Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• U.S. does damage control after defense chief's remarks on Iraq
• Islamic State faces battle in Iraq, U.S. reassures Abadi
• Biden reassures Iraqi prime minister of US support
• Obama pays tribute to fallen service members at Arlington
• Iraq rebuts US criticism of security forces
• Canada says Iraqi forces must become much more effective
• Afghan official: 19 police, 7 soldiers dead in ongoing siege
• Obama heralds first U.S. Memorial Day without ground war in 14 years
• IT chief at Bangladesh Coca-Cola unit arrested as Islamic State suspect
• Libya tribal chiefs meet in Cairo peace initiative
• Biden tries to smooth Iraq ties after Pentagon outburst
• Fall of Ramadi: Iran, Iraq say US is the one who 'showed no will to fight'
• Veterans History Project nears 100,000 items at US library
• Obama praises 'fallen heroes,' touts end of Mid East wars
• Saudi Shiites hold mass funeral for bombing victims
• When did US North and South unite on Memorial Day?
• U.S., allies conduct 35 air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, Iraq
• Iran will need to spend most of any post-sanctions windfall at home
• Rohingya seek better life in Malaysia, but reality is stark
• Iraq prime minister vows to retake Ramadi 'within days'
• Turkey: Kurdish rebels attack military base; no casualties
• For Iraq War veterans, Islamic State adds bitter drop to Memorial Day
• US defense chief's criticism of Iraqis raises questions
• Defense chief's criticism of Iraqis raises policy questions
• Indonesian police kill 2 suspected terrorists in shootout
• Japan to play Afghans, Syria on neutral soil
• Ada Colau, Barcelona's 'Indignada' protest mayor
• Only Iran is confronting Islamic State, paramilitary chief says
• Syrian air force targets captured Palmyra city - monitor
• Australia appoints anti-terror chief

U.S. does damage control after defense chief's remarks on Iraq Posted: 25 May 2015 03:29 PM PDT By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President Joe Biden reassured Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi of the U.S. commitment to help fight Islamic State militants in an effort at damage control on Monday after Defense Secretary Ash Carter questioned Iraqi troops' desire to fight. Carter told CNN on Sunday that Iraqi forces showed no will to battle 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.

Islamic State faces battle in Iraq, U.S. reassures Abadi Posted: 25 May 2015 03:29 PM PDT BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Islamic State poured more fighters into Ramadi as security forces and Shi'ite paramilitaries prepared to try to retake the Iraqi city, while Washington scrambled on Monday to reassure Baghdad after a U.S. official's sharp criticism of Iraqi forces. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi after Defense Secretary Ash Carter questioned Iraqi troops' will to fight when Ramadi fell.

Biden reassures Iraqi prime minister of US support Posted: 25 May 2015 02:52 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden reassured Iraq's government on Monday of U.S. support in the fight against the Islamic State group, telephoning Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi with thanks for "the enormous sacrifice and bravery of Iraqi forces" one day after Defense Secretary Ash Carter questioned the Iraqi military commitment.

Obama pays tribute to fallen service members at Arlington Posted: 25 May 2015 01:08 PM PDT ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — President Barack Obama on Monday saluted Americans who died in battle, saying the country must "never stop trying to fully repay them" for their sacrifices. He noted it was the first Memorial Day in 14 years without U.S. forces engaged in a major ground war.

Iraq rebuts US criticism of security forces Posted: 25 May 2015 12:26 PM PDT Iraq on Monday rejected accusations by the US defence chief that its security forces dodged battle in Ramadi and lack the will to fight the Islamic State group. Pentagon chief Ashton Carter argued that the May 17 fall of Ramadi, the worst defeat Baghdad has suffered in almost a year, could have been avoided. Washington has been one of Baghdad's key partners in the war to reclaim the ground lost to IS last year and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi expressed disbelief at Carter's stinging comments.

Canada says Iraqi forces must become much more effective Posted: 25 May 2015 12:22 PM PDT By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada, one of the nations helping Iraq to fight the Islamic State movement, said on Monday that recent gains by the militants showed the Iraqi army must "massively improve its effectiveness". Defence Minister Jason Kenney also said Canada has no plans to expand its existing training operations in northern Iraq, where around 70 Canadian special forces troops are working with Kurdish peshmerga fighters. Islamic State forces easily took the strategic city of Ramadi earlier this month, prompting U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to say the Iraqi army had shown no will to fight.

Afghan official: 19 police, 7 soldiers dead in ongoing siege Posted: 25 May 2015 12:06 PM PDT KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) — An Afghan official says that 19 policemen and seven soldiers have been killed by Taliban militants who have surrounded a police compound in an ongoing siege.

Obama heralds first U.S. Memorial Day without ground war in 14 years Posted: 25 May 2015 11:45 AM PDT President Barack Obama heralded the first U.S. Memorial Day in 14 years without a major ground war in an annual ceremony of remembrance on Monday for fallen American forces. In remarks at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, Obama paid tribute to U.S. military personnel who served in conflicts such as World War Two as well as the more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which he wound down as commander in chief. "For many of us, this Memorial Day is especially meaningful.

IT chief at Bangladesh Coca-Cola unit arrested as Islamic State suspect Posted: 25 May 2015 11:41 AM PDT By Ruma Paul and Serajul Quadir DHAKA (Reuters) - An IT manager at a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Co was one of two men arrested in Bangladesh on suspicion of planning to fight for Islamic State in Syria, police and company sources said on Monday. The pair were detained during a raid in the capital Dhaka on Sunday night, said Sheikh Nazmul Alam, a senior official of the police detective branch. One man, Aminul Islam, was the information technology head of a multinational company, and worked as a regional coordinator for Islamic State, while the other, Sakib Bin Kamal, was a teacher at a school in Dhaka, he added.

Libya tribal chiefs meet in Cairo peace initiative Posted: 25 May 2015 10:51 AM PDT A four-day meeting of Libyan tribal leaders opened Monday in Egypt which is exploring ways to unite warring parties and bring peace to its oil-rich neighbour. The Fajr Libya coalition of militias seized Tripoli last year after weeks of bloody fighting with forces that support the recognised government, which then fled to the east of the country. "The Cairo meeting is organised by the Egyptian authorities.

Biden tries to smooth Iraq ties after Pentagon outburst Posted: 25 May 2015 10:46 AM PDT US Vice President Joe Biden on Monday sought to end an embarrassing rift between Washington and Baghdad after Pentagon boss Ash Carter blamed Iraqi forces for the fall of Ramadi. Biden "recognized the enormous sacrifice and bravery of Iraqi forces over the past eighteen months in Ramadi and elsewhere," the White House said.

Fall of Ramadi: Iran, Iraq say US is the one who 'showed no will to fight' Posted: 25 May 2015 10:44 AM PDT A former senior US military officer in Iraq argues that Shiite militias are now more capable than the Iraqi Army, because Iran is actually embedding more advisers. That's something, he adds, that the US military is failing to do.

Veterans History Project nears 100,000 items at US library Posted: 25 May 2015 10:37 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Library of Congress has been working to build an oral history collection to capture veterans' memories of war, and the project is nearing a milestone of 100,000 records.

Obama praises 'fallen heroes,' touts end of Mid East wars Posted: 25 May 2015 09:58 AM PDT US President Barack Obama paid a Memorial Day tribute to America's "fallen heroes" Monday, stressing the heavy burden of perennial wars and underscoring his decision to pull troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. Echoing Abraham Lincoln's praise for those who offered the "last full measure of devotion," Obama praised "everyday heroes" who died in the "mountains of Korea, the jungles of Vietnam, the deserts of the Middle East" and in countless other conflagrations. While looking to the past, Obama's address was tinged by war politics that have pervaded Washington for a generation and which are still alive today.

Saudi Shiites hold mass funeral for bombing victims Posted: 25 May 2015 09:25 AM PDT Tens of thousands of Saudi Shiites on Monday held a mass funeral for the victims of a mosque bombing which authorities called an attempt by Sunni extremists to sow sectarian strife. Mourners from the kingdom's minority community crowded streets in the mainly Shiite Qatif district of Eastern Province to show their respect for the 21 dead, who included two children. The crowd, some of them weeping, shouted the name of Imam Hussein, a revered figure in Shiite Islam.

When did US North and South unite on Memorial Day? Posted: 25 May 2015 08:51 AM PDT Memorial Day began as a sectional holiday. How did it evolve into a remembrance that generally unites North and South? The short answer to this question is the passage of time, and the shared American experience of wars that followed the Civil War.

U.S., allies conduct 35 air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, Iraq Posted: 25 May 2015 07:14 AM PDT The United States and its allies carried out 10 air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria and 25 strikes in Iraq since Sunday, the U.S. military said on Monday. Kurdish fighters, supported by the coalition, were forcing militants to cede territory in northern Syria at an increasing rate, U.S. Brigadier General Thomas Weidley, chief of staff of the coalition effort, said in a statement. Most of the air strikes in Syria were targeted in the area near Al Hasakah, where they destroyed four Islamic State fighting positions, a checkpoint, an excavator and other equipment, according to the statement.

Iran will need to spend most of any post-sanctions windfall at home Posted: 25 May 2015 06:52 AM PDT By Lesley Wroughton and Sam Wilkin WASHINGTON/DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranians will demand their government spend a windfall from the lifting of economic sanctions on improving the quality of life at home, limiting the degree to which a future nuclear deal could fund Tehran's allies on Middle East battlefields. Since 2012, Iran has given support worth billions of dollars to regional allies, funding and arming mainly fellow Shi'ite Muslims in conflicts that have taken on a sectarian dimension. Within months of financial sanctions being lifted, Iran will be able to collect debts from overseas banks that may exceed $100 billion, mostly from oil importers whose payments have been blocked, diplomats and analysts said.

Rohingya seek better life in Malaysia, but reality is stark Posted: 25 May 2015 06:51 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia has been a sort of promised land for Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar. The tens of thousands who endured perilous journeys to get here find more work opportunities than in Indonesia and a more Muslim-friendly environment than in Thailand.

Iraq prime minister vows to retake Ramadi 'within days' Posted: 25 May 2015 06:44 AM PDT Speaking in an interview with BBC News, Prime Minister Haider Abadi insisted that the fall of Ramadi, which saw Iraqi troops fleeing the city in the face of inferior numbers of the self-described Islamic State, was only "a tactical battle" and not a sign that IS is winning. "I cannot give numbers, but at this very moment, since four days ago, five days ago when we lost Ramadi, we advanced quite greatly. Recommended: How much do you know about the Islamic State?

Turkey: Kurdish rebels attack military base; no casualties Posted: 25 May 2015 06:24 AM PDT ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's military says suspected Kurdish militants have fired two mortar rounds at a military base in the country's southeast region, prompting the military to fire back in retaliation.

For Iraq War veterans, Islamic State adds bitter drop to Memorial Day Posted: 25 May 2015 05:44 AM PDT Recommended: How much do you know about the Islamic State? Mr. Bellavia had already seen the streets of Fallujah, Iraq, fall to the Islamic State in January 2014. Last week, the fall of Ramadi brought it back to mind.

US defense chief's criticism of Iraqis raises questions Posted: 25 May 2015 04:31 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Islamic State group's takeover of the Iraqi provincial capital Ramadi has prompted criticism from Defense Secretary Ash Carter and raised new questions about the Obama administration's strategy to defeat the extremist group.

Defense chief's criticism of Iraqis raises policy questions Posted: 25 May 2015 04:22 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Islamic State group's takeover of the Iraqi provincial capital Ramadi has prompted criticism from Defense Secretary Ash Carter and raised new questions about the Obama administration's strategy to defeat the extremist group.

Indonesian police kill 2 suspected terrorists in shootout Posted: 25 May 2015 04:18 AM PDT JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia's anti-terrorism squad killed two suspects and arrested seven others in raids on a jihadist organization with possible links to the Islamic State group, police said Monday.

Japan to play Afghans, Syria on neutral soil Posted: 25 May 2015 03:55 AM PDT Japan will play their away 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan and Syria on neutral territory later this year due to security concerns in the strife-torn countries. Japanese officials said Monday that the September 8 game against Afghanistan would be switched to Tehran, while the Blue Samurai will face Syria in Oman on October 8. Japan's foreign ministry has advised Japanese citizens not to travel to Afghanistan or Syria.

Ada Colau, Barcelona's 'Indignada' protest mayor Posted: 25 May 2015 02:41 AM PDT A career spent pounding the streets in anti-austerity campaigns has brought Ada Colau close to leading one of Spain's most powerful and most visited cities, Barcelona. The 41-year-old activist made her name campaigning on poor families' doorsteps to protect them from eviction during Spain's recent economic crisis. Such a victory would take Colau inside the corridors of power that have so often been the target of her campaigns.

Only Iran is confronting Islamic State, paramilitary chief says Posted: 25 May 2015 01:12 AM PDT The general in charge of Iran's paramilitary activities in the Middle East said the United States and other powers were failing to confront Islamic State, and only Iran was committed to the task, a news agency on Monday reported. Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the elite Quds Force responsible for protecting the Islamic Republic's interests abroad, has become a familiar face on the battlefields of Iraq, where he often outranks local commanders. "Today, in the fight against this dangerous phenomenon, nobody is present except Iran," the Tasnim news agency quoted Soleimani as saying on Sunday in reference to Islamic State.

Syrian air force targets captured Palmyra city - monitor Posted: 25 May 2015 12:51 AM PDT Syria's air force carried out at least 15 strikes in and around the central city of Palmyra early on Monday, targeting buildings captured by Islamic State, a group monitoring the war said. Fighters from the militant group overran the ancient city, the site of some of the world's best preserved Roman ruins, last week. This was in addition to at least 300 soldiers killed by Islamic State in fighting leading up to the city's capture, according to the Observatory's toll.

Australia appoints anti-terror chief Posted: 24 May 2015 07:19 PM PDT Australia on Monday appointed a counter-terrorism chief to coordinate security agencies, while pointing to the United States and Britain to justify a proposal to strip citizenship from dual nationals linked to jihadists. Like many countries, Australia is grappling with heightened threats from "home-grown" extremists with several alleged terror plots foiled this year inspired by the Islamic State group. As part of a billion-dollar fight against citizens becoming radicalised or returning from fighting in Syria or Iraq, a former ambassador to both Indonesia and Iran, Greg Moriarty, was named as the nation's first anti-terrorism coordinator.

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