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Yahoo
9 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Africa terror group ramping up ability to strike inside the US, general says
The Sahel region in Africa is now the 'epicenter of terrorism on the globe,' a four-star Marine Corps general warned Thursday, with terror factions there having increased their presence dramatically in the past three years and ramping up their ability to launch attacks inside the U.S. The dire warning by Gen. Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, comes as the Trump administration cancels aid programs across the continent and considers consolidating military leadership in Africa with one already overseeing troops in Europe. 'It is the flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability. It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe,' Langley said of Sahel region in Africa, namely Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. MORE: US orders airstrikes against ISIS targets in Somalia Of particular concern is one faction aligned with al-Qaeda known as 'JNIM,' which has expanded 'fourfold' since 2022 and now controls much of Burkina Faso, he said. 'We're keeping a good eye on this, because they could have the capacity to attack the homeland,' he said of the group. U.S. officials have long warned about the growing influence of powerful terror groups operating out of north, west and central Africa, particularly as China and Russia invest heavily there and are forging alliances with local governments to gain influence. Last year, the U.S. shuttered a military base in Niger that was considered a crucial hub for American counterterrorism operations after the governing militia there asked the U.S. to leave and welcomed Russian troops instead. 'Extremist groups are gaining ground and also expanding their ambitions. Therein lies the threat to the homeland as they gain in capability and capacity,' he said. Africa terror group ramping up ability to strike inside the US, general says originally appeared on
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Families part ways with 1,800 Iowa soldiers at deployment send-off ceremonies
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa –Thousands are gathering this week at community send-offs for Iowa National Guard soldiers. 1,800 soldiers from Iowa will be deploying to the Middle East to partake in Operation Inherent Resolve, a mission to defeat ISIS. This is Iowa's largest deployment since 2010. The ceremony at West Des Moines Readiness Center Thursday afternoon had 214 troops who were honored before heading out on this 12-month assignment. This send-off is just one of 24 happening this week across the state. The crowds were full of friends and family, including many Blue Star Mothers of America Iowa. The group is made up of moms, grandmas, parent figures, etc. This support group has been crucial for many loved ones, because the sendoff, and thereafter, is never easy. Construction is halfway complete on new Des Moines airport terminal 'I think the hardest one for me was when you could hear the children in the crowd going, oh, there's my dad. Not fully understanding that at the end of the ceremony you're getting in the car and dad isn't,' Blue Star Mothers Iowa spokesperson April Conway said. 'And all of these ceremonies all across the state, we are trying to make sure that Blue Star Moms will be there to offer a hug. We've ordered 400 packages of Kleenex to bring with us because we know what it's like, but we also know what it's going to be like when you go home. I want every spouse and child and mother and friend and sister to know that when you get home, it's okay to cry. Fear is a natural thing that comes with deployment. Just keep in mind the joy that you're going to feel when that coming home ceremony gets here. And we'll be there for that one, too.' This year, Blue Star Mothers Iowa will be sending 2,500 care packages to every single Iowan that is deployed later this year for the holidays. If you'd like to donate or want more information, you can visit their website. They also want you to know, if you need support, you can message them on Facebook and a mother will answer within an hour. 'It takes a village. And even though these deploying soldiers are not our own flesh and blood, they're our Iowa family,' Conway said. 'While they're gone, we want to be able to stand in the gap for their families that are left behind. Because, you know, in a week, life does go on. And the community, they will move on with their own lives. But for these family members left behind, the next 12 months are going to feel a lot longer than 12 months, and we're going to be there for them to help carry them through it.' Iowa News: Forecast: Thursday raindrops, then heat Gov. Kim Reynolds signs bill aimed at growing rural hospital workforces Families part ways with 1,800 Iowa soldiers at deployment send-off ceremonies Funnel clouds reported in Iowa today Pella Middle School teacher earns Golden Apple Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Republican lawmakers urge immediate US sanctions on Iraq
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, two Republican members of the US House of Representatives called for immediate sanctions on Iraq, accusing Baghdad of falling fully under Iranian influence and acting as a 'puppet' of Tehran. In a letter addressed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Representatives Joe Wilson of South Carolina and Greg Steube of Florida demanded a 'comprehensive reassessment' of US-Iraq relations, urging the suspension of all American aid to the Iraqi government until 'serious steps' are taken to curb Iran's dominance. My letter today with @RepGregSteube to Secretary Rubio asking for sanctioning Iraq to be included as part of maximum pressure. ⬇️ — Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) May 28, 2025 'Iran now effectively controls the Iraqi government and large parts of its security apparatus,' the lawmakers wrote, adding that continued US support for Baghdad amounts to 'a betrayal of the more than 4,400 American service members who died since 2003.' The letter also blamed former President Barack Obama's administration for 'emboldening Iran's position in Iraq' by backing former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and allowing Iran-backed militias to expand under the pretext of fighting ISIS. Wilson and Steube described current US policy toward Baghdad as a 'strategic failure,' and called for a firmer stance to contain Iranian influence not only in Iraq but across the region.
LBCI
a day ago
- General
- LBCI
Alleged talks with Syria, warnings on Lebanon: Israel walks a strategic 'tightrope'
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Between near-daily bombings and incursions, the Israeli army's threats to expand its presence deeper into Lebanon, and the relative calm in Syria's interior, it appears Israel, through its security agencies and political consultations, is trying to ensure calm on the Syrian front. Israel considers itself closer to peace with Syria, despite some officials' concerns that certain steps could jeopardize the army's achievements and freedom of operation there. This warning came after the disclosure of direct talks between Syrian and Israeli security and military officials. Some say the talks took place at the border, while others claim they occurred inside Israel. A report further revealed that efforts are focused on accelerating an understanding between the two sides. At the same time the talks were revealed, a military report discussed the Israeli army's deployment in Syria, noting it controls nine military sites from the summit of Mount Hermon through the Hama region to the border triangle with Jordan. However, the report also pointed to the continued presence of weapons caches, specifically in villages known to be affiliated with ISIS. This issue was discussed by Israelis with Syrian figures due to concerns about the impact on the army's safety and border security. The report also warned about the situation regarding Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah's "calm state," noting that if the group decides to retaliate against Tel Aviv, it will not be limited to the five hills it occupies inside Lebanon but will extend into Israel proper. The report said this requires decisive action on this front as well.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rubio urged to punish Iraq with 'maximum pressure' sanctions for its 'complete subjugation' by Iran
FIRST ON FOX: A pair of House Republicans are urging Secretary Marco Rubio to punish Iraq with sanctions for its "complete subjugation" by Iran as part of the U.S.'s "maximum pressure" policy toward Tehran. "More than 4,400 American service members sacrificed their lives since the start of the Iraq War, yet today, Iraq stands as nothing more than a puppet of Tehran," Reps. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Greg Steube, R-Fla., wrote in a letter to the secretary of state and interim national security advisor. The letter laid blame on the Obama administration, arguing former President Barack Obama and his Iraq envoy Brett McGurk "propped up" Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whose leadership was marred by brutal political crackdowns and led to the rise of ISIS. "The Obama administration doubled down on its mistakes, relying on Iranian-backed militias to fight ISIS," the letter read. "The consequences of those failed decisions are now undeniable: Iran-backed forces wield unchecked power over Iraq's government and security services." Trump Admin Ends Waiver Allowing Iraq To Buy Iranian Electricity As Part Of 'Maximum Pressure' Campaign Since 2015, the U.S. has offered Iraq's forces $1.25 billion in foreign military financing, in addition to billions more for the interior ministry and defense ministry. Read On The Fox News App Iran's influence over Iraq was on full display when, in 2021, Iraq issued an arrest warrant for President Donald Trump for the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, even as the U.S. still has 2,500 forces on the ground in Iraq to partner with local forces and fight ISIS. Steube and Wilson called on the U.S. to cut all foreign aid to Iraq until it comes out from under Iran's influence. The letter calls for the U.S. to sanction Iraq's importation of Iranian gas. Currently, only payment for the gas is under sanction, meaning Iran gives fuel to Iraq without charge but expects repayment in other ways. The Trump administration ended a waiver that allowed Iraq to buy Iranian electricity in March. Gop Rep. Joe Wilson Trumpets 'Make Iraq Great Again!' Message The lawmakers called for designating the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iranian-backed paramilitary group operating in Iraq, and its financial backers as foreign terrorist groups and sanctioning Iraq's state banks that financially support Iran. It also called for sanctions on Iraq's political figures that allow Iranian influence to flourish. "We urge you to take immediate action to implement these necessary policies and ensure that American resources are no longer used to prop up Iran's control over Iraq." The U.S. initially invaded Iraq in 2003, toppling Saddam Hussein's regime and drawing down its troop presence from wartime levels in 2007 and leaving altogether in 2011, before returning in 2014 at the head of the coalition to fight the Islamic State. Other nations, including Germany, France, Spain and Italy, also contribute hundreds of troops to the coalition. In September, reports emerged that the Biden administration was working on a plan to draw down the U.S. troop presence in Iraq within the year, but no set-in-stone decision was made. Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department and the Iraqi Embassy for article source: Rubio urged to punish Iraq with 'maximum pressure' sanctions for its 'complete subjugation' by Iran
