BEIRUT — The Islamic State group declared a new leader Thursday after it confirmed the death of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi days earlier in a U.S raid in Syria. In its audio release by the IS central media arm, al-Furqan Foundation, a new spokesman for IS identifies the successor...
Trump Tweets Photo of Military Dog Wounded in Baghdadi Raid
WASHINGTON — The name is still classified but President Donald Trump on Monday outed the military working dog that tracked down the head of the Islamic State. Trump tweeted a photo of a Belgian Malinois that he said worked with a team of special forces in the capture of Abu Bakr...
Security Increased at IS Prisons After Leader's Death
BEIRUT — Syrian Kurdish forces said Monday they are increasing security at prisons and detention facilities holding tens of thousands of Islamic State militants and supporters, including foreigners, following the death of the extremist group's leader in a U.S. military raid. The heightened security also comes as Kurdish forces said...
Esper: US Troops, Armored Vehicles Going to Syria Oil Fields
BRUSSELS — The U.S. will send armored reinforcements into eastern Syria to bolster defenses against a potential move by Islamic State militants on oil fields controlled by U.S.-backed Syrian Kurds, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Friday. Esper described the added force as "mechanized," which would likely means it will include tanks...
US May Now Keep Some Troops in Syria to Guard Oilfields
KABUL, Afghanistan — The U.S. may leave some forces in Syria to secure oilfields and make sure they don't fall into the hands of a resurgent Islamic State, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday, even though President Donald Trump has insisted he is pulling troops out of the country and...
US Troops Scramble for the Exits in Syria
WASHINGTON — U.S. troops scrambled for Syria's exits Monday while the Trump administration threatened economic penalties on Turkey for an invasion that opened the door to a resurgence of the Islamic State group -- the fighters who were the reason U.S. forces came in the first place. The Turks began...
US to Hand Over to Iraq IS Members Evacuated From Syria
BAGHDAD — Two Iraqi intelligence officials say the U.S. is planning to hand over to Iraqi authorities dozens of members of the Islamic State group recently transferred from Syria. The officials said the nearly 50 militants are expected to be handed over in the coming hours. They spoke on condition...
Trump's Syria Withdrawal Announcement Draws GOP Condemnation
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's sudden decision to pull back U.S. troops from northern Syria drew quick, strong criticism Monday from some of his closest allies in Congress. It was condemned, too, by Kurdish fighters who would be abandoned to face a likely Turkish assault after fighting alongside Americans for...
Death Toll in Attack at Afghan Political Office Rises to 20
KABUL, Afghanistan — The death toll from an attack against the Kabul office of the Afghan president's running mate and former chief of the intelligence service climbed to at least 20 people Monday, an official said. Around 50 other people were wounded in Sunday's attack against the Green Trend party...
Navy SEAL Acquitted of Murder in Killing of Captive in Iraq
A military jury acquitted a decorated Navy SEAL of premeditated murder Tuesday in the killing of a wounded Islamic State captive under his care in Iraq in 2017. Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher was cleared of all charges except for posing for photos with the dead body of the captive...