Russia to conduct naval maneuvers in Mediterranean
Fresh from beginning an airbase in Syria, Russia is about to conduct naval exercises in the Med. Part of those exercises may include a visit to the Russian naval base at Tartus, Syria.
Syria uses recently acquired Russian jets against ISIL
Syria has begun an air campaign against ISIL near Reqaa, the self-proclaimed capital of the self-proclaimed caliphate. It would not be surpassing if the pilots were actually Russian – or of Russian pilots openly took part in the campaign in coming weeks or days.
Doubts about US-trained force deployed into Syria
The Pentagon denies that seventy US–trained fighters have defected to the al Qaeda affiliate in Syria. Another report says that one of the commanders has dissociated himself and his troops from the US and is operating as an independent force. We shall see.
Two ISIL bombs hit Shia mosque in Yemen
ISIL continues to strike at Shia/Houthis targets, especially in the capital, Senaa. It is contended here that ISIL and AQAP are intertwined with southern Sunni separatists and that the Houthis are the most reliable force fighting those terrorist groups.