Iraqi Forces Moving Response

Iraqi forces and tribes moving south of Mosul 

Arbil  Monday, June 13, 2016 (01:00 - GMT)

Backed Iraqi forces launched an attack on the tribes south of Mosul and has made progress towards the control of the town of Qayyarah, spare organization «Daash» toward Salahuddin, Kirkuk supply lines. It came at a time Search senior US delegation in Erbil «edit Mosul plans» and «Nineveh management mechanism after Daash.»

And eventually reached the Makhmour headquarters «Joint Special Operations Command», additional military reinforcements is an armored brigade, boats and floating bridges to be used in crossing the Tigris River all the way to Qayyarah hand which has a helipad in order to be used for logistical support base before the launch of the restoration of Mosul process. The process also will provide a wall isolates organization for control of areas in the north-west of Tikrit and Kirkuk.

And it announced «Ninawa Operations Command», in a statement yesterday, «starting a new page editing process more areas on the eastern side of Qayyarah», adding that «the army managed to free the ruins of the village of algebra, and surrounded the village of Haj Ali». The statement «four wheels bomb destroyed and killed 25 terrorists, while international airline alliance destroyed the nests of the organization in the village of Haj and laboratories for the manufacture of containers and car bombs».

The leadership said in an earlier statement that the air strikes of the coalition on Saturday affected the rocket launchers and a large store of ammunition, missiles near the drunk and the town of Qayyarah. The Kurdish military source pointed out that «Iraqi forces were able to cut the strategic road link between Qayyarah and the village of Haj Ali». «Reuters» and quoted its part, officers of the participants in the process that the Iraqi forces advanced in tanks and armored vehicles toward the village of Haj Ali, about 60 kilometers south of Mosul «under the cover of air strikes and artillery fire alliance». An Iraqi officer from the ruins of the village adjacent to the village of Jabr al-Haj Ali which took control Finally, the elements «Daash» resisted at first, but when they saw the force withdrew.

For his part, the governor of Nineveh Nofal Hammadi Sultan stressed that «the new process differs from previous operations, especially after the post Armored Brigade, which finally arrived».

Commented the former governor troop commander «National crowd» Liberation of Iraq through his account in «Facebook» saying: «I see the promise of the first page of the battle to liberate Mosul toward the east side of Qayyarah, I expect a unique international alliance of this battle in support, while the willingness of the rest of the forces of themes continue the other toward Mosul»

The Minister of Defense Khalid al-Obeidi, yesterday during a press conference held at the headquarters of the leadership of the South of Tikrit, Samarra operations, that «the operation, which was launched in the district of drunken resulted in the freeing large areas bordering the Tigris River from the eastern side of the crack, and we will open a new axes to fight al Daash in Tikrit».Obeidi's remarks came simultaneously with the arrival of an armored brigade to Tikrit in preparation for a recovery operation, spend Shirqat north of the province (south of Qayyarah).

On the other hand, reported «military media cell» that «Iraqi planes dropped thousands of leaflets in the center of hand Alkwyr of the town drunk, calls on citizens all prepare for the reception of Iraqi security forces and move away from the headquarters and communities organize Daash terrorist as they would be targets for our troops», explained that «publications identified safe ports for the exit of civilians and how to use security card when you go to security forces. »

A statement by the presidency of the Kurdistan region, said yesterday that the «delegation headed by US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones and Gen. MacFarland commander of coalition forces in Iraq briefed President (Massoud) Barzani, the US plans to destroy Daash sites in Iraq and Syria, and the liberalization of the city of Mosul and the mechanism of Nineveh province administration after the expulsion of the organization (of it). » The US Embassy said in a statement indicated that the «Jones discussed (with Barzani) political situation and plans for economic reform, humanitarian and military aid the US's $ 480 million, including more than $ 65 million was spent on food, fuel, ammunition and medical supplies provided to the Peshmerga in the past month

Response: 

I found this article competely unique simply because of the perspective from which it's written. I pulled it off of an Egyptian news page, and translated the arabic into english. Therefore it is a bit tricky to understand, but it offers a new, north African view, on the issue of Iraqi troops. It discusses the movements of Iraqi forces as they progress towards a logical base in order to better recruit followers and attack opposers. With this in mind, It was a bit more difficult to see the bias, paritally because of the translation, but paritally because it's difficult to know Egypt's stance on this subject. So in conclusion, I think it efficently reviews Iraq's actions to inform Egyptians as to what is going on and the dangers involved. They may just be looking out for their citizens, but I also think there is a bit of frustration and hopelesness involved. I agree with the article in that Iraq did make a logical step in moving there, but I don't agree with their methods of recuriting or their other destructive actions.

Citation:

Arbil. "Iraqi Forces and Tribes Moving South of Mosul."
Al Hayat. Miles 33, 13 June 2016. Web. 13 June 2016. <http://www.alhayat.com/Articles/16052091/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%84>.

Ramadan for Chinese Muslims Response

Chinese Muslims embrace Ramadan amid summer heat

Source: Xinhua | 2016-06-07 16:35:49 | Editor: huaxia

URUMQI, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Muslims around China finished their first day of Ramadan after a long day without food and drink on Monday.

For many in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, it is customary after a day's fasting to have a glass of "doc," a milk drink mixed with yogurt, honey and ice.

"Nothing is better than doc for breaking fast. Both thirst and fatigue disappear after a glass," said Abdokrim Ismail, a resident of Kashgar's old town.

This year's Ramadan, which lasts from Monday to July 6, coincides with the hottest part of the year in Kashgar. Going without drinking in temperatures consistently over 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) is quite a challenge.

"Ramadan is an occasion for us to experience starvation and learn endurance. No matter how hard it is, I will keep fasting for the holy month," Abdokrim said.

Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink between sunrise and dusk during the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual reflection. The practice is widely observed by ethnic minorities in China, including Uygur, Hui, Kazakh, Uzbek, Tajik and Kyrgyz.

But for Mayis Hagei, a Muslim hotcake cook from Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, work continues.

Mayis Hagei, his wife and daughter got up at about 4 a.m. as usual. After morning prayer, the family began a busy working day.

"Ramadan is good for us Muslims to purify the heart, strengthen the mind and contemplate over doctrine," he said. "But non-Muslim residents of the neighborhood also need our cakes and service."

"I have sworn to stick it out until the Eid al-Fitr (festival of breaking of the fast)," he added.

While Mayis Hagei was making cakes for his customers, Eprhan Abdokadhre, a housewife in Kashgar, was also busy preparing food before the sunrise: mutton, lamb pilaf, fruits, desserts, bread, milk, tea and honey -- plentiful enough for the whole family to endure the day.

"We believe in a light supper and a heavy breakfast," Eprhan said.

After grabbing a bite in the dusk, the men in her home went to a nearby mosque for the fourth prayer of the day, and women performed the ritual at home.

According to Hamit Aisha, assistant general manager of Xinjiang Arman halal food company, sales usually double during Ramadan, as demand for finished and semi-finished food soars.

Hermit Parati runs a carpet factory in Artux City of Xinjiang's Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. He is thinking of shortening working hours by three to four hours per day for Muslim employees.

On Monday, about 20,000 people visited Dongguan Mosque in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, almost double the usual number. Qinghai is home to more than a million Muslims, or about one fifth of the province's total population.

Wang Shaofeng, an imam at the mosque, leads tours for visitors. "Not drinking water for the whole day is quite a challenge for people like me, who talk a lot, but many people are quite considerate, and they did not ask many questions today," he said.

After sunset, young girls distributed dates at the gate of the mosque and some believers brought milk tea and melons to share.

Ma Jian, a middle-aged Muslim, left the mosque after he finished his prayer sessions for the day. "My family have prepared noodles and desserts for the night. After a day of fasting, the delicacies are a great joy," he said.

China has about 20 million Muslims.

Response:

For a religious twist, this article discusses the difficulties and benefits of participating in the Ramadan fast, a period of fasting which lasts from sunup to sundown. It discusses the struggles of not being able to eat or drink for long hot hours in the intense heat, but being able to feast for breakfast and dinner. I think the article accomplishes a number of things, including informing readers what the Muslim holiday is about and the difficulty level of what they are doing. You can tell it is written by an outside source, one that may not be too knowledgeable of what they are doing, but not slighted towards Christians who might be reading it as well. But they do promote the Chinese Muslims' actions, because they see them as being beneficial and rewarding. It also does a good job of personally connecting the reader by walking in the footsteps of someone who is actually doing the fast. I partially agree and partially disagree to sum it up. 

Citation:

Huaxia. "Chinese Muslims Embrace Ramadan amid Summer Heat."
New China. Xinhua, 7 June 2016. Web. 7 June 2016. <http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-06/07/c_135419726.htm>.