Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Top Asian News at 11:30 p.m. GMT
• Officials: Obama to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond 2016
• Military families on edge as U.S. delays Afghanistan troop withdrawal
• Why US Troops Are Staying Longer in Afghanistan
• All Women Are Saying Is Give Them a Chance to Create Peace
• Obama abandons pledge to pull troops from Afghanistan
• Chafee's awkwardness leaves many questioning his 2016 bid
• Migrants dig in for a Calais winter as bids to reach UK go on
• Citing 'very fragile' security in Afghanistan, Obama slows pace of U.S. troop withdrawal
• The US intervention in Afghanistan: key developments
• Why Obama decided to break campaign pledge on Afghanistan
• Here’s How Much It Will Cost to Keep U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
• Syria regime in new offensive as Putin blasts US
• Rubber boat with Lebanon family of 12 sinks in Aegean Sea
• Obama To Keep Troops In Afghanistan After 2017
• Handgun makers compete to supply Army with new handgun
• A timeline of US troops in Afghanistan since 2001
• Five members of Lebanese family drown on journey to Greece
• Buoyed by Russia and Iran, Syria seeks to reclaim ground. But then what?
• Seven migrants drown off Greece's island of Lesbos
• Syrian troops launch offensive in central Homs province
• Hungary complete Croatia border fence
• Iraqi forces in major push against IS jihadists
• Clinton rides momentum of Democratic debate
• Putin blasts US for 'unconstructive position' on Syria
• Editorial Roundup: Excerpts from recent editorials
• Islamic State targeted in 25 air strikes by U.S.-led coalition: statement
• Turkey proposes to EU completing visa liberalization in 2016: PM
• 10 Things to Know for Today
• Iraqi forces and militia seize most of Baiji refinery: officials
• Polish opposition warns refugees could spread infectious diseases
• Germany tightens asylum rules to cope with refugee influx
• AP EXCLUSIVE: Mosul pilgrims barred from returning home
• Saudi execution toll climbs to 135
• Iran ready to send fighters to Syria: senior official
• Here's Why Obama Is Refusing to Meet with Russia to Discuss Syria
• Finland arrests suspected traffickers bringing migrants from Turkey
• Islamic State group's influence felt in far-off Asia-Pacific
• Australia to charge two men over 'terrorism' killing of police officer
• Pope claims 'greed is driving world to ruin'

Top Asian News at 11:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:33 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will keep 5,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan when he leaves office in 2017, according to senior administration officials, casting aside his promise to end the war on his watch. Obama had originally planned to pull out all but a small, embassy-based U.S. military presence by the end of next year, a timeline coinciding with the final weeks of his presidency. But military leaders argued for months that the Afghans needed additional assistance and support from the U.S. to beat back a resurgent Taliban and hold onto gains made over the last 14 years of American bloodshed and billions of dollars in aid.

Officials: Obama to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond 2016 Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:26 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will keep 5,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan when he leaves office in 2017, according to senior administration officials, casting aside his promise to end the war on his watch and instead ensuring he hands the conflict off to his successor.

Military families on edge as U.S. delays Afghanistan troop withdrawal Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:27 PM PDT Lauren Alaquinez will soon say goodbye to her husband for the fifth time in three years, when he deploys once again to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army Special Forces. As a military family, Alaquinez and her four children know what they've signed up for. "He spends more of his time in that country than he does at home." But Alaquinez said she also understands the troops are necessary to ensure a stable Afghanistan.

Why US Troops Are Staying Longer in Afghanistan Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:05 PM PDT The announcement that thousands of U.S. troops will remain in Afghanistan longer than planned marks a major reversal of President Obama's goal to end both this war, as well as the war in Iraq, during his time in office. The president formally announced the policy change at the White House this morning alongside Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford. The decision comes as the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, highlighted by the Taliban's takeover of the city of Kunduz last month.

All Women Are Saying Is Give Them a Chance to Create Peace Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:46 PM PDT Despite promises to end a 14-year war in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama announced Thursday that nearly 10,000 American troops will stay on through the end of his term in an attempt to curb the resurgence of the Taliban. As in many war zones and power vacuums, in Afghanistan the plight of women is often the firmest marker of a broader malignant chaos—women are not only victims in conflicts but strategic targets of the violence that marks a particular brand of ill-gotten power. When such women are gone, hopes for peace and prosperity dim for everyone—which is part of the reason that the United Nations decreed 15 years ago that women need to have more of a role in the peace process.

Obama abandons pledge to pull troops from Afghanistan Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:30 PM PDT President Barack Obama on Thursday announced thousands of US troops will remain in Afghanistan past 2016, retreating from a major campaign pledge as he admitted Afghan forces are not ready to stand alone. "As commander in chief, I will not allow Afghanistan to be used as a safe haven for terrorists to attack our nation again," he said. Coming to office in 2009, Obama had pledged to end the war in Iraq and the one in Afghanistan that has now cost more than 2,000 US lives and injured and maimed tens of thousands.

Chafee's awkwardness leaves many questioning his 2016 bid Posted: 15 Oct 2015 01:47 PM PDT PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Lincoln Chafee's awkwardness on the national stage has left many voters wondering why the former Rhode Island governor is running for president.

Migrants dig in for a Calais winter as bids to reach UK go on Posted: 15 Oct 2015 01:24 PM PDT By Matthias Blamont CALAIS, France (Reuters) - Migrants camped on France's north coast continued their bids to reach Britain on Thursday as the first autumn winds blew into their sprawl of tents and shanties and EU leaders arrived in Brussels, 200 kilometers away, to discuss the broader crisis. More than 3,500 migrants fleeing war and poverty in North Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere are camped around the town of Calais. A team of Reuters reporters saw groups of migrants going onto rail tracks and heading for the tunnel through gaps in the fence and, in one place about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) from the tunnel entrance, through an open gate.

Citing 'very fragile' security in Afghanistan, Obama slows pace of U.S. troop withdrawal Posted: 15 Oct 2015 01:17 PM PDT By Roberta Rampton and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Reversing policy on Afghanistan, President Barack Obama announced on Thursday he will prolong the 14-year-old U.S. military engagement there, effectively handing off the task of pulling out troops to his successor. Calling it a "modest but meaningful" adjustment to winding down the American presence in Afghanistan, Obama said Afghan forces were not yet as strong as they needed to be given a "very fragile" security situation and the United States will maintain a force of 9,800 through most of 2016. Obama had previously aimed to withdraw all but a small U.S.-embassy based force in the capital, Kabul, before he leaves office in January 2017.

The US intervention in Afghanistan: key developments Posted: 15 Oct 2015 01:07 PM PDT US President Barack Obama announced Thursday that thousands of US troops will remain in Afghanistan at least through 2017, due to the fragile security conditions there. Here are developments in the US presence in Afghanistan after it intervened in 2001 following the September 11 attacks. On October 7, 2001, less than a month after the September 11 attacks, US president George W. Bush launches operation "Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan, after the Taliban refuse to hand over Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

Why Obama decided to break campaign pledge on Afghanistan Posted: 15 Oct 2015 12:58 PM PDT President Obama's announcement Thursday that he will leave 5,500 United States troops in Afghanistan after he departs the White House in 2017 violates one of the president's chief campaign pledges from 2008. The Taliban is reenergized and increasingly willing to take its long fight to Afghanistan's urban centers, with Afghan security forces still unable to defend villages and now cities from attack. Now, with the self-proclaimed Islamic State beginning to take chunks of Afghan territory, Mr. Obama has essentially decided between two unpalatable options.

Here’s How Much It Will Cost to Keep U.S. Troops in Afghanistan Posted: 15 Oct 2015 12:47 PM PDT President Obama's decision to halt the long-planned drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan could have a serious impact on the already strained federal budget. "While America's combat mission in Afghanistan may be over, our commitment to Afghanistan and its people endures," Obama said in remarks from the White House. Related: Thought al Qaeda Was Finished in Afghanistan?

Syria regime in new offensive as Putin blasts US Posted: 15 Oct 2015 12:38 PM PDT Russia said Thursday its warplanes had eased back on air strikes in Syria as regime forces press a widening ground offensive, while President Vladimir Putin criticised Washington for not cooperating over the conflict. As Moscow and Washington neared agreement on measures to avoid confrontation over Syria, Russia announced that a hotline had been set up with Israel to ensure there would be no clashes between their air forces. Russia launched 32 attacks on "terrorist" targets over the past 24 hours, the defence ministry said Thursday afternoon, compared with some 86 the previous day.

Rubber boat with Lebanon family of 12 sinks in Aegean Sea Posted: 15 Oct 2015 11:32 AM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — When the rubber boat carrying a Lebanese family of 12 punctured in the choppy Aegean Sea waters, they first started throwing their belongings in the water to keep afloat. Inevitably, it sank, all but wiping out the Safwans.

Obama To Keep Troops In Afghanistan After 2017 Posted: 15 Oct 2015 11:12 AM PDT President Barack Obama has announced the US will keep 5,500 troops in Afghanistan after he leaves office in 2017. But at the White House, Mr Obama said the current force of 9,800 troops will be maintained through most of next year with the job of training Afghan security forces and going after al Qaeda. Mr Obama said he does "not support the idea of endless war" after 14 years in the country.

Handgun makers compete to supply Army with new handgun Posted: 15 Oct 2015 10:46 AM PDT FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) — Firearms manufacturers are competing for a rare chance to sell the U.S. Army a new handgun that would replace its current Cold War-era model, and they must meet a lengthy list of requirements to win the lucrative deal.

A timeline of US troops in Afghanistan since 2001 Posted: 15 Oct 2015 10:36 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Over the 14 years since the United States went to war in Afghanistan, the number of American troops there spiraled to 100,000 then dropped below 10,000, with plans to bring the rest home by the end of next year. Now President Barack Obama has put those withdrawal plans on hold.

Five members of Lebanese family drown on journey to Greece Posted: 15 Oct 2015 09:22 AM PDT Five members of a Lebanese family drowned and another four are missing after the boat carrying them from Turkey to Greece sank in the Mediterranean, relatives said on Thursday. Lebanon is not at war, but relatives of the Safwan family who died at sea said conditions in their own country, which is hosting a million Syrian refugees and has a barely functioning government, were little better. The family had already left their home in the Bekaa Valley, close to the border with Syria where civil war has raged for more than four years, to a suburb of the capital Beirut.

Buoyed by Russia and Iran, Syria seeks to reclaim ground. But then what? Posted: 15 Oct 2015 09:20 AM PDT After months of battlefield setbacks, the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has begun to push back against the armed opposition, buoyed by an unprecedented level of support from Russia and Iran. Under the cover of airstrikes carried out by Russian jets and helicopters, and backed by Hezbollah and Shiite paramilitaries from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Syrian Army is attempting to claw back territory it had lost in northern Hama Province. The offensive, which began last week, is part of a broader campaign to oust rebel groups from all of northwestern Syria up to the border with Turkey, securing the regime's key territory along the Mediterranean coastline.

Seven migrants drown off Greece's island of Lesbos Posted: 15 Oct 2015 09:05 AM PDT Seven people drowned on Thursday, among them a baby and three children, after their wooden boat and a coast guard vessel crashed during a migrant rescue operation off the island of Lesbos, the Greek coast guard said. The boat, which the coast guard said was old, sank after the crash and 31 persons were rescued. A man, two women, three children and a baby had drowned, the coast guard said but did not provide further details on the incident or the nationality of the victims.

Syrian troops launch offensive in central Homs province Posted: 15 Oct 2015 08:01 AM PDT DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian troops and their allies launched an offensive in the central province of Homs on Thursday and Russia's government said its warplanes carried out a rare airstrike near Damascus targeting an Islamic State group position southeast of the capital.

Hungary complete Croatia border fence Posted: 15 Oct 2015 07:56 AM PDT The Hungarian government announced Thursday it had completed its construction of a fence alongside its southern border with Croatia, to stem the massive daily influx of migrants. The security closure has been completed on the Hungary-Croatia border, the government is now able with the help of the police and army to seal the border," government spokesman Janos Lazar told reporters in Budapest. The government would decide on a date to completely seal the border in the coming days, he said, adding that the closure could happen before Croatia's parliamentary election on November 8.

Iraqi forces in major push against IS jihadists Posted: 15 Oct 2015 07:25 AM PDT Iraqi forces battled the Islamic State jihadist group on separate fronts Thursday, ramping up operations to retake Baiji and Ramadi, two of the conflict's worst flashpoints. Senior commanders said it had been "completely cleared" but the Joint Operations Command said late Wednesday the sprawling complex had not yet been extensively swept by Iraqi forces. A lieutenant colonel speaking from inside the complex told AFP troops had rained rockets on IS positions there over the past two days.

Clinton rides momentum of Democratic debate Posted: 15 Oct 2015 07:12 AM PDT Hillary Clinton fired up a crowd during her first major rally in months after a strong Democratic debate performance, vowing to back President Barack Obama's immigration reform efforts. Smiling and appearing relaxed, the Democratic frontrunner carefully avoided references to her opponents, especially her strongest rival, Senator Bernie Sanders. "I really don't like what the Republicans are saying about immigrants," the former secretary of state told supporters on Wednesday.

Putin blasts US for 'unconstructive position' on Syria Posted: 15 Oct 2015 07:11 AM PDT Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday blasted Washington for being "unconstructive" on Syria after the Kremlin said the United States had declined to host a high-level delegation from Moscow. "I believe this is an unconstructive position," Putin said on a visit to Kazakhstan, where he also called for countries with large Muslim populations to join an alliance against terrorism.

Editorial Roundup: Excerpts from recent editorials Posted: 15 Oct 2015 07:08 AM PDT Excerpts from recent editorials in newspapers in the United States and abroad:

Islamic State targeted in 25 air strikes by U.S.-led coalition: statement Posted: 15 Oct 2015 06:14 AM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies conducted 25 air strikes on Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria on Wednesday, the Joint Command Task Force said on Thursday. Seventeen of the attacks were in Iraq, hitting tactical units, weapons, fighting positions, vehicles and other Islamic State assets near eight cities, the coalition said in a statement. In Syria, the latest round of daily raids included eight strikes near six cities on similar Islamic State targets. (Writing by Bill Trott; Editing by xxxx xxxxx)

Turkey proposes to EU completing visa liberalization in 2016: PM Posted: 15 Oct 2015 05:57 AM PDT Turkey has proposed to the European Union to bring forward a visa liberalization plan for its citizens that it wants before agreeing to take back illegal migrants who enter the EU through its territory. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told TGRT TV in an interview on Thursday that Ankara has offered the EU to seal a visa liberalization agreement by the first half of 2016 instead of in 2017 as originally planned. "We will not sign the readmission agreement before steps are taken on the Schengen visa and thus a visa liberalization is secured for Turkish citizens," Davutoglu said.

10 Things to Know for Today Posted: 15 Oct 2015 05:44 AM PDT Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

Iraqi forces and militia seize most of Baiji refinery: officials Posted: 15 Oct 2015 05:20 AM PDT Iraqi forces and Shi'ite militia fighters recaptured most of the country's largest oil refinery from Islamic State militants on Thursday, security officials said. The report could not be independently confirmed because it is too dangerous for journalists to enter the battle zone around the refinery near the town of Baiji, about 190 km (120 miles) north of Baghdad. The refinery is a focal point in efforts to contain Islamic State and has changed hands several times since the Sunni Islamist militants swept through northern Iraq last year.

Polish opposition warns refugees could spread infectious diseases Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:47 AM PDT Poland's largest opposition party, tipped to win the country's Oct. 25 election, rallied behind its leader on Thursday after he warned that refugees from the Middle East could bring diseases and parasites to Poland. Jaroslaw Kaczynski's comments have attracted wide criticism in the media and among the ruling centrists, with some saying he was using ultra-nationalist imagery to fan hatred and fear. "(Jaroslaw Kaczynski) is talking about facts and asking whether there are real risks.

Germany tightens asylum rules to cope with refugee influx Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:29 AM PDT German lawmakers approved a raft of measures on Thursday to tackle the refugee crisis, including speeding up asylum and deportation procedures, facilitating the construction of asylum shelters and lowering cash incentives for economic migrants. Germany expects a record influx of more than 800,000 migrants this year, by far the most in the European Union. With the new legislation, Berlin is aiming to better cope with the unprecedented numbers of new arrivals and to stem the influx.

AP EXCLUSIVE: Mosul pilgrims barred from returning home Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:29 AM PDT KIRKUK, Iraq (AP) — Like hundreds of elderly men and women from the Iraqi city of Mosul, Hajji Ahmed left in August to participate in the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi execution toll climbs to 135 Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:57 AM PDT Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia on Thursday executed one of its citizens convicted of murder, bringing to 135 the number of people put to death this year, according to an AFP tally.

Iran ready to send fighters to Syria: senior official Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:32 AM PDT Iran is willing to send fighters to key ally Syria if Damascus requests them, a senior Iranian official said Thursday on a visit to the war-torn country. "If Syria makes a request (for Iranian forces), we will study the request and make a decision," said Alaedin Boroujerdi, the chairman of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy committee. "What's important is that Iran is serious about the fight against terrorism," he added.

Here's Why Obama Is Refusing to Meet with Russia to Discuss Syria Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:15 AM PDT Vladimir Putin's ongoing effort to keep the U.S. off balance has forced the White House into yet another politically awkward choice. The Obama administration has officially refused a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and a high-level delegation of Kremlin officials, following an offer from the Russian government to open up talks about the ongoing conflict in Syria. The offer, extended by the Kremlin, was ostensibly an effort to begin coordinating the two countries' military efforts against the terror group ISIS.

Finland arrests suspected traffickers bringing migrants from Turkey Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:54 AM PDT The Finnish Border Guard said on Thursday it was investigating a ring of human traffickers suspected of illegally smuggling at least 100 people from Turkey to Finland over the last year. The Border Guard and the Swedish police last month arrested a total of 15 men in the two countries on charges of transporting the migrants through Sweden to Finland by land, sea and air for high fees. A Border Guard official told the Finnish national broadcaster YLE that the suspects were of Iraqi background and residents of Finland or Sweden.

Islamic State group's influence felt in far-off Asia-Pacific Posted: 15 Oct 2015 12:45 AM PDT The influence of the Islamic State group extends well beyond the land it controls in Syria and Iraq, reaching recruits around the world, including the Asia-Pacific region. Below, 10 Associated Press writers based in the region discuss how the extremist movement is affecting their countries:

Australia to charge two men over 'terrorism' killing of police officer Posted: 15 Oct 2015 12:32 AM PDT By Matt Siegel SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will charge two men on Thursday over a "terrorism shooting" in Sydney, one with supplying the firearm to a teenager who was shot dead by police after killing a police accountant and another with "terrorism-related" offences. Speaking at a counter-terrorism summit on Thursday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warned that tougher measures may be needed to combat extremist violence, but urged a nimble approach was needed to stymie those seeking to radicalize children. Farhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar, 15, opened fired on police accountant Curtis Cheng at police headquarters in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta earlier this month and was then killed in a gunfight with police outside the building.

Pope claims 'greed is driving world to ruin' Posted: 14 Oct 2015 11:56 PM PDT Pope Francis on Thursday called on the world to reject the "idolatry of money", claiming that greed was driving societies to ruin. In an interview in his modest apartment in the Vatican, the pope told the glossy French magazine Paris Match that the world economic system as it stands was "unsustainable". "Man and all creation must not be at the service of money... humanity must renounce its adoration of money and instead put at its centre the person, the common good and future generations who will people the Earth after us," he said, saying a world climate change conference in Paris in December could help turn that around.

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