Last May, the world was horrified to learn that the band of marauding, black-flag waving, sword-wielding jihadist desert bandits we all know as the CIA-spawn called ISIS had overrun the ancient city of Palmyra. A UNESCO world heritage site, the city is known for its picturesque ancient ruins and boasts a rich cultural history that brings together Greek, Roman and Persian influences.
US Marines have entered the battle in Iraq to help the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga defend the oil fields from ISIS. The marines are on the front line and have reportedly been tasked with protecting Iraqi units in Makhmur, a scenario President Barack Obama wanted to avoid as long as possible during his time in office.
While Russia and Iran are busy liberating whole cities from ISIS in Syria, the US is sticking with the “one raid at a time” approach and it apparently paid dividends on Thursday morning when Abu Alaa Afri, also known as Abd al-Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli and Haji Imam was killed in Syria.
US Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner seemed indifferent to the imminent liberation of the ancient city of Palmyra by the Syrian army from the hands of Islamic State. The Syrian army with the help of Russian military support is on the verge of taking back what is left of the historical city. The US shows no enthusiasm that the “jewel in the desert” is about to be freed from ISIS. Russia Today reports: Backed by Russian warplanes, Syrian troops managed to enter the historic city on Thursday.
A priest believed to have been kidnapped by ISIS militants may face execution by crucifixion on Good Friday, as reports on social media suggest the group plan mark the Christian holiday by mimicking the way in which Jesus died. Father Tom Uzhunnalil was kidnapped in his home on March 4, as gunmen killed 16 people at an old people’s home in Aden – a port city in Yemen. Mirror.co.uk reports: No group has come forward to claim responsibility for the kidnap of the priest, who was a member of the Silesian order in Bangalore, India, but a survivor said ISIS was to blame.