Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Sending U.S. special forces to Syria will put them 'in harm's way': Pentagon chief
• U.S. to send special forces to Syria, truce sought after peace talks
• In policy shift, Obama to send U.S. special forces to Syria
• US escalates involvement in Syria amid talks on Assad future
• Defense chief: US will keep adjusting to Islamic State fight
• Oil rises on U.S. rig count; market also up on week and month
• Obama to send special forces to Syria
• George W. Bush: Jeb should not worry about defending him
• US involvement in Syria since 2011
• IS beheads four Iraq Kurd fighters after joint US raid
• First lady, Conan O'Brien to visit US troops in Qatar
• Activists say 2 anti-IS Syrian activists killed in Turkey
• Democrats decry Obama decision to deploy US troop to Syria
• Rocket barrage kills 26 Iranian exiles at Iraq camp
• Dems decry Obama decision to deploy special ops to Syria
• Behind US Special Forces in Syria, a new realism
• US commandos heading into Syria, White House says
• Iran and Syria, the ties that bind
• Obama to Send Troops to Syria
• Turkey arrests would-be bombers fleeing to Syria: Erdogan
• The Latest: Group: 77 kids drown at sea since Syrian boy
• Syria special ops announcement timing was 'coincidence': Kerry
• Iraqi Shi'ite militia claims attack on exiled Iranian opposition camp
• Syria Talks: What You Need to Know
• Baghdad probing deadly attack on Iran opposition camp
• UN chief condemns Iraq attack killing 26 Iranian refugees
• New House Speaker Ryan wants 'coherent' Syria strategy
• Turkey has killed 2,000 militants at home and abroad: Erdogan
• Turkish parties rally ahead of Sunday's election
• In Syria, Russian media take a page from US playbook
• U.S. to deploy small number of special forces to Syria in advisory role
• Racial slurs are woven deep into the American landscape
• US to send 20-30 special forces to Syria
• U.S. Syria plan includes more assistance to Jordan, Lebanon: source
• Kurdish pop singer barely survives Aegean migrant shipwreck
• AP PHOTOS: Syrians in Istanbul prepare for long journeys
• Next multilateral meeting on Syria should be in Vienna next week: Iraqi minister
• The Incredible True Story of the Tea Party's Rise to Power
• Iraq army halts anti-IS operation in Ramadi due to weather
• U.S. reports 12 air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq, Syria

Sending U.S. special forces to Syria will put them 'in harm's way': Pentagon chief Posted: 30 Oct 2015 04:12 PM PDT By Yeganeh Torbati FAIRBANKS, Alaska (Reuters) - The decision to send U.S. special forces to Syria is part of a strategy to enable local forces to defeat Islamic State but it will put U.S. forces in harm's way, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday. "Our role fundamentally and the strategy is to enable local forces but does that put U.S. forces in harm's way?

U.S. to send special forces to Syria, truce sought after peace talks Posted: 30 Oct 2015 04:12 PM PDT By Sabine Siebold, Parisa Hafezi and Arshad Mohammed VIENNA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States disclosed plans on Friday to station its first ground troops in Syria for the war against Islamic State, saying dozens of U.S. soldiers would be sent as advisers to groups fighting the militants. Washington announced the small special operations force shortly before 17 countries, the European Union and the United Nations called for a nationwide truce in Syria's civil war at talks in Vienna, attended for the first time since the conflict began in 2011 by President Bashar al-Assad's ally Iran.

In policy shift, Obama to send U.S. special forces to Syria Posted: 30 Oct 2015 04:06 PM PDT By Arshad Mohammed, Phil Stewart and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will deploy dozens of special operations troops to northern Syria from next month to advise opposition forces in their fight against Islamic State, a major policy shift for President Barack Obama and a step he has long resisted to avoid getting dragged into another war in the Middle East. The planned deployment, along with the U.S. decision this week to include Iran in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, represents the biggest change in the United States' Syria policy since it began a bombing campaign against Islamic State targets there in September 2014. Spokesman Josh Earnest declined to give details about their exact role.

US escalates involvement in Syria amid talks on Assad future Posted: 30 Oct 2015 03:45 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States escalated its fight against the Islamic State in Syria on Friday, pledging the first open deployment of military boots on the ground, even as U.S., Russian and other diplomats pressed a new peace effort that America hopes will hasten the departure of Bashar Assad.

Defense chief: US will keep adjusting to Islamic State fight Posted: 30 Oct 2015 03:40 PM PDT FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Friday the decision to send special operations forces to Syria to work with local Kurdish and Arab fighters is unlikely to be the last significant adjustment to the U.S. fight against the resilient Islamic State group.

Oil rises on U.S. rig count; market also up on week and month Posted: 30 Oct 2015 03:37 PM PDT Oil prices rose on Friday, finishing higher for the week and month as well, after another decline in the U.S. oil rig count indicated domestic crude production could fall in coming months. Prices also got a boost from separate data showing U.S. oil output in August fell to third lowest figure this year. Oil prices had trended higher since Wednesday's 6 percent rally, sparked by a smaller-than-anticipated build in U.S. crude and sharper-than-expected falls in gasoline and diesel stockpiles.

Obama to send special forces to Syria Posted: 30 Oct 2015 03:22 PM PDT President Barack Obama has authorized the first sustained deployment of special forces to Syria, the White House said Friday, reversing a long-standing refusal to put US boots on the ground. Obama okayed a deployment of "fewer than 50" special operations personnel in the north of the war-ravaged nation, in a bid to strengthen forces fighting the Islamic State group, spokesman Josh Earnest said. While US fighters are believed to have previously carried out covert missions in Syria -- they had not been deployed there on a continuous basis.

George W. Bush: Jeb should not worry about defending him Posted: 30 Oct 2015 03:11 PM PDT By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former President George W. Bush believes his brother Jeb should stop defending the White House decisions the elder Bush made, and he is seeking to reassure jittery supporters about the health of Jeb's campaign, according to sources. Some of Jeb Bush's most difficult moments on the campaign trail have come when he has gotten caught up in a debate about George W. Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003. More recently, Jeb Bush responded aggressively when Republican rival Donald Trump charged that the former president did not keep the United States safe because the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks took place on his watch.

US involvement in Syria since 2011 Posted: 30 Oct 2015 03:09 PM PDT The United States Friday announced it was deploying special forces to Syria, relenting on a long-standing refusal to put US boots on the ground and deepening the fight against the Islamic State group. Here is a history of Washington's involvement in the four-year-old conflict. April 29, 2011: Washington responds to a bloody crackdown on protests by slapping sanctions and asset freezes on Syrian regime figures including the powerful brother of President Bashar al-Assad, Maher.

IS beheads four Iraq Kurd fighters after joint US raid Posted: 30 Oct 2015 02:52 PM PDT The Islamic State group beheaded four Iraqi Kurdish fighters following a joint raid with American special forces against the jihadists, according to a video posted online. The US-Kurdish operation last week, which freed some 70 people from an IS prison, deepened American involvement in the war against the jihadists and led to the first US combat fatality in Iraq since its 2011 withdrawal from the country. The video sought to portray the operation as a failure, with speakers saying the attacking forces were unable to overcome numerically inferior jihadists and displaying used first aid supplies that were left behind.

First lady, Conan O'Brien to visit US troops in Qatar Posted: 30 Oct 2015 01:54 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Michelle Obama is bringing a little bit of Hollywood on her trip to Qatar next week.

Activists say 2 anti-IS Syrian activists killed in Turkey Posted: 30 Oct 2015 01:37 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — Two Syrian activists, including one belonging to a collective that reports on Islamic State atrocities were found slain in a city in southern Turkey on Friday, the group said, in a rare attack in Syria's northern neighbor.

Democrats decry Obama decision to deploy US troop to Syria Posted: 30 Oct 2015 01:30 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Democrats on Friday criticized President Barack Obama's decision to dispatch a small band of U.S. special operations forces to northern Syria to help local fighters battle the Islamic State, saying they feared "mission creep" from a president who promised to end American involvement in two wars.

Rocket barrage kills 26 Iranian exiles at Iraq camp Posted: 30 Oct 2015 01:24 PM PDT A rocket barrage killed at least 26 Iranian exiles at a camp near Baghdad, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Friday after the deadliest attack against the opposition group in years. The United States and United Nations condemned the attack on the People's Mujahedeen Organisation of Iran (PMOI), which demanded that its members be protected. The attack may help to accelerate the long-running process of relocating PMOI members outside Iraq, which has been going on for years.

Dems decry Obama decision to deploy special ops to Syria Posted: 30 Oct 2015 01:13 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Democrats on Friday criticized President Barack Obama's decision to dispatch a small band of U.S. special operations forces to northern Syria to help local fighters battle the Islamic State, saying they feared "mission creep" from a president who promised to end American involvement in two wars.

Behind US Special Forces in Syria, a new realism Posted: 30 Oct 2015 01:12 PM PDT President Obama's foreign-policy realism is on full display this week on two fronts related to Syria. First, the United States sat down Friday with Iran at international talks on Syria – despite years of opposing any diplomatic role for Tehran in efforts to end the Syrian civil war. Second, the White House announced Friday that the US will send just under 50 special operations forces to northern Syria – a move that reverses the president's pledge from more than a year ago not to put boots on the ground in the fight.

US commandos heading into Syria, White House says Posted: 30 Oct 2015 12:55 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — A small number of U.S. special operations forces will be sent to northern Syria to work with local troops in the fight against Islamic State militants, the White House announced Friday, marking the first time Americans will be deployed openly on the ground in the country.

Iran and Syria, the ties that bind Posted: 30 Oct 2015 12:36 PM PDT Iran's first presence in international talks on Syria underscore a special relationship between the two countries' governments, based in part on a joint adherence to the Shiite branch of Islam. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and top officials of his regime are members of the country's Alawite minority, a Shiite offshoot. Here is a short history of relations between the two nations since Iran became an Islamic republic.

Obama to Send Troops to Syria Posted: 30 Oct 2015 12:30 PM PDT President Obama is directing the Pentagon to send special forces into Syria to advise the Syrian opposition in its fight against ISIS, the White House said today. The change will station U.S. special operations forces on the ground for the first time in Syria in its fight against the Islamic State after thousands of airstrikes in the past year produced mixed results, although their mission is expected to be primarily advisory. The change "is consistent with strategy to intensify the battle against ISIS," a White House senior official told ABC News.

Turkey arrests would-be bombers fleeing to Syria: Erdogan Posted: 30 Oct 2015 11:55 AM PDT Turkish security forces detained would-be bombers trying to flee into Syria on Friday with 7 kilograms of explosives and they were believed to have been plotting a suicide attack, President Tayyip Erdogan said. Speaking amid heightened security and political tensions two days before a parliamentary election in Turkey, Erdogan also told AHaber TV in a live broadcast that Turkish forces had killed 2,000 militants in recent security operations. "(Security forces) caught a group who had been preparing a new terrorist attack (in Turkey)," Erdogan said, citing information from the interior minister.

The Latest: Group: 77 kids drown at sea since Syrian boy Posted: 30 Oct 2015 11:51 AM PDT LESBOS, Greece (AP) — The latest in the odyssey of hundreds of thousands of people crossing Europe in search of a new life. All times local.

Syria special ops announcement timing was 'coincidence': Kerry Posted: 30 Oct 2015 11:32 AM PDT The timing of a U.S. announcement on Friday that Washington would deploy dozens of special operations forces to northern Syria to advise opposition forces in their fight against Islamic State was pure accident, Secretary of State John Kerry said. "It's really a coincidence that it came out today," he told reporters, adding that he wasn't aware a decision had been made until earlier on Friday. Kerry was in Vienna for ministerial talks on Thursday and Friday aimed at finding a political solution to end Syria's four-year civil war.

Iraqi Shi'ite militia claims attack on exiled Iranian opposition camp Posted: 30 Oct 2015 11:29 AM PDT A Shi'ite Muslim militia in Iraq claimed responsibility on Friday for a deadly rocket attack on an exiled Iranian opposition group housed near Baghdad, according to Iran's Fars news agency. At least 15 rockets crashed in and around the camp of the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran (PMOI) next to Baghdad International Airport on Thursday, killing 23 members, a Paris-based spokesman said. "We warned the members of this terrorist organization to leave Iraq as soon as possible ... If they don't do so, there will be more similar attacks," al-Mukhtar Army commander Wathiq al-Battat was quoted as saying by Fars.

Syria Talks: What You Need to Know Posted: 30 Oct 2015 11:25 AM PDT The United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia and even Iran have gathered with several other countries in Vienna, Austria, in pursuit of a way to end the four-year Syrian conflict. The main issue on the negotiating table is the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the political transition in Syria, seen as a potent contributor to enabling the defeat of ISIS.

Baghdad probing deadly attack on Iran opposition camp Posted: 30 Oct 2015 11:03 AM PDT Iraqi security forces are investigating a rocket attack on a camp housing a dissident Iranian organisation which the exiled group said killed more than 20 people, a spokesman said Friday. "The investigation is under way," joint operations command spokesman Yahya Rasool said of the attack, which drew condemnation from the United States, United Nations and rights group Amnesty International. According to Iraqi security sources, at least 15 rockets fired from an area west of Baghdad called Bakriya struck in and around Camp Liberty on Thursday evening.

UN chief condemns Iraq attack killing 26 Iranian refugees Posted: 30 Oct 2015 11:02 AM PDT UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is condemning the attack at an Iraqi camp housing Iranian refugees that killed at least 26 people and wounded many more.

New House Speaker Ryan wants 'coherent' Syria strategy Posted: 30 Oct 2015 10:58 AM PDT Paul Ryan, the new speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, issued a measured response on Friday to new White House policies on fighting the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. "This commitment of U.S. forces must come with a coherent strategy to defeat ISIL. Ryan did not endorse the White House announcement, adding only that he looked forward to reviewing its details.

Turkey has killed 2,000 militants at home and abroad: Erdogan Posted: 30 Oct 2015 10:28 AM PDT Turkey has killed around 2,000 militants in recent operations inside and outside its borders and the operations will continue, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday. "Now 2,000 terrorists have been killed inside and outside of the country," Erdogan said in comments broadcast by television station AHaber. Turkey has carried out attacks on Islamic State militants in Syria and also on Kurdish militant positions at home and in northern Iraq.

Turkish parties rally ahead of Sunday's election Posted: 30 Oct 2015 09:56 AM PDT ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish political parties on Friday made their closing appeals ahead of Sunday's crucial parliamentary election.

In Syria, Russian media take a page from US playbook Posted: 30 Oct 2015 09:43 AM PDT The lessons adopted from American war planners and media outlets have shaped a Russian media that is far more modern - and freer – than during the era of Soviet operations abroad. Recommended: Sochi, Soviets, and tsars: How much do you know about Russia? "Our TV stations are showing the war in Syria just as American TV depicted the operation in Iraq: accurate air strikes, remote war like a computer game," says Sergei Korzun, a founder of the independent Ekho Moskvi radio station.

U.S. to deploy small number of special forces to Syria in advisory role Posted: 30 Oct 2015 09:16 AM PDT By Arshad Mohammed, Patricia Zengerle and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama plans to deploy a small number of special operations forces to Syria to advise rebels Washington deems moderate, U.S. sources said on Friday, a step he has long resisted to avoid getting dragged into another war in the Middle East. Obama was expected to send fewer than 60 special operations troops, said congressional sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Racial slurs are woven deep into the American landscape Posted: 30 Oct 2015 09:00 AM PDT Hundreds of federally recognized places across the nation include racist slurs in their name, data analysis reveals

US to send 20-30 special forces to Syria Posted: 30 Oct 2015 08:42 AM PDT The Obama administration will send 20 to 30 special operations forces to Syria to advise fighters against the Islamic State. This is an extension of the existing air operation in both Iraq and Syria. The additional U.S. troops will operate in a limited "advise and assist" capacity, without changing President Barack Obama's overall mission to combat the militant group, a separate U.S. official said. (Reporting by Julia Edwards and Mark Hosenball; Editing by Susan Heavey)

U.S. Syria plan includes more assistance to Jordan, Lebanon: source Posted: 30 Oct 2015 08:35 AM PDT The new U.S. strategy to assist in the fight against Islamic State in Syria will include a new special operations force in Erbil in northern Iraq, "intensified" cooperation with Iraqis in retaking Ramadi and expanded security assistance to Jordan and Lebanon, a senior U.S. Senate source said. The expanded assistance to Jordan and Lebanon will include intelligence assistance to expand Jordanian air strikes against Islamic state, the source told Reuters. Ahead of its announcement about its plans for Syria, the Obama administration has been briefing members of the U.S. Congress about the operations.

Kurdish pop singer barely survives Aegean migrant shipwreck Posted: 30 Oct 2015 08:33 AM PDT LESBOS, Greece (AP) — Delal Zaxoyi left his career as a pop singer in northern Iraq for a chance to make a new life in Europe — but he barely got out of the Aegean Sea alive.

AP PHOTOS: Syrians in Istanbul prepare for long journeys Posted: 30 Oct 2015 08:31 AM PDT ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey this year overtook Pakistan to become the country hosting the most refugees, with 2.2 million from Syria and 200,000 from Iraq.

Next multilateral meeting on Syria should be in Vienna next week: Iraqi minister Posted: 30 Oct 2015 08:21 AM PDT MOSCOW (Reuters) - Iraq's foreign minister said on Friday that the next multilateral meeting on the Syria crisis should be in Vienna next week, Russian news agencies reported. He added that Friday talks on resolving the Syria crisis failed to bring an agreement on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's role in the political process. (Reporting by Alexander Winning; editing by Katya Golubkova)

The Incredible True Story of the Tea Party's Rise to Power Posted: 30 Oct 2015 07:36 AM PDT On the morning of Feb. 19, 2009, Rick Santelli, a former commodities trader and V.P. at Drexel Burnham Lambert, was feeling provoked by the Obama administration's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, a $75 billion proposal to reduce the monthly payments of the 9 million homeowners then facing foreclosure. The Tea Party's Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives hastened the departure of Speaker John Boehner (after whipping his former No. 2, Eric Cantor, in a primary last year), and arrested the ascension of the next Republican in line, Rep. Kevin McCarthy—who had been considered a right-wing radical himself just a few short years ago.

Iraq army halts anti-IS operation in Ramadi due to weather Posted: 30 Oct 2015 05:25 AM PDT BAGHDAD (AP) — The spokesman for Iraq's defense ministry says the Iraqi military has temporary halted its offensive to retake the city of Ramadi from the Islamic State group due to inclement weather.

U.S. reports 12 air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq, Syria Posted: 30 Oct 2015 04:52 AM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies conducted 11 air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and one in Syria on Thursday, according to a U.S. military statement. Coalition aircraft hit Islamic State fighting positions, weapons and other targets near five Iraqi cities, including Sinjar and Tal Afar, the statement released on Friday said. The air strike in Syria destroyed a mortar system near Mar'a, it said. (Reporting by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by Susan Heavey)

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