Islamic State Crisis Megathread (ISIS/ISIL/IS)

[Herargon]

German reporter visits IS-held territory.

Hmm. The weird thing for me is that the reporter actually was allowed to come in.

[Seraven]

German reporter visits IS-held territory.

Hmm. The weird thing for me is that the reporter actually was allowed to come in.

How he got in?

[Baltenstein]

Hmm. The weird thing for me is that the reporter actually was allowed to come in.

How he got in?

He smuggled himself in over the Turkish border.

[The Seleucids (Ancient)]

German reporter visits IS-held territory.

Hmm. The weird thing for me is that the reporter actually was allowed to come in.

Vice News did it before, apperanty they do let journalists in from time to time.

[Rio Cana]

CNN talked to that German reporter. He said that this group intends to take over Europe no matter the losses. The German reporter asked them what if the 150 million Shia did not convert. What would they do. A fighter of the group said said that they would wipe out all 150 million Shia.

Some say this group is self-diluted.

[The Seleucids (Ancient)]

CNN talked to that German reporter. He said that this group intends to take over Europe no matter the losses. The reporter said if the 150 million Shia did not convert what they would do. A fighter of the group said said that they would wipe out all 150 million Shia.

Some say this group is self-diluted.

Its kinda obvious now that they overestimate themselves, unless they really have God on their side, which would make God a real asshole.

[Dumb Ideologies]

CNN talked to that German reporter. He said that this group intends to take over Europe no matter the losses. The German reporter asked them what if the 150 million Shia did not convert. What would they do. A fighter of the group said said that they would wipe out all 150 million Shia.

Some say this group is self-diluted.

Maybe if they all went swimming and changed their name to Islamic Sea.

[Baltenstein]

CNN talked to that German reporter. He said that this group intends to take over Europe no matter the losses. The German reporter asked them what if the 150 million Shia did not convert. A fighter of the group said said that they would wipe out all 150 million Shia.

A realistic estimation of your own capabilities is the first step to leading a succesful enterprise.

[Constantinopolis]

German reporter visits IS-held territory.

Hmm. The weird thing for me is that the reporter actually was allowed to come in.

What? No, that's not weird at all. Of course ISIL would let him in.

What is truly surprising is that they let him out.

[West Aurelia]

IS Memphis & Arkansas Bridge threat.

Police in Memphis have been warned of a possible ISIS attack over the holiday season. Reports in Tennessee indicated that information about the plot came from an “anonymous tip.”

Here’s what we know so far:

1. The FBI Say There Is ‘No Actionable Intelligence,’ But It’s Still Being Taken Seriously

WREG reports that there may be a plot to blow up the Memphis and Arkansas Bridge in the city. The station further reports an FBI source telling them that there is “no actionable intelligence” that something will happen.

2. An Attack Could Wake Sleeper ISIS Cells in the U.S.

According to the information, which came from an FBI bulletin, the attack may serve to wake up other ISIS cells in the U.S. The bulletin read:

According to an anonymous complainant, as of December 2014, ISIS instructed an ISIS member, a presumed USPER in Memphis, with a direct order to blow up the Memphis-Arkansas bridge on an unknown date, activating ISIS terror cells in the United States.

My Fox Memphis reports that USPER is a law enforcement acronym for a U.S. citizen.

3. Law Enforcement Across Tennessee Have Been Warned About the Possible Attack

Speaking to My Fox Memphis, Supervisory Special Agent Joel Siskovic said:

"Although we received an anonymous threat, there is no actionable intelligence regarding an attack on the bridge. We take every threat seriously and whenever we receive a threat like this we take steps to inform all of our law enforcement partners."

4. It Isn’t Know if ISIS Can Launch an Attack on U.S. Soil

The ability of ISIS to commit an attack on U.S. soil has been fiercely debated among experts. On December 1, CNN reported that the FBI had issued a warning to members of the U.S. military about a possible 9/11 style-attack, warning that “overseas based individuals are looking for like-minded individuals in the U.S. to carry out these attacks.” The report adds that ISIS members were “spotting and assessing” individuals who would be interested in attacking the U.S. homeland.

5. The Memphis-Arkansas Bridge Is on the National Register of Historic Places

The Memphis-Arkansas Bridge was built in 1949, it’s one mile long, and just over 50 feet wide. The bridge crosses over the Mississippi river and is considered part of the Mississippi River Trail. Since 2001, it’s been on the National Register of Historic Places.

[Red Blackiland]

I think the real problem is the normal citizens living near ISIS headquarters or something,if not,ISIS can be easily exterminated,which doesn't say that the attacking ISIS forces would not have life losses...

[West Aurelia]

I think the real problem is the normal citizens living near ISIS headquarters or something,if not,ISIS can be easily exterminated,which doesn't say that the attacking ISIS forces would not have life losses...

What?

[Red Blackiland]

I think the real problem is the normal citizens living near ISIS headquarters or something,if not,ISIS can be easily exterminated,which doesn't say that the attacking ISIS forces would not have life losses...

What?

? '-'
In true,is the first time that i visit the thread :v

[West Aurelia]

What?

? '-'
In true,is the first time that i visit the thread :v

I don't understand what you were trying to say…

[West Aurelia]

Task force denies reports US engaged in ground combat with Islamic State.

TAMPA (Tribune News Service) — Contrary to reports coming out of Iraq, U.S. troops have not engaged in ground combat with the Sunni insurgent group Islamic State, according to the task force in charge of running daily operations in the U.S. and coalition mission known as Operation Inherent Resolve.

“We have seen the recent media stories and there has been absolutely no contact between U.S. military forces on the ground and ISIL (Islamic State) near al Asad air base or anywhere else in Iraq,” said Gary Boucher, a spokesman for the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. “The reports are unfounded. Throughout the past week, Iraqi security forces have had engagements with ISIL in the vicinity of al Asad Air Base. However, U.S. forces were not a part of those engagements.”

In the past week, news organizations such as the Daily Mail in England have reported what they claim was the first ground battle between U.S. forces and Islamic State, referred to locally as Daesh.

Although there are U.S. troops at the air base, expected to be one of the places where a total of 12 brigades of Iraqi troops will receive training, there is no plan for them to take part in combat operations, Boucher said.

“There are U.S. military assessment teams at Al Asad conducting subject-matter-expert exchanges at the headquarters level, but they are not accompanying (Iraqi security forces) units conducting offensive actions against ISIL,” he said, using an alternate acronym for the Sunni insurgent group that has swept across much of Syria and Iraq, taking over several cities, killing thousands and trying to create a new Islamic caliphate.

U.S. and coalition militaries have made more than 1,300 airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria since Aug. 8, when the campaign later named Operation Inherent Resolve began.

This is a hectic time for the commandos such as those at al-Asad and the Tampa-based commands that oversee their efforts.

U.S. military operations in the region are overseen by U.S. Central Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base and commando operations are run by Special Operations Command Central, CENTCOM’s commando subcommand also headquartered at MacDill.

That’s why Army Maj. Gen. Michael Nagata, SOCCENT’s commander, is even busier than usual these days.

Aside from running SOCCENT, he is in charge of a newly formed command in charge of training up the so-called moderate Syrian rebels to fight Islamic State in Syria.

The Combined Joint Interagency Task Force was established in late October, said Army Maj. Curt Kellogg, a CENTCOM spokesman.

“Its objective is to train and equip a force capable of contesting Daesh in Syria,” said Kellogg in an email to The Tribune. CENTCOM and the task force prefer to use the Islamic name Daesh instead of Islamic State. “Alongside our international partners, this collaborative effort consists of (Pentagon), diplomatic organizations, intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Each interagency partner brings their own unique set of specialties to this whole of government approach.”

The headquarters is now located in Qatar. Army Maj. Tiffany Bowen, Nagata’s spokeswoman, says it is seeking a permanent home.

Army Lt. Gen. James Terry, the overall commander on the ground in Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve, told reporters last week that plans to train up to 5,000 moderate Syrians a year have been delayed to get the proper authority and funding. Then he pushed it back to Centcom for more details.

“All parties involved are interested in establishing the train-and-equip program for moderate Syrian opposition as quickly and successfully as possible and the goal is to begin training sometime after the first of the year,” says Kellogg, “but the timeline is still somewhat fluid as we continue to work through the various details involved.”

[Organized States]

Task force denies reports US engaged in ground combat with Islamic State.

TAMPA (Tribune News Service) — Contrary to reports coming out of Iraq, U.S. troops have not engaged in ground combat with the Sunni insurgent group Islamic State, according to the task force in charge of running daily operations in the U.S. and coalition mission known as Operation Inherent Resolve.

“We have seen the recent media stories and there has been absolutely no contact between U.S. military forces on the ground and ISIL (Islamic State) near al Asad air base or anywhere else in Iraq,” said Gary Boucher, a spokesman for the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. “The reports are unfounded. Throughout the past week, Iraqi security forces have had engagements with ISIL in the vicinity of al Asad Air Base. However, U.S. forces were not a part of those engagements.”

In the past week, news organizations such as the Daily Mail in England have reported what they claim was the first ground battle between U.S. forces and Islamic State, referred to locally as Daesh.

Although there are U.S. troops at the air base, expected to be one of the places where a total of 12 brigades of Iraqi troops will receive training, there is no plan for them to take part in combat operations, Boucher said.

“There are U.S. military assessment teams at Al Asad conducting subject-matter-expert exchanges at the headquarters level, but they are not accompanying (Iraqi security forces) units conducting offensive actions against ISIL,” he said, using an alternate acronym for the Sunni insurgent group that has swept across much of Syria and Iraq, taking over several cities, killing thousands and trying to create a new Islamic caliphate.

U.S. and coalition militaries have made more than 1,300 airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria since Aug. 8, when the campaign later named Operation Inherent Resolve began.

This is a hectic time for the commandos such as those at al-Asad and the Tampa-based commands that oversee their efforts.

U.S. military operations in the region are overseen by U.S. Central Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base and commando operations are run by Special Operations Command Central, CENTCOM’s commando subcommand also headquartered at MacDill.

That’s why Army Maj. Gen. Michael Nagata, SOCCENT’s commander, is even busier than usual these days.

Aside from running SOCCENT, he is in charge of a newly formed command in charge of training up the so-called moderate Syrian rebels to fight Islamic State in Syria.

The Combined Joint Interagency Task Force was established in late October, said Army Maj. Curt Kellogg, a CENTCOM spokesman.

“Its objective is to train and equip a force capable of contesting Daesh in Syria,” said Kellogg in an email to The Tribune. CENTCOM and the task force prefer to use the Islamic name Daesh instead of Islamic State. “Alongside our international partners, this collaborative effort consists of (Pentagon), diplomatic organizations, intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Each interagency partner brings their own unique set of specialties to this whole of government approach.”

The headquarters is now located in Qatar. Army Maj. Tiffany Bowen, Nagata’s spokeswoman, says it is seeking a permanent home.

Army Lt. Gen. James Terry, the overall commander on the ground in Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve, told reporters last week that plans to train up to 5,000 moderate Syrians a year have been delayed to get the proper authority and funding. Then he pushed it back to Centcom for more details.

“All parties involved are interested in establishing the train-and-equip program for moderate Syrian opposition as quickly and successfully as possible and the goal is to begin training sometime after the first of the year,” says Kellogg, “but the timeline is still somewhat fluid as we continue to work through the various details involved.”

That's a load of bullshit if I've ever heard one. The Special Forces are in pretty heavy contact with ISIS, and are actively engaging them.

[Empire of Narnia]

The government should ban ISIS. I saw somebody wearing an ISIS shirt on my way to the mall.

[West Aurelia]

That's a load of bullshit if I've ever heard one. The Special Forces are in pretty heavy contact with ISIS, and are actively engaging them.

The only sources I could find are Shafaq and the Daily Mail, so I'm not inclined to believe it yet.

The government should ban ISIS. I saw somebody wearing an ISIS shirt on my way to the mall.

Freedom of expression.

[Organized States]

That's a load of bullshit if I've ever heard one. The Special Forces are in pretty heavy contact with ISIS, and are actively engaging them.

The only sources I could find are Shafaq and the Daily Mail, so I'm not inclined to believe it yet.

Hey, someone's got to designate targets for the A-10s and the AH-64s...

And Predators can only do so much.

[Empire of Narnia]

Screw freedom of expression. ISIS is evil and is an enemy of Canada. It does not represent Islam, and the followers of ISIS have done things that would horrify both fundamentalist and moderate Muslims. I would never join ISIS, not even if they offered me my own animatronic band or a truckload of LEGO.

[West Aurelia]

Hey, someone's got to designate targets for the A-10s and the AH-64s...

And Predators can only do so much.

Designating targets isn't the same thing as "actively engaging them."

Screw freedom of expression. ISIS is evil and is an enemy of Canada. It does not represent Islam, and the followers of ISIS have done things that would horrify both fundamentalist and moderate Muslims. I would never join ISIS, not even if they offered me my own animatronic band or a truckload of LEGO.

Freedom of expression crosses the line when you are inciting violence (or the breach of any law, really). So the guy wearing the IS shirt? Fine. The guy on Twitter posting IS propaganda in an attempt to recruit members? Not fine.

[Organized States]

Hey, someone's got to designate targets for the A-10s and the AH-64s...

And Predators can only do so much.

Designating targets isn't the same thing as "actively engaging them."

I'll give you that.

[The Seleucids (Ancient)]

The government should ban ISIS. I saw somebody wearing an ISIS shirt on my way to the mall.

I agree, multiple nations already did and i believe that all nations should.

[The Seleucids (Ancient)]

The government should ban ISIS. I saw somebody wearing an ISIS shirt on my way to the mall.

Freedom of expression.

Support of Terrorism if you ask me.

[Al Nahar]

This is so sad....

Satellite imagery indicate that 290 cultural heritage sites in Syria, whose history stretches back to the dawn of civilization, have been damaged by its ongoing civil war,

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/ ... DK20141223