U.S.-backed Kurds, Russia-backed Syrians advance on Raqqa in pincer movement

U.S.-backed Kurds, Russia-backed Syrians advance on Raqqa in pincer movement

by WorldTribune Staff, June 5, 2016 A U.S.-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance from the north and Russian-backed Syrian troops from the southwest are set to catch Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) in a pincer movement as they advance on the terror group’s stronghold at Raqqa. U.S. military officials said the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance […]

Researcher: Holy Family’s journey through Egypt should be celebrated, could boost tourism

Researcher: Holy Family’s journey through Egypt should be celebrated, could boost tourism

by WorldTribune Staff, June 5, 2016 The history of the Virgin Mary, baby Jesus and Joseph’s travels through Egypt should be a major event celebrated by all Egyptians, a researcher in Coptic history said. It could also be a boon to Egypt’s struggling tourism industry, said Robert Al-Faress. “The journey of the Holy Family to […]

Iran-backed Shi’ite militia to hold off invasion of Fallujah to protect civilians

Iran-backed Shi’ite militia to hold off invasion of Fallujah to protect civilians

by WorldTribune Staff, June 5, 2016 An Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi’ite militia will not launch an offensive on Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) forces in Fallujah until civilians have left the city, the militia’s leader said. “We will not enter Fallujah as long as there are families inside,” said Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the […]

Syrian forces open new front against ISIL with Russian air support

Syrian forces open new front against ISIL with Russian air support

by WorldTribune Staff, June 3, 2016 Syrian forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have launched their largest offensive against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) since retaking the historic city of Palmyra in March. The new front was opened on June 3 in ISIL-held territory in eastern Hama province, near the boundary with Raqqa province. […]

State Dept. report on terror trends again singles out Iran

State Dept. report on terror trends again singles out Iran

by WorldTribune Staff, June 3, 2016 Terrorists launched 11,774 attacks worldwide in 2015, but the scope was “increasingly decentralized and diffuse,” according to a new U.S. report. Despite the signing of a nuclear accord with world powers and the ending of international sanctions, Iran continued its reign as the world’s top state sponsor of terrorism, […]

Report on Syria: ‘Labyrinth of Hell which has no apparent exit’

Report on Syria: ‘Labyrinth of Hell which has no apparent exit’

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Words cannot begin to describe the devastation and suffering which has befallen Syria, now in its fifth year of civil war. Upon his return from the ravaged country, the UN’s Humanitarian chief, Stephen O’Brien, solemnly told the UN Security Council, “I have run out of […]

Al Qaida attack on Yemen port city thwarted; Houthis retake ground from government forces

Al Qaida attack on Yemen port city thwarted; Houthis retake ground from government forces

by WorldTribune Staff, June 3, 2016 Yemeni government forces foiled an attempted terror attack by Al Qaida in the port city of Mukalla which the terror organization recently lost control of. Security forces found an explosives-laden car that Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) was planning to blow up near an administrative headquarters in […]

U.S.-led coalition drops ammo to Syrian rebels fighting to stop ISIL advance in Aleppo province

U.S.-led coalition drops ammo to Syrian rebels fighting to stop ISIL advance in Aleppo province

by WorldTribune Staff, June 3, 2016 Aircraft from the U.S.-led coalition dropped a badly-needed supply of ammunition to Syrian rebels attempting to halt an Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) advance in northern Aleppo province. The ammunition went to Syrian rebels trying to prevent ISIL jihadists from entering the town of Marea, the Syrian […]

Iran’s Zarif to Trump: ‘Renegotiate’ nuclear deal? Not possible

Iran’s Zarif to Trump: ‘Renegotiate’ nuclear deal? Not possible

by WorldTribune Staff, June 2, 2016 Despite Donald Trump’s pledge to do so, the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers can’t be renegotiated, Iran’s foreign minister said. The deal “is not an Iran-U.S. agreement for the Republican front-runner or anybody else to renegotiate. It’s an international understanding annexed to a Security Council resolution,” Mohammad […]

UK columnist: Iran may be ‘hot’ but its brutality leaves me cold

UK columnist: Iran may be ‘hot’ but its brutality leaves me cold

by WorldTribune Staff, June 2, 2016 Post-sanctions Iran may have become a fashionable “hot spot” for tourists but it is still a brutal hellhole for many of its own people, particularly women, a UK columnist wrote. “Scrolling through the hundreds of photos a friend took on a visit last year, I did feel a twinge […]