VOA News Iraqi troops closed in on Islamic State fighters Wednesday in central Ramadi, where they are trying to retake the city they lost seven months ago and further shrink the IS «caliphate.» In the second day of a major offensive, forces led by an elite counterterrorism unit pushed toward the government complex in Ramadi, […]readmore
Pamela Dockins Last updated on: December 23, 2015 STATE DEPARTMENT—Amnesty International added to the criticism of Russia’s air campaign in Syria with a new report Wednesday saying the bombings have killed at least 200 civilians in Homs, Idlib and Aleppo provinces.The rights group said the Russian airstrikes have hit homes and hospitals, and that its […]readmore
ISLAMABAD—The Islamic State group has launched an FM radio channel in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. Local journalist Anaat Khan said the channel has been active for almost a month and can be heard in the provincial capital Jalalabad. Local Provincial Council Member Zabihullah Zmaray said the broadcast lasts two hours daily from 6-8 p.m. and […]readmore
Pamela Dockins December 15, 2015 MOSCOW—Saying the first two rounds of talks on a political transition in Syria are a “strong beginning,” Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States and Russia have the ability to make a “significant difference” in Syria’s crisis. He commented Tuesday at the start of talks with Russian President […]readmore
PARIS—U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will use a visit to Russia to frame the next meeting of the International Syria Support Group, which is expected to take place Friday in New York, a senior State Department official said. The official said Kerry also will discuss efforts to get full implementation of the Minsk agreement, […]readmore
Isabela Cocoli December 11, 2015 Authorities arrested two Syrian nationals Friday in Geneva when traces of explosives were found in their vehicle, Swiss media reported. Authorities in the Geneva region had been searching for four suspected jihadists with alleged ties to the Islamic State, but police did not say whether Friday’s arrests were connected to […]readmore
By RFI France’s state of emergency, imposed following the 13 November Paris attacks, could be prolonged, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Tuesday. Replying to criticism that it has been abused, Valls said the clampdown was a «restriction of freedoms» to «protect our freedoms». The state of emergency, agreed by parliament the day after the attacks and […]readmore
By RFI France launched its first air strikes against the Islamic State organisation (IS) on Monday night from its Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. The carrier was deployed in the eastern Mediterranean in the wake of the 13 November terrorist attacks in Paris. The strikes targeted IS positions in the Iraqi cities of Ramadi and Mosul, followed […]readmore
BRUSSELS—Suspected Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam evaded a massive manhunt Sunday night involving raids in Brussels and its suburbs, but security forces Monday were also focusing on towns in eastern Belgium, suggesting police fear Europe’s most wanted man might be trying to flee to neighboring Germany. On the third day of an unprecedented lockdown of the […]readmore
Pamela Dockins Last updated on: November 23, 2015 1 ABU-DHABI, UAE—U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday there is a united front against the Islamic State (IS) group and that he is absolutely convinced the militants will be defeated.“I have no doubt whatsoever that with the help of all the nations that are united […]readmore