Allied airstrike kills Iraqi troopsÂ
Ten Iraqi soldiers were killed by an allied airstrike just west of Baghdad. US Sec Defense Carter has said the culpable pilot was likely an American. Iraqi politicians will use this to drum up anti-american sentiment and they will do so with considerable encouragement from Iran and Russia. There is a contest in Iraq to diminish US influence in the country.
China protests US flight near Southeast Asian island
Two US B-52s flew within two nautical miles of an island in the Spratly chain, which is claimed by China. The US has pro,used to look into the incident. The intrusion might have been accidental; navigation systems aren’t flawless but the new would have had the islands within their eyesight.
Lebanon denies it is part of Saudi anti-terror alliance
Coming shortly after Pakistan denied membership in the 34-nation group, Lebanon too has denied it’s in the partnership. The alliance is at least as much anti-Shia as it is anti-terror, and Lebanon has a large Shia population that would object to membership as it should augur the rise of Saudi/Sunni influence in their country. Despite decades of sectarian conflict, Lebanon has been impressive in containing sectarian conflict, even after Sunni attacks on Shia targets. The 34-member group isn down to 32 members as of today.
Explosion and gunfire heard in Somali capital
Mogadishu has been rocked by an attack, probably from the al Shabaab group, which has claimed allegiance to al Qaeda. ISIL and AQ are in a competition of sorts for preeminence in the international jihadi movement.