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Islamic State eyeing oil targets beyond Syria stronghold: U.S. official

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 04:02:33 +0300

Islamic State is looking at potentially vulnerable oil assets in Libya and elsewhere outside its Syria stronghold, where the militant group controls about roughly 80 percent of the oil and gas fields, a senior U.S. official said on Tuesday. The official, who briefed reporters in Washington on condition of anonymity, said the United States was carefully examining who controlled oil fields, pipelines, trucking routes and other infrastructure in places that could be vulnerable to attack. "They are looking at the oil assets in Libya and elsewhere.

John Kerry just made a key admission about the US's policy in Syria

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 02:27:45 +0300

US Secretary of State John Kerry signaled a seemingly significant shift for the US's policy...

Coalition efforts to stem IS oil yielding results, official says

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 02:11:51 +0300

Stepped-up attacks against the oil infrastructure of the Islamic State group have hurt its bottom line, a senior US official said Tuesday, as the Obama administration tries to rebut claims it is moving too slowly against the jihadists. The US-led coalition that has been bombing IS fighters in Iraq and Syria since August last year has started targeting fuel tankers that move oil around Syria and provide IS fighters with vital funding. Speaking to Pentagon reporters on condition of anonymity, the official said the IS group had been making between $40 million and $48 million a month from oil sales.

Assad can stay, for now: Kerry accepts Russian stance

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 02:01:59 +0300

MOSCOW (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday accepted Russia's long-standing demand that President Bashar Assad's future be determined by his own people, as Washington and Moscow edged toward putting aside years of disagreement over how to end Syria's civil war.

US envoy: Raid in May led to plan to attack IS oil targets

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 01:34:03 +0300

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. military raid that killed an Islamic State leader in Syria last spring yielded intelligence that allowed the U.S. to more effectively target the extremist group's oil revenues, the State Department's top diplomat for energy affairs said Tuesday.

Russia, U.S. clear way for Syria meeting after Kerry Moscow talks

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:26:55 +0300

By Lesley Wroughton and Jack Stubbs MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia and the United States see enough common ground on Syria for world powers to meet on the troubled country's peace process in New York on Friday, but views on the future of President Bashar-al Assad still diverge. Secretary of State John Kerry went into meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday not knowing whether Moscow would veto a third round of international talks on Syria on Friday after the Kremlin spoke of preconditions needing to be met.

UN refugee agency receives record pledges for 2016

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:19:32 +0300

The UN refugee agency said Tuesday it has received pledges of over $687 million for 2016, the highest amount ever, amid ongoing "mega emergencies" in Syria, South Sudan and elsewhere. The pledges would go toward helping almost 60 million forcibly displaced or stateless people worldwide, UNHCR said in a statement. The promises, made in a donor meeting in Geneva, "come at a time of ongoing mega emergencies such as Syria, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and new crises, Burundi and Yemen, as well as the refugee crisis in Europe," it said.

Denmark charges first Syria fighter over joining IS

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:18:46 +0300

A Danish man who travelled to Syria in 2013 to join the Islamic State group was on Tuesday charged with breaching Denmark's anti-terrorism laws, in the country's first case of its kind. "It is the prosecution's view that everyone who joins IS in Syria has agreed in principle to take part in the terrorist acts that IS commits in the country," prosecutor Lise-Lotte Nilas said in a statement. The latter charge was over carrying 20,000 kroner ($2,935, 2,680 euros) with him when he was arrested by Danish police in March this year as he attempted to return to Syria.

Dozens killed in northern Syria air strikes

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 23:54:52 +0300

Opposition activists say suspected Russian bombers struck two markets in Idlib and Allepo, killing and wounding dozens.

France Targets Islamic State Site in Western Iraq

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:45:31 +0300

French jets targeted an Islamic State site in Al Qaim, near Iraq’s western border with Syria, on Tuesday, December 15, the French Defense Ministry said . The ministry said the site served as a headquarters, training center and logistics facility. Credit: YouTube/forcesfrancaises

Russia, U.S. have found common ground on Syria peace talks participants - Kerry

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:33:04 +0300

MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Russia and the United States have found "common ground" on which opposition groups should participate in Syrian peace talks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday after a meeting with Russian President Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

Syria talks to go ahead on Friday in New York: Lavrov, Kerry

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:28:42 +0300

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that a planned international meeting on the Syrian crisis would take place in New York on Friday, after President Vladimir Putin received US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Russia's Lavrov says Syria meeting in New York on Friday is on

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:22:26 +0300

MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday after talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that a meeting of world powers on Syria pencilled in for New York on Friday would go ahead. It had previously been unclear whether the meeting would happen after Russia said certain preconditions would have to be met beforehand amid differences between Moscow and Washington over the role of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in any political transition and over which rebel groups should be part of peace talks. ...

Russian air strikes kill 12 people in Syria

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:00:36 +0300

Damascus, Dec 16 (IANS) At least 12 people were said to have been killed by air strikes in Syria's northern province of Aleppo, a monitor group reported on Tuesday. Warplanes, believed to be Russians, carried out an air strike on the Islamic State (IS)-held town of Maskaneh in the eastern countryside of Aleppo on Tuesday, targeting a marketplace, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Xinhua reported. Opposition activists often accuse the Russian air force, which has been striking IS positions for over two months, of targeting civilian areas, a claim totally denied by Moscow.

Russia names Syrian rebel groups it says it is supporting with air strikes

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:43:58 +0300

(Adds quotes, details, background) MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday its planes had carried out air strikes to support four rebel groups in Syria, saying it was working to try to unite the efforts of the Free Syrian Army and government troops against Islamic State. The General Staff of the Russian army issued the statement as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held closed-door talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, with Syria topping the agenda.

Dozens killed, hurt in airstrikes on fuel market in Syria

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:08:41 +0300

BEIRUT (AP) — Airstrikes on a fuel market in a rebel-held village in northern Syria killed and wounded dozens on Tuesday and destroyed several tanker trucks, two Syrian opposition monitoring groups reported.

Saudi Arabia says sending special forces to Syria under discussion

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:06:31 +0300

By John Irish PARIS (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states are discussing sending special forces to Syria as part of U.S.-led efforts to fight Islamic State, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday. "There are discussions, countries that are currently part of the coalition (like) Saudi Arabia, the (United Arab) Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain about sending in some special forces into Syria, and those discussions are ongoing.

Saudi Arabia announces 34-state Islamic military coalition against militants

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:49:44 +0300

* New alliance to unite Sunni states against IS, al Qaeda * U.S. defense secretary, visiting region, welcomes move * Announcement coincides with ceasefire in Yemen conflict (Adds details from foreign minister) By Noah Browning and John Irish DUBAI/PARIS, Dec 15 (Reuters) - A new Saudi-led Islamic coalition will share information and train, equip and provide forces if necessary for the fight against miltants such as Islamic State and al Qaeda, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia announced earlier in the day the formation of the 34-nation military alliance, a move welcomed by the United States which has been urging a greater regional involvement in the campaign against the Islamic State militants who control swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria.

Iran to continue military advisory assistance to Syria

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:48:18 +0300

Tehran, Dec 15 (IANS) Iran has assisted Syria with military advisors in its fight with terrorism and will continue to do so, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari said here on Tuesday. Iran has followed a straight and clear policy about the Syrian crisis and fighting terrorism and has never slacken about it, Ansari said in his weekly press briefing. Asked whether Syria has demanded Iran to send military forces to Syria, he said that Syria has made no request in this regard and in case of any request Iran will consider it within the framework of its principles, he said.

34 dead in suspected Russia raids on two Syria markets: monitor

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:43:38 +0300

At least 34 civilians were killed Tuesday in suspected Russian air strikes on two markets in northern Syria, a monitoring group said.

Russian air force says working to unite efforts of opposition, Syrian army against IS

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:40:48 +0300

MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Russia's air force said on Tuesday it was working to unite the efforts of the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian army against Islamic State militants in Syria by carefully targeting its strikes. In one such operation, Russia's air force carried out 18 strikes on IS targets to support the "Desert Lions" and other Syrian opposition groups north of Raqqa, the defence ministry said in a statement. (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Writing by Dmitry Solovyov; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

Kerry Speaks to Muscovites After Squeezing in Some Souvenir Shopping

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:37:31 +0300

US Secretary of State John Kerry squeezed in some Christmas shopping on Tuesday, December 15, during a state visit to Moscow. The diplomat, who is in Russia’s capital to meet with his counterpart Sergei Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a common approach to ending the conflict in Syria, found time to stop by a souvenir shop on Arbat Street. After exiting one shop, Kerry offered holiday wishes to Muscovites and answered some of their questions. Replying to a young boy, who asked what he would wish for the Russian people, Kerry said for Russian and American people to be friends and for the countries to come together in peace. Credit: YouTube/jorka kot

Russia supplies Syria mission with old cargo ships bought from Turkey

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:25:58 +0300

By Jonathan Saul and Maria Tsvetkova LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Earlier this year, an old refrigerator ship called the Georgiy Agafonov, built to transport fruit and vegetables for the Soviet Union, was quietly gathering rust in the Ukrainian port of Izmail where the Danube flows into the Black Sea. Its owners, a Ukrainian state company, assumed it would never sail again. When a Turkish company offered to buy it for $300,000, they watched as the hulk was towed away, presumably for scrap.

Russia has flown more than 4,000 sorties in Syria since Sept 30: agencies

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:12:27 +0300

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's air force has flown more than 4,200 sorties in Syria since Moscow began a bombing campaign in the country on Sept. 30, Russian news agencies cited the Russian General Staff as saying on Tuesday. Up to 145 sorties have been carried out by strategic, long-range bombers, TASS news agency reported. (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Dmitry Solovyov)

Kerry Meets With Putin Over Ukraine, Syria

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:01:55 +0300

The US and Russia need to find common ground to end Syria's civil war and restore stability in eastern Ukraine, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday as he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Dec. 15)

Saudi, Gulf states discussing sending special forces to Syria - Saudi formin

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 19:51:22 +0300

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states are discussing sending special forces to Syria as part of U.S.-led efforts to fight Islamic State, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday. "There are discussions, countries that are currently part of the coalition (like) Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain about sending in some special forces into Syria, and those discussions are ongoing.

Putin says Moscow and Washington seeking joint Syria solution

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 19:43:37 +0300

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday in talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that Russia and the United States were searching for a solution to the Syria crisis together, calling the situation there acute. (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

Syria army resumes use of key air base after ending siege: state TV

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 19:39:37 +0300

Syrian troops resumed military activity Tuesday at a key northern air base that had been besieged for more than two years by anti-government forces, state television reported. "Warplanes and helicopters have resumed activity at the Kweyris military airport, after the valiant army secured its surroundings," state television said. Backed by Russian air strikes, Syria's armed forces broke the siege around Kweyris, in Aleppo province, in November.

Putin and Kerry hold talks on Syria at Kremlin

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:31:43 +0300

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed US Secretary of State John Kerry to the Kremlin on Tuesday as the two began talks on efforts to halt the Syrian civil war.

France uses cruise missiles against Islamic State for first time

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 19:29:46 +0300

France has used cruise missiles for the first time against the Islamic State during strikes in Iraq on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said. SCALP long-range missiles were launched from French fighter jets based in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan as part of a bombing raid that targeted a command center, training site and logistics depot in western Iraq on the border with Syria. France has stepped up strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq after the organization claimed responsibility for shootings and suicide bombings in Paris last month that left 130 people dead.

Saudi Arabia announces 34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:54:32 +0300

By Noah Browning and John Irish DUBAI/PARIS (Reuters) - A new Saudi-led Islamic alliance to fight terrorism will share information and train, equip and provide forces if necessary for the fight against Islamic State militants, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia announced earlier on Tuesday the formation of a 34-nation Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism, a move welcomed by the United States which has been urging a greater regional involvement in the campaign against the militants who control swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria. The states it listed as joining the new coalition included Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan and several African nations.

U.S. Kerry: Russia, U.S. can make "significant difference" in Syria

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:49:57 +0300

MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Russia and the United States can work together to make progress resolving the Syria crisis, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday. "With regard to Syria ... together the United States and Russia have the ability to make a significant difference," Kerry said. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Writing by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

Putin meets Kerry for Syria talks at Kremlin

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:48:59 +0300

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed US Secretary of State John Kerry to the Kremlin on Tuesday and began talks on efforts to halt the Syrian civil war.

Russia's Putin says Moscow and Washington seeking joint Syria solution

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:47:31 +0300

MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday in talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that Russia and the United States were searching for a solution to the Syria crisis together, calling the situation there acute. (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

Russia, U.S. military chiefs discuss Syria cooperation - agencies

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:22:42 +0300

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian and United States military chiefs discussed air space cooperation over Syria in a telephone call on Tuesday, Russian news agencies cited the Russian Defense Ministry as saying. "The sides exchanged views on the situation in Syria and practical aspects of cooperation between the Russian Air Force and the U.S.-led air coalition against ISIS," the RIA agency cited the ministry as saying, using an acronym for Islamic State. (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Dmitry Solovyov)

Free Syrian Army rebels deny Russian support

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:00:47 +0300

Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad in western Syria denied receiving any support from the Russian air force, saying that on the contrary it continued to bomb them and rejecting comments by a top Russian general on Monday. A separate, recently formed alliance of armed groups - including some that identify themselves as FSA - said its fighters had benefited indirectly from Russian air strikes during a recent battle with insurgents including the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, but denied any direct Russian support. The groups were responding to comments by a senior Russian army general who said the Russian air force was conducting dozens of air strikes in Syria on a daily basis to support Free Syrian Army fighters who he said were fighting alongside government troops against Islamic State militants.

U.S., allies stage eight air strikes in Iraq, six in Syria: U.S. military

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:45:20 +0300

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies targeted Islamic State militants with a fresh round of 14 air strikes in Syria and Iraq on Monday, the U.S. military said in a statement. In Iraq, eight air strikes near three cities hit three Islamic State tactical units, an improvised explosive device factory and various fighting positions, among other targets, according to the statement released on Tuesday. Six strikes near three Syrian cities hit three of the group's tactical units, a building and wounded three militant fighters, the statement said. ...

Carter's trip aims to strengthen fight against Islamic State

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:44:51 +0300

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AP) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the U.S. wants Turkey to better control its border with Syria, which could help block the flow of foreign fighters to the Islamic State, and to more forcefully join the U.S.-led coalition "in the air and on the ground."

Kerry in Moscow to push Syria peace plan

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:15:39 +0300

US Secretary of State John Kerry brings his campaign to end the Syrian civil war to Moscow, where a meeting with President Vladimir Putin could decide the fate of peace talks.

Kerry Calls For Common Ground With Russia

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:37:55 +0300

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called Tuesday for the United States and Russia to find "common ground" on contentious differences over ending Syria's civil war and restoring stability in eastern Ukraine. (Dec. 15)