Syria

Hezbollah blames Israel for killing of five nuclear engineers in Syria

Nov. 12, 2014 - An unnamed Hezbollah commander in Beirut blamed Israeli operatives for killing five nuclear scientists in an ambush in Syria. One of the scientists was an Iranian.

Last May, a military and scientific research center in Damascus was struck in an attack attributed to Israel. In January, Syrian officials accused Israel of striking another scientific research center northwest of Damascus.

Israel bombed a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007.

Source: Haaretz

Prophetic Significance of Syria

US Surveillance Planes Fly Over Syria

Aug. 26, 2014 - The US has begun surveillance flights over Syria to determine what can be done to curtail the expansion of the Islamic State.

Pentagon officials have been drafting potential options for the president, including airstrikes.

Source: NewsMax

U.S. and Iran Hit ISIS, Ignore Each Other - Daily Beast

Obama now weighing airstrikes in Syria to combat IS

Aug. 25, 2014 -

Gen. Martin Dempsey, the nation's highest-ranking military officer, is preparing options for the president to address militants "both in Iraq and Syria with a variety of military tools, including airstrikes," a Pentagon spokesman said.

Source: USA Today

Obama Preparing Military Options in Syria Against ISIS - NewsMax

Syria conflict: Islamic State seizes Tabqa airbase

Aug. 24, 2014 -

Fighters from Islamic State (IS) have taken control of a key Syrian government airbase, activists say.
The Tabqa airbase was the last remaining stronghold of Bashar al-Assad's government in Raqqa province.

There have been days of fighting around the airport with hundreds of soldiers killed on both sides.

Source: BBC

Syrian FM Warns US against Airstrikes on Militants - NewsMax

ISIS about to become a nuclear power? - WND

U.S. Weighs Military Action Against ISIS in Syria

Aug. 23, 2014 - According to Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes, ISIS will regret it if they attack Americans.

"If you come after Americans, we’re going to come after you wherever you are"

This would open the possibility of military action by the US in Syria. A civil war in Syria has already claimed 191,000 lives, and President Obama is reluctant to take action there, but the recent actions of ISIS and the beheading of American journalist James Foley, has raised changed the situation.

Source: Time

Syria death toll 'more than 191,000' - BBC

Military brass, ex-officials pressure White House to expand ISIS fight to Syria - Fox

ISIS 'beyond anything that we've ever seen,' Hagel warns

Aug. 21, 2014 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told a press conference,

"ISIL is as sophisticated and well-funded as any group that we have seen. . . They're beyond just a terrorist group. They marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess. They are tremendously well-funded."

Hagel added that this threat is beyond anything that we've seen, and because of that, we must prepare for everything.

Source: Fox

Islamic State militants pose 'biggest threat' to US - BBC

Republican: ISIS developing means to ‘blow up’ a US city - Sen. James Inhofe said ISIS members are “rapidly developing a method of blowing up a major U.S. city and people just can’t believe that’s happening.” - The Hill

Analyst doubts Obama has the guts to destroy ISIS - OneNewsNow

WSJ Editorial: Will Obama Do What it Takes to Defeat ISIS?

Aug. 21, 2014 - An editorial in the Wall Street Journal commended President Obama for his passionate rebuke of the Islamic State (or ISIS) after the beheading of American journalist James Foley. The president denounced the jihadists for rampaging across cities and villages and killing innocent civilians, including Sunni and Shia Muslims as well as religious minorities and Christians.

"All of this is horribly true," the Journal editorialized. "It was also true a year ago. The question now — what the world wants to know now, Mr. President — is what are you going to do about it?"

The article opined that the President must turn from his fixation on ending President Bush's wars, and do what is necessary to defeat ISIS, which has declared war against us.

Source:NewsMax

Beheading video prompts calls for US to escalate campaign against ISIS

Aug. 20, 2014 -

Military analysts and U.S. lawmakers say the apparent beheading of an American journalist by Islamic State terrorists should be a wake-up call to the need to dismantle the organization which has taken root in Iraq and Syria.

A video has been released purportedly showing the beheading of American journalist James Foley. This is the first time the Islamic State has killed an American citizen. They are now threatening to kill another American journalist if President Obama continues to conduct air strikes against them.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, told reporters that the video underscores the need to develop a clear strategy for defeating the terrorist group. He said the Islamic state is dangerous and should be dismantled.

Source: Fox

James Foley 'beheading': West condemns 'barbaric' murder - BBC

ISIS Rising

Aug. 10, 2014 - Hal Lindsey explains the seriousness of the rise of the powerful terrorist group ISIS. He says it may signal the "complete reshaping of the situation in the Middle East." General Jack Keane, former Army Chief of Staff, said, “This is the most significant threat to the Middle East that I’ve ever observed.”

ISIS claims to be a new Islamic caliphate and is now calling itself simply “The Islamic State.” Lindsey warns that if they take complete control of Syria, or its other targets -- Jordan and Lebanon -- this radical caliphate will be next door to Israel.

At this time Lebanon's Hezbollah is helping Syria resist ISIS.

Hezbollah is Shi’ia Muslim while ISIS is Sunni Muslim, which makes them practically mortal enemies. Since ISIS is now stirring in Lebanon, Hezbollah may have to withdraw and return home to defend Lebanon. If that happens, Syria’s fall is more likely.

Source: Hall Lindsey

Syria-Iraq 'caliph' incites Muslims to holy war

July 2, 2014 - Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, claiming to be caliph of the new "Islamic State," carved out from the terrorist advances in Syria and Iraq, issued a call to Muslims everywhere to join the jihad [holy war] and be part of a "new era" in which Muslims will ultimately triumph.

Baghdadi, who has assumed the mediaeval title of caliph, used the message to seek to assert authority over Muslims everywhere. He called on them to rise up and avenge the alleged wrongs committed against their religion, from Central African Republic to Myanmar (Burma)

Source: Reuters

ISIS Leader: 'Soon... A Day Will Come When the Muslim Will Walk Everywhere as a Master' - Breitbart

Sunni militants declare Islamic state in Iraq and Syria - Fox

Sunni rebels declare new 'Islamic caliphate' - Al Jazeera

Official Document claiming to establish a caliphate

Here's What We Know About The 'Caliph' Of The New 'Islamic State' [ Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi] - Business Insider

U.S., Israel aid Jordan amid ISIS threat - Aaron Kline - WND

See the Terrifying ISIS Map Showing Its 5-Year Expansion Plan - ABC

Successors to the prophet: Islam's caliphates - Yahoo

Iraqi Kurds dig frontier around disputed areas - Times of Israel

Jay Smith and Sid Cordle at Speaker's Corner - Hyde Park - What is ISIS? - YouTube

Witness claims ISIS flag flies over key Iraq refinery, Baghdad says soldiers still hold it

July 1, 2014 - A witness driving by the oil refinery in Beiji, Iraq, claimed that the flag of the ISIS militants flew over the facility, However, government forces say they stilll hold the complex and are in regular contact with Baghdad.

Source: Fox

Satellite View: Iraq Oil Refinery Fire Visible From Space - NBC

U.S., Israel aid Jordan amid ISIS threat - Aaron Kline - WND

See the Terrifying ISIS Map Showing Its 5-Year Expansion Plan - ABC

Successors to the prophet: Islam's caliphates - Yahoo

Israel offers to help Arab nations over Iraq crisis

Jun. 28, 2014 - As ISIS (ISIL), the Islamic terrorists continue their lightning offensive in Iraq and threaten other nations, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman offered help from Israel for moderate Arab nations. Lieberman was meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry when he said,

"Israel could provide effective and reliable assistance to moderate Arab states who are dealing with extremists."

Source: Yahoo

After Syria bombs Iraq, growing fears of regional conflict

Jun. 27, 2014 - Two days ago Syrian warplanes bombed Sunni militants’ positions inside Iraq, sparking concern that the Iraqi crisis could become a wider regional conflict. Iran has been flying surveillance drone in Iraq. Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey all conducting recon flights inside their own airspace. U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, warned othese nations to stay out of Iraq.

Meanwhile, a new insurgent artillery offensive against Christian villages in the north of Iraq sent thousands of Christians fleeing from their homes, seeking sanctuary in Kurdish-controlled territory, Associated Press reporters who witnessed the scene said.

Source: Times of Israel

ISIS joins forces with Saddam loyalists in bid to take Baghdad

Jun. 23, 2014 - Many of Saddam Hussein's top generals, and others who are loyal to his Baathist party, have quietly maintained their goal of reclaiming their country. Now they have found a formidable ally in the ISIS jihadis who have taken over much of Iraq in a blitz, and are threatening to invade Baghdad.

"[We are] unified by the same goal, which is getting rid of this sectarian government, ending this corrupt army and negotiating to form a Sunni Region,” a senior Baathist leader told FoxNews.com.

Source: Fox

Iraq crisis: Sunni militants kill judge who ordered Saddam Hussain's hanging - Decan Chronicle

ISIS threatens to storm Jordan with 15,000 fighters - WND

Shiite villagers describe ISIS 'massacre' in northern Iraq - Fox

Iraq militants take Syria border post in drive for caliphate

Jun. 22, 2014 - On Friday the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continued its occupation of Iraqi areas by invading al-Qaim, a key border town.

Sunni fighters have seized a border post on the Iraq-Syria frontier, security sources said, smashing a line drawn by colonial powers a century ago in a campaign to create an Islamic Caliphate from the Mediterranean Sea to Iran.

Source: Today Online

Four western Iraqi towns fall to advancing ISIS militants - CNN

Editor's Note: Most of the Western press is calling this group ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), but the group calls itself the State of Iraq and Al-Sham. This name is translated by some news services as ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). The Levant is a term that describes the geographic and cultural region consisting of Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and part of southern Turkey (the former Aleppo Vilayet) - Wikipedia

ISIS: The first terror group to build an Islamic state?

Jun. 13, 2014 -

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has thrived and mutated during the ongoing civil war in Syria and in the security vacuum that followed the departure of the last American forces from Iraq.

ISIS is in the process of creating an Islamic state across Sunni areas of Iraq and in Syria. Because of the collapse of state authority it has suddenly taken control of hundreds of square miles from Syria's Mediterranean coast to south of Baghdad.

Source: CNN

ISIS, beheadings and the success of horrifying violence - Washington Post

Iraq crisis: ISIS militants push towards Baghdad - Telegraph - UK

Iran Deploys Forces to Fight al Qaeda-Inspired Militants in Iraq - Wall Street Journal - Ed. Note: Iran is opposed to ISIS because ISIS wants a Sunni alliance (caliphate), while Iran would build a Shia' alliance.

Obama pledges US support to Iraq as Isis militants approach Baghdad - Guardian - UK

Iraq Crisis: What is ISIS?

Jun. 11, 2014 -

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which dealt a spectacular blow to Baghdad's Shiite-led government by grabbing Iraq's second city Mosul, now poses a threat across the Middle East.

Source: Telegraph, U.K.

State of Emergency: ISIS radical jihadists “sweeping towards Baghdad,” capture $429 million from Mosul’s central bank. Christians on the run. Latest developments. - Joel Rosenberg - Flashtraffic

UN condemns Iraqi militant attacks - BBC

After insurgent gains, Iraqi government mulls dwindling options - Al Jazeera

Report: Iraq Welcoming US Support in Combating al Qaeda - Jewish Political Updates

US Says Iraqi Insurgents Pose Mideast Threat - Voice of America

Iraq Militants, Pushing South, Aim at Capital - N.Y. Times

Violence Escalates in Iraq as Insurgents Overrun Mosul and Tikrit

Jun. 11, 2014 - An al-Qaida inspired group took control of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, yesterday. Today a second key city, Tikrit suffered the same fate.

Islamist militants overran the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit and freed hundreds of prisoners from its jails on Wednesday, as rebels seized a second key Iraqi city in as many days and further destabilized the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Iraq declares “emergency” as ISIS, an al Qaeda breakaway faction, captures key city of Mosul. What is ISIS and why is it important? - Joel Rosenberg - FlashTraffic

Death toll in Syria’s war tops 160,000, activists say

May 20, 2014 - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights is a Britian-based organization that has consistently released the most accurate data on the carnage in Syria. According to the Observatory:

The death toll in Syria’s three-year conflict has exceeded 160,000 ... a harrowing figure that reflects the country’s relentless bloodletting that appears no closer to a resolution.

Source: Washington Times

Million Syria refugees registered in Lebanon - UN

Apr. 4, 2014 -

About 9.5 million people, almost half of Syria's population, have fled their homes since the start of their civil war.

More than one million of these refugees have been registered in Lebanon. The head of of the UN refugee agency warned that Lebanon is a small nation that has problems of its own. He said that the "the impact is staggering."

Source: BBC

Syria confirms Israeli airstrike, warns against endangering stability in region

Mar. 19, 2014 - Following an attack by Syrian elements on the Golan Heights Israel struck three Syrian targets near the town of Qunaitra. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said it is necessary to take "aggressive action" so that the quiet in the north will be maintained.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Syria talks: Mediator apologises for lack of progress

Feb. 15, 2014 - Peace talks about the Syrian civil war have ended without making progress. The UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi has apologised to the Syrian people. He said that the main problem was the government's refusal to talk about a transitional governing body.

Source: BBC

U.S. Intelligence Chief Describes Syria as Apocalyptic Disaster

Feb. 12, 2014 - During a Senate hearing Senator John McCain asked National Intelligence Director James Clapper about a recent report claiming that Syrian government officials committed serious war crimes. Clapper said he believed the report was true. He added,

"They're terrible. And when you consider the humanitarian disaster in addition to the 2.5 million refugees, the 6.5 million or 7 million that are internally displaced, the 134,000 plus people that have been killed, it is an apocalyptic disaster."

Source: Israel National News

Evidence points to secret Israeli strike on Syrian missile launchers

Jan. 28, 2014 - Just before midnight Sunday Lebanese media reported sightings of Israeli aircraft in Lebanese airspace. Then news sources reported a loud explosion in the Syrian port city of Latakia. Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems are thought to be located there.

For those who have been closely watching the bloody civil war in Syria, Assad's alliance with the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, a sworn enemy of Israel, has been troubling. Israel allegedly ordered a similar mission in the fall.

Source: Fox

Syria Geneva II peace talks witness bitter exchanges

Jan. 22, 2014 - The first day of a major peace conference about Syria is being held in Switzerland. The civil war there has left more than 100,000 dead and millions displaced. Harsh words were exchanged in opening speeches. The U.S. and the Syrian opposition to President Bashar al-Assad said that Assad has no legitimacy and must step down from power. Syria's foreign minister said only Syrians could decide Mr Assad's fate.

Source: BBC

EXCLUSIVE: Gruesome Syria photos may prove torture by Assad regime

Jan. 21, 2014 - According to a team of internationally renowned war crimes prosecutors and forensic experts, the report that they have just issued proves Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime is guilty of "systematic torture and killing" of civilians.

"This is a smoking gun," said David Crane, one of the report's authors. "Any prosecutor would like this kind of evidence -- the photos and the process. This is direct evidence of the regime's killing machine."

Source: CNN

Report claims Syrian government behind 'systematic killing' of 11,000 detainees - Fox