Reader’s links for May 22 – 2016

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In order to preserve the flow of conversation about various posted items, and also in order to make it easier for visitors to find the list of related links being shared by other readers, regulars and interested parties in one place, each day a post is automatically created at a minute past midnight ET.

This way, under the various posts of the day, conversation can take place without as much ‘noise’ on the various links and articles and ideas in the main posts and all the news links being submitted can be seen under these auto-posts by clicking on the comments-link right below these ones.

Thank you all for those that take the effort to assist this site in keeping the public informed. Below, typically people can find the latest enemy propaganda, news items of related materials from multiple countries and languages, op-eds from many excellent sites who write on our topics, geopolitics and immigration issues and so on.

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

99 Replies to “Reader’s links for May 22 – 2016”

  1. EXCLUSIVE POLL: 12 MILLION Turks say they’ll come to the UK once EU deal is signed (express, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/672563/Turkey-EU-Britain-exclusive-poll-crime-figures-Turks

    “MORE than 12 million Turkish citizens are planning to move to Britain when the country joins the European Union, an explosive poll for Express.co.uk has revealed.

    In the most extensive survey of its kind, almost 16 per cent of Turkish adults said they would consider re-locating to the UK once their country becomes a full member of the EU.

    According to the poll, which saw more than 2,600 adults interviewed across all 27 provinces of Turkey, most of those keen to come to Britain are either unemployed or students, raising the prospect of a migrant influx which would place an unprecedented strain on the UK’s struggling public services, including the NHS…”

      • The Spanish government’s offer of citizenship might cover a handful of Turkish Jews who can prove direct descent from Spain, but not many will qualify. DNA might be useful.

        Everybody I know in Spain gets a big kick out of my Ladino, the direct version carried to Amsterdam and New Amsterdam. Like English-speakers listening to Chaucer. I was baby-talk level but learned more in Israel from the few who survived the Holocaust. There’s lots of music and poetry. Great stuff.

        • The problem is that Spain is one of the prime targets for the Moslems, they use to own the entire Iberian peninsula and want to regain title ASAP.

      • If I were a Turkish Kurd as soon as visa free travel to the EU is instituted I would hop on a plane and fly to the destination of my choice, walk off the plane and register for asylum. The Turkish gov’t is shooting Kurds down in the streets and BOMBING them. Is anyone going to dispute that?
        I swear to God, Turkey is going to empty out if the EU is suicidal enough to allow visa free travel and incorporate Turkey into the EU.

  2. ‘Turkish migrants to CRIPPLE the NHS’ Brexit minister’s stark WARNING about EU ascension (express, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/672611/Turkey-migration-NHS-Brexit-EU-referendum-Penny-Mordaunt

    “A MOVE to let Turkey join the EU will put the NHS under huge strain unless Britain quits the bloc, a minister has warned.

    Penny Mordaunt last night said Turkish ascension could cost under-pressure maternity services nearly £400million in 10 years.

    The Vote Leave campaigner pointed to high Turkish birth rates – 17.4 per 1,000 people compared to 12.1 in Britain in 2014.

    She is also concerned about Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia being allowed to join the trading bloc.

    Mordaunt said: “We are currently sending these countries £2billion to speed up the process of them joining the EU.

    “I believe that this is dangerous and it will make us less safe.

    That’s why the safer option in this referendum is to Vote Leave and take back control.”….”

  3. UK TERROR WARNING: ISIS militants ‘feared to be plotting ATTACK on Britain’s Got Talent’ (express, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/672614/ISIS-Islamic-State-Britains-Got-Talent-Simon-Cowell-London

    “BRITAIN’S Got Talent bosses are have ramped up security amid fears Islamic State jihadists will target the hit series this week.

    Sources last night revealed they are “desperate” to keep the judges, acts and audience safe from possible ISIS plots.

    Airport-style security measures have been introduced at Fountain Studios in London, where the live shows are filmed…”

  4. Anti-terror guard as ISIS targets British COUNTRYSIDE (express, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/672609/anti-terror-guard-ISIS-fighters-terrorists-threaten-UK-countryside

    “A MULTI-MILLION pound counter-terror base is being set up to protect isolated villages and holiday parks from Islamic State attacks in the countryside.

    The hub will have intelligence-gathering teams as well as a unit of specially-trained firearms officers.

    It will be located in south-west England and will cover vast tracts of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and parts of Gloucestershire.

    The plan is part of a £143million boost to improve Britain’s armed policing capability over the next five years, which will see 1,500 firearms officers recruited…”

      • Sounds like they do. 1500 over 5 years isn’t enough they should be training and arming 5000 or more every year.

        • …they should be training and arming 5000 or more every year.

          Can they screen out unreliables?
          Like anybody who voted for the Labour Party? University-graduates who majored in ‘social justice’?

          What about all those zabibas in nighties and hijabis?

          -^u^- oh well, what the hell -^u^-

          => raghead, honor-killer, “Asian groomer”, Jew-hating, inbred Islamofascists <=

  5. EU members complain that Turkey sending unfit Syrians in swap deal – See more at: (middleeasteye, May 21, 2016)
    http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/eu-members-complain-turkey-sending-unwell-poorly-educated-syrians-migrant-swap-deal-1631437229

    “EU members have complained to Turkey for sending unwell Syrians to Europe as part of a controversial migrant swap deal, German daily Der Spiegel reported on Saturday.

    Under a deal that came into force in March, the EU will resettle one Syrian refugee from camps in Turkey in exchange for each asylum seeker deported back to Turkey after arriving in Europe by boat.

    So far around 400 people have been returned to Turkey under the deal, meaning in theory that 400 others have been resettled in Europe.

    However, amid legal challenges to the deal, Der Spiegel’s report suggests that tensions over the fine print could also be putting it at risk…”

  6. Tajiks to vote in referendum on banning religious parties (BBC, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36351972

    “The people of mainly Muslim Tajikistan vote on Sunday on banning religion-based parties, in a poll likely to strengthen the president’s power.

    Emomali Rakhmon has ruled the ex-Soviet Central Asian republic since 1992, surviving a civil war which ended in a deal with the Islamist opposition.

    Moves to ban the opposition Islamic Renaissance Party began last year.

    Sunday’s referendum also asks voters to lift limits on the number of terms a president can serve in office.

    It further proposes lowering the age limit for running for president from 35 to 30 – a move that would theoretically allow Mr Rakhmon’s son Rustam, who is 29, to run for office in 2020.

    The three points are contained in a parliamentary bill on amendments to the constitution….”

  7. Russia: Weapons seized after four arrested with alleged IS links

    Russian authorities have detained four people with alleged links to the so-called Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIS, ISIL), in the Nazranovsky District in Russia’s Republic of Ingushetia, on Saturday. During the operation a large cache of weaponry and ammunition was seized. The authorities believe that the group was in the process of planning an attack.

    Among the items seized were three ready-to-use improvised explosive devices, grenades, Kalashnikov rifles, pistols with silencers, as well as more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition for small arms.

  8. Far-right on edge of power as Austria votes for president

    Vienna (AFP) – Austrians voted Sunday in a key presidential runoff which could usher in the European Union’s first extreme right-wing leader amid the continent’s worst post-war migrant crisis.

    A huge influx of asylum-seekers, growing unemployment and frozen reforms have left Austria deeply polarised and driven angry voters away from the centrist ruling coalition toward fringe groups.

    For the first time since 1945, the president will not come from one of two main parties, prompting national media to warn of a political “tsunami”.

    Instead, the showdown pits 45-year-old Norbert Hofer of the anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPOe) against the Green-backed economics professor Alexander van der Bellen, 72.

    Polling stations opened at 0500 GMT and the first results are expected at 1500 GMT. Final results will be announced on Monday after postal votes have been counted.

    They could prove to be a tie-breaker in the race, with close to 900,000 people — or a record 14 percent of Austria’s 6.4 million eligible voters — casting their ballot by mail this year.

    Last month, Hofer — a gun enthusiast left partially disabled after a paragliding accident — comfortably beat his rival by 35 percent to 21 percent.

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/polls-open-key-austrian-presidential-runoff-055930890.html?ref=gs

  9. Police, soldiers swarm Mexico’s Acapulco, killings continue

    By MARK STEVENSON
    Associated Press
    AP Photo
    AP Photo/Enric MartÌ

    TSA head: Resources Needed For More Screeners

    AP

    Ga. Deputies Use Stun Guns On Man Who Later Died

    AP

    Group that Promoted Iran Deal Also Funded Media

    AP

    TSA head: Resources Needed For More Screeners

    AP

    Ga. Deputies Use Stun Guns On Man Who Later Died

    AP

    More videos:

    Ga. Deputies Use Stun Guns On Man Who Later Died
    Group that Promoted Iran Deal Also Funded Media
    TSA head: Resources Needed For More Screeners
    Ga. Deputies Use Stun Guns On Man Who Later Died
    Group that Promoted Iran Deal Also Funded Media
    TSA head: Resources Needed For More Screeners
    Ga. Deputies Use Stun Guns On Man Who Later Died
    Group that Promoted Iran Deal Also Funded Media
    TSA head: Resources Needed For More Screeners

    Interactive
    Drug Lords’ Aliases
    Mexican cartels reaching farther into U.S.

    ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Along with beach towels or sandals, there’s a new popular beach accessory that says a lot about the violence gripping this once-glamorous resort: a small black leather tote hanging from the neck or shoulders of some men. It’s not a man-bag, exactly; it holds a small pistol.

    “When I saw you guys standing outside my office, I almost went for my bag,” said one businessman who lives in terror after getting death threats and extortion demands by criminal gangs at his office four blocks from the water. “I’m in fear for my life.”

    http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_MEXICO_ACAPULCO_UNDER_SIEGE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-05-22-08-09-16

    • I won a trip to Mexico when I was 8. A dozen kids were taken to Mexico City, Taxco, Acapulco. The later was a favorite for US retired seniors and rich tourists.

      Of course since it was a publicity program we were treated like royalty. Still, Acapulco was little glimpse of heaven. A pity that it was later lost to drug gangs.

      • It use to be nice, it isn’t anymore and it will take a long time before it is again.

  10. San Francisco: Man seriously injured in mob attack

    Bay City News Service
    Posted: 05/20/2016 11:41:17 AM PDT
    Updated: 05/20/2016 11:41:18 AM PDT

    SAN FRANCISCO — A man was left with life-threatening injuries after a large group of people attacked him early today in San Francisco’s South of Market area, according to police.

    The attack occurred around 2:40 a.m. at Harrison and Harriet streets, according to police.

    Witnesses told police that a group of 15 to 30 male and female suspects were seen kicking and punching the victim, a man in his early to mid 20s, and using glass bottles as weapons.

    The victim was knocked unconscious and the suspects fled the scene on foot.

    The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and police today described him as suffering from “deteriorating brain function.”

    San Francisco: Man seriously injured in mob attack

    Bay City News Service
    Posted: 05/20/2016 11:41:17 AM PDT
    Updated: 05/20/2016 11:41:18 AM PDT

    SAN FRANCISCO — A man was left with life-threatening injuries after a large group of people attacked him early today in San Francisco’s South of Market area, according to police.

    The attack occurred around 2:40 a.m. at Harrison and Harriet streets, according to police.

    Witnesses told police that a group of 15 to 30 male and female suspects were seen kicking and punching the victim, a man in his early to mid 20s, and using glass bottles as weapons.

    The victim was knocked unconscious and the suspects fled the scene on foot.

    The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and police today described him as suffering from “deteriorating brain function.”

    http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_29918486/san-francisco-man-seriously-injured-mob-attack

    • Hmm. And they, of course, did not mention the race or colour of the attackers and the victim. Funny. But on the internet one can find many things. So there is an explanation why there was no info. It seems that attackers were teenage Asian boys and girsl and the victim was 29 years old Asian man. The only question is whether “Asian” means Asian as in Chinese, or “Asian” means “muslim” as in British English.
      *****************************
      “San Francisco police said 6 Asian teenage boys and girls between 15 and 18 years old attacked a 29-year-old Asian man from Hayward.”
      http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/05/20/man-seriously-injured-in-savage-soma-mob-attack/

      • I will bet the Mohammad factor is 100 on the attackers and that the victim was from China Town, Little Tokyo or Little Saigon.

          • Me too, I think.
            There’s considerable gang violence in the couple Chinatowns I know well, Boston and Vancouver. Turf wars between Chinese and Vietnamese kids, gambling, protection rackets.

  11. Mob of women attack Victoria’s Secret employee in Miami Lakes
    MIAMI LAKES, FLA. (WSVN) – Police are investigating after, they said, an employee at a South Florida Victoria’s Secret was attacked by a mob of women inside the store.

    Recently released surveillance video caught the moment five women ambushed the employee at a Victoria’s Secret, located at 6800 Main St., in an attempt to rob the business, Tuesday morning, at around 10 a.m.

    Police said when one of the women was walking toward the exit, the sales associate asked if she wanted her to hold the merchandise for her. At that moment, surveillance caught the crook as she grabbed the employee’s hair. Then, several other women joined in, hitting and punching her in the face.

    Several witnesses in the store gathered around but didn’t seem to intervene. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue was called to the scene to treat the injured employee.

    http://wsvn.com/news/local/mob-of-women-attack-victorias-secret-employee-in-miami-lakes/

    • There is something disturbing about this story. Its reminiscent of a scene from a movie based on Christian eschatology. Maybe Perfect Child can offer some insight into this one.

      Even in Venezuela at this time I wouldn’t understand why thieves would come back into the store and punch the employee again. Clearly there is no fear of arrest and no sense of wrongdoing whatsoever by these women. In fact it would appear they have a sense of entitlement.

      A sign of cultural degradation to say the least.

      • Probably part of the growing race war, the mass swarm theft seems to be a Black tactic so far.

        I was looking at this story along with the ones from Frisco, South Africa and Venezuela as signs on the collapse of law and order around the world. Action like these in failed nations are the norm but when they are spreading to North America civilization is at risk.

        More signs will be what happens in or near the Political conventions this summer, I have been reading threats of massive violence at both conventions.

      • I just finished today’s post up to 1:45 Central daylight time, I would say all of them are prime examples of the breakdown of law and order and in the case of the European breakdown this is being done with the aid of the national governments.

        OT yesterday I told you there aren’t many Moslems around here, the only ones I know of left because the Father got a job at a bigger hospital. There are some illegals from South of the Border but not enough to worry about yet.

    • Victoria’s Secret is no secret: it is how uneducated, underachieving women use the booty-call to their advantage.

      Therefore, with a thong around their asses, these women of the ‘hood feel they own this store.

      This is why the shop assistant got a second bitchslap. She betrayed her own.

      Sound reasonable for people brought up on Affirmative Action?

      • You got that right.

        What I always find ironic about the use of affirmative action is that this was done by Judges against the civil rights act of 1964 (I think that is the year). The act said there could be no racial preference while affirmative action is nothing but racial preference.

      • And let me reference that Socialist term: “Affirmative Action”

        It is hostile, passive aggression, that implies a constant non-affirmative action put upon their lives. An injustice that at the end of the day – ‘if only Whites will go away and die’, is the solution. Bad feelings will create bad images to counteract them. Constantly drumming in their minds.

        And it also gives the demoralization that if anyone did get a job, it was not on their own merits. The drug-pusher as job-distributor, has the power over them: “You didn’t make that,” because now it’s true.

        So the gap between desire, experience and fulfilment is too great, because the small incremental steps that we all have to take to learn and rewire our brains to become masters of ourselves, is not there. And the impact of failure therefore, is a drop is too large, and too great to be handled emotionally correctly.

        So the workplace becomes infantalized, where you will not meet any experts in their field, just the book-read who have memorized the rules and procedures of employment.

        So decent people don’t even try, and just get off this bus to nowhere. And make up their own rules.

        This is Affirmative Action. Destroying a lovely warm race of people, into an angry, frustrated promised-entitlement class – with the empty titles of achievement and success.

        Black Lives Matter. But when Cultural Marxists say it, they mean to achieve the opposite, to create a victim class, to destroy capitalism. Those afraid of competition.

  12. Venezuela, where a hamburger is officially $170

    Caracas (AFP) – If a visitor to Venezuela is unfortunate enough to pay for anything with a foreign credit card, the eye-watering cost might suggest they were in a city pricier than Tokyo or Zurich.

    A hamburger sold for 1,700 Venezuelan bolivares is $170, or a 69,000-bolivar hotel room is $6,900 a night, based on the official rate of 10 bolivares for $1.

    But of course no merchant is pricing at the official rate imposed under currency controls. It’s the black market rate of 1,000 bolivares per dollar that’s applied.

    But for Venezuelans paid in hyperinflation-hit bolivares, and living in an economy relying on mostly imported goods or raw materials, conditions are unthinkably expensive.

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/venezuela-where-hamburger-officially-170-184605711.html?ref=gs

  13. Feds diverted millions to ‘slush fund’ that fuels these liberal activist groups

    Department of Justice officials diverted millions of dollars slated for victims of the 2008 housing meltdown to politically favored third parties, including “left-wing radical groups,” according to the chairman of a House of Representatives oversight subcommittee.

    Rep. Sean Duffy ?
    52%
    , a Wisconsin Republican and chairman of the House Financial Services oversight and investigations subcommittee, said Friday the officials “skimmed” off 3% from mortgage-related bank settlements. This created what he called a $500 million “slush fund” that could be steered toward favored groups.

    “The first objective of a settlement is to make sure that we have victims who are made whole,” Duffy said, referring to millions of Americans who lost their homes during the meltdown that led to the Great Recession of 2009. “If you’re diverting money away from victims and sending it to third-party activist groups, you have victims who are being harmed not just once, but a second time.”

    Justice officials were long able to “skim 3 percent of any settlement money into their own account to for the most part spend it the way they see fit,” Duffy told participants in the media briefing hosted by the Cause of Action Institute, a nonprofit legal watchdog group.

    “Many of us in Congress were alarmed when we found out about the bank settlements and the fact that money was not just going to victims and to the Treasury but there was a setup

    http://libertyunyielding.com/2016/05/21/feds-diverted-millions-slush-fund-fuels-liberal-activist-groups/

  14. AUSTRIA – Gunman, 27, fires into crowd at biker festival in western Austria after row with girlfriend killing three and wounding 11 then turns gun on himself

    Lone gunman opened fire into a crowd of concert-goers in western Austria
    Three people were killed and 11 were injured in attack on biker concert
    The shooter, who has not been named, then turned the gun on himself
    Gunman, 27, had an argument with his girlfriend shortly before shooting

    A gunman killed three people and injured 11 others when he opened fire at a biker concert in western Austria before turning the gun on himself, police said.

    The attacker had an argument with his girlfriend moments before he stormed the open-air event outside the town of Nenzing, near the Lichtenstein border, in the early hours of this morning.

    The 27-year-old shooter then walked to a nearby car park, where he killed himself with his own weapon.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3603065/Gunman-fires-crowd-Austria-killing-2-wounding-11.html

    Drei Tote und elf Verletzte bei Amoklauf in Vorarlberg

    […]Als die Auseinandersetzung eskalierte, holte der Mann aus seinem Fahrzeug eine Langwaffe – es könnte sich unbestätigten Meldungen zufolge um eine Kalschnikow gehandelt haben –[…]

    http://www.tt.com/panorama/verbrechen/11531870-91/drei-tote-und-elf-verletzte-bei-amoklauf-in-vorarlberg.csp

    • A gunman killed two people and wounded at least 11 before shooting himself at an open air concert near the western town of Nenzing in the early hours of Sunday morning.

      Police say the 27-year-old gunman opened fire on a crowd of about 150 people at the concert after a dispute with a woman, allegedly his girlfriend, in the car park of the venue.

      SOT, Susanne Dilp, Bregenz Police spokesperson (German): “The incident happened today near Nenzing around 3am, at a concert of a regional band. During the event the 27-year-old man and a woman, his girlfriend, had an argument. The quarrel escalated and as the result the man took a gun out of his car, a long weapon, and fired shots into a crowd attending the concert.”

      SOT, Susanne Dilp, Bregenz Police spokesperson (German): “The investigation has not been completed yet. It is going to be one of the questions which has to be clarified by the criminal police department. In total, 11 people were wounded by the gunman and two people were shot to death. The total number of fired shots is to be clarified.”

    • 16:10 | Martin Suppersberger

      Beim Täter handelt es sich laut aktuellen Informationen um Gregor S., ein 27-jähriger Walgauer, der in der Vergangenheit mit Verbindungen zur rechtsextremen Szene in Vorarlberg aufgefallen ist.
      15:47 | Martin Suppersberger

      Meldestelle für Betroffene und eventuelle Angehörige ebenso wie zweckdienliche Hinweise unter: Landeskriminalamt Vorarlberg, Tel. +43 (0) 59 133 80 3333
      15:41 | Martin Suppersberger

      Laut VOL.AT vorliegenden Informationen handelt es sich bei der Tatwaffe um ein russisches Sturmgewehr der Marke Kalaschnikow.
      14:49 | Martin Suppersberger

      LR Johannes Rauch: „Betroffenheit und Anteilnahme für die Angehörigen der Opfer“

      „Der Amoklauf heute Nacht in Nenzing überschattet den heutigen Tag auf tragische Art und Weise. Betroffen müssen wir das schreckliche Ereignis zur Kenntnis nehmen, unser Mitgefühl gilt den Angehörigen der Opfer. Den Verletzten und Schwerverletzten wünschen wir eine hoffentlich rasche Genesung“.

      more videos :

      http://www.vol.at/drei-tote-bei-schiesserei-in-nenzing/4729311

  15. Syria: Suicide bomb blast kills five in Al-Qamishli *VERY GRAPHIC*

    At least five people were killed and over 20 injured in a suicide bomb attack in the Syrian town of Al-Qamishli, on Monday. [ Sunday ??? ]

    The bomber detonated the device inside the Domino restaurant, in the centre of the city. The restaurant sustained serious damage in the blast and numerous cars near the bombsite were also destroyed.

    Al-Qamishli is located near the Turkish-Syrian border in the north eastern part of the country; the town has recently endured intense fighting and suicide bomb attacks.

  16. Pakistan: Taliban leader Mansour killed in US drone strike, Afghans confirm

    Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed during a US drone attack near the Pakistani city of Dalbandin of Balochistan province, with the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) confirming his death on Sunday. The bodies of those killed in the strike on a vehicle reportedly carrying Mansour were later inspected by Pakistani police at a morgue in Pakistan’s Quetta.

    • Pakistan: Body of Taliban leader Mansour removed from site of US drone strike

    • Pakistan denounces US drone strike on Afghan Taliban chief

      ISLAMABAD (AFP) –

      Pakistan on Sunday denounced the US drone strike believed to have killed the Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour as a violation of its air space and said only negotiations could bring a lasting peace to Afghanistan.

      The statement, issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office late Sunday, said one of the victims of the attack was a driver named Muhammad Azam while the identity of the second “is being verified”.

      “On late Saturday 21st May, 2016, the United States shared information that a drone strike was carried out in Pakistan near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area,” in which Mansour was targeted, it said.

      “This information was shared with the Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff after the drone strike.”

      The statement denounced the drone attack as a “violation of (Pakistan’s) sovereignty, an issue which has been raised with the United States in the past as well.”

      It said that a four-country group comprising the United States, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan last met on Wednesday to discuss ways to restart stalled peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban and that the group had collectively decided “a politically negotiated settlement was the only viable option for lasting peace in Afghanistan”.

      http://www.france24.com/en/20160522-pakistan-denounces-us-drone-strike-afghan-taliban-chief

      Pakistan condemns US drone strike that killed Afghan Taliban chief

      ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hit out at the US for launching a drone strike on its soil to kill Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour, describing it as a “violation of its sovereignty”.

      Mansour was killed in a rare US drone strike deep inside Pakistan. Mansour and another militant were targeted in a precision air strike by multiple unmanned drones operated by US Special Operations forces on Saturday as the duo rode in a vehicle in a remote area near Ahmad Wal town in the restive Baluchistan province close to the Afghan border.

      Reacting to the news, Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement that the US had shared information that a drone strike was carried out in Pakistan near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area, in which reportedly the Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhter Mansoor was targeted.

      “This information was shared with the Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff after the drone strike.

      “While further investigations are being carried out, Pakistan wishes to once again state that the drone attack was a violation of its sovereignty, an issue which has been raised with the United States in the past as well,” it said.

      According to the information gathered so far, a person named Wali Muhammad S/o Shah Muhammad carrying a Pakistani passport and an I D Card, resident of Qilla Abdullah, entered Pakistan from Taftan border on May 21. His passport was bearing a valid Iranian visa. He was travelling on a vehicle hired from a transport company in Taftan. This vehicle was found destroyed at Kochaki along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the Foreign Office said.

      The driver has been identified as Muhammad Azam.

      “The identity of the second body is being verified on the basis of evidence found at the site of the incident and other relevant information,” it said.

      “It may be recalled that the fifth meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) held on May 18 had reiterated that a politically negotiated settlement was the only viable option for lasting peace in Afghanistan and called upon the Taliban to give up violence and join peace talks,” it said.

      Mansour assumed the leadership in July 2015, replacing Taliban founder and the one-eyed reclusive long-time spiritual head Mullah Mohammad Omar, who died in Pakistan in 2013.

      http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-condemns-US-drone-strike-that-killed-Afghan-Taliban-chief/articleshow/52389819.cms

  17. In a mass brawl in front of Bielefeld refugee camp on Saturday ( 21/05/2016 ) , five men were seriously injured . The conflict could be ended only with a large deployment of police
    [………].
    The police further reported Iraqi Yazidis were clashed with Chechens. Both groups were housed in the same property, and it was probably for days voltages. The district government Detmold had finally decided to permanently separate the two groups from one another and move in different cities of eastern Westphalia.
    Two Chechens were arrested
    [……]
    To cope with the situation, drew the police with a large contingent. Also forces the highway police were called as reinforcements.
    Tried storming of the accommodation

    Later in the evening to about 100 Yazidis have tried the hotel – a former hotel – to storm. In response reinforced the police again its forces locally, further clashes could be prevented in cooperation with the Security Service of accommodation. In addition, the Chechen refugees still being placed in the night in another accommodation. On Sunday morning, a police spokesman described the WDR the situation as “calm”.

    .http://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/westfalen-lippe/bielefeld-massenschlaegerei-fluechtlingsunterkunft-100.html

  18. BREITBART – Saudi Daily: ‘Satanic’ Bill Allowing Kingdom to be Sued For 9/11 Will ‘Open Gates Of Hell’ For U.S.

    TEL AVIV – The Saudi press slammed the U.S. for its “despicable” double standard in regard to a proposed bill that would allow victims of the September 11 attacks to sue the kingdom, claiming that the move would “open the gates of hell,” enabling all countries that have been wronged by the U.S. to sue it for war crimes.

    The popular Saudi daily Okaz ran a scathing article translated by MEMRI, entitled, “Congress’s Satanic Deed Opens the Gates of Hell for the World’s Largest Country,” accompanied by an image of President Obama with a Star of David and the emblem of the Iranian regime on his forehead.

    Proclaiming that the bill proves that there “is no justice or morality in American politics,” the article accuses the U.S. of bypassing international law, which stipulates that countries are immune from legal proceedings in other states.

    The U.S. Senate exhibited the most despicable kind of double standard, defied the [whole] world, and showed contempt for international law when it passed a bill allowing families of the September 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia. This bill will change the international law regarding sovereign immunity, which has long been implemented. The Senate failed to understand that, by adopting this bill, it will open many doors for harming the U.S. [itself], because this bill will enable countries that have been harmed by the U.S. to sue it for war crimes.

    The article continues by predicting that the Senate will come to regret its decision because of the economic damage to the U.S. should the bill be approved. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, to whom the article refers as “the most influential Republican politician in the U.S.,” understands this and tried to warn Senate members not to “make mistakes” with Saudi Arabia. However, “racist” and “hostile” Vice President Joe Biden ignored Ryan’s warnings and incited the Senate to pass the bill.

    The Okaz editorial points out that Biden, whose rhetoric is xenophobic and hostile toward Muslims, was behind the proposal to divide Iraq into three sectarian mini-states.

    The double standard in the U.S. policy has become clear, considering that it ignores Iran and Hezbollah, who, in documents of the U.S. Prosecutor, were convicted of perpetrating the September 11 [attacks] along with Al-Qaeda, and at the same time it levels accusations against a country that has suffered and is still suffering from terror [Saudi Arabia], and which spends large sums to defend the region from its dangers.

    Another article published the same day in the Saudi daily Al-Jazirah echoed Okaz‘s warning that “stripping countries of their [sovereign] immunity and allowing them to be sued will open the gates of hell for the Americans themselves.”

    Saudi columnist Fadhel Bin Sa’d Al-Bu’aynin further warned that the bill would become a “hangman’s noose that will tighten around the neck” of the U.S.

    Al-Bu’aynin continues by claiming that the bill will cause all the U.S.’s past interference in Middle Eastern affairs – “state terror … destroying countries and peoples … and stealing their resources” – to come back to haunt it.

    “One day, this law will be used to sue all those who who caused the destruction of Iraq, Syria, and Libya and spread terror organizations in them, and everyone who planned to destroy Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco. The monster will rise up against its creator,” the article reads.

    http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/05/22/saudi-government-press-despicable-bill-suing-saudi-arabia-for-911-will-open-gates-of-hell-for-u-s/

  19. Female Italian EU boss behind migrant chaos set to order BRITISH ARMY into battle (express, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/672561/EU-army-proof-troops-soldiers-Nato-Brussels-war-games-Salisbury-Plain

    “BRITAIN has hosted secret Euro-Army war games on Salisbury Plain, in a move feared to be a firm step towards the formation of an EU army.

    It comes as the UK leads the EU’s high-readiness European Battle Group, which could see senior British Army officers take direct orders from Brussels Eurocrats.

    Despite owing its allegiance to the Crown, the British Army was even ordered to emblazoned Headquarter vehicles with EU flags asserting beyond any doubt that they were not involved in a Nato exercise.

    The revelation caused former defence secretary Liam Fox to last night warn: “They will try to say this has nothing to do with an EU Army but the truth is that, bit by bit, they are creating the mechanisms that will make it possible.”…”

  20. Three migrants attack a lorry driver at knife point (express, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/672718/Three-migrants-attack-a-lorry-driver-in-Calais-at-knife-point

    “A GROUP of migrants have attacked a lorry driver at knife point in Calais.

    Three migrants of Sudan, Egyptian and Iraqi nationalities have been arrested following the attacks.

    The victim was attacked by a knife blade and was taken to hospital to get stitches.

    Three migrants, two only 16 and 11, have been arrested…”

  21. Muslim mum to fight fine for taking children to Mecca in term-time (express, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/672712/Muslim-mum-fight-fine-taking-children-Mecca-term-time

    “A MUSLIM mum has vowed to fight her local council after she was threatened with a fine for taking her children out of school – for a pilgrimage to Mecca.

    Shahnaz Bi, a mother of four, took her two youngest children out of their primary school for two weeks to make the journey, which she says every Muslim must do at least once in their lifetime.

    Now she is refusing to pay the £120 fine for removing daughters Maryam, nine, and Fatimah, seven, from Firs Hill in Sheffield and is even threatening to withdraw them from the school and enrol them in a private Islamic school….”

  22. Events in Turkey ‘a great concern,’ says German leader (thelocal, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.thelocal.de/20160522/events-in-turkey-a-great-concern-says-german-leader

    “German Chancellor Angela Merkel said some political developments in Turkey were a source of “great concern” and pledged to address them during a visit to the country on Monday.

    Merkel, in an interview published on Sunday, said she was ready to discuss “all the important questions” with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when they meet in Istanbul on the sidelines of a UN-backed summit on humanitarian relief work.

    “Naturally some developments in Turkey are a source of great concern for us,” the German leader told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung at a time when Erdogan has been accused by Western critics of an increasingly authoritarian style.

    She said a decision last week by the Turkish legislature to strip scores of lawmakers of their parliamentary immunity would have “serious consequences” for Kurdish politicians, a fact that filled her “with great concern”.

    Merkel also said she regretted that “the process of rapprochement and reconciliation with the Kurds was aborted in the past year”…”

  23. ‘In about the year 3,000’: British PM rules out Turkey joining EU anytime soon (RT, May 22, 2016)
    https://www.rt.com/uk/344006-cameron-turkey-3000-eu/

    “David Cameron ruled out Turkey joining the EU anytime soon, saying Ankara may join the bloc “in about the year 3,000.” The British prime minister was responding to comments from one of his own ministers who said that Turkey could join the EU.

    In an interview with ITV, Cameron reiterated that Turkey joining the EU was not “remotely on the cards.” He also wanted to make it clear that the UK has a veto on any prospective member joining the bloc.

    “They applied in 1987. At the current rate of progress, they will probably get round to joining in about the year 3,000, according to the latest forecasts,” Cameron said….”

  24. New Turkish PM again vows to bring in presidential system (hurriyetdailynews, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/new-turkish-pm-again-vows-to-bring-in-presidential-system.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99484&NewsCatID=338

    “Turkey’s new prime minister, Binali Y?ld?r?m, has vowed to boost efforts for the adoption of a presidential system as part of the new constitution in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an’s demands after officially taking the reins of power from Ahmet Davuto?lu at an extraordinary convention…”

  25. Afghan commandos release 23 hostages from Taliban-run prison in Helmand (khaama, May 22, 2016)
    http://www.khaama.com/afghan-commandos-release-23-hostages-from-taliban-run-prison-in-helmand-01035

    “The commandos of the Afghan National Army (ANA) forces released at least 23 hostages from a Taliban-run prison in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.

    The hostages were released during a night operation conducted by the Afghan commandos in the restive Marjah district.

    The commander of the 1st Brigade of 215th Maiwand Corps of the Afghan National Army General Noor Alam said the operation was conducted in Sistani area late on Saturday night.

    He said the hostages were all ordinary civilians who were kept by the Taliban militants in the prison.

    According to Gen. Alam, at least 20 militants were killed and over 30 others were wounded during the operations in Helmand province.

    Gen. Alam further added that 2 Afghan soldiers and 3 policemen were also wounded during various operations in the past 24 hours in this province….”

  26. UN says Istanbul humanitarian summit ‘once in generation’ chance

    The world’s first humanitarian summit in Istanbul next week is a “once in a generation” chance to alleviate suffering by improving the global response to crises, senior UN officials said Sunday.

    The two-day UN-backed World Humanitarian Summit which opens Monday brings together some 65 heads of state and government with leading NGOs to find a concrete strategy on countering the worst humanitarian crises since World War II.

    “This is a once in a generation opportunity to to set in motion an ambitious and far-reaching agenda to change the way that we alleviate and prevent the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable people,” UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O’Brien told reporters ahead of the meeting.

    He said that the summit differed from other such events as it was not aimed as winning financial pledges but a comprehensive strategy for dealing with crises such as the estimated 60 million people displaced around the world.

    UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson said that the meeting aimed to tackle the “root causes” of crises emanating from conflict, AS WELL AS CLIMATE CHANGE .

    “We spend so much on dealing with the late causes of conflict but very little on prevention,” he said, urging a focus on the early rather than the late stages of the conflict.

    Eliasson said the summit should also see a “strong call” for respect of international humanitarian law, which has badly decayed with attacks on schools and hospitals in the conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen.

    “We have seen a lack of respect for international humanitarian law which is causing huge damage in the world.”

    The summit is the result of years of planning but there has been criticism that its actual outcomes could fall well short of its lofty ambitions.

    Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is boycotting the event, saying it risked being just a “fig leaf” for the world’s failure on humanitarian action.

    “I regret very much that they came to that decision,” said Eliasson.

    “One of the main purposes of this conference is our outrage against violations of international humanitarian law,” adding he hoped the “convictions they (MSF) stand for” would come out of the meeting.

    http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/217374/World/Region/UN-says-Istanbul-humanitarian-summit-once-in-gener.aspx

    • Exclusive interview with MSF president: MSF not to attend world humanitarian summit

    • Here is the story behind the World Humanitarian Summit conference bags – all proceeds help cover rent and education for the women’s families

    • Devex propaganda page on youtube

      Devex is the media platform for the global development community. A social enterprise, we connect and inform 600,000+ development, health, humanitarian, and sustainability professionals through news, business intelligence, and funding & career opportunities so you can do more good for more people.

      https://www.youtube.com/user/wwwDevexCom/videos

      April 14 2016 – What’s it like to volunteer in a refugee camp… in France?

    • CALAIS – Rear Window: Life in the Jungle ( 14 min )

      “Life in the Jungle” tells the true human story of refugees in the Calais ‘jungle’ camp. Filming with art therapy charity, Art Refuge UK, we hear personal stories of people’s experiences, their journeys over to Calais and their life in the camp

    • BBC News – ‘I’m ashamed of Europe over refugee crisis’ ( 8 min 40 )

      Refugees who fled the Nazis on the eve of World War Two are calling on the government to do more to get children out of the migrant camp at Calais.

      • Grrr. And who will pay for all that largesse? I assume Trudeau & Co., will ask taxpayers, but they themselves will not do it.

  27. UK: Thousands of bikers ride through Woolwich to commemorate Lee Rigby

    Several thousand bikers drove through the streets of Woolwich, London, on Sunday to commemorate the third anniversary of the death of British soldier Lee Rigby. The bikers were cheered on by hundreds of bystanders as they made their way to their destination, Rigby’s memorial which is located close to Rigby’s barracks also in Woolwich.

    “What happened on the streets of Woolwich will never be forgotten and we’ve got to make sure of that and we’ve got to make sure that our youngsters know about it and know that these things happen and that they should never happen,” said Julia Stevenson, organiser of Lee Rigby Memorial Ride.

  28. BREITBART – Report: Islamists Working At Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport

    French authorities fear that radical Islamists may have slipped through the net to gain security clearance to work at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport.

    Detectives are already investigating CCTV footage from the airport to determine whether an employee may have helped bring down the Egyptair flight to Cairo on Thursday. Now security sources are highlighting how weak security checks are for airport staff.

    The Times reports that all employees who work “airside” at the airport, such as maintenance staff, security personnel and baggage handlers, are theoretically vetted by police before they can start work.

    In reality, however, the vetting consists of little more than checking for a criminal record and seeing if they are on the French intelligence agencies’ list of individuals deemed a national security threat.

    Furthermore, due to low wages there is a high turnover of staff, increasing the load on police who have to vet all the new candidates.

    After last November’s Paris terror attacks, France’s Central Direction of Interior Intelligence was ordered to investigate all Muslims with security passes at the country’s airports.

    The result was more than 60 passes were withdrawn, mostly for “inappropriate behaviour” such as refusing to trim bears or shake female colleagues’ hands. However, some were confiscated because the holders prayed at extremist mosques, kept copies of the Koran in their lockers or expressed sympathy for the attackers.

    The Director of the French Centre for Intelligence Research, Eric Denécé, told the Times that officials had done what they could to identify dangerous employees, but “the problem is not resolved”.

    “Radical Islamists still worked at the airport, not necessarily as baggage handlers but at all levels. That is a reality,” he said.

    The claims come as the search continues for the missing Egyptair flight that disappeared over the Mediterranean last week.

    Investigators now say they have recovered some wreckage, although the cause of the crash remains a mystery. Egyptian authorities say terrorism is more likely than a technical failure, but no group has yet claimed responsibility.

    http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/05/21/report-islamists-working-paris-charles-de-gaulle-airport/

  29. TEXAS – Dozens turn out to support Houston Muslims

    A rally outside the downtown Houston Islamic Da’wah Center Saturday attracted about a dozen protesters, more than 50 counterprotesters and a local resident armed with a fully charged bubble machine.

    Protesters were dwarfed by about 60 people there to support Muslims in the Houston area.

    […]Rachel Schneider-Vlachos, a doctoral student in religion at Rice University, said it’s important to show the Muslim community that people in Houston are willing to stand with them.

    “There are people here who are willing to say Muslim lives matter, and we love our Muslim neighbors,” she said.

    […]Ome Mikiztli, who covered his face with a bandana, said he heard about the counterprotest and wanted to take part.

    “I try to show solidarity with any kind of movement that opposes fascism and racism,” he said.

    ]…]The Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner, a Methodist minister, said she wasn’t surprised that many more people showed up to support the Islamic Center than oppose it.

    “We are a diverse city, ethnically and religiously. The voices of hate and exclusion are being drowned out,” she said.

    http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Dozens-turnout-to-support-Houston-Muslims-7926843.php

  30. EU migrant deal at risk? Greek judges rule Turkey ‘unsafe’ for refugees

    The EU-Turkey migrant deal has suffered a blow – after a Greek court set a precedent, by ruling against sending a Syrian asylum seeker back to Turkey. Judges deemed the country ‘unsafe’ – saying that there were no basic human rights there and noting also the risk of being illegally sent back to Syria. However, conditions for migrants in Greece have also been slammed – by human rights groups.

  31. Bulgaria: Officials inspect newly constructed fence on border with Turkey

    Bulgarian Minister of Interior and Deputy Prime Minister Rumyana Bachvarova and Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev inspected a newly constructed border fence, aimed at preventing refugee flows from Turkey, at the border town of Malko Tarnovo, Sunday.

    Bulgarian authorities first started erecting the fence along its 274-kilometre (170 miles) border with Turkey in November 2013. Bulgaria has already constructed 100 kilometres (62 miles) of the fence and aims to have 132.5 kilometres (82 miles) finished by July.

    Moreover, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has recently announced that Bulgaria is also ready to build a fence on its border with Greece.

  32. Take Your Children To See Angry Birds

    James Kirkpatrick
    May 22, 2016, 5:52 pm

    Hollywood, like the Main Stream Media, exists to tell us pretty lies. Most films are overwhelmingly biased towards the Left. When it comes to immigration, they will usually give us sob stories about immigrants with hearts of gold victimized by evil white racist Amerikkan oppressors. And when it comes to children’s films, we usually get a syrupy sweet story about how We Are Really All The Same and how children should learn to celebrate differences.

    “Angry Birds” is not a film like that. Based on the popular game for cell phones, “Angry Birds” is actually a cautionary tale about #refugeeswelcome. A group of happy, decadent, flightless birds live peaceably on an island. Red, a bird with some anger issues, doesn’t really fit in with everyone else. And his alienation becomes especially acute when a group of pigs arrives at the island. While Red is suspicious, the rest of the birds are delighted and savagely turn on Red for “bringing shame” on the birds though his caution.

    As it turns out, the pigs are only at the island to eat the eggs of the birds. Using explosives (much like another group of refugees, one which really doesn’t like pork), they blow up the houses of the birds and steal the eggs. Red suddenly finds himself thrust from outcast to leader and rouses the birds to a righteous fury. “We used to be dinosaurs!” he cries. The birds launch a furious attack, launching themselves at the pigs’ castle with giant slingshots. With the help of a legendary hero named “Mighty Eagle” (who has seen better days and which some reviewers think is a stand in for a declining United States), they reclaim their eggs, and live the enemy city in flames.

    There’s no moment where the two tribes learn that they actually are the same. They are just enemies. Good guys win, bad guys lose, and we have a few laughs along the way.

    Of course, it’s just a children’s movie so I might be reading way, way too much into this. But the Left evidently feels the same way. There have been a spate of negative reviews about “Angry Birds,” with the film’s politics serving as a focal point.

    The Angry Birds Movie is both the equivalent of a screaming five-year-old and a regressive piece of American propaganda. Out of all the films I’ve seen this year, this is the one I least expected to have an anti-immigration and an eye for an eye message underneath it. But it’s actually happened. Angry Birdsis now a metaphor for the September 11 terrorist attacks…

    [T]he film is also politically dubious and set on a message that isn’t appropriate for children or clear-minded adults.

    [The Angry Birds Movie – Film Review, by Damien Straker, Impulse Gamer, May 8, 2016]

    Lol.

    “Angry Birds” is funny, entertaining, and best of all, right wing and hated by SJW’s. It’s PG, so it might be a bit too edgy for very small children, but if you are ok with that, take your kids to see it today!

    http://www.vdare.com/posts/take-your-children-to-see-angry-birds

  33. Canadian hostage Robert Hall appeals to Filipino government in Abu Sayyaf video

    In a new video released Sunday by terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, Canadian Robert Hall called on the Filipino government to help save him and his two fellow hostages before June 13.

    Hall was kidnapped in the Philippines last September along with Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Filipino woman and fellow Canadian John Ridsdel, who was later killed by the terrorist group.

    The kidnappers had reportedly previously demanded 300 million pesos ($8.1 million) for each of the foreigners.

    In the video, Hall addresses President-Elect Rodrigo Duterte and says the Filipino government can communicate with his kidnappers through a woman in the Canadian Embassy.

    “I came into your beautiful country in good faith and in peace and here I am,” Hall says in the video.

    “We hope that you can work on our behalf as soon as possible to get us out of here, and please, the sooner the better.”

    Intelligence group SITE confirmed the video was from Abu Sayyaf, and said the terrorist group is describing it as “the ‘final message’ from its three hostages.

    In the message, Sekkingstad says the deadline for a negotiation is June 13, 3 p.m.

    Last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Ridsdel was executed by Abu Sayyaf militants after being held hostage for seven months.

    At the time, Trudeau said the government is working with international allies to bring the terrorist to justice, but also reiterated its stance of not paying ransoms.

    “Canada does not and will not pay ransom to terrorists. Directly or indirectly, and there are very direct and clear reasons for this,” Trudeau said.

    In the end, Hall had a message for his loved ones

    “I also would like to thank my family and friends for the effort you put in to get me out of here,” he said. ”I know you did everything you can, I truly appreciate it. I’m sorry I got you in this mess.”

    http://globalnews.ca/news/2716543/canadian-hostage-robert-hall-appeals-to-filipino-government-in-abu-sayyaf-video/

    • If Canada doesn’t want to pay a ransom how about they make a deal with P.I. that they pay the ransom and Canada will send aid to the P.I. for the same amount?
      Are Canadians really going to watch another snuff film of one of their countrymen without comment?
      This so reminds me of a chapter of the book Watership Downs where the “rebel” rabbits arrive at a hutch that is well fed with silky coats… The only problem was that rabbits from time to time would disappear and no one living in the hutch wanted to think about it. The truth was that rabbits, one by one, were being snared by the farmer who was actually feeding the hutch.
      What any rational person from the west is doing in an Islamist controlled area is another story. I actually read an article a few years ago about westerners being kidnapped in Yemen while ON HOLIDAY! What sane person goes to Yemen for a holiday? What sane Canadian goes to the Muslim controlled areas of the P.I. for a holiday?
      Next time take a vacation to Cuba, it’s safer.

  34. Iraq Launches Operation to Retake IS-Held City of Fallujah (abcnews, May 22, 2016)
    http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/iraq-increases-green-zone-security-breach-39286894

    “Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the beginning of military operations to retake the Islamic State-held held city of Fallujah, west of Baghdad, in a televised address late Sunday night.

    Iraqi forces are “approaching a moment of great victory” against the Islamic State group, said al-Abadi, who was surrounded by top military commanders from the Ministry of Defense and the country’s elite counterterrorism forces. Fallujah is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad and has been under the control of IS for more than two years.

    The announcement comes at a time of deepening political and social unrest in Baghdad…”