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IS Now Releases Weather Forecasts

8/29/2014

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In another move that makes the IS act more like an actual state than a mere terrorist group, the IS is now releasing weather forecasts for their proclaimed states in their regular "news bulletins". 

The IS has been acting more and more like an actual state since declaring a "caliphate" earlier this year. In Raqqa, like this Vice News documentary reports, the IS is able to police, conduct Sharia court rulings, dictate how their citizens can live, dish out punishment like actual states do, and a slew of other state-like conducts. However, it is unclear if the IS will be able to govern the rest of their territory like they can in their main power base of Raqqa. 

Moreover, it also unclear if the IS would be able to withstand multiple engagements from multiple offensives and still be able to maintain control over their territories. As Michael Knights notes in this latest Combatting Terrorism Center's publication, "If the ISF and Kurdish forces undertake selective offensive operations on a widening number of battlefields, the ISIL-led defense will undoubtedly become stretched, particularly if its ability to move and mass counterattacking forces is limited." A coordinated assault coming from the Kurds, the Iraqi military, US airstrikes, as well as a possible Syrian rebel element, the IS would more than likely not be able to sustain its grip on the various ground it controls. If the IS were to lose massive amounts of ground, it might persuade some groups to switch sides--especially those who have joined in either a move of collective interests or out of fear. 

But, like stated above, as of right now the IS is still acting like a state. This is even more evident today with their weather forecasts. 
The first is for their "State of Hama":

The #IslamicState (#IS) now giving weather forecasts for the different regions of the #Khilafah during news bulletins pic.twitter.com/fCxU5Sm8rA

— AbuUmar8246 (@AbuUmar_8246) August 29, 2014

"State of Aleppo"

The #IslamicState (#IS) now giving weather forecasts for the different regions of the #Khilafah during news bulletins pic.twitter.com/hoT3Q9bO2D

— AbuUmar8246 (@AbuUmar_8246) August 29, 2014

"State of Baghdad"

The #IslamicState (#IS) now giving weather forecasts for the different regions of the #Khilafah during news bulletins pic.twitter.com/9Cr960mgaA

— AbuUmar8246 (@AbuUmar_8246) August 29, 2014

"State of Damascus"

The #IslamicState (#IS) now giving weather forecasts for the different regions of the #Khilafah during news bulletins pic.twitter.com/MOClv9jns4

— AbuUmar8246 (@AbuUmar_8246) August 29, 2014

"State of Kirkuk"

The #IslamicState (#IS) now giving weather forecasts for the different regions of the #Khilafah during news bulletins pic.twitter.com/NnPzhKtomg

— AbuUmar8246 (@AbuUmar_8246) August 29, 2014

"State of Raqqa":

The #IslamicState (#IS) now giving weather forecasts for the different regions of the #Khilafah during news bulletins pic.twitter.com/bfd8lRxIoq

— AbuUmar8246 (@AbuUmar_8246) August 29, 2014

"State of al-Anbar":

The #IslamicState (#IS) now giving weather forecasts for the different regions of the #Khilafah during news bulletins pic.twitter.com/2suBOKw9vT

— AbuUmar8246 (@AbuUmar_8246) August 29, 2014

"State of Barka" (Hasakah Province): 

The #IslamicState (#IS) now giving weather forecasts for the different regions of the #Khilafah during news bulletins pic.twitter.com/iQdMIiUVk1

— AbuUmar8246 (@AbuUmar_8246) August 29, 2014

"State of Salah ad-Din":

The #IslamicState (#IS) now giving weather forecasts for the different regions of the #Khilafah during news bulletins pic.twitter.com/FyHSTaWRsu

— AbuUmar8246 (@AbuUmar_8246) August 29, 2014

"State of Ninewa": 

The #IslamicState (#IS) now giving weather forecasts for the different regions of the #Khilafah during news bulletins pic.twitter.com/oc2czUnCRY

— AbuUmar8246 (@AbuUmar_8246) August 29, 2014

-- Caleb
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Islamic Front Also Publishes Videos of the Capture of Quneitra Border Crossing

8/29/2014

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The videos above showcase the Islamic Front walking around the crossing, as well as fighting for it.

The Islamic Front, a powerful coalition of Islamist groups in Syria, was also involved (which was implied when I mentioned Ahrar ash-Sham in the first article to mention this) in the taking of the Quneitra border crossing with the Israeli-held Golan Heights. As I have previously noted in the past few days, both the al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda's official group in Syria, and the Western-backed Syrian Revolutionaries Front, have also disseminated videos and pictures detailing their part in the battle, as well as them holding the crossing. 

In the wake of all these groups releasing pictures and videos showing their victory, forty-three UN peacekeepers are still being held by Nusra. It appears that these troops are from Fiji and the Philippines. As the Long War Journal has noted, the UN has, so far, been quite reserved in this situation. I agree with their assessment that they may be wanting to use the Islamic Front as a negotiating partner by not identifying the group responsible for their kidnapping. 

With three groups claiming control of the border crossing, it makes one wonder if they are sharing control of the crossing. As I have already speculated before, Nusra may avoid full-scale control of the crossing in fear of Israeli intervention. Sharing control would make it both easier to control and defend, as the role would not be put on any one particular group. 

As this Vice News documentary reports, the US is supplying the SRF with weapons, training and supplies to fight ISIS. While one fighter says that the US only sends weapons to those groups fighting ISIS, it still makes one wonder if the US funds the entirety of the SRF or just those groups in Idlib like in the video. However, like Aris Roussinos points out below, a picture of a SRF fighter I used from one of Aris' tweets in an earlier article is seen wearing US-supplied digicam gear. 

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@arisroussinos Guy in the pic seems to be wearing the distinctive US-supplied (?) digicam popping up with SRF, Hazm, Jaish Mujahideen btw

— aris roussinos (@arisroussinos) August 27, 2014

It is also now clear that the SRF fights directly alongside al-Nusra Front.

-- Caleb
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IS In New Reported Crimes

8/28/2014

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The so-called "Islamic State" is continuing to commit more and more heinous crimes against humanity in their bid for more territory and dominance. This comes in the wake of the James Foley killing, the killing (many by beheading) of 700 tribesmen in eastern Syria, the detailing of mass executions in Iraq, and a long list of many, many more atrocities. 

Today, for their first time, they have documented the killing via decapitation of a Lebanese soldier. This presumably happened near Qalamoon, where a few weeks ago fighters from both IS and Nusra entered Arsal, Lebanon. 

#ISIS beheaded the first Lebanese soldier taken hostage earlier pic.twitter.com/vWhqjleEnx

— Zaid Benjamin (@zaidbenjamin) August 28, 2014

They have also released a new propaganda video in which they document the beheading of a Kurdish Peshmerga soldier. The Peshmerga are fighting IS in Iraq and are overtly recieving US aid, weapons, and are being assisted by the US via air support. The IS states that more beheadings will happen unless the Peshmerga stop working with the United States. Interestingly enough, they dress the poor captive similar to how they did James Foley. 

IS has released a new video feat. the beheading of a Peshmerga soldier, titled “Warning to the American-Kurd Alliance pic.twitter.com/VTkCCp3Rnj

— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) August 28, 2014

Activists are also reporting that the IS has detained, tortured, and then crucified a Nusra fighter in Dayr az-Zour province in eastern Syria. This is just another report of the IS crucifying people in the areas they control in both Syria and Iraq. 

Activists: Abu Ja'far al-Iraqi (leader in #Nusra Front), crucified and killed by #IS in #DeirEzzor province. #Syria pic.twitter.com/oDNxVo1WdG

— archicivilians (@archicivilians) August 27, 2014

Lastly, a new video has emerged which claims to show IS executing 200 Assad regime soldiers in their recent capturing of Tabqa airbase in Syria. According to some claims, most of these soldiers were conscripts, who were subsequently forced to fight for Assad (this claim is not verified and according to my knowledge the video is not 100% verified either). The video does not show the actual executions, but one can see that there is a ton of bodies laid out before the viewer. Video may not be suitable for everyone. 


The IS and their crimes must be stopped. 

-- Caleb
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Nusra Releases Pictures Detailing Quneitra Border Crossing Capture

8/28/2014

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As I reported yesterday, Jabhat al-Nusra was involved in the taking of a border crossing in southern Syria with the Israeli-held Golan Heights. As I noted, it appears the Syrian Revolutionaries Front is holding on to the crossing, but that Nusra and their allies in Ahrar ash-Sham were involved in the fighting. While I noted that they were so far being silent, this has changed. Check out a wonderful new post from the Long War Journal, as well, for more pictures and videos of Nusra's part in the capturing of the crossing. 

It still appears, however, that the SRF is holding onto the border crossing. As I speculated yesterday, this may be in a move to not entice an Israeli response at this point in time. But, as you will see below, Nusra has released a picture of them hoisting their flag near the crossing. This could make Israel feel uneasy with al-Qaeda being so close to their claimed territory. Only time will tell, but it will be interesting to see how Israel reacts to this--especially since one of their soldiers was hurt yesterday and reports are emerging that forty UN peacekeepers are being held. 

On Nusra's side, though, this could give them a boost in their fighting for dominance with the Islamic State. They are now incredibly close to striking distance with Israel and left unchecked, they could utilize this border crossing for easier access for attacks in Israel. 

Below are tweets from Nusra's official twitter account for Dera'a governorate:

This tweet shows them hoisting their flag near the crossing:

#جبهة_النصرة | رفع راية التوحيد فوق معبر #القنيطرة الحدودي. pic.twitter.com/P8GACEAZFJ

— مراسل درعا (@JnDar3a_2) August 28, 2014

These next ones shows them fighting in the battle for the crossing:

#جبهة_النصرة | (1) أثناء تحرير معبر #القنيطرة الحدودي ومدينة #القنيطرة القديمة المهدمة. pic.twitter.com/L18jZj8B2B

— مراسل درعا (@JnDar3a_2) August 28, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة | (2) أثناء تحرير معبر #القنيطرة الحدودي ومدينة #القنيطرة القديمة المهدمة. pic.twitter.com/17qF8n5t1w

— مراسل درعا (@JnDar3a_2) August 28, 2014

This next one is reportedly of a former high ranking official of al-Qaeda in Iraq, who is now the emir of Nusra in southern Syria taking part in the battle:

#جبهة_النصرة | مشاركة أمير جبهة النصرة في الجنوب بمعركة تحرير معبر #القنيطرة الحدودي ومدينة #القنيطرة القديمة. pic.twitter.com/5xs2J9AkRA

— مراسل درعا (@JnDar3a_2) August 28, 2014

-- Caleb
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Jaysh Al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar in New Video

8/27/2014

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Warning: Some parts of the video may be graphic in nature

Akhbar Sham, a Russian-language "news" site affiliated with the Chechen-led group Jaysh al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar (JMA), has recently released a video that details a new assault on the Aleppo Central Prison. 

The fighting at Aleppo Central Prison began in 2013, when several opposition groups vowed to liberate the prison--where many jihadists are held as inmates. In early 2014, a popular and influential Chechen commander of his own jamaat (group) in Jabhat al-Nusra, Sayfullah ash-Shishani, was killed assaulting the prison. In May of this year, the Syrian military said that it had broken the siege of the prison, but less than three days later JMA announced that it had "restored the status quo" according to From Chechnya to Syria, a website that tracks Russian speaking fighters in Syria. In doing so, the JMA and Syrian al-Qaeda ally Ahrar ash-Sham launched a new assault on the prison. 

Obviously, the JMA (as well as the late Sayfullah ash-Shishani's jamaat) are still fighting at the Aleppo Central Prison. Recently, the JMA merged with three other groups to form Jabhat Ansar ad-Din, as of now it is unclear if other groups in Jabhat Ansar ad-Din are helping in the fight near the prison. 

The propaganda video above starts out with a well produced introduction (I do not speak nor do I understand Russian, so I have no clue what was written or spoken throughout the video) and then it dives straight into the fighting. Videos like this, like most other groups', certainly help in recruitment efforts. By limiting this video to Russian, it appears they are trying to attract and/or showcase their fighting to a Russian audience. This would make sense as JMA is a predominately Russian-speaking group. 

One should note the kits, discipline and maneuvering of these fighters throughout the video. Their kits seem to be much better than ordinary rebels; their discipline as far as utilizing defilade and small-unit tactics is concerned is also much better than ordinary rebel groups--which is on par considering other videos published by Akhbar Sham. As Bill Roggio once told me, these forces are often used as "shock troops" to utilize in storming operations or heading a battle. One can definitely see why. 

-- Caleb
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Syrian Rebels Backed by Jabhat al-Nusra Take Quneitra Border Crossing With Israel

8/27/2014

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Today, Syrian rebel forces supposedly led by the al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and Nusra ally Ahrar ash-Sham, captured the border crossing with the Israeli-held Golan Heights in Quneitra governorate. As of right now, it is unclear of which groups actually took part. For instance, the video above is from the Syrian Revolutionaries Front (a group in which the US supplies and backs) showing them actually manning the crossing. From most sources, however, it seems like a wide coalition of groups from the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the SRF, Nusra, and Ahrar were the main forces. 

This is significant as this is the first border crossing with Israel that is in the hands of the Syrian rebels. Not only that, but if reports of Nusra involvement are true, this would put al-Qaeda forces at a much closer distance to Israeli forces in the Golan. But this might also cause some problems for Nusra. Israel, as they have shown time and time again with Palestinian militants or the Lebanese-Hezbollah, they are quite proactive at eliminating perceived threats against the Jewish state. If Nusra were to come out and publicly say that they are in control of the crossing, it might prompt Israeli action. This may be why the SRF seems to be the only group disseminating these videos of controlling the crossing. And, of course, this could be too early to tell and Nusra is waiting for some video to be done to announce this victory. 

One thing is for sure, though, is that Israel will not take this lightly. They will most certainly keep a keen eye on this and will more than likely strike whenever they feel threatened by Nusra being so close. As the Washington Institute noted back in January: "Concerned about the possible drift of al-Qaeda affiliates to areas adjacent to the Golan Heights border, Israel finds itself obliged to increase its assistance to local rebel militias in southern Syria." One thing the now-outdated article says is that by Nusra pushing further into Israel via the Golan would give al-Qaeda a front with Israel. However, it seems unlikely that Nusra would so given that they are still heavily invested in battling the Assad regime, have been consolidating their power in Idlib and other governorates, and are still very committed to fighting ISIS. But, Nusra needn't push too far to entice an Israeli response. Having al-Qaeda that close to them is a big enough threat for Israel. Like I said above, this is why Nusra seems to be letting others take responsibility for this. 

Below are some embedded tweets for further confirmation:

SRF are all over Quneitra capture (their first border crossing) on social media. New pic: pic.twitter.com/SYke014Y7b

— aris roussinos (@arisroussinos) August 27, 2014
The tweet above has since been deleted, but this is the picture Aris was talking about. It shows a fighter from the SRF near the crossing:
Picture

Rebels reportedly take control of Quneitra Crossing between Syria, Israel; IDF officer wounded http://t.co/zYNo3CP7Al pic.twitter.com/8bm3SJwMUR

— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) August 27, 2014

#BREAKINGNEWS Rebels captured Qunaitra crossing and locations arround it such as the destoyed city, al-Korum hill & Radiah

— al-Gharib الغريب (@troublejee) August 27, 2014

Here is another video showing the SRF at the border crossing:


Finally, here is a Facebook post from the SRF page which states that they have "liberated the border between occupied Golan and Quneitra". 

Post by ‎جبهه ثوار سوريه‎.

UPDATE: 
I took out some dead twitter links and inserted a picture with the one dead link still left. 

-- Caleb
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IS Releases Video of Captured M198 Howitzer

8/26/2014

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In the first video confirmation released by the IS, we see a captured American-made M198 Howitzer being used. According to the description of the video above, "ISIS has seized more than 50 American Howitzer artillery weapons from Iraqi military. Each of M198 Howitzers which has a GPS aiming system with a firing range of 20 miles cost half a million dollars". The above statement has been earlier confirmed by McClatchy. 

The range of these weapons means that the IS could bombard Iraqi or Syrian cities from as far away as 20 miles. This means that they needn't be a close-quarters combat military force. This further goes along with the analysis that they are acting more like an army, as they have now been described as an"Islamic army" by US officials. These weapons have most definitely enhanced their military efficiency and effectiveness against Kurdish and Iraqi forces since they took the powerful weapons back in June. 

It goes without saying that these howitzers are just part of the myriad of American military equipment supplied to Iraq that the IS has taken from the Iraqi military. These weapons are now being used on the very same people the weapons were originally intended for; as well as being used Kurdish forces. Interestingly enough, the Kurds have been taking some American-supplied weapons from the IS. Personally, I think it would just be easier to supply the Kurds directly, rather than have them get their equipment by us sending weapons to Iraq, then have the weapons taken by IS, only to be taken again by the Kurds. 


First footage of #ISIS using #USA Howitzer supplied to #Iraq|is shelling #Quayres air-base.. #Aleppo #Syria pic.twitter.com/fntEvbsrUT

— Rami(ط) (@RamiAlLolah) August 26, 2014
-- Caleb
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Jabhat al-Nusra Releases Pictures of Training Camp in Idlib

8/24/2014

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Jabhat al-Nusra, or al-Qaeda's official group in Syria, has released pictures in a series of tweets which proclaims that this is just "one of the camps". While their former brethren in IS have been making headlines after headlines in Iraq and Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra has been quite busy in western Syria. They have been battling Hezbollah in Qalamoon, battling the regime in various governorates, battling the Islamic State and consolidating their grip in Idlib--which may provoke repercussions by various groups they often fight alongside. 

As Bill Roggio points out in the Long War Journal: "The videos and photographs fromISIS, Al Nusrah Front, Muhajireen Army,Imam Bukhari Jamaat, and Jamaat Ahadun Ahad [video has since been deleted] training camps are reminiscent of others released by al Qaeda from the network of camps in Afghanistan during the 1990s. Al Qaeda used camps such as Khalden and Al Farouq to churn out thousands of foreign fighters who fought alongside the Taliban in the 55th Arab Brigade. But al Qaeda also selected graduates of the camps to conduct attacks in the West, including the Sept. 11, 2001 operation against the US". 

Today, Nusra has been showcasing what appears to be "one of the camps" in Idlib that they run. 

#جبهة_النصرة إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة إدلب (1) pic.twitter.com/PLMSW3E1p4

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 24, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة | إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة #إدلب (2) قال تعالى (وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ ...) pic.twitter.com/puR39qQxgO

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 24, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة| إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة #إدلب قال تعالى(انفروا خفافا وثقالا وجاهدوا بأموالكم وأنفسكم في سبيل الله)(3) pic.twitter.com/kZidRBPdcf

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 24, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة | إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة #إدلب -(4) pic.twitter.com/kzEWC8BMNQ

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 25, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة | إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة #إدلب (5) pic.twitter.com/l85EgKAiMS

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 25, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة | إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة #إدلب (المؤمن القوي خيرٌ وأحب إلى الله من المؤمن الضعيف، وفي كلٍ خير...)(6) pic.twitter.com/XDjCR0Zhui

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 25, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة | إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة #إدلب (7) pic.twitter.com/4PFxAfXFGz

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 25, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة | إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة #إدلب (8) pic.twitter.com/E7dejVWyWL

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 25, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة | إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة #إدلب قال صلى الله عليه وسلم(ما اغبرت قدما عبد في سبيل الله فتمسه النار) (9) pic.twitter.com/YSqp1paxLG

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 25, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة | إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة #إدلب قال: صلى الله عليه وسلم: (ألا إن القوة الرمي)(10) pic.twitter.com/rqcypYdgHc

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 25, 2014

#جبهة_النصرة | إحدى معسكرات جبهة النصرة #إدلب (11) pic.twitter.com/Rgs7mGMyhx

— مراسل إدلب (@JN_edlib) August 25, 2014

-- Caleb
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Islamic State Now Controls all of Raqqa

8/24/2014

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It is now being reported that the Islamic State has overrun a large part of the last Syrian regime stronghold in Raqqa, effectively putting them in control of the entire governorate. 


Post by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights is reporting that the Islamic State has lost around 100 fighters in this operation; but nevertheless, the Islamic State still overran the base. IS has been showing technical capabilities in the field of ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) gathering with their recent release of a video which detailed their overrunning of Base 93 in Raqqa. In the video, among more depictions of various war crimes and footage of them gunning down fleeing Assad soldiers, there is a snippet showcasing what appears to be a remote controlled aircraft with attached video camera(s). As Tom noted yesterday: "Such sophisticated surveillance and reconissance capabilities is worrisome, as they will supplement the ability of IS forces to conduct combat operations in Iraq and Syria to great effect. Good intelligence will oftentimes make or break an offensive. Furthermore, if the drone is armed, it enables IS to utilize air power against its enemies". 

What is also worrying is that the IS has taken over MiG 21's, SA-16 MANPADS, and apparently AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. 

IS fighters have captured SA-16 MANPADS, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles & MiG-21B jets in #Tabaqa Airbase, #Raqqa. #Syria pic.twitter.com/c33TB56XdL

— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) August 24, 2014

I doubt the IS knows how to operate MiG's, but the fact that they have obtained even more MANPADS is rather worrying--even though hundreds (if not more) are already in the hands of such groups. 

-- Caleb
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Arab unrest thickens

8/23/2014

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Thomas


Libya

The Mistrada-based Islamist coalition Fajr Libya has officially taken over a major Tripoli airport from a Zintan Brigade militia, a broad umbrella of groups aligned with Libya's interim government. The recent gain represents yet another blow to the central government, which has been unable hold the fractured country together since the fall of Gaddafi.   

BREAKING: Islamists overrun #Tripoli international airport. Media reports. #Libya pic.twitter.com/njD1DsR1if

— Live From Mogadishu (@Daudoo) August 23, 2014
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Last night, unidentified planes killed 15 Libyan Islamist leaders, according to the Libyan defense ministry. A spokesperson from (presumably) Fajr Libya blamed the Egyptian and United Arab Emirate governments for the attacks. Certainly, this would make sense. With increasing violence boiling in Egypt, the military-backed government has a strong impetus to target groups which are fomenting chaos within its borders. Since the 2011 uprising, Libya has acted as a transnational hub for arms smuggling, precipitating the 2013 Malian civil war and unrest in Egypt.

Needless to say, this brings up questions regarding the West's ' "fire and forget" intervention in Libya. One cannot expect a nascent democracy to stand virtually unsupported amid political chaos. Interventions under the umbrella of Responsibility to Protect cannot occur successfully short of long term support. Power vacuums are destructive forces which require strong political actors to fill them up, necessitating international players--preferably the ones who created it in the first place--to support a centralized entity.
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Syria
According to BBC, America is preparing for airstrikes against Islamic State leaders in Syria. Hopefully, these attacks will create chaos within the ranks of IS, slowing down their operational momentum. However, if we've learned anything in our Global War on Terror, it's that terrorist groups are resilient. America has assassinated the number two and three leaders of Al-Qeada dozens of times, yet the organization has emerged stronger from it. Absent a broad strategy targeting the foundation of terrorist groups, it is impossible to substantially diminish their threat or defeat them entirely.

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Of course, the element of surprise has been ruined. IS leaders are probably going to keep a low profile in the coming days and weeks.

IS has purportedly ascertained drones, which they have successfully deployed in combat operations. Abu Aminah tweeted a photo of an IS drone recinotering the positions of Syrian Army Brigade 93 in Al-Raqqah. Such sophisticated surveillance and reconissance capabilities is worrisome, as they will supplement the ability of IS forces to conduct combat operations in Iraq and Syria to great effect. Good intelligence will oftentimes make or break an offensive. Furthermore, if the drone is armed, it enables IS to utilize air power against its enemies. 

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