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ISLAMIC State terrorists have come closer than ever to taking
control of the Syrian capital Damascus, while being pushed out of a key
city in Iraq.
The change comes as the UN estimates more than 25,000 foreign fighters have joined the militant cause so far, up 71 per cent from the middle of last year.
In southern Damascus, Islamic State fighters took control of large parts of the Yarmouk refugee camp, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. If they take full control, they could potentially threaten the capital which is the seat of power for Syrian President Bashar-al Assad.
The Observatory said there had been heavy clashes in the camp between IS fighters and another anti-Assad group. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s spokesman Anwar Raja said IS have been the area for months and the latest push shows they are collaborating with another rival group — al-Nusra.
“The Nusra Front opened the road for them in order to infiltrate the camp and several hours ago they entered Yarmouk,” Raja said. It was not immediately clear why Nusra would facilitate the entry of IS into the camp.
Yarmouk has been under government control for two years and is home to thousands of trapped civilians who need food and medicine. A UN agency said it is extremely concerned about safety.
“Credible information from public sources indicate that a variety of armed groups are engaged in fierce fighting in areas where Yarmouk’s 18,000 civilians — including a large number of children — reside, placing them at extreme risk of death, serious injury, trauma and displacement,” the agency said in a statement. It demanded “an end to the fighting and a return to conditions that will enable its staff to support and assist Yarmouk’s civilians.”
IRAQI GOVERNMENT TAKES TIKRIT
Meanwhile the Iraqi government declared victory over IS in the key city of Tikrit — located between Baghdad and the second city of Mosul — and warned the terrorists other provinces would be next to fall.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi carried a flag jubilantly in the streets to mark the victory. Defence Minister Khalid al-Obeidi said security forces “accomplished their mission” in the monthlong offensive to rid Saddam Hussein’s hometown and the province of the militant group.
“We have the pleasure, with all our pride, to announce the good news of a magnificent victory,” Obeidi said in a video statement, while naming other Iraqi provinces still held by IS militants.
“Here we come to you, Anbar! Here we come to you, Nineveh, and we say it with full resolution, confidence, and persistence,” he said.
Authorities will now work to clear the city of snipers and booby traps. The interior minister said they hope to return it to normal as soon as possible.
“After clearing the area from roadside bombs and car bombs, we will reopen police stations to restore normalcy in the city, and we will form committees to supervise the return of people displaced from their homes,” he said.
MORE THAN 25,000 FOREIGN FIGHTERS
The changing landscape comes as the number of foreign fighters leaving home to join al-Qaeda and IS reaches more than 25,000 from 100 countries, according to a new UN report.
A panel that reports to the Security Council estimates the number of terrorists worldwide increased 71 per cent between mid-2014 and March 2015, with Syria and Iraq accounting for more than 20,000 people.
The report said the unstable situation in the two countries mean they operate as an ‘international finishing school’ for extremists and warned military defeat could see terrorists scattered around the world.
In addition, other countries have also seen an increase in foreign fighters with about 6,500 active in Afghanistan and hundreds more in Yemen, Libya and Pakistan, Somalia, North Africa and the Philippines.
The number of countries would-be terrorists hail from has also risen from a handful in the 1990s to more than 100 today including the US, Britain, France, Germany and Australia.
The change comes as the UN estimates more than 25,000 foreign fighters have joined the militant cause so far, up 71 per cent from the middle of last year.
In southern Damascus, Islamic State fighters took control of large parts of the Yarmouk refugee camp, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. If they take full control, they could potentially threaten the capital which is the seat of power for Syrian President Bashar-al Assad.
The Observatory said there had been heavy clashes in the camp between IS fighters and another anti-Assad group. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s spokesman Anwar Raja said IS have been the area for months and the latest push shows they are collaborating with another rival group — al-Nusra.
“The Nusra Front opened the road for them in order to infiltrate the camp and several hours ago they entered Yarmouk,” Raja said. It was not immediately clear why Nusra would facilitate the entry of IS into the camp.
Yarmouk has been under government control for two years and is home to thousands of trapped civilians who need food and medicine. A UN agency said it is extremely concerned about safety.
“Credible information from public sources indicate that a variety of armed groups are engaged in fierce fighting in areas where Yarmouk’s 18,000 civilians — including a large number of children — reside, placing them at extreme risk of death, serious injury, trauma and displacement,” the agency said in a statement. It demanded “an end to the fighting and a return to conditions that will enable its staff to support and assist Yarmouk’s civilians.”
UN workers with refugees in Yarmouk where IS now has a foothold.
A member of Iraq’s security forces in
front of a defaced IS sign. Authorities are now clearing the area for
booby traps and remaining snipers.
Meanwhile the Iraqi government declared victory over IS in the key city of Tikrit — located between Baghdad and the second city of Mosul — and warned the terrorists other provinces would be next to fall.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi carried a flag jubilantly in the streets to mark the victory. Defence Minister Khalid al-Obeidi said security forces “accomplished their mission” in the monthlong offensive to rid Saddam Hussein’s hometown and the province of the militant group.
“We have the pleasure, with all our pride, to announce the good news of a magnificent victory,” Obeidi said in a video statement, while naming other Iraqi provinces still held by IS militants.
“Here we come to you, Anbar! Here we come to you, Nineveh, and we say it with full resolution, confidence, and persistence,” he said.
Authorities will now work to clear the city of snipers and booby traps. The interior minister said they hope to return it to normal as soon as possible.
“After clearing the area from roadside bombs and car bombs, we will reopen police stations to restore normalcy in the city, and we will form committees to supervise the return of people displaced from their homes,” he said.
The city is seen as a key step on the road to taking back Mosul.
The changing landscape comes as the number of foreign fighters leaving home to join al-Qaeda and IS reaches more than 25,000 from 100 countries, according to a new UN report.
A panel that reports to the Security Council estimates the number of terrorists worldwide increased 71 per cent between mid-2014 and March 2015, with Syria and Iraq accounting for more than 20,000 people.
The report said the unstable situation in the two countries mean they operate as an ‘international finishing school’ for extremists and warned military defeat could see terrorists scattered around the world.
In addition, other countries have also seen an increase in foreign fighters with about 6,500 active in Afghanistan and hundreds more in Yemen, Libya and Pakistan, Somalia, North Africa and the Philippines.
The number of countries would-be terrorists hail from has also risen from a handful in the 1990s to more than 100 today including the US, Britain, France, Germany and Australia.
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