The Iraqi TV show where 'bombers' meet their victims
Relatives of the victims approach and take turns at scolding the convicts, who remain silent throughout. When they get too close, police gently push them away.
Just curious, what is the state of freedom of press in Iraq? I recall seeing a clip of an Iraqi TV talk show that tried to spread empathy for the plight of the yazidis.
BAALBEK/MAJDEL SELEM/BEIRUT, Lebanon: Hundreds of relatives, friends and sympathizers of five of the eight Lebanese soldiers killed in Friday's battle with ISIS militants on the border with Syria mourned their deaths in funerals across the country Saturday.
The body of 1st Lt. Ahmad Mahmoud Tabikh, 28, was carried out of Dar al-Amal University Hospital in the eastern Bekaa Valley town of Baalbek, where fellow soldiers waited to begin the ceremony to honor their fallen comrade.
Some soldiers played snare drums as others carried the Lebanese-draped coffin to a vehicle that departed to the soldier's nearby hometown of Douris.
Kurdish fighters backed by coalition air strikes have seized large swaths of territory from Islamic State fighters in northern Iraq, including a road used by Isis to supply the key city of Mosul.
In a major offensive launched on Wednesday, the peshmerga have fought their way to within 12 miles of the city centre and cut off a road that connects Mosul to Tal Afar and Sinjar.
In recent days the Kurds have retaken a 185 sq mile area of Sinjar province, west of Mosul, putting Isis on the back foot and tightening the noose around the city.
There is growing speculation that Iraqi government troops may be gearing up for an attack on Mosul, which jihadist fighters have occupied since June when they advanced rapidly across Iraq’s north.
Until this week, Islamist militants were able to transfer goods, petrol and military equipment from eastern Syria into Mosul, Iraq’s second city and the biggest urban centre under their control. The Kurds have now shut off the city from three sides. They also now control several key villages and intersections.
“I don’t think anyone would envy the situation the people of Mosul are in,” Masrour Barzani, the head of Kurdistan’s regional security council, said on Wednesday. “The terror of Isis is too much for anyone to handle.”
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck Syrian army artillery targets late on Tuesday night in response to an earlier rocket attack carried out on the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon.
"The IDF views the Syrian regime as responsible for what occurs in its territory, and will act at any time and any way it sees fit to protect the citizens of Israel," the IDF said.
The targets were accurately struck, the IDF added.
IDF confirmation of the strike came minutes following reports of air sirens being heard in the Golan Heights, which later proved to be false alarms.
Things are escalating pretty quickly in retaliation to the air strikes.
There's ongoing fighting right now between the IDF and Hezbollah after an successful ambush on an Israeli patrol. Early estimates place the total number of casualties at 9, with 4 soldiers killed in action. Mount Hermon is also being shelled by Hezzie mortar fire and counter-air strikes from the IDF.
Netanyahu on Lebanon attack: I suggest those trying to challenge us in the North look at Gaza
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the IDF was responding to an anti-tank missile attack against an army vehicle on the Lebanon border.
Speaking at a cornerstone laying ceremony for new apartments in the southern border city of Sderot., the prime minister said, “At this moment, the IDF is responding to events in the North.” Netanyahu added: "I suggest that all those who are challenging us on our northern border, look at what happened in Gaza, not far from the city of Sderot. "Hamas suffered the most serious blow since it was founded this past summer and the IDF is prepared to act on every front."
Netanyahu's comments came after an IDF vehicle was attacked by an anti-tank missile on the Lebanon border on Wednesday.
In addition, mortar shells were fired at Israeli communities in the Lebanon border area.
Arab media reported that the IDF responded with artillery fire into the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Shouba.
Hezbollah took responsibility for the multi-pronged attack.
The last thing Lebanon needs right now is yet another major war on its doorstep, especially with ISIS so close by. But either way, RIP to the IDF soldiers and happy hunting. Guess Hezbollah will never learn unless they get their dosage of lead poisoning...
Ive been on Israel's side until summer 2014. That Gaza massacre was just unacceptable.
Now in the Syrian war Israel every know and the bomb SAA and Hizbullah positions and kills their leadership. That's one thing, but on the other hand they treat wounded ISIS and Nusra soldiers.
On January 28 2015 21:27 SoSexy wrote: Yeah. Then they will start crying when Israel responds to fire, as they always did
well as far as i can remember hezbollah kicked israel's ass ... they said they would respond to the killing of their soldiers, maybe israel will learn some restraint now.
A well-known Saudi blogger has reported that “tens” of Islamic State militants were able to infiltrate Saudi Arabia after a late-night attack on a border post on Tuesday.
A Twitter account, run under the handle Mujtahidd, alleged that IS fighters led an attack at the country’s northern border with Iraq, near the town of Rafha.
As of late Wednesday, Saudi authorities had not commented on the claims.
In a string of tweets published on Wednesday morning the user, who has more than a million followers and is known for posting anti-establishment news from within Saudi Arabia, said that security services were left in a state of “confusion” after the attack, which was apparently supported by a “cell” from within Saudi Arabia.
A well-known Saudi blogger has reported that “tens” of Islamic State militants were able to infiltrate Saudi Arabia after a late-night attack on a border post on Tuesday.
A Twitter account, run under the handle Mujtahidd, alleged that IS fighters led an attack at the country’s northern border with Iraq, near the town of Rafha.
As of late Wednesday, Saudi authorities had not commented on the claims.
In a string of tweets published on Wednesday morning the user, who has more than a million followers and is known for posting anti-establishment news from within Saudi Arabia, said that security services were left in a state of “confusion” after the attack, which was apparently supported by a “cell” from within Saudi Arabia.
On January 29 2015 01:05 frontliner2 wrote: Ive been on Israel's side until summer 2014. That Gaza massacre was just unacceptable.
Now in the Syrian war Israel every know and the bomb SAA and Hizbullah positions and kills their leadership. That's one thing, but on the other hand they treat wounded ISIS and Nusra soldiers.
What the actual fuck.
And now Israel attacked UN positions in Lebanon and killed a Spanish soldier. Just like when Al-Qaida abducted the UN soldiers in the Golan Heights a couple of months ago, it seems like IDF and their terrorist friends want international eyes gone from the area.