolution. I hope that the process of discussing the possibility of obtaining such a permit will begin," Sanaei said, The diplomat also expressed hope that the bilateral defense cooperation would reach the levels that would allow the two countries to agree on significant volumes of arms purchases. At the same time the ambassador added that the issue of the delivery of Russia's S-400 air defense systems to Iran was not under discussion.

Syria, Struggle With Terrorism Both Iran and Russia have been supporting Syria's authorities in the ongoing war against numerous terrorist groups, such as Daesh for a long time. Iran has even allowed Russia's Aerospace Forces to operate from the base in the mountainous western Hamadan province against the terrorist positions in mid-August.

"Generally, Iran and Russia closely cooperate on the issue of Syria. Now there are no significant problems," Sanaei said, answering a question about the cooperation between the two nations on Syria and the issue of use of the Hamadan air base by the Russian Aerospace Forces.

The diplomat added that the positions of the two nations were similar in regard to the threat posed by terrorism, adding that the Western countries should fight against terrorism not in word, but in deed. "Terrorism is the primary threat and the most important problem for Iran and Russia both in theory and in practice.

That's why we consider that all the forces should be combined to tackle this issue and only after that [the countries could] be engaged in other problems. And there are the Western states that say in theory that terrorism is a problem, but in practice they sometimes have other priorities and plans. That's why the problem cannot be solved yet," Sanaei said. The ambassador said that Western countries should also change their position on the Syrian crisis in order to reach the settlement of the ongoing conflict. "It is very important that the West's position and approach to the Middle Eastern issue change.

I think that if there is any common solution [to the Syrian crisis], it could be achieved only after the correction of the position by West," the Sanaei said. On October 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the start of a military operation to recapture Mosul from Daesh with the help of airstrikes by the US-led international coalition. Ambassador Sanaei said the Iranian government stood by Iraq and believed a strong government in Baghdad benefited the entire region.

He added that efforts aimed at joining forces to liberate Mosul occupied by the Daesh group, outlawed in many countries, including Russia, would be a positive step only if the move was made within the framework of the struggle against terrorism.

"This will be a positive development only as part of the effort to fight terrorism, rather than a tool in a geopolitical struggle or part of a plan, for instance in the US election race," the Iranian diplomat said, commenting on a recent US presidential candidate Donald Trump's claim that Iran would be the "big winner" in Mosul.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000382

Senior Terrorist Commander Killed in Syrian Air Raids in Hama

October 26, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- A notorious field commander of Tajamo al-Ezzah terrorist group was killed in heavy airstrikes in Northern Hama on Wednesday.

Syrian fighter jets pounded terrorists' concentration centers and gatherings near the towns of Souran, al-Latamina, Ma'an, Tal Bazam, Taybat al-Imam and Kafr Zita, killing scores of the militants, including commander of Tajamo al-Ezzah Mohammad al-Ashtar.

Several missile launchpads, mortar launchers and military vehicles of the terrorist groups were destroyed in the airstrikes as well.

Field sources said on Tuesday that Syrian military forces continued their advances near the militant-held town of Souran and Taybat al-Imam, beating them back from more strongholds.

"Syrian government force, backed up by the Syrian and Russian fighter jets, stormed terrorists' bases and defense lines in the towns of Kafr Zita, al-Latamina, and near the towns of Ma'an, al-Naseriyeh and Souran, destroying militants' bases, artilleries and mortar launchers," the sources said.

"Several terrorists were also killed and several more were injured in the Syrian soldiers' offensive in the Eastern part of Souran, backed up by air force and artillery units.

Source: en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000538