Libya has been hit by a devastating storm, with flooding breaking dams and sweeping away entire neighborhoods in multiple coastal towns. The confirmed death toll stands at 61, but the destruction appears to be most severe in Derna, which has become inaccessible due to the storm. The Libyan government has declared a state of emergency and called for international assistance, while the UN has urged all parties to ensure that the relief efforts are conducted safely and has called for an immediate ceasefire in the affected areas.
Posts tagged as “Islamic”
On Monday, the FBI and Philadelphia law enforcement officials arrested a 17-year-old for terrorism-related charges. The teen, a supporter of Islamic extremists, allegedly radicalized online and is facing several charges. The investigation began after the FBI received a tip from a concerned citizen and the teen is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility. The FBI and Philadelphia law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate the case and urge anyone with information to contact them.
Protesters stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq in response to a planned burning of the Quran in Stockholm, Sweden. Iraq's prime minister has since cut diplomatic ties with Sweden in protest, and the Swedish government has condemned the burning and stated it does not condone any acts of hatred or intolerance. The status of the asylum-seeker responsible for the burning remains unknown.
Iranian authorities have announced a new campaign to enforce the wearing of Islamic headscarves and the return of morality police to the streets, 10 months after the death of a woman in their custody sparked nationwide protests. The morality police are tasked with enforcing the dress code and other social norms, and the return of the morality police has been met with mixed reactions from the public. The new campaign is part of a larger effort by the Iranian government to reassert its authority and control over the population.
The U.S. military has accused Russia of engaging in unsafe and unprofessional behavior towards U.S. Air Force drones over Syria. On Thursday, July 25th, two Russian fighter jets flew dangerously close to Reaper drones carrying out an operation against Islamic State targets. This is the second instance of such behavior in two days and is likely to be a source of tension between the two countries. The U.S. has expressed concern and urged Russia to respect the safety of coalition forces operating in the region.
The U.S. has accused Russia of harassing its military drones in Syria, with Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich saying that three Russian fighter jets dropped parachute flares in front of the drones, forcing them to conduct evasive maneuvers. This is the latest in a series of similar incidents, with the U.S. accusing Russia of attempting to disrupt its operations in Syria. The U.S. has called on Russia to adhere to international norms and protocols in its interactions with U.S. aircraft, though it is unclear how the U.S. will respond to the latest incident.
On Saturday, the fifth day of unrest following the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Nanterre, France, hundreds of mourners attended the victim's burial. 45 police officers and gendarmes were injured overnight, but the government has continued to deploy police to prevent further violence. 719 people have been arrested nationwide.
22 U.S. Service Members Injured in Helicopter Accident in Northeastern Syria; Investigation Underway
22 U.S. Service Members Injured in Helicopter Accident in Northeastern Syria; Investigation Underway
On Sunday, 22 U.S. service members were injured in a helicopter accident in northeastern Syria. The cause is under investigation and no enemy fire was reported. The service members are receiving treatment and 10 have been moved to higher care facilities outside the region. The U.S. forces are in Syria to assist the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against ISIS.