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Title: Egypt 'bombs IS in Libya' after beheadings video
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URL Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31483631
Published: Feb 16, 2015
Author: Staff
Post Date: 2015-02-16 07:58:32 by out damned spot
Keywords: Egypt, ISIS, Libya
Views: 8789
Comments: 52
VIDEO The BBC's Sally Nabil in Cairo says the strikes send "a very strong message" Egypt says it has bombed Islamic State targets in Libya, hours after the group published video showing the apparent beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians. State TV said the dawn strikes had targeted camps, training sites and weapons storage areas. Earlier, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt had the "right to respond" against IS. A video emerged on Sunday showing a group wearing orange overalls being forced to the ground and decapitated. IS militants claim to have carried out several attacks in Libya, which is in effect without a government. "Egypt reserves the right to respond at the proper time and in the appropriate style in retaliation against those inhuman criminal killers," President Sisi said. "Egypt and the whole world are in a fierce battle with extremist groups carrying extremist ideology and sharing the same goals." The kidnapped Egyptian workers, all Coptic Christians, were seized in December and January from the coastal town of Sirte in eastern Libya, under the control of Islamist groups. The video of the beheadings was posted online by Libyan jihadists who pledge loyalty to IS. It was one of the first such videos to come from an IS group outside its core territory in Syria and Iraq. The video describes the Copts as "crusaders" and refers among other things to two women, wives of Coptic priests, whose alleged conversion to Islam triggered a sectarian dispute in Egypt in 2010. Egypt did not give the locations of the strikes, but a spokesman for Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni told the BBC that Egyptian jets had taken part in co-ordinated air strikes on Derna. "Eight strikes have been conducted so far [in Derna]. The plan is to target all IS locations in the country wherever they are," said Mohamed Azazza. Libyan Air force commander Saqer al-Joroushi told Reuters news agency that Libyan planes had bombed targets in Sirte and Bin Jawad. Thirteen of the dead men came from the village of Al-Our, in Minya. Screams of grief come from several houses in the dusty back streets, and groups of black-clad women go from house to house to offer condolences. One woman, wailing in the street, tells us she has lost five relatives. In the packed courtyard of the church, mourners are gathering for a memorial service. Local men say they are desperate for work and Libya is their only hope of a job. Many say they still have relatives working there, and that villagers will continue to go there in search of work. Egypt declared seven days of national mourning after the release of the video. In a televised address, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi described IS as "inhuman criminal killers". "Egypt and the whole world are in a fierce battle with extremist groups carrying extremist ideology and sharing the same goals," he said. He later visited St Mark's Cathedral in Cairo to offer his condolences to Coptic Pope Tawadros II. Egypt is already fighting Islamist insurgents based in the Sinai peninsula who have declared their allegiance to Islamic State. Sirte abductions Leading international condemnation, the United States called the killings "despicable" and "cowardly". Pope Francis expressed his "profound sadness". Libya is home to a large community of both Muslim and Coptic Egyptians, with most working in the construction sector. In the first kidnapping in Sirte, in late December, a group of Coptic Christians was abducted at a fake checkpoint while trying to leave the city. Days later, militants raided a residential compound in Sirte and separated Christians from Muslims before handcuffing their captives and taking them away. Libya has been in chaos since 2011 and the overthrow of its then-leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi. Since then, numerous militia groups have battled for control. It has two rival governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in Tobruk. Meanwhile, the eastern city of Benghazi - where the 2011 revolution began - is largely in the hands of militant fighters, some with links to al-Qaeda. The head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency warned last month that IS was assembling "a growing international footprint that includes ungoverned and under-governed areas", including Libya. On Sunday, Italy closed its embassy in Tripoli. Italy, the former colonial power, lies less than 500 miles (750km) from Libya at the shortest sea crossing point. Tripoli: government appointed by old parliament that challenged legitimacy of last year's elections Tobruk: internationally recognised government, ousted from capital not long after 2014 election Both backed by loose alliance of militias focused on local interests Benghazi: second city and headquarters of 2011 Revolution, largely in hands of Islamist fighters, some with links to al-Qaeda Misrata: third city and main port, also loyal to Tripoli authorities. Its militias keep them in power. Derna: home to Islamic State
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 21.
#1. To: out damned spot, BobCeleste, GarySpFc, liberator (#0)
From Joel Rosenbergs site: UPDATED: Much of the West remains asleep or lethargic concerning the threat posed by the Islamic State, even as the movement’s gruesome killing spree continues unabated. The latest: an Islamic State affiliate has beheaded 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians who were working in Libya, according to a new ISIS video released on Sunday. “In the video, militants in black marched the captives, dressed in orange jump suits, to a beach the group said was near Tripoli,” reported Reuters. “They were forced down onto their knees, then beheaded.” “The people of the cross, followers of the hostile Egyptian church,” read a caption on the five minute video, Reuters noted. President Obama spent eight hours golfing on Sunday. But Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi vowed to “avenge” the “criminal killings.” He immediately ordered the Egyptian air force to bomb ISIS sites in Libya, and he announced that more attacks against the jihadists were coming. He also called for a seven-day period of mourning for the murdered Christians. “These cowardly actions will not undermine our determination” said el-Sisi, who also banned all travel to Libya by Egyptian citizens and said his government reserves the right to seek retaliation, reported the Associated Press. “Egypt and the whole world are in a fierce battle with extremist groups carrying extremist ideology and sharing the same goals.” The AP report noted that “the killings raise the possibility that the Islamic militant group — which controls about a third of Syria and Iraq in a self- declared caliphate — has established a direct affiliate less than 500 miles (800 kilometers) from the southern tip of Italy. One of the militants in the video makes direct reference to that possibility, saying the group now plans to ‘conquer Rome.'” “All crusaders: safety for you will be only wishes, especially if you are fighting us all together,” states one of the jihadists on the ISIS video. “Therefore we will fight you all together. The sea you have hidden Sheikh Osama bin Laden’s body in, we swear to Allah we will mix it with your blood.” More here:
Interesting dynamic going on here. Egypt and Jordan are now at war with ISIS. Incredibly, the occupied US goob does nothing but help ISIS behind the scene. If CBS/NBC/ABC/CNN/MSNBC published this photo, I wonder what America's reaction would be? And pray tell -- WHAT is 0dinga's statement on this insanity? Anything about looking like his "sons"? One of the militants in the video makes direct reference to that possibility, saying the group now plans to ‘conquer Rome.'” If Reagan were President, the de-infestation would take about three days. (Meanwhile 0dinga cheers on his brethren, the media snoozes, the GOP fiddles, and McCain is worried about getting enough Metamuecil in his Kool-Ade.)
Notice that Obama does not mention that they were CHRISTIANS: The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release February 15, 2015 Statement by the Press Secretary on the Murder of Egyptian Citizens The United States condemns the despicable and cowardly murder of twenty-one Egyptian citizens in Libya by ISIL-affiliated terrorists. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and our support to the Egyptian government and people as they grieve for their fellow citizens. ISIL’s barbarity knows no bounds. It is unconstrained by faith, sect, or ethnicity. This wanton killing of innocents is just the most recent of the many vicious acts perpetrated by ISIL-affiliated terrorists against the people of the region, including the murders of dozens of Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai, which only further galvanizes the international community to unite against ISIL. This heinous act once again underscores the urgent need for a political resolution to the conflict in Libya, the continuation of which only benefits terrorist groups, including ISIL. We call on all Libyans to strongly reject this and all acts of terrorism and to unite in the face of this shared and growing threat. We continue to strongly support the efforts of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bernardino Leon to facilitate formation of a national unity government and help foster a political solution in Libya. www.whitehouse.gov/the-pr...15/02/15/statement-press- secretary-murder-egyptian-citizens
The United States condemns the despicable and cowardly murder of twenty-one Egyptian citizens in Libya by ISIL-affiliated terrorists. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and our support to the Egyptian government and people as they grieve for their fellow citizens. ISIL’s barbarity knows no bounds. It is unconstrained by faith, sect, or ethnicity. This wanton killing of innocents is just the most recent of the many vicious acts perpetrated by ISIL-affiliated terrorists against the people of the region, including the murders of dozens of Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai, which only further galvanizes the international community to unite against ISIL. Egyptian citizens were not Christians? These terrorists were not Islamic?
These terrorists were not Islamic? What a disgusting statement by the POTUS. They were beheaded solely because they are Christians. This man and his Brotherhood cabal are enemies of all that I hold dear. Our only consolation is that they will face Him one day. May that day come soon.
#22. To: out damned spot (#21)
I fully understand your feelings, and yet Christ commanded us to love and pray for our enemies, and that dear lady is what makes us different.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestEgypt says it has bombed Islamic State targets in Libya, hours after the group published video showing the apparent beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians.
#10. To: redleghunter (#1)
BREAKING: Egypt’s President el-Sisi orders military strikes after ISIS beheads 21 Egyptian Christians. Details & analysis.
#19. To: Liberator (#10)
WHAT is 0dinga's statement on this insanity?
#20. To: out damned spot (#19)
For Immediate Release February 15, 2015 Statement by the Press Secretary on the Murder of Egyptian Citizens
#21. To: GarySpFC (#20)
Egyptian citizens were not Christians?
Replies to Comment # 21. Our only consolation is that they will face Him one day. May that day come soon.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 21.
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