U.S. RAID FREES 70 ISIS PRISONERS
U.S. and Kurdish fighters recently launched a commando raid to rescue prisoners held by ISIS near the northern town of Hawija. The raid was intended to rescue Kurdish prisoners, but instead the soldiers found and freed 70 Iraqis. Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler was killed in the raid. He was the first American soldier to be killed in action in Iraq since 2011. (New York Times Oct. 22, 2015: The Guardian Oct. 25, 2015: CNS News Oct. 26, 2015)
FSA REBELS REJECT RUSSIAN SUPPORT
Russia has stated that it would be willing to offer air support to U.S.-backed rebels battling ISIS. Syrian rebels like the Free Syrian Army have said they will reject any offers of military assistance from Russia while it continues to bomb them and support the Assad regime. Though Russia claims its airstrikes in Syria are only targeting violent militants affiliated with ISSI, FSA activists have reported bombing campaigns by Russian warplanes of moderate rebels and civilians in western Syria, where ISIS militants have little discernible presence. (BBC Oct. 26, 2015.)
TURKISH CLASH WITH ISIS LEAVES POLICE AND SUSPECTS DEAD
Two policemen and seven suspected members of ISIS have been killed in a shootout in southeastern Turkey. The police were raiding houses in Diyarbakir at the time of the clash in response to the bombings in Ankara that killed almost 100 people earlier this month. Diyarbakir is a majority Kurdish city. This incident is the first confrontation between ISIS militants and Turkey on Turkish soil since July. (BBC Oct. 26, 2015)
SOUTH SUDAN MAKES PROGRESS TOWARD PEACE
South Sudanese rebels signed an agreement to implement security measures of a ceasefire agreement reached in August. Talks will continue to flesh out details on what will be a shared security force. The government and rebels have continued to fight since the peace accord was reached, parties are hopeful the new agreement will represent a breakthrough. (Voice of America Oct. 26, 2015)
U.S. APPROVES $11B WARSHIP SALE TO SAUDI
Washington has approved the sale of up to four multi-mission warships built by Lockheed Martin, plus any associated equipment, training, and logistics, to Saudi Arabia. The massive defense deal is valued at $11.25 billion. The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said that the hardware was priced at $4.3 billion with the rest going to cover logistics and training. (Reuters Oct. 20, 2015)