Al-Qaeda – Ryanmauro

11 May

Christians Forces Fighting ISIS in Raqqa Ask for US Help

By Ryan Mauro0 CommentsISISAl-Qaeda, Assad Regime, Christians, Deir Az-Zour, Erdogan, ISIS, Kurdistan, Raqqa, SMC, Syria

The battle for Raqqa, the Syrian city serving as the “capital” of ISIS’ caliphate, has begun. You’d never know it from the media coverage, but a Christian force is taking part and is asking for U.S. support and prayers. The Syriac Military Council (SMC) and its female wing, the Bethnahrin Women Protection Forces (HSNB), have issued a press release announcing their participation in the offensive on Raqqa. The SMC is a part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a U.S.-backed, multi-ethnic force led by Kurds. The Syrian Democratic Forces are about 55,000-strong and include 29,000 Arabs. The 2,000 members of this…

11 May

US Judge Rules Assad Helped Al-Qaeda Kill Americans

By Ryan Mauro0 CommentsAl-QaedaAl-Qaeda, Assad, Bashar al-Assad, Foley, Iraq, Jihadist, Jordan, Syria, Syrian regime, Terorrism, US Diplomat, Zarqawi

A district court judge ruled the Syrian regime -- and specifically its ruler, President Bashar al-Assad -- are liable for the murders of three Americans by al-Qaeda because of the regime’s massive support for the terrorist group’s branch in Iraq. In addition to those three Americans, tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers, Iraqis and others have been killed or injured due to Assad’s sponsorship of al-Qaeda and other jihadists. The lawsuit was filed by the families of Laurence Michael Foley, a U.S. diplomat in Jordan assassinated by al-Qaeda in 2002; Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin, killed in Iraq in 2004 and…

11 May

7 Moments from Trump’s Speech in Saudi Arabia

By Ryan Mauro0 CommentsAmerican Values, Politics, & Foreign Policy9/11, Al-Qaeda, Foreign Policy, Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, Minority rights, Muslim, rights, saudi arabia, speech, Sunni, Trump

President Trump’s brazen speech in Saudi Arabia is being praised from (almost) all quarters. Its powerful moments will be remembered for years and will reverberate throughout the Middle East. But no speech is perfect. Here are seven moments from the speech, starting with what may be the closest President Trump may come to having his “Tear Down This Wall” moment: It is a choice between two futures – and it is a choice America CANNOT make for you. A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. Drive. Them. Out. DRIVE THEM OUT of your places…

11 May

Syrian Christian Forces Ask Trump for Help

By Ryan Mauro0 CommentsSyriaAl-Qaeda, Christianity, Kurdish People's Protection units, MFS, Militia, Raqqa, Syria, Syriac Christian Militia, Trump, YPG

A Syriac Christian militia in Syria that is fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda and also opposes the Assad regime is asking President Trump for direct military assistance and to be treated as equals with the U.S.-backed Arab forces preparing to take Raqqa, the “capitol” of ISIS. The Syriac Military Council (MFS) is a Christian component of the 50,000-strong Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurds, Sunni Arabs, Turkmen and Christians backed by the United States and formed in October 2015. The U.S. military describes the alliance as its “best partnered forces” in Syria. The special operators helping the…

11 May

Al-Qaeda in Yemen Confirms Muslim Brotherhood Ties

By Ryan Mauro0 CommentsAl-QaedaAl-Qaeda, Jihadist, Muslim Brotherhood, Treasury Department, Trump, Yemen, Yemeni Muslim brotherhood, Zindani

The leader of Al-Qaeda’s branch in Yemen said in a statement aired on the branch’s propaganda outlet that his group has formed alliances with other Sunni jihadists in the country, including the Muslim Brotherhood. From the Associated Press report: “‘We fight along all Muslims in Yemen, together with different Islamic groups,’ he said, adding that his followers have teamed up with an array of factions — including the ultraconservative Salafis, ‘the Muslim Brotherhood and also our brothers among the sons of (Sunni) tribes’ — against Yemen’s Shiite rebels known as Houthis.” Al-Qaeda’s links to the Yemeni branch in the Muslim…