Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Defense chief: After Ramadi, Iraq's 'will to fight' at issue
• Defense chief: Iraqis showed no will to fight at Ramadi
• US says Iraqi forces lack will to fight IS
• Who's to blame for Islamic State advances in Iraq?
• Lebanon's Hezbollah urges backing for fight against IS
• Syria regime 'to accept de facto partition' of country
• Syria says Islamic State kills hundreds, including children, in Palmyra
• Top Muslim body urges protection of Syria's Palmyra
• U.S. Strategy in Iraq: More of the Same, and 'Hope'
• Cleveland seeks peace, justice in police shootings, history of excessive force
• U.S., allies conduct 17 airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq
• Iraqi forces 'failed to fight' in Ramadi: Pentagon chief
• Saudi Shiites refuse to be provoked by suicide bombing
• Unable to halt Europe-bound migrants, Tripoli demands help
• Official: Syrian army preparing for counterattack on IS
• Iraq regains ground from Islamic State; mass deaths reported in Palmyra
• U.S. defense chief says Iraqi forces lacked will to fight Islamic State
• Soccer-Thais kick-off World Cup bid with home win over Vietnam
• Saudi king says heartbroken by mosque attack, promises punishment
• US Defense Secretary: Iraq's 'will to fight' at issue after Ramadi defeat (CORRECTS GARBLE)
• IS is recruiting, but not operational in Afghanistan: NATO General
• Saudi king vows to punish those behind IS-claimed attack
• Iran's Rouhani wants to 'free' economy from sanctions
• MEMORIAL DAY 2015: A Salute to Vets, Past and Present
• ISIS’s Capture of Palmyra: A Return to Barbarism
• Australia to introduce counter-terrorism citizenship changes

Defense chief: After Ramadi, Iraq's 'will to fight' at issue Posted: 24 May 2015 04:18 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Islamic State group's takeover of the provincial capital of Ramadi is stark evidence that Iraqi forces lack the "will to fight," Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a TV interview that aired Sunday. The harsh assessment raised new questions about the Obama administration's strategy to defeat the extremist group that has seized a strategically important swath of the Middle East.

Defense chief: Iraqis showed no will to fight at Ramadi Posted: 24 May 2015 03:38 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Islamic State group's takeover of the provincial capital Ramadi is stark evidence that Iraqi forces lack the "will to fight," Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a TV interview that aired Sunday. The harsh assessment raised new questions about the Obama administration's strategy to defeat the extremist group that has seized a strategically important swath of the Middle East.

US says Iraqi forces lack will to fight IS Posted: 24 May 2015 01:33 PM PDT Washington on Sunday accused Iraqi forces of lacking the will to fight the Islamic State group, which scored a resounding victory a week earlier with the capture of Ramadi. The jihadists had appeared on the back foot in Iraq in recent months but twin offensives on Ramadi and on the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra have swung the momentum. The loss of Ramadi, capital of Iraq's largest province of Anbar, raised questions over the strategy adopted not only by Baghdad but also by Washington to tackle IS.

Who's to blame for Islamic State advances in Iraq? Posted: 24 May 2015 01:20 PM PDT Things are not going well in the fight against the Islamic State group (ISIS) in Iraq. Whose fault that is depends on who's reading the evidence on the ground – most recently the takeover of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. Speaking for the Obama administration, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter put the blame on Iraqi security forces.

Lebanon's Hezbollah urges backing for fight against IS Posted: 24 May 2015 12:31 PM PDT The head of Lebanon's Hezbollah on Sunday urged broad support for his movement's fight in Syria, saying it was engaged in an existential battle against the Islamic State group. Hassan Nasrallah acknowledged for the first time that his powerful Shiite group was fighting across all of Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. "Today we are facing a kind of danger that is unprecedented in history, which targets humanity itself," Nasrallah said, speaking ahead of Monday's anniversary of the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon in 2000.

Syria regime 'to accept de facto partition' of country Posted: 24 May 2015 12:25 PM PDT Weakened by years of war, Syria's government appears ready for the country's de facto partition, defending strategically important areas and leaving much of the country to rebels and jihadists, experts and diplomats say. "It is quite understandable that the Syrian army withdraws to protect large cities where much of the population is located," said Waddah Abded Rabbo, director of Syria's Al-Watan newspaper, which is close to the regime. "The world must think about whether the establishment of two terrorist states is in its interests or not," he said, in reference to IS's self-proclaimed "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq, and Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front's plans for its own "emirate" in northern Syria.

Syria says Islamic State kills hundreds, including children, in Palmyra Posted: 24 May 2015 11:41 AM PDT By Mariam Karouny BEIRUT (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters have killed at least 400 people, including women and children, in Palmyra since capturing the ancient Syrian city four days ago, Syrian state media said on Sunday. It was not immediately possible to verify the account, but it was consistent with reports by activists that the Islamist fighters had carried out extra-judicial executions since capturing the city from government troops. The Sunni Muslim militants seized the city of 50,000 people, site of some of the world's most extensive and best preserved ancient Roman ruins, on Wednesday, days after also capturing the city of Ramadi in neighboring Iraq.

Top Muslim body urges protection of Syria's Palmyra Posted: 24 May 2015 11:23 AM PDT Leading Sunni Muslim body Al-Azhar said Sunday the world must unite in a "battle of all humanity" to prevent the Islamic State group from destroying Syria's ancient city of Palmyra. The appeal came a day after Syria's antiquities director said that IS fighters had entered the museum in Palmyra and raised their black flag over the ancient citadel that overlooks the archaeological site. "Protecting archeological sites from destruction and plundering is the battle of all of humanity," the Cairo-based Al-Azhar, a prestigious seat of Islamic learning, said in a statement.

U.S. Strategy in Iraq: More of the Same, and 'Hope' Posted: 24 May 2015 11:22 AM PDT There's a saying about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, but judging from the Obama administration's reaction to the most recent failure of the Iraqi Army to stand up to ISIS, the terror group that has taken over much of Iraq and Syria, it doesn't seem to have penetrated the Pentagon. Prior to its utter collapse in the face of ISIS last year, the United States had spent tens of billions of dollars directly and indirectly training, supplying, and supporting the Iraqi Army and related defense forces. After militants overran large swathes of the country last year, picking up expensive and advanced gear left behind by fleeing Iraqi troops, the U.S. commenced retraining and resupplying the Iraqis in the hope that a little more training and equipment would create a fighting force willing to stand against the Islamic extremists.

Cleveland seeks peace, justice in police shootings, history of excessive force Posted: 24 May 2015 09:48 AM PDT America is being tested by a series of killings of unarmed African-Americans by white police officers, but nowhere more so than in Cleveland, Ohio. As the city responds, largely peacefully, to Saturday's not guilty verdict in the voluntary manslaughter case of Officer Michael Brelo, it waits to see if charges will be filed in another fatal shooting – that of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. Meanwhile, the civil rights division of the US Justice Department – following up on its earlier finding that Cleveland police had a history of excessive use of force and civil rights violations – has begun looking at whether federal charges should be filed in the Brelo case.

U.S., allies conduct 17 airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq Posted: 24 May 2015 09:32 AM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies conducted 17 airstrikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria since Saturday against Islamic State militants, the U.S. military said on Sunday. The air strikes in Iraq included four near Ramadi, which was captured by Islamic State forces a week ago, the statement said. In Syria, strikes hit Islamic State positions near Kobani and near Al Hasakah, the U.S. military said. (Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

Iraqi forces 'failed to fight' in Ramadi: Pentagon chief Posted: 24 May 2015 09:16 AM PDT Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said Sunday that Iraqi forces "failed to fight" in Ramadi, which has fallen to Islamic State militants, adding the troops lacked the will to defend themselves. Carter said the city fell to the militants because Iraqi forces -- despite strength in numbers -- were not mentally ready for battle. "What apparently happened was the Iraqi forces showed no will to fight.

Saudi Shiites refuse to be provoked by suicide bombing Posted: 24 May 2015 08:29 AM PDT They are angry and grief-stricken, but Saudi Arabia's minority Shiites refused on Sunday to be provoked by a deadly mosque bombing that authorities called an attempt to promote sectarian strife. King Salman vowed punishment for anyone linked to the "heinous crime," which killed 21 people. The interior ministry confirmed the identity of the suicide bomber who blew himself up inside a Shiite mosque in Eastern Province on Friday and said he had links with the Islamic State jihadist group.

Unable to halt Europe-bound migrants, Tripoli demands help Posted: 24 May 2015 08:20 AM PDT By Ulf Laessing TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Europe cannot halt the deadly traffic of African migrants across the Mediterranean unless it ends a boycott of forces that have seized power in the Libyan capital and helps authorities there cope, the de facto government in Tripoli said. Chaos and civil war since NATO warplanes helped topple dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 have turned the North African country into the launching point for human traffickers smuggling tens of thousands of people across the Mediterranean. Libya's rulers have rounded up thousands of Europe-bound African migrants in makeshift detention centres.

Official: Syrian army preparing for counterattack on IS Posted: 24 May 2015 08:14 AM PDT DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The Syrian army is deploying troops in areas near the ancient town of Palmyra in apparent preparation for a counterattack to retake it from the Islamic State group, an official said.

Iraq regains ground from Islamic State; mass deaths reported in Palmyra Posted: 24 May 2015 07:29 AM PDT BAGHDAD/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iraqi forces recaptured territory from advancing Islamic State militants near the recently-fallen city of Ramadi on Sunday, while in Syria the government said the Islamists had killed hundreds of people since capturing the town of Palmyra. The fall of Ramadi and Palmyra, on opposite ends of the vast territory controlled by Islamic State fighters, were the militant group's biggest successes since a U.S.-led coalition launched an air war to stop them last year. The near simultaneous victories against the Iraqi and Syrian armies have forced Washington to examine its strategy, which involves bombing from the air but leaving fighting on the ground to local forces in both countries.

U.S. defense chief says Iraqi forces lacked will to fight Islamic State Posted: 24 May 2015 07:27 AM PDT U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Sunday said Iraqi forces showed no will to fight against Islamic State militants during the fall of Ramadi a week ago, and U.S. forces were trying to encourage them to engage more directly. "The Iraqi forces just showed no will to fight," Carter told CNN's "State of the Union" program. "They vastly outnumbered the opposing force and yet they withdrew from the site." Carter said that for now, the United States was continuing to provide air strikes and supply Iraqi forces with training and equipment, but Washington was keeping a close watch on the situation.

Soccer-Thais kick-off World Cup bid with home win over Vietnam Posted: 24 May 2015 07:24 AM PDT Southeast Asian champions Thailand left it late as they eked out a 1-0 win over a cagey Vietnam in their opening match of their joint World Cup and Asian Cup qualifying campaign on Sunday. The Thais dominated and had the best of the chances in the Group F opener at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok which looked like heading for a stalemate before substitute Pokkhao Anan struck with nine minutes remaining. The midfielder picked up the ball outside of the Vietnam penalty area, feinted to hit with his right before unleashing a left foot drive into the far corner.

Saudi king says heartbroken by mosque attack, promises punishment Posted: 24 May 2015 07:15 AM PDT Saudi Arabia's King Salman said on Sunday he was heartbroken over a suicide bombing that killed 21 people at a Shi'ite mosque in the kingdom, state news agency SPA reported, a conciliatory statement as sectarian strife intensifies in the region. Salman said anyone linked to the attack, claimed by the Islamist militant group Islamic State, or who sympathized with it, would be brought to justice. A Sunni Muslim militant blew himself up in the al-Qadeeh village mosque in Saudi Arabia's heavily Shi'ite east during Friday prayers, in one of the worst attacks in the kingdom in years.

US Defense Secretary: Iraq's 'will to fight' at issue after Ramadi defeat (CORRECTS GARBLE) Posted: 24 May 2015 06:10 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — US Defense Secretary: Iraq's 'will to fight' at issue after Ramadi defeat (CORRECTS GARBLE)

IS is recruiting, but not operational in Afghanistan: NATO General Posted: 24 May 2015 06:08 AM PDT The Islamic State group is recruiting fighters in Afghanistan, the commander of foreign forces in country has said, but they are not yet operational. There have been fears of IS group making inroads in Afghanistan since US-led NATO forces ended their combat mission late last year, after 13 years of fighting insurgents. "There's recruiting going on in Afghanistan, there is recruiting going on in Pakistan.

Saudi king vows to punish those behind IS-claimed attack Posted: 24 May 2015 05:08 AM PDT RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia's king on Sunday vowed to punish those responsible for a rare suicide bombing that killed 21 people at a Shiite mosque in the country's east, calling it a "heinous terrorist attack" that runs against Islamic and human values.

Iran's Rouhani wants to 'free' economy from sanctions Posted: 24 May 2015 04:49 AM PDT Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called Sunday for national unity to liberate the economy from international sanctions, which he compared to a form of occupation. "We must join hands and free our economic territory which was unjustly occupied by the countries of the P5+1 (Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany) and the UN Security Council ... through use of diplomatic and political tools," Rouhani said in a televised speech. The P5+1 group is trying to negotiate a deal with Tehran aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, in exchange for an easing of punishing economic sanctions.

MEMORIAL DAY 2015: A Salute to Vets, Past and Present Posted: 24 May 2015 03:15 AM PDT Memorial Day 2015 is next Monday, and most of us have plans for the holiday weekend: enjoying the first taste of summer, entertaining with friends, or just relaxing. This will always be part of what the ...

ISIS’s Capture of Palmyra: A Return to Barbarism Posted: 24 May 2015 03:15 AM PDT It seems a little tasteless to be too upset about ISIS's capture of the Syrian city of Palmyra.  Its Greco-Roman ruins are rocks, after all, and tearing down antiquity pales beside ISIS's other behavior, like throwing gay men off buildings and burning POWs alive. If ISIS wants to destroy Palmyra, of course, it can. Barring a massive deployment of U.S. ground forces to Iraq and Syria, there is probably no solution to ISIS short of essentially a Shiite-led genocide.

Australia to introduce counter-terrorism citizenship changes Posted: 24 May 2015 01:37 AM PDT Australia is set to introduce new counter-terrorism laws, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Sunday, with the package expected to include stripping dual nationals who are linked to terrorism of their citizenship. There has also been speculation that the plan to amend citizenship laws, which was disclosed in February, could affect second-generation Australians who carry only one passport. "It's long been the case that if you have served with the armed forces of a country at war with Australia, you automatically lose your citizenship," Abbott told reporters.

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