It looks like the battle for control of the town that is home to Iraq’s largest oil refinery is far from over.
Latest footage from the area shows Iraqi soldiers engaged in heavy fighting with ISIL militants.
Wednesday, 5 November, 2014
Iraq: Islamic State kills 500 members of the Albu Nimr tribe
Arab and international media have put the Albu Nimr tribe under the spotlight following the execution of hundreds of its members by the Islamic State (IS) [in Iraq]. However, the role of the victim does not suit the tribe, famous for fiercely fighting al-Qaeda in the past and IS currently. The Sunni Albu Nimr tribe is one of the tribes that led the brigade fighting al-Qaeda in Anbar during 2005 and 2006 and was well known for its fierce fight against the organization that tried to convert Iraq into an emirate. But, what is this tribe from Anbar?
History of Albu Nimr tribe
Sheikh Naim Kaoud, affiliated with the Kaoud tribes, told An-Nahar about the emergence of this tribe. He said, “Albu Nimr tribe is part of the larger Dulaim tribe famous for opposing tyrants and occupations. Albu Nimr have, throughout history, showed courageous positions in defending Mesopotamia. The tribe is one of the largest tribes of Anbar and includes more than 500,000 people distributed over Anbar, Salahuddin, Mosul and Baghdad.”
Tuesday, 4 November, 2014
Ukraine: Ukraine readies for attacks in east
Amid a crumbling peace plan in Ukraine, NATO has reported Russian troop movement near the Ukrainian border. Meanwhile, Kyiv has vowed to protect eastern cities from the rebels trying to exert power over the region.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko convened the Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council on Tuesday evening in reaction to the ballot held over the weekend by separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine.
Yemen: Over 30 killed in clashes between Shiite Houthi rebels and tribal fighters backed by al-Qaeda militants in Radda
Yemeni security officials say more than 30 people have been killed in clashes between Shiite Houthi rebels and tribal fighters backed by Al-Qaeda militants in the embattled town of Radda south of the capital Sanaa.
The officials said the two sides traded heavy artillery fire that lasted until early Tuesday, killing several civilians and damaging houses and cars. The indiscriminate shelling has forced dozens of families to flee the town.
Monday, 3 November, 2014
Iraq: Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group claims Baghdad bombings
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for two bombings on Shiite pilgrims that left 23 people dead in Baghdad a day earlier, as violence continued on Monday.
In a statement posted online late Sunday, the group said the car bomb attacks happened despite the tight security measures amid the Shiites’ “biggest infidel event.”