Post by Logan on Jan 18, 2016 8:36:29 GMT -6
Iraq and Syria: Siege warfare and attacks against Islamic State funding
BAGHDAD, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Siege warfare continued taking its toll in Syria last week as coalition forces conducted attacks against Islamic State revenues in Iraq.
Syria
IS militants reportedly abducted at least 400 people in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Sunday. The move came after a Saturday assault into northwestern portions of the provincial capital, where several government-held areas are under siege by the militants. Activists said at least 135 people -- 85 civilians and 50 pro-government fighters -- were killed in the attack, which saw IS forces utilizing a mixture of suicide bombers and infantry. Syrian state news put the number of dead at 300. The prisoners were reported to be family members of pro-government fighters.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS controls at least 60 percent of Deir Ezzor, which is one of several locations in Syria under siege. Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have encircled multiple areas around the capital Damascus, including portions of eastern Ghouta, the western suburb of Darayya and the nearby mountain towns of Zabadani and Madaya. Rebel forces, on the other hand, are besieging the villages of Foah and Kefraya in Idlib province.
In northern portions of Latakia province on Sunday, government forces captured two villages and surrounding hills, as well as four nearby mountains, according to Syrian state news. Pro-Assad forces have been on the offensive in Latakia and other areas of northwestern Syria in recent months following Russia's intervention on behalf of Assad in late September. On Sunday, SANA reported rebel forces in the area retreated to positions near the town of Rabiaa on the Turkish border. The previous Monday, pro-Assad forces captured Salma, a strategically important town in Latakia overlooking portions of a rural mountainous region known as Jabal al-Akrad. By Wednesday, SOHR reported, government forces -- including Russian advisers and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters -- began advancing from Salma into the surrounding hills.
Continue reading at www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/01/17/Iraq-and-Syria-Siege-warfare-and-attacks-against-Islamic-State-funding/2531453065605/?spt=sec&or=tn
BAGHDAD, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Siege warfare continued taking its toll in Syria last week as coalition forces conducted attacks against Islamic State revenues in Iraq.
Syria
IS militants reportedly abducted at least 400 people in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Sunday. The move came after a Saturday assault into northwestern portions of the provincial capital, where several government-held areas are under siege by the militants. Activists said at least 135 people -- 85 civilians and 50 pro-government fighters -- were killed in the attack, which saw IS forces utilizing a mixture of suicide bombers and infantry. Syrian state news put the number of dead at 300. The prisoners were reported to be family members of pro-government fighters.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS controls at least 60 percent of Deir Ezzor, which is one of several locations in Syria under siege. Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have encircled multiple areas around the capital Damascus, including portions of eastern Ghouta, the western suburb of Darayya and the nearby mountain towns of Zabadani and Madaya. Rebel forces, on the other hand, are besieging the villages of Foah and Kefraya in Idlib province.
In northern portions of Latakia province on Sunday, government forces captured two villages and surrounding hills, as well as four nearby mountains, according to Syrian state news. Pro-Assad forces have been on the offensive in Latakia and other areas of northwestern Syria in recent months following Russia's intervention on behalf of Assad in late September. On Sunday, SANA reported rebel forces in the area retreated to positions near the town of Rabiaa on the Turkish border. The previous Monday, pro-Assad forces captured Salma, a strategically important town in Latakia overlooking portions of a rural mountainous region known as Jabal al-Akrad. By Wednesday, SOHR reported, government forces -- including Russian advisers and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters -- began advancing from Salma into the surrounding hills.
Continue reading at www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/01/17/Iraq-and-Syria-Siege-warfare-and-attacks-against-Islamic-State-funding/2531453065605/?spt=sec&or=tn