main.R-console-op.txt

> #Setting the path to the working directory
> setwd('C:/Users/balag/OneDrive/Desktop/cacds_r_and_udemy/cacds/R project/')
> 
> #Loading libraries
> library(tm)
> library(stringr)
> library(wordcloud)
> library(SnowballC) 
> library(RColorBrewer) 
> library(ggplot2)
> library(tidytext)
> library(topicmodels)
> 
> #Sourcing  functions
> source('C:/Users/balag/OneDrive/Desktop/cacds_r_and_udemy/cacds/R project/dataLoading.R')
> source('C:/Users/balag/OneDrive/Desktop/cacds_r_and_udemy/cacds/R project/plots.R')
> 
> #Creating a function for dividing the text into articles
> path='AJA_Factiva-20180306-2258.txt'
> alldata=create_text(path)
List of 1
 $ : chr "    Turkey rejects US 'double standard' in Syria ceasefire  474 words 6 March 2018 Al Jazeera English AJAZEN En"| __truncated__
> #Cleaning Data
> text1=alldata
> text2=gsub(pattern='\\W',replace=" ",text1)#remove the special characters and replace it with white space 
> text2=gsub(pattern='\\d',replace=" ",text2)#remove the digits and replace it with white space
> text2=tolower(text2)#Convert the words in upper case to lower case 
> text2=removeWords(text2,stopwords())#remove stop-words like 'and','that','the' etc.
> text2=removeWords(text2,c('al','jazeera','copyright','ajazen','english','march','february'))
> text2=gsub(pattern='\\b[A-z]\\b{1}',replace=' ',text2)#remove single character words and replace it with white space
> text2=stripWhitespace(text2)#Replacing multiple white spaces with single white space
> text2
[1] " turkey rejects us double standard syria ceasefire words erdogan god curse un resolution turkish president recep tayyip erdogan called un ceasefire resolution syria effectively meaningless given syrian governmentâ continued bombing eastern ghouta god curse resolution erdogan said un ceasefire resolution never went effect meaning humanity said addressing legislators turkish parliament tuesday us remarks made last week implied turkey operations afrin violation un syria ceasefire resolution turkey accused us double standard specifying terrorist groups can fought syria speaking reporters ankara deputy prime minister bekir bozdag said afrin mentioned un resolution terrorists divide bad good ones united states behaves illogically guided double standards accepted un security council saturday passed resolution calling day ceasefire syria exceptions asked reporters turkey violating un ceasefire syria us department state spokesperson heather nauert said encourage turkey go back read un resolution quoting un resolution heather nauert said un demands parties cease hostilities without delay engage immediately ensure full comprehensive implementation demand parties durable humanitarian pause least consecutive days throughout syria nauert added resolution affirms cessation hostilities shall apply military operations islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis also known daesh qaeda nusrah front individuals groups undertakings entities associated qaeda isil terror groups designated security council think resolution clear naming exactly groups considered exempt ceasefire turkey operation turkey stressed ceasefire meant give relief civilian areas hit hard syrian government air raids nothing turkey counterterrorism operation afrin northwestern syria foreign ministry spokesman hami aksoy said nauert couldn understand focal point resolution wants distort operation olive branch afrin turkey exercising right self defence based article un charter said aksoy according turkey un ceasefire resolution meant provide humanitarian medical relief battered syrian enclave eastern ghouta target five year siege syrian government anadolu news agency document ee jt turkey set refugee camps near syria idlib words establishment camps case civilian exodus afrin turkey fighting kurdish fighters official says turkey will set refugee camps total capacity various locations control turkish army turkish backed rebels hami aksoy turkish foreign ministry spokesman said aksoy told reporters capital ankara tuesday camps process built turkish red crescent disaster emergency management agency afad according state run anadolu agency spokesman said camps located idlib well areas azaz albil tugli tal afar naddah bardakli mashad rufi regularly dispatching humanitarian aid including shelter food sanitary medical supplies region aksoy said adding establishment new camps case large civilian exodus afrin turkey launched operation january us backed kurdish people protection units ypg border stronghold afrin northwestern syria turkey sees ypg terrorist group aksoy also condemned pentagon spokesman colonel rob manning said operation afrin harmed efforts islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis northeastern syria kurdish fighters moved afrin fight turkish forces aksoy criticised manning calling senior member ypg general according state media pentagon spokesman continued speak nonsense aksoy said stained relations relations nato allies washington ankara strained number issues notably us arming ypg articleguid turkey considers kurdish democratic union party pyd syria armed wing ypg terrorist groups ties outlawed kurdistan workers party pkk active turkey pkk waged decades long armed fight turkish state killed tens thousands people turkey repeatedly called washington stop working ypg us return expressed concern current turkish operation dubbed olive branch urged restraint turkey news agencies document ee qatar gulf crisis latest updates words nine months ago air sea land blockade imposed qatar four arab countries latest developments tuesday uae lobby monday eaked emails obtained bbc suggested elliot broidy major trump fundraiser links united arab emirates tried convince donald trump sack secretary state rex tillerson supporting blockade qatar kuwait emir letters monday qatari emir sheikh tamim bin hamad thani met timothy lenderking us deputy assistant secretary state gulf affairs retired us marine corps general anthony zinni monday meeting comes qatari emir received letter kuwaiti counterpart sheikh sabah ahmad jaber sabah sabah also reportedly sent letters two gulf leaders saudi king salman bin abdulaziz bahraini king hamad bin isa khalifa coup documentary sunday released documentary uncovered evidence involvement saudi arabia uae bahrain supporting foiled coup attempt overthrow qatari government blockading countries demands qatar demand end interference sovereign countries internal affairs jared kushner saturday qatar ambassador meshal hamad thani said twitter qatar touch anyone us special counsel office adding reporting claiming contrary false response came us media reported us special counsel looking possible ties international business jared kushner us president donald trump son law trump foreign policy alleged kushner failed receive qatari funding real estate project us retaliated qatar supporting blockade trump mediation thursday blockading countries issued joint statement claiming gulf crisis small problem needs resolved locally mediation kuwait earlier wednesday qatari government announced emir tamim bin hamad thani will attend meeting us president donald trump washington dc april us official quoted reuters news agency said senior saudi emirati qatari leaders will meet us president next couple months talks will revolve around possibility establishing gcc summit washington auspices later year well around role iran region unhcr session monday th session human rights council unhcr geneva qatar foreign minister urged council take action stop blockade imposed qatar neighbours earlier united nations high commissioner prince zeid bin raad hussein met chairman qatar national human rights committee nhrc ali bin samikh marri geneva marri explained latest humanitarian situation resulting blockade qatar actions taken national human rights committee credit rating fitch ratings agency said qatar fiscal deficit narrowing despite blockade fitch also noted signs broader economic resilience august fitch downgraded qatar credit rating aa restored relations tuesday qatar chad signed memorandum understanding mou resuming diplomatic relations two countries qatar foreign minister said qatar airways tuesday qatar airways ceo akbar baker sent message un international civil aviation organisation icao saying body needs resolve restrictions air routes stemming gulf crisis also said airline nevertheless sustain even crisis dragged monday italian airline carrier meridiana changed name air italy backing new shareholder qatar airways airline aims become italy flagship carrier uae backed alitalia filed bankruptcy together qatar airways meridiana said will expand fleet new planes carry million passengers qatar blockading countries targeted qatar airways forbidding using airspace qatar airways nonetheless found alternative routes expanded travel network new international partnerships arab summit monday qatar foreign minister confirmed qatar attend upcoming arab summit regardless held state will host summit blockade participant provide necessary action will one violation qatar saudi arabia announced host next arab summit following uae request summit usually held year date next summit yet formally announced munich security conference friday address munich security conference germany qatar emir warned qatar gulf crisis undermining region security economic outlook futile crisis manufactured neighbours qatari emir sheikh tamim bin hamad thani said aggressive actors wish use smaller states pawns within power games sectarian conflicts vital interests people middle east guarantee sovereignty states like qatar added anti qatar campaign also friday qatar blockading countries invited journalists meeting calling sanctions qatar one showed organisers reportedly hired pr company room filled young women told us mostly eastern europe hashem ahelbarra reported munich earlier report buzzfeed revealed british parliamentarian paid british pounds help organise anti qatar conference london tillerson kuwait tuesday us secretary state rex tillerson said restoration arab gulf unity best interest parties region tillerson made assertion press conference held kuwait attending high level meeting members us led coalition islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis asian championships league monday gharafa qatar opened asian championships league campaign abu dhabi jazira united arab emirates uae uae requested play games third country idea rejected asian football confederation organises tournament featuring teams split eight groups four clubs qatar saudi arabia united arab emirates played home away basis per afc regulations afc said recent statement football federations uae saudi arabia accepted decision though expressed reservations made previous updates click previous updates since blockade started news agencies document ee florida syria children vilified mercilessly words people attacking outspoken florida school shooting survivors war traumatised syrian children describing human depravity takes insult throw accusations children facing deadly violence quite difficult language polite otherwise absurd unnecessary say wrong adults attack children survived school shooting facing facing bombardment daily basis apparently live world children distress seen fair targets accused everything anything actors exploited regime change qaeda agents recently case syrian boy viciously attacked online media posting videos showing devastation eastern ghouta reaction hardly surprising syrian children mercilessly killed regime allies seven years now constant stream images bloodied faces response scepticism online attacks instead sympathy imperative change news outlets activists alike bizarre vague manner mention deaths children somehow fail say murdered articleguid children middle east nothing new decades lived children victims murderous us arab foreign policies treated shocking lack sympathy mainstream alternative media perfectly clear fault children fault adults claim arms us imperialist ambitions yet defend russian imperialist ambitions palestinians fought battle humanising victims years documenting victims giving media interviews creating media generally using tools disposal show israel aggressor afghans iraqis yemenis cases succeeded yet westerners thought finally admitted nature aggressor israel us now turned around used israel argument another oppressed people syrians rose bashar assad russia iran islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis logic goes pawns israel vilifying children amid death destruction acceptable many failed recognise danger attacks children type human depravity came home roost florida syria west bank children victims thrice young man shot killed children florida high school aide local legislator accused students speaking guns national rifle association nra paid actors conspiracy theorists went far claim whole thing suspicious one outspoken students fathers retired fbi agent wasn first time children us accused crisis actors difference children middle east faced accusations ferocity defended example actor mark ruffalo nearly million twitter followers crusade defend florida students nra attacks came syria called media coverage assad regime crimes propaganda articleguid bana abed went viral daily reporting life child besieged aleppo late called journalists began question motives making fun calling paid propaganda mouthpiece jihadists sixteen year old ahed tamimi palestine received treatment commentators obsessing looks accusing family paid actors claiming fault slapping israeli soldier now assad regime russia pound ghouta region people oblivion anti imperialism crew reacting usual attacks children trying use social media save families time defending children us speaking nra one biggest yet unaddressed problems political tactic abuses young people three different levels victimised oppressors assad regime syria israel palestine shooter florida alternative media accuses paid publicise reality finally political actors children children can exploited actors conflicts deny freedom express reality discount real experiences fear bigger criminals us reason limited linking vilify children rather mentioning name named shamed several outlets countless activists need rehash crimes children yes must challenge narratives produced child attackers however tempting may must also avoid falling trap focusing discourse responding bogus claims time refocus efforts children living adult created hell holes trying survive telling stories ways believe will reach widest audience possible suffering child us deserves attention us come defence suffering children middle east views expressed article author necessarily reflect editorial stance document ee uo syrian civil war map controls words map syrian civil war shows controls years fighting syrian government main cities government control aleppo latakia tartus hama homs damascus palmyra abu kamal isil control battle raqqa islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis remains control area near abu kamal surrounded government forces westward kurdish forces east kurdish control groups fighting syria include jabhat fateh sham iran backed hezbollah syrian democratic forces sdf dominated kurdish people protection units ypg control afrin raqqa qamishli hasakah groups free syrian army fsa loose conglomeration armed brigades formed defectors syrian army civilians aiming topple president bashar assad since battle aleppo fsa remained control limited areas northwestern syria main cities idlib eastern ghouta suburb damascus eastern ghouta eastern ghouta siege since last rebel stronghold near capital become target relentless bombing syrian government jaish islam faylaq rahman ahrar sham largest armed grounds control eastern ghouta suburb qaeeda offshoot jabhat fateh sham formerly known nusra front also minor presence unwelcomed groups intense bombing towns douma misraba harasta near front lines agencies document ee ul un disturbing reports civilian deaths syria afrin words turkey military operation displaced tens thousands kurdish controlled enclave afrin un official says un official expressed concern disturbing reports civilian deaths injuries ongoing military operation turkey us backed kurdish fighters northwestern syria un regional humanitarian coordinator panos moumtzis also said sunday civilians trying flee fighting area prevented local authorities escaping violence tens thousands people now displaced kurdish controlled enclave afrin another managed reach surrounding villages city aleppo said statement continue receive disturbing reports afrin civilian deaths injuries restrictions civilian movement result ongoing military operations said moumtzis risk moving continue stopped exit points local authorities afrin preventing accessing safer areas january turkey launched operation clear kurdish people protection units ypg fighters border northern syria military said sunday terrorists neutralised since offensive began turkish military said terror targets destroyed utmost care taken avoid harming civilians turkey backed allied syrian militias gained ground recent days kurdish ypg militia uk based syrian observatory human rights reports war using describes wide range ground sources said advances threaten encircle afrin city one million people estimated live syrian observatory said turkish forces advanced within kilometres afrin legitimate right turkish forces seized town rajo saturday turkey prime minister binali yildirim said advancing towards afrin city step step said sunday fighting terrorism country legitimate right articleguid wherever threat directed country comes place target us yildirim said speech western mugla province want peace region want brotherhood want tranquillity want establishment environment trust struggling added turkey rejected international calls suspend afrin assault line un ceasefire apply islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis qaeda groups associated others deemed terrorists un security council turkey views ypg extension kurdistan workers party pkk launched decades old fight ankara rule ypg important ally us fight isil news document ee syria civil war explained beginning words syrian civil war will enter eighth year meanwhile syrians killed fighting million injured million half country prewar population displaced homes story conflict syria explained beginning caused uprising lack freedoms economic woes drove resentment syrian government harsh crackdown protesters inflamed public anger arab spring successful uprisings became known arab spring toppled tunisia egypt presidents gave hope syrian pro democracy activists peaceful protests erupted syria well boys detained tortured writing graffiti support arab spring one boys year old killed brutally tortured syrian government led president bashar assad responded protests killing hundreds demonstrators imprisoning many free syrian army july defectors military announced formation free syrian army rebel group aiming overthrow government syria began slide civil war protests mostly non sectarian armed conflict surfaced starker sectarian divisions syrians sunni muslims syria security establishment long dominated members alawi sect assad member bashar father ordered military crackdown muslim brotherhood hama killing tens thousands people flattening much city even global warming said played role sparking uprising severe drought plagued syria causing many million people migrate countryside cities exacerbating poverty social unrest international involvement foreign backing open intervention played large role syria civil war russia entered conflict assad government main ally since regional actors governments majority shia iran iraq lebanon based hezbollah supported assad sunni majority countries including turkey qatar saudi arabia supported anti assad rebels since turkish troops launched several operations islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis near borders well kurdish groups armed united states anti isil coalition us armed anti assad rebel groups led international coalition bombing isil targets since israel carried air raids inside syria reportedly targeting hezbollah pro government fighters facilities first time syrian air defences shot israeli warplane us russia us repeatedly stated opposition assad government backed russia involved deeply chemical red line former us president barack obama warned use chemical weapons syria red line prompt military intervention april us carried first direct military action assad forces launching tomahawk cruise missiles syrian air force base us officials believe chemical attack khan sheikhoun launched cia training cia began covert programme arm fund train rebel groups opposing assad programme later shut revealed cia spent trained fighters russia campaign september russia launched bombing campaign referred terrorist groups syria included isil well anti assad rebel groups backed usa russia also deployed military advisers shore assad defences un security council russia china repeatedly vetoed western backed resolutions syria peace talks peace negotiations ongoing syrian government opposition order achieve military ceasefire political transition syria main sticking point fate assad geneva first round un facilitated talks syrian government opposition delegates took place geneva switzerland june latest round talks december failed amid tit tat syrian government opposition delegates statements future role assad transitional government staffan de mistura replaced kofi annan un special envoy syria astana may russia iran turkey called setup four de escalation zones syria syrian russian fighter jets expected fly sochi january russia sponsored talks future syria black sea city sochi opposition bloc boycotted conference claiming attempt undercut un effort broker deal rebel groups since conflict began syrian rebellion assad government many new rebel groups joined fighting syria frequently fought one another free syrian army fsa loose conglomeration armed brigades formed defectors syrian army civilians backed united states turkey several gulf countries december syrian army scored biggest victory rebels recaptured strategic city aleppo since fsa controlled limited areas northwestern syria since january fighting turkey capture afrin kurdish fighters seeking self rule isil emerged northern eastern syria overrunning large portions iraq group quickly gained international notoriety brutal executions energetic use social media recruit fighters around world groups fighting syria include jabhat fateh sham iran backed hezbollah syrian democratic forces sdf dominated kurdish people protection units ypg situation today fighting syria continues two main fronts eastern ghouta syrian government forces backed russian warplanes escalated bombing eastern ghouta resulting hundreds civilians deaths eastern ghouta siege since last remaining rebel stronghold near capital damascus afrin turkey free syrian army fsa began january military operation ypg northwestern syria near afrin pro government forces also joined fight un passed resolution calling day ceasefire across syria exempted military operations terrorist groups syrian refugees now gone longer world war ii war syria causing profound effects beyond country borders many syrians left homes seek safety elsewhere syria beyond un refugee agency unhcr registered million refugees syria estimated million internally displaced persons idp within syria borders lebanon turkey jordan hosting syrian refugees many attempt journey onwards europe search better conditions geneva convention relating status refugees describes refugee person owing well founded fear persecuted reasons race religion nationality membership particular social group political opinion outside country nationality unable owing fear unwilling avail protection country refugees returned syria according reports much syria ruins population deeply traumatised war one thing certain rebuilding syria war will lengthy difficult process news document ee afghanistan suicide car bomber hits kabul words least people wounded suicide bombing afghan capital kabul close foreign embassies least one person killed others wounded suicide bombing afghan capital kabul according government officials explosion took place friday around local time gmt near vehicle belonging foreign workers eastern part city najib danish spokesperson interior ministry said nasrat rahimi danish deputy spokesperson said year old boy killed blast tony birtley reporting kabul said afghanistanâ interior ministry confirmed attack suicide bombing foreign forces understand nato employees travelling convoy birtley said immediate claim responsibility explosion afghan capital seen spate deadly attacks carried taliban islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group whose affiliate afghanistan grown recent years january taliban claimed responsibility two separate attacks killed nearly people blast comes two days afghan president ashraf ghani offered recognise taliban legitimate political group part proposed process said lead talks aimed ending years war thursday taliban fighters killed least six policemen attack checkpoint southern afghanistan officials said news document ee qaeda syria words despite russia syrian regime saying re fighting qaeda syria group presence shrinking late december general valery gerasimov head russia general staff told russian daily komsomolskaya pravda destruction jabhat nusra fighters priority task syria week later syrian regime forces russian iranian support launched offensive rebel held idlib province syrian state media claimed fighting qaeda month later syrian regime escalated bombardment rebel held eastern ghouta enclave near capital damascus civilian casualties exceeded just week aid agencies warned humanitarian disaster syria russia maintained bombardment targeting jabhat fateh sham nusra front formerly affiliated qaeda jabhat nusra fighters stopping provocations eastern ghouta bombarding residential neighbourhoods damascus including russian embassy trade mission russian foreign minister sergey lavrov said conference moscow russia syrian government often evoked threat jabhat fateh sham qaeda justify military operations violated de escalation agreements past year according analysts qaeda ideological successor jabhat nusra group formed january called hay et tahrir sham hts small presence eastern ghouta declining influence idlib northern hama western aleppo provinces internal conflicts following split qaeda defections additionally weakened armed group small hts presence eastern ghouta jabhat nusra founded january gradually gained strength followers areas controlled syrian opposition armed groups unlike areas syria eastern ghouta group presence largely limited much larger groups according ahmed abazeid istanbul based syrian researcher peak jabhat nusra fighters eastern ghouta defections clashes armed groups arrests reduced number men april jaish islam army islam one main islamist armed factions eastern ghouta attacked hts expelled territories control hts sided failaq rahman rahman legion another major islamist armed group enclave clashes jaish islam resulted two groups together fighters splitting control eastern ghouta hts also sidelined abazeid said majority areas russians now bombing trying advance especially control jaish islam don fighters jabhat nusra added even failaq rahman sought isolate hts fighters late group armed factions including failaq rahman jaish islam sent letter un declaring readiness evacuate remaining hts fighters eastern ghouta within days spokesperson failaq rahman wael olwan told november group informed russia ready evacuate hts idlib province according russians let evacuation happen lavrov responding question media sidelines un human rights council session said russia will object removal hts fighters families eastern ghouta current resolution says unambiguously ceasefire regime will apply terrorists colleagues un influence jabhat nusra coordinate evacuation will object said hts well islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis left un ceasefire resolution eastern ghouta similar de escalation initiatives past jaish islam failaq rahman jaish islam also designated moderate opposition december list released russian defence ministry participated russian backed astana talks representative failaq rahman also attended peace talks geneva anti hts offensive northern syria jabhat nusra part loose alliance armed factions took idlib city province spring influence province steadily grew expense factions despite frequent civilian protests oppressive presence human rights violations july jabhat nusra announced split qaeda syria changed name fateh sham move came three years large number fighters broke ranks join came known isil also rejected qaeda authority move back dismissed publicity stunt look details realise just pr move said heiko wimmen project director brussels based research organisation international crisis group according since summer armed group sought reinvent nationalist armed group movement giving less priority international movement doesn mean become nicer people means different tactics ideology leadership said wimmen mid january still called jabhat fateh sham attacked positions free syrian army fsa number smaller armed groups idlib province entering standoff ahrar sham one largest islamist factions region also included moscow moderate opposition list result tensions smaller factions sought protection ahrar sham others joined fatah sham changed name hay et tahrir sham july tensions two large armed groups escalated hts attacked ahrar sham allies withdrew week long clashes allowing adversary dominate idlib province november hts formed syrian salvation government december issued ultimatum syrian interim government turkey based syrian opposition cease operations province early january syrian regime forces help iran backed militias russian air support launched offensive southern idlib province causing tens thousands civilians flee response fsa affiliated groups ahrar sham nour din zinki previously associated hts others created two separate operation rooms counter regime advances mid january abu mohammed joulani leader hts called unity among armed factions idlib instead heeding call armed groups accused hts withdrawing areas southern idlib province benefit regime month later alliance ahrar sham nour din zinki soqour sham attacked hts factions managed take large areas southern idlib province northern hama province western aleppo province earlier week syrian opposition media reported hts sent reinforcements idlib city main stronghold bab hawa crossing border turkey hts fighters managed repel attack crossing counter attack locations idlib bab hawa serves major source income armed group imposes levy goods pass according wimmen attack hts expected way hts basked victory getting lot people ready line time right external threat removed said deployment turkish troops idlib province stopped regime offensive gave chance hts adversaries attack added operation quite successful can longer say idlib exclusive hts control wimmen said attack hts already weakened internal clashes defections killings late high profile foreign members hts assassinated qaeda loyalists displeased formal split group according wimmen internal instability within hts result turkish involvement turkey tried drive wedges hts see problematic particular foreign element said wimmen hoping split hoping arrive point real hardliners mostly foreigners make deals form small faction can destroy without much damage cost according turkey likely retain influence idlib therefore seeking steer hardline armed groups local governance turkish presence syria north also likely stave future plans syrian regime recapture area wimmen said news document ee turkey rejects us double standards syria ceasefire words turkey thursday accused us double standard specifying terrorist groups can fought syria several turkish government officials criticized earlier us remarks implied turkey operations afrin violation un syria ceasefire resolution speaking reporters ankara deputy prime minister bekir bozdag said afrin mentioned un resolution terrorists divide bad good ones united states behaves illogically guided double standards accepted asked reporters tuesday turkey violating un ceasefire syria us department state spokesperson heather nauert said encourage turkey go back read un resolution un security council saturday passed resolution calling day ceasefire syria exceptions quoting un resolution heather nauert said un demands parties cease hostilities without delay engage immediately ensure full comprehensive implementation demand parties durable humanitarian pause least consecutive days throughout syria nauert added resolution affirms cessation hostilities shall apply military operations islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis also known daesh qaeda nusrah front individuals groups undertakings entities associated qaeda isil terror groups designated security council think resolution clear naming exactly groups considered exempt ceasefire turkey view turkey stressed ceasefire meant give relief civilian areas hit hard syrian government air raids nothing turkey counterterrorism operation afrin northwestern syria foreign ministry spokesman hami aksoy said nauert couldn understand focal point resolution wants distort operation olive branch afrin turkey exercising right self defence based article un charter said aksoy according turkey un ceasefire resolution meant provide humanitarian medical relief battered syrian enclave eastern ghouta target five year siege syrian government anadolu news agency document ee xd syrian civil war map controls words map syrian civil war shows controls years fighting syrian government main cities government control aleppo latakia tartus hama homs damascus palmyra abu kamal isil control battle raqqa islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis remains control area near abu kamal surrounded government forces westward kurdish forces east kurdish control groups fighting syria include jabhat fateh sham iran backed hezbollah syrian democratic forces sdf dominated kurdish people protection units ypg control afrin raqqa qamishli hasakah groups free syrian army fsa loose conglomeration armed brigades formed defectors syrian army civilians aiming topple president bashar assad since battle aleppo fsa remained control limited areas northwestern syria main cities idlib eastern ghouta suburb damascus eastern ghouta eastern ghouta siege since last rebel stronghold near capital become target relentless bombing syrian government jaish islam faylaq rahman ahrar sham largest armed grounds control eastern ghouta suburb qaeeda offshoot jabhat fateh sham formerly known nusra front also minor presence unwelcomed groups intense bombing towns douma misraba harasta near front lines agencies document ee jh stranded libya isil tunisian women children words dozens relatives tunisians fought islamic state iraq levant caught diplomatic limbo baraa zayani nearly four years old spent half life libyan prison offence born tunisian father now deceased joined ranks islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis abroad zayani mother wahida bin mokhtar rabhi held maitiga prison tripoli since us air attack exposed network isil cells sabratha coastal city kilometres east tunisian border rabhi son husband ezzeddine ben habib zayani mechanic allegedly manufactured explosives car bombs trying flee south libyan militia members intercepted began shooting baraa father killed mother eventually wound custody special deterrence forces militia affiliated libya internationally recognised government national accord gna tripoli two years later rabhi son now sit diplomatic limbo along tunisian women children held maitiga prison least dozen women children held separate facility misrata ambiguous charges officials gna engaged tunisian authorities negotiate return women children almost year yet various reasons cases stalled articleguid issue repatriation libyans confined imprisoned women children also includes question suspected tunisian isil fighters said ahmad ben salem spokesman special deterrence forces phone interview according ben salem tunisian isil suspects currently prison awaiting trial libya others held ambiguous charges pertaining libya national security tripoli also seeks return least bodies alleged tunisian isil fighters died libyan soil morgues tunis tripoli dependent numbers provided libyan militias difficult independently verify said one tunisian diplomat involved case even numbers accurate political control libya split across four regions numerous local actors making almost impossible account complete number said diplomat asked remain anonymous special deterrence forces said ready release women children maitiga prison official commitment tunis address question repatriation citizens entirety tunis hand focusing repatriating children delayed immediate resolution said mostafa abdelkebir prominent human rights activist tunisia tunisia wants children libya wants whole folder dealt said abdelkebir children first recently response inquiry made parliamentarian khaoula bin aicha tunisian foreign ministry said libya previously refused return children red cross seeking coordinate exclusively tunisia instead language used published correspondence confirmed tunisian efforts concentrated imprisoned children avoid specifically addressing female detainees document indicated proving children parentage will one several steps confirming tunisian citizenship remaining children task might prove daunting tunis shut embassy consulate tripoli respectively number officials kidnapped libyan militiamen reopened offices april leaving child born two years likely unregistered state yet tunisian children first approach even greater hurdle remains women refuse separated children children protection tool women said abdelkebir women fear children repatriated will forgotten explained also feel safer children prison said understand official tunisian statements presumed women guilty isil affiliation yet evidence due process trial tunisia libya determine alleged status women said either held will husbands unaware husbands ties armed group moncef abidi rabhi brother said sister began see suspicious behaviour husband late able seek help moment felt danger became hostage said abidi used call mother crying saying wants come back zayani blackmailed son told can go back leave son regardless nature isil affiliation women want go back tunisia ready stand tunisian courts said ben salem tunisian authorities can just take children go said humanitarian case date one detainee successfully repatriated tunisia three year old orphan whose parents killed us air attack affected rabhi family year maitiga prison tamim jandoubi returned custody maternal grandfather october last year case women children become humanitarian one said ben salem many women children require constant medical psychological care family fleeing sabratha two years ago young zayani caught crossfire hit multiple bullets back stomach taken hospital tripoli undergo surgery mother taken prison falsely told son survive months later video released showing emotional reunification rabhi son amid hysterical cries weeping mother zayani wide eyed unsmiling appeared distant quiet child seen parent months tunis repatriate children libya going get older doctors engineers going adopt radical ideas said mohamed iqbel ben rejeb founder president rescue association tunisians trapped abroad ratta ngo founded advocate safe return families children caught conflicts abroad will mothers teach love country country abandoned said ben rejeb clear strategy tunisian delegation headed libya april supposedly meet women children bussed auditorium occasion failed show without explanation leaving libyans puzzled another delegation eventually went libya last october part effort bring back jandoubi first evidence tunisian endeavour ground tunisian authorities accounted government lack prior efforts citing persistent security concerns tunisian diplomat attributed slowness process libyan red tape lengthy judicial proceedings analysts blame ongoing plight detainees lack clear tunisian strategy isil returnees broadly issue political legal said ahmad nadhif tunisian journalist author several publications radicalisation tunisia tunisian authorities use legal justifications excuse said nadhif staunch rejection within tunisian society unwillingness admit tunisia one leading exporters jihadists added least tunisians known travelled abroad join armed groups since estimated tunisians returned country number disputed analysts nadhif said tunisian strategy today policy zine abidine ben ali employed treat returned iraq bosnia afghanistan put jail tunisia enacted new anti terrorism law following two isil claimed attacks bardo museum sousse beach resort carried tunisians trained libya absence rehabilitation reintegration centres courts clogged terrorism cases returnees ending prison house arrest question deal returning fighters families periodically sparked fierce debates among tunisians secularist politicians even calling stripped nationality tunisian society experiencing like call severe denial said monia arfaoui tunisian journalist specialises studying radicalisation women say terrorism foreign us people product society culture went schools us explain widespread rejection returnees said adding returnees will find way back country eventually whether legally illegally border libya news document ee two state solution still game town words even donald trump jerusalem decision feasible alternative two state solution palestine us president donald trump announcement december last year decision recognise jerusalem capital israel real shock palestinians also international community whole many people decision final nail coffin two state solution even efore trump controversial announcement western politicians arguing two state solution israeli palestinian conflict longer feasible due israel expansionist policies west bank palestinian president mahmoud abbas reacted trump jerusalem decision fury went far say palestinians longer accept united states mediator peace process abbas also refused meet us vice president mike pence visited region international community joined abbas condemning trump decision resounding majority united nations member states voting declare us president recognition jerusalem israel capital null void end neither abbas world leaders successful convincing trump reverse decision articleguid storm anger dissipated world came senses leaders realised peace process middle east ever advance without support approval us clearly put european union foreign policy chief federica mogherini said nothing without united states nothing united states alone despite attempts eu change current mechanism create negotiations framework involve multilateral brokers palestinians disappointed find nothing wishful thinking especially senior palestinian officials dispatched moscow beijing several arab capitals jerusalem announcement find new international sponsors negotiations returned home empty handed meant role us will central peace process middle east regardless palestinians perception us dishonest broker palestinian authority abandon two state solution even though palestinian authority pa said accept us mediation trump jerusalem decision renounce two state solution completely instead palestinian leadership tried limit damage caused announcement strengthen position within existing framework tactic adopted political parties involved peace process eu thus many people thought jerusalem decision end two state solution now wonder stakeholders peace process still hope approach despite failure bring sustainable peace decades conception answer question simple unbearable costly stakeholders albeit different reasons abandon solution currently three alternatives two state solution formation single democratic state one man one vote system formation apartheid state like one existed south africa eighties abandonment state building efforts undoubtedly result political vacuum articleguid obviously first option means end israel know scenario demographics israel change drastically palestinians becoming majority area jordan river mediterranean sea around two million palestinians israel number palestinians west bank gaza strip therefore option vehemently rejected israel far considering accepting palestinians equal citizens israel far right parties currently working hard drive outside borders israel palestinian side idea also taken seriously discussed properly among current palestinian leadership prominent political factions plo strategy since establish independent state palestinian players hamas even believe peace process first place european side eu already invested huge amounts money time energy make two state vision reality finding hard change direction efforts also trying implement democratic one state solution hard eu israel strongly strategy many european states will courage full blown confrontation israel state view indispensable ally middle east et forget eu government union needs consensus member states adopt new foreign policy necessity slows decision making process eu limits union capabilities significant policy shifts needed second alternative two state solution apartheid state although strategy already de facto implemented west bank even inside state israel one recognising real option end conflict achieve peace two parties morally politically costly certainly strongly condemned international community final alternative two state solution nothing international community denounces two state solution without offering alternative major political vacuum undoubtedly filled extremist non state actors like islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis will materialise obviously one can afford happen two state solution still game town however rules game seem changing israel favour israel us still theoretically accept solution want shape way benefit israel victimise palestinians already laid foundations version two state solution taking jerusalem table will likely continue abolishing right return palestinian refugees permanently condemning bantustans west bank can done umbrella two state solution palestinians way two state solution everyone needs focus now unlikely alternative solutions shape two state solution going take trump leadership views expressed article author necessarily reflect editorial stance document ee taliban doha office remains vital talks words comments come amid reports kabul news media efforts afghan government shut armed group doha office afghan taliban called direct talks us take place political office qatar senior taliban official based doha told tuesday group invites us officials political office qatar discuss peaceful solution end bloodshed afghanistan comments followed local news media reports kabul friday claiming afghan government discussing qatari authorities closure taliban doha office media reports cited government officials saying doha office positive consequence terms facilitating peace talks apparent warning afghan government taliban official said talk shuttering doha office scuttle group offer talks altogether taliban official also said departure american troops afghanistan remains precondition group talks offer struggle liberation country said power struggle can liberation struggle deemed complete without foreign forces pulling since us can decide implement decision withdrawal foreign forces afghanistan direct talks us necessary first phase second phase can sit afghan government discuss domestic issues taliban broached possibility direct talks us two weeks ago group issuing letter calling americans peace loving congressmen convince us president donald trump join negotiations government ready talk following overture afghan officials said tuesday taliban instead hold discussions kabul government adding willing meet group representatives anywhere taliban twice asked us said ready direct talks united states afghan government telling taliban afghans come talk afghanistan afghan government ready talk tolonews leading afghan media outlet quoted presidential spokesperson haroon chakhansuri saying tuesday back forth came day second round kabul process conference countries organisations including un nato will attend wednesday meeting afghan capital december general john nicholson jr us army said country deploy troops advisory role afghan forces top american soldiers already stationed afghanistan increase follows trump pledge august saying us will continue fight country nation building killing terrorists trump said us invaded afghanistan become country longest military intervention since vietnam also costliest bn spent far tangible results despite latest developments ordinary afghans remain resigned prospect continued violence sceptical diplomatic efforts end conflict war took long peace will come easy kabul peace conference will change nothing seen past conferences happen end without tangible results abbas arifi graduate student ibn sina university kabul told politicians talk smile take photos end say hopeful peace war fact peace dream fatima roshanian kabul resident believes women involved peace process added taliban will want woman position point khalida kazimi law student kabul university says believe negotiating taliban killed many innocent people taliban kill people afghanistan government want make peace deal find strange told phone kabul surge violence afghan army us led coalition forces battle taliban control territory overall security situation shows signs improvement least people killed suicide attacks january alone january talibanorchestrated bloody siege kabul inter continental hotel left least dead days later january fighters belonging islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group killed three people office save children eastern city jalalabad january taliban attacker drove ambulance filled explosives heart kabul killing least people wounding many day later least soldiers killed fighters attacked military academy also kabul many conferences peace processes held afghanistan abroad fighting still ongoing afghanistan khalida kazimi asked follow shereena qazi twitter shereenaqazi news document ee gq international open letter calls end syrian genocide words letter signed artists writers musicians says governments take steps stop bloodshed artists activists writers musicians issued open letter calling world governments stop syrian genocide signatories come across globe including many major actors conflict syria russia us turkey united nations says run words syria undersigned still governments parliamentarians electorates decision makers world letter published new york review books tuesday begins syrian military support russian warplanes currently battering besieged damascus suburb eastern ghouta un along us diplomats called immediate end military campaign un chief antonio guterres called hell earth eastern ghouta last rebel stronghold near damascus syrian capital siege since russian president vladimir putin called humanitarian ceasefire enclave set begin local time tuesday though activists told temporary truce violated less two hours began turkey also mounted assault northern syria afrin kurdish forces freed islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group course five year civil war campaign stirred tensions turkey us us armed supported kurdish forces fight isil syrian air force also bombarding idlib northwestern province last major population centre held rebel forces dozens civilians killed recent air raids according monitoring groups today idlib afrin burn inevitable unfolding ghouta huge open air concentration camp enter fifth year siege happens next predictable open letter states writers called un member states uphold responsibility protect un office genocide prevention calls signatories take appropriate diplomatic humanitarian peaceful means accordance â help protect populations genocide war crimes ethnic cleansing crimes humanity measure endorsed un member states destruction syria preventable can now ended elected appointed members democratic bodies fulfil obligations letter said news document ee syrian civil war map controls words map syrian civil war shows controls years fighting syrian government main cities government control aleppo latakia tartus hama homs damascus palmyra abu kamal isil control battle raqqa islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis remains control area near abu kamal surrounded government forces westward kurdish forces east kurdish control groups fighting syria include jabhat fateh sham iran backed hezbollah syrian democratic forces sdf dominated kurdish people protection units ypg control afrin raqqa qamishli hasakah fsa control free syrian army fsa loose conglomeration armed brigades formed defectors syrian army civilians aiming topple president bashar assad since battle aleppo fsa remained control limited areas northwestern syria main cities idlib eastern ghouta suburb damascus agencies document ee xm iraq seeks lure investors boost oil gas output words iraqi government ministers meeting oil executives berlin discuss exploit vast oil gas reserves iraq hoping lure international investors help develop oil gas industry victory declared fighters islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis government ministers meeting oil executives berlin germany discuss exploit vast reserves dominic kane reports berlin document ee russia sponsored truce begins syria eastern ghouta words five hour truce comes effect syria eastern ghouta intense government bombardment kills five hour humanitarian pause called russia come effect syria eastern ghouta allow civilians evacuate area continuous aerial bombardment russia president vladimir putin ordered truce pm gmt tuesday air attacks ground operations killed civilians last eight days according syrian observatory human rights sohr monday suspected chemical attack killed one child according syria civil defence rescue team also known white helmets reported chlorine gas attack injured least others hit eastern ghouta shifaniyah town close front lines rebels fighting syrian ground forces trying penetrate besieged enclave since sunday bombardment rebel held damascus suburb one intense syria seven year old war exacerbating dire humanitarian situation enclave home people united nations security council resolution passed saturday calling day ceasefire syria activists locals said shelling continued regardless monday un secretary general antonio guterres called immediate implementation resolution describing situation eastern ghouta hell earth eastern ghouta rebel control since president bashar assad government imposed siege area attempt drive opposition fighters fighting continues elsewhere syria turkey presses offensive kurdish militia afrin rival rebel groups fight western idlib province us led coalition targets islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis east news document ee nearly two dozen afghan soldiers killed multiple attacks words least killed separate attacks kabul diplomatic area country farah helmand provinces nearly two dozen afghan soldiers three others killed multiple attacks across country least afghan soldiers killed saturday bala boluk district western farah province taliban fighters stormed army checkpoint meanwhile two suicide car bombers killed least two soldiers wounded dozen others southern helmand province first attack helmand province taliban fighters used humvee enter army base nad ali district identified soldiers pushed away least two soldiers killed incident second car bomber targeted nds compound near police headquarters helmand provincial capital lashkar gah least seven people wounded separate attack capital kabul saturday morning bomber killed least three people near diplomatic area city attack later claimed islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group according najib danish ministry interior spokesman suicide bombing took place kabul shash darak area bordering green zone area near nato headquarters far us embassy ministry interior also said six people wounded two critical condition tony birtley reporting kabul said kabul attack particularly shows isil still active capable launching attacks re also seeing increase americans aerial bombings â taliban especially isil said equation going worse worse every day new story bloodshed death dying hundreds killed year afghan army us led coalition forces continue battle taliban control areas country security situation deteriorating january talibanorchestrated bloody siege kabul inter continental hotel left least dead days later january isil fighters killed three people office save children eastern city jalalabad january taliban attacker drove ambulance filled explosives heart kabul killing least people wounding many day later least soldiers killed gunmen attacked military academy also kabul us president donald trump committed additional us troops afghanistan recent weeks bringing total number american troops afghanistan recent deadly attacks raised questions us president strategy winning year long war news document ee isil claims deadly suicide car bombings yemen aden words civilian military casualties reported suicide car bombings outside counterterrorism camp southwestern aden dozens people killed wounded two suicide car bombings southern yemeni port city aden witnesses local medics say saturday attack occurred outside gate counterterrorism camp city southwest according witnesses sources said blasts caused civilian military casualties officials aden main jumhouriya hospital said bodies five victims soldiers arrived facility along number injured people including civilians gave precise figures attack saturday claimed islamic state iraq levant isil via group amaq website attack took place area known gold mohr aden tawahi district force blast damaged civilian cars parked outside camp showered street debris aden seat yemen internationally recognised government witnessed late suicide bombings blasts target security officials attacks usually claimed isil also known isis qaeda local affiliate saturday bombings first attack kind since gun battles erupted southern separatists government president abd rabbu mansour hadi last month control aden residents described two large explosions area cloud grey smoke rose area ambulances raced evacuate wounded residents initially said one bombers targeted office separatist southern transitional council member group said attack building yemen locked power struggle since late hadi government iran allied houthi rebels control capital sanaa saudi arabia allies started air campaign yemen shia group started advancing towards hadi southern power seat aden news agencies document ee ba refugee returns expected afrin operation turkey words turkish officials say infrastructure will rebuilt afrin voluntary returns military offensive ends tens thousands syrians expected return kurdish region afrin turkey finishes military offensive ypg militia secures area turkish officials said thursday turkey together syrian opposition free syrian army fsa rebel group last month launched air ground operation afrin northwest syria vanquish us backed kurdish people protection units ypg fighters near border turkey hosts vast majority refugees fled war syria million displaced within borders according turkish government million syrians left war torn country since turkey will try enhance infrastructure resources afrin secured return said yasin aktay chief adviser turkey president recep tayyip erdogan articleguid turkey considers kurdish democratic union party pyd syria armed wing ypg terrorist groups ties banned kurdistan workers party pkk pkk waged decades long armed fight turkish state killed tens thousands people aktay also senior member parliament said expects tens thousands refugees return afrin military operation know many syrian refugees turkey want return home secure environment established region origin however others prefer stay turkey whole country secured aktay told returned another official familiar issue asked remain anonymous said refugees turkey left afrin kurdish militia particular focus return kurdish refugees escaped group official said articleguid give expected numbers returns going voluntary position force return home country noted syrian refugees returned home turkey previous cross border operation dubbed euphrates shield ended seven months offensive turkey fsa captured border town jarablus euphrates river removed islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis fighters km stretch border advanced southern city bab also isil control fsa supported turkish troops still control square metre area follow umut uras twitter um_uras news document ee syria civil war explained beginning words syrian conflict will enter th year meanwhile syrians killed fighting million injured million half country prewar population displaced homes story conflict syria explained beginning caused uprising lack freedoms economic woes fuelled resentment syrian government harsh crackdown protesters inflamed public anger arab spring successful uprisings became known arab spring toppled tunisia egypt presidents gave hope syrian pro democracy activists peaceful protests erupted syria well boys detained tortured writing graffiti support arab spring one boys year old killed brutally tortured syrian government led president bashar assad responded protests killing hundreds demonstrators imprisoning many free syrian army july defectors military announced formation free syrian army rebel group aiming overthrow government syria began slide civil war protests mostly non sectarian armed conflict surfaced starker sectarian divisions syrians sunni muslims syria security establishment long dominated members alawi sect assad member bashar father ordered military crackdown muslim brotherhood hama killing tens thousands people flattening much city even global warming said played role sparking uprising severe drought plagued syria causing many million people migrate countryside cities exacerbating poverty social unrest international involvement foreign backing open intervention played large role syria civil war russia entered conflict assad government main ally since regional actors governments majority shia iran iraq lebanon based hezbollah supported assad sunni majority countries including turkey qatar saudi arabia supported anti assad rebels since turkish troops launched several operations islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis near borders well kurdish groups armed united states anti isil coalition us armed anti assad rebel groups led international coalition bombing isil targets since israel carried air raids inside syria reportedly targeting hezbollah pro government fighters facilities first time syrian air defenses shot israeli war plane us russia us repeatedly stated opposition assad government backed russia involved deeply chemical red line former us president barack obama warned use chemical weapons syria red line prompt military intervention april us carried first direct military action assad forces launching tomahawk cruise missiles syrian air force base us officials believe chemical attack khan sheikhoun launched cia training cia began covert programme arm fund train rebel groups opposing assad programme later shut revealed cia spent trained fighters russia campaign september russia launched bombing campaign referred terrorist groups syria included isil well anti assad rebel groups backed usa russia also deployed military advisers shore assad defences un security council russia china repeatedly vetoed western backed resolutions syria peace talks peace negotiations ongoing syrian government opposition order achieve military ceasefire political transition syria main sticking point fate assad geneva first round un facilitated talks syrian government opposition delegates took place geneva switzerland june latest round talks december failed amid tit tat syrian government opposition delegates statements future role assad transitional government staffan de mistura replaced kofi annan un special envoy syria astana may russia iran turkey called setup four de escalation zones syria syrian russian fighter jets expected fly sochi january russia sponsored talks future syria black sea city sochi opposition bloc boycotted conference claiming attempt undercut un effort broker deal rebel groups since conflict began syrian rebellion assad government many new rebel groups joined fighting syria frequently fought one another free syrian army fsa loose conglomeration armed brigades formed defectors syrian army civilians backed united states turkey several gulf countries december syrian army scored biggest victory rebels recaptured strategic city aleppo since fsa controlled limited areas northwestern syria since january fighting turkey capture afrin kurdish fighters seeking self rule isil emerged northern eastern syria overrunning large portions iraq group quickly gained international notoriety brutal executions energetic use social media recruit fighters around world groups fighting syria include jabhat fateh sham iran backed hezbollah syrian democratic forces sdf dominated kurdish people protection units ypg situation today fighting syria continues two main fronts eastern ghouta syrian government forces backed russian warplanes continued hit rebel enclave eastern ghouta resulting hundreds civilians deaths eastern ghouta siege since last remaining rebel stronghold near capital damascus us also accused syrian government using chemical weapons afrin turkey free syrian army fsa began january military operation ypg northwestern syria near afrin pro government forces also joined fight also northwestern syria hay et tahrir sham rebels claimed responsibility shooting russian warplane near idlib syrian refugees now gone longer world war ii war syria causing profound effects beyond country borders many syrians left homes seek safety elsewhere syria beyond un refugee agency unhcr registered million refugees syria estimated million internally displaced persons idp within syria borders lebanon turkey jordan hosting syrian refugees many attempt journey onwards europe search better conditions geneva convention relating status refugees describes refugee person owing well founded fear persecuted reasons race religion nationality membership particular social group political opinion outside country nationality unable owing fear unwilling avail protection country refugees returned syria according reports much syria ruins population deeply traumatised war one thing certain rebuilding syria war will lengthy difficult process news document ee uo montenegro grenade attack inside us embassy compound words attacker blew throwing explosive device us embassy compound podgorica montenegrin government said thursday authorities podgorica released theories motive attack front usembassymne building podgorica montenegro unknown person committed suicide explosive device immediately person threw explosive device government tweeted saying device probably hand grenade us state department spokesperson confirmed small explosion near us embassy compound saying officials working closely police identify assailant guard sports centre asked named said heard two explosions one another twitter account embassy said cancelled visa services thursday adding access us citizens will available today emergency basis new nato member heavily guarded us embassy building located outskirts podgorica city centre near secret police headquarters moraca river montenegro small adriatic state people joined nato last may decision become member provoked violent protests pro russian opposition october authorities said thwarted plot pro russian fighters storm parliament overthrow pro western government eve general elections authorities alleged russian state bodies involved conspiracy say aimed preventing montenegro joining nato october us embassy sarajevo neighbouring bosnia attacked muslim man mevlid jasarevic opened fire automatic rifle embassy wounding police officer also injured exchange fire arrested jasarevic later sentenced years imprisonment according figures published november regional think tank thousand people western balkans gone join fighting syria iraq since twenty three montenegro whose population predominantly orthodox christian last month court montenegro first time sentenced one citizens fought syria hamid beharovic found guilty fought islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis april may given six month jail term afp news agency document ee rt turkey denies reports syria will help ypg afrin words turkey says reports syrian army will aid kurdish ypg afrin false adding move will major disaster turkey deputy prime minister dismissed false media reports syrian government forces poised enter kurdish enclave syria afrin bekir bozdag however warned move syrian soldiers help kurdish people protection units ypg repel turkish offensive northwestern syria major disaster region turkey will continue air ground offensive ypg determination last terrorist rendered ineffective bozdag told reporters weekly cabinet meeting monday responding report syrian state run sana news agency earlier day said pro government forces enter afrin within hours support people stand turkish regime attack report sana raised fears potential clash turkish troops syrian forces backed russia iran sana said planned deployment followed agreement syrian government ypg spokesman ypg denied agreeing deal damascus agreement call us syrian army come protect borders nouri mahmoud told reuters news agency late monday syrian president bashar assad troops pulled northern syria nationwide protests rule spiralled civil war ypg part us backed umbrella organisation syrian democratic forces gained control large swathes territory northern syria course offensive islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis us support ypg infuriated turkey considers group terrorist organisation ankara sees ypg part banned kurdistan worker party pkk waged decades long bloody rebellion turkish state southeastern parts country january turkey opened new front long running syrian war launched major offensive expel ypg fighters afrin mevlut cavusoglu turkey foreign minister speaking news conference amman jordan said country hit back assad forces intervened afrin help ypg regime entering protect ypg one can stop us stop turkey turkish soldiers said turkey state run anadolu news agency monday reported president recep tayyip erdogan held telephone conversations russian iranian counterparts latest developments afrin russia stand determine conflict plays said kamran matin lecturer sussex university united kingdom lot depends details agreement syrian government kurds whether russia board told russia indeed supporting deployment means act defence ally case attack turkish forces syrian forces afrin easily can close airspace turkish air force operate make military operation turkey difficult superior air force given edge afrin foreign ministers turkey iran russia set meet istanbul turkey largest city news document ee mf will turkish syrian armies fight afrin words tensions escalate amid reports syrian military deploying forces fight turks alongside kurdish ypg seven years war complex mosaic battlefield syria can still surprise us russia iran turkey syrian regime involved forces ground desperate make political gains afrin northern syria now focus conflict situation getting even complicated last month turkey launched operation seize afrin kurdish fighters ypg group ankara considers terrorists threat close border us supporting ypg fight islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis syria continues making relations ankara even tenser turkey now facing new direct confrontation syrian pro government forces will help us backed kurdish soldiers fighting turkish troops control next war torn syria presenter peter dobbie guests mehmet yegin affiliate political science department bilkent university salih muslim mohammed diplomatic committee member tev dem movement democratic society joshua landis director center middle east studies university oklahoma news document ee cavusoglu nobody can stop turkish forces afrin words turkish foreign minister made remarks response reports syrian forces will fight alongside ypg turkey turkish foreign minister said syrian forces stop army advances afrin response reports syrian regime forces will fight alongside kurdish ypg fighters border town speaking press conference jordanian capital amman mevlut cavusoglu said monday turkey welcomed entry syrian forces afrin confront fighters belonging kurdish people protection units ypg articleguid problem however entering afrin protect ypg pkk nobody can stop turkish army added referring armed syrian kurdish group ypg controls afrin banned kurdistan workers party pkk active turkey ankara considers kurdish democratic union party pyd active syria armed wing ypg terrorist groups ties pkk waged bloody armed rebellion decades southeast turkey pkk designated terrorist group united states european union turkey always expressed support syria territorial integrity one countries utmost support cavusoglu said ypg fighters claimed earlier day reached deal allow regime troops enter afrin northwestern part border town assad forces back ypg nuri mahmoud spokesman ypg told earlier monday calling syrian government forces preserve united syria development mean regime forces might directly confront turkish troops region turkey free syrian army fsa ankara backed armed syrian opposition group launched air ground operation afrin last month push us backed ypg fighters create buffer zone southern border articleguid syrian soldiers haven yet arrived calling syrian army protect afrin love preserve unified syria mahmoud told saying international community continues address syrian leadership sovereign call authority protect territory added syrian government forces expected arrive within two days pyd ypg come control large swaths northern syria including afrin course syrian war led us backed syrian democratic forces sdf umbrella organisation fight islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group us support sdf infuriated turkey created ongoing diplomatic crisis two nato allies latest development highlights complex battlefield northern syria hosts large number actors including pyd ypg syrian government rebel factions turkey us russia syrian state news agency sana also carried report saying pro government forces will arrive afrin within hours support people stand turkish regime attack area people hours sana report turkish president recep tayyip erdogan spoke phone russian president vladimir putin discussed latest developments afrin according anadolu news agency also discussed efforts set new observation posts idlib northern syria anadolu said posts part joint turkish russian iranian agreement set de escalation zones four areas region turkish forces already established six observation posts idlib monitor fighting news document ee isil claims attack pro government militia iraq words isil claims responsibility attack killed two dozen fighters iraq kirkuk province two dozen members pro government militia iraq killed ambushed disguised islamic state iraq levant isil fighters twenty seven members hashd shaabi popular mobilization forces pmf killed clashes broke late sunday hawija town iraq oil rich kirkuk province militia said statement monday isil also known isis claimed responsibility attack said people killed ambush local media reported deadliest attack pmf fighters since october pro government forces retook hawija isil killings raise questions continued presence isil fighters iraq baghdad declared victory fight armed group december pmf iran backed paramilitary group aligned iraqi government battle isil said attackers wearing iraqi army fatigues manning fake checkpoint pmf soldiers conducting security operations around hawija time attack militia said senior police officer province asked named told afp news agency bodies beheaded iraq recaptured vast expanses territory isil fighters last year including major cities mosul ramadi fallujah last week international donors pledged bn help iraqi government rebuild country aftermath four year battle isil homes schools hospitals across iraq destroyed fighting country struggling rebuild shattered infrastructure economy news document ee china launches anti poverty drive restive xinjiang words three year plan aims bring people poverty region amid concerns rise armed groups china plans pull people dire poverty year restive xinjiang region central government fears rise ranks local armed groups three year poverty eradication plan will focus northwestern region poorest counties official xinhua news agency reported sunday china launched major security operation muslim majority territory response deadly violence erupted recent years beijing blames ethnic uighur separatists xinjiang home million uighur muslims say routinely face discrimination along cultural religious repression beijing denies allegations hundreds people killed xinjiang violence uighurs speak turkic language migrants han chinese ethnic majority especially uighur dominated southern part xinjiang articleguid fears raised uighurs may joined armed groups islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis fighting syria iraq isil released video last year purportedly showing uighur fighters training iraq vowing strike targets china xinhua say much china government will spend anti poverty initiative spent combat poverty last year percent funds earmarked four impoverished prefectures kashgar hotan kizilsu aksu chinese officials will sent areas four counties work bring people poverty drive part broader push china ruling communist party tackle rural poverty raise annual income citizens official poverty line china gross domestic product per person according world bank china brought nearly million rural people poverty news document ee isil widows sentenced death life iraqi court words dozen foreign women joined isil husbands fighting iraq sentenced court baghdad turkish woman sentenced death foreign widows life jail iraqi court involvement islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis women turks azeri appeared court baghdad nursing infants convicted sunday despite pleas duped forced husbands join iraq women aged arrested mosul tal afar husbands killed iraqi forces recaptured northern cities isil last year woman condemned death speaking interpreter acknowledged willingly travelled iraq husband children leave turkey husband wanted man wanted live islamic state sharia islamic law law land said regret come said year old turkish woman whose husband two sons killed air attacks broke tears another turk almost fainted duped state appointed defence lawyers argued women duped coming iraq involved acts violence found guilty article iraq anti terrorism law person commits incites plans finances assists acts terrorism illegal entry country got know husband internet proposed meet turkey intermediary told drive future husband without saying said angie omrane azeri woman thought staying turkey found syria husband took iraq leila one turkish women said husband forced come iraq threatening take away two year old son didn follow didn take part violent action stayed home whole time judicial source said sentencing women three judge panel followed weeks even months questioning one month lodge appeal articleguid total foreign women including turks held iraq children security source told afp news agency germany isil teen german media citing judicial sources reported sunday german teenager identified linda sentenced six years prison involvement isil seventeen year old travelled germany iraq via turkey syria mid married isil fighter chechnya expressed regret joining isil interview arrest mosul last summer want go home family want get war away weapons noise don know came dumb idea ve completely ruined life said news agencies document ee qatar gulf crisis latest updates words latest updates qatar gulf crisis now eighth month seven months ago air sea land blockade imposed qatar neighbouring countries latest developments saturday munich security conference futile crisis manufactured neighbours qatari emir sheikh tamim bin hamad thani told major security conference held germany friday defusing impact illegal aggressive measures imposed people qatar preserved sovereignty aggressive actors wish use smaller states pawns within power games sectarian conflicts vital interests people middle east guarantee sovereignty states like qatar tillerson kuwait tuesday us secretary state rex tillerson said restoration arab gulf unity best interest parties region tillerson made assertion press conference held kuwait attending high level meeting members us led coalition islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis asian championships league monday gharafa qatar opened asian championships league campaign abu dhabi jazira united arab emirates uae requested play games third country idea rejected asian football confederation organises tournament featuring teams split eight groups four clubs qatar saudi arabia united arab emirates played home away basis per afc regulations afc said recent statement soccer federations uae saudi arabia accepted decision though expressed reservations made anti qatar conference sunday report buzzfeed revealed daniel kawczynski british parliamentarian paid british pounds help organise anti qatar conference london time analysts described conference attempt gather support coup qatar accused saudi arabia uae funding russian president invitation wednesday emir tamim bin hamad thani met president russian republic ingushetia yunus bek yevkurov doha meeting reviewed relations qatar ingushetia discussed aspects cooperation economic trade investment well means developing president yunus bek yevkurov handed written message russian president vladimir putin including invitation visit russia calls end blockade tuesday local media reported dr ali bin smaikh marri chairman national human rights committee nhrc called european union countries nations join international human rights organisations demanding immediate end blockade imposed qatar louvre map monday qatar national human rights committee reported louvre museum apologised opened official inquiry incident abu dhabi louvre museum map omitted qatari peninsula bilateral agreements anti terrorism monday countries held session official talks signed memorandum understanding mou fight terrorism organised crime sierra leone monday countries signed agreement encouraging protecting mutual investments agreement air services two governments sierra leone among eight countries downgraded ties qatar start crisis june previous developments click news agencies document ee xe libya arab spring failed state words debate whether today war torn libya can blamed legacy colonel gaddafi years power political solution remains reach libya seven years toppling colonel muammar gaddafi country grappling civil war humanitarian crises threat islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis leading suggest gaddafi removed power foreign intervention libya mistake huge mistake think libyans world paying says hafed ghwell columnist arab news former senior fellow atlantic council civil war two sides libya still significant tribal presence support gaddafi still loyal says nato europe intervened behalf one side another mustafa abushagur former deputy prime minister post gaddafi government disagrees going today really paying legacy regime says intervention happened libyans killed thousands thousands hands gaddafi gaddafi toppled institutions country able carry says abushagur weekâ arena hafed ghwell mustafa abushagur debate pros cons today libya follow upfront twitter ajupfront facebook news document ee tillerson says us turkish relations crisis point words turkey demands us turn words actions pentagon continues back syrian kurdish ypg fight isil us secretary state acknowledged country relationship turkey bit crisis point turkish counterpart mevlut cavusoglu demanded united states turn words actions resolve differences dealing syrian crisis joint press conference ankara friday rex tillerson said us turkey alliance valuable two countries take action together particularly dispute us support armed syrian kurdish ypg considered terrorist group turkish government alliance convenience temporary interest time tested alliance built common interest mutual respect tillerson said two countries share objectives syria standing next tillerson cavusoglu said turkey relationship us critical stage two allies need decide whether mend fences go different direction cavusoglu said promises us made kept alluding turkey demand us backed ypg leave syrian town manbij move east euphrates river part effort mend us turkish relations cavusoglu announced two countries agreed establish joint mechanism deal disputes take collective response neither cavusoglu tillerson provided details plan war words turkey us escalated ever since turkey launched military offensive afrin region northern syria january effort root ypg turkey also reacted angrily reports us wanted arm many kurdish troops syria manbij ongoing operation left least turkish soldiers thousand ypg fighters killed according reports earlier week turkey demanded us expel ypg syrian democratic forces sdf coalition fighting islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group syria turkish government views ypg extension outlawed kurdistan workers party pkk fought decades long war turkey articleguid earlier month erdogan accused us sending stockpiles weapons ypg syria claim tillerson denied thursday erdogan threatened deliver ottoman slap tactic used ottoman forces th century according legend instantly fatal us get way speaking ibrahim fraihat middle east analyst doha institute graduate studies said turks angry us policy syria reflecting turkish anger towards us hundreds demonstrators marched streets ankara friday protest tillerson visit demanded us cut ties ypg jamal elshayyal reporting ankara said difficult see two countries can resolve differences ypg dispute turkish sentiments us also grown recent poll found percent turks hold unfavourable view us government percent favourable view even people people ties affected percent turks unfavourable view americans news document ee jo arab spring failed libya bahrain words ask arab spring ultimately failed bring change libya bahrain hope future week upfront debate blame chaos libya whether situation better now rule muammar gaddafi special interview ask activist maryam khawaja bahrain uprising seven years state country opposition parties whether charges iranian influence true arena libya arab spring failed state political solution appears remain reach libya seven years gaddafi toppling country grappling civil war humanitarian crises threat islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis leading question foreign intervention removed gaddafi power huge mistake think libyans world paying says hafed ghwell columnist arab news former senior fellow atlantic council civil war two sides libya still significant tribal presence support gaddafi still loyal says nato europe intervened behalf one side another mustafa abushagur former deputy prime minister post gaddafi government disagrees going today really paying legacy regime says intervention happened libyans killed thousands thousands hands gaddafi gaddafi toppled institutions country able carry says abushagur special interview happened bahrain revolution arab spring came bahrain protesters took streets demand reform including real constitutional monarchy elected prime minister independent ruling khalifa family response neighbouring saudi arabia intervened quash shia led protests behalf bahrain rulers authorities ordered imprisonment thousands activists maryam khawaja bahraini activist exile netherlands believes remains seen whether uprising can deemed failure people bahrain will continue protest reach â emands civil political rights says khawaja asked iran alleged role uprising calls self fulfilling prophesy iran speaks saying oppression torture bahrain failure west bahraini people going find position don see way ally iran says khawaja best thing bahrain course follow upfront twitter ajupfront facebook news document ee jh rodrigo duterte offers per head bounty rebels words rights groups rebels indigenous activists accuse philippine president encouraging troops commit war crimes human rights groups rebels indigenous activists accused philippine president rodrigo duterte inciting military commit war crimes offered bounty communist rebel killed duterte incendiary rhetoric encourages violations conventions armed conflicts carlos conde human rights watch said statement thursday duterte pronouncements normalise idea government security forces can wish defeat enemies including committing summary executions said conde last week duterte said train indigenous people lumads become paramilitary fighters pay pesos communist rebel kill communities southern island mindanao want money ll give money said will make pesos per head controversial comments followed earlier report quoting duterte telling military shoot female communist rebels genitals make useless cash killing president made bounty offer recent killings indigenous leader son known members paramilitary force community armed communist rebel group new people army claimed responsibility killing early accusing two land grabbing extortion jose maria sison exiled leader communist party philippines said duterte acting like chieftain criminal gang order statement sison warned duterteâ solution result massacres violations human rights international humanitarian law cheapest beneficial best way solve nearly years armed conflict philippines engage peace negotiations sison said said government address root causes armed conflict work comprehensive agreements social economic political reforms order lay basis just lasting peace instead promoting measures ensure responsible abuses including communist rebels held accountable accordance international law duterte encouraging troops commit war crimes bounty offer conde human rights watch said rachel chhoa howard amnesty international also denounced duterte latest policy appalling inhumane putting price human life president duterte exposed callousness administration policies chhoa howard said statement thursday encourages killing rather capturing insurgents clear violation right life insult indigenous people accusations international law violations hounded philippine leader since came office recently international criminal court announced taken first step investigate duterte possible crimes humanity drug war killed thousands people meanwhile alternative learning center agricultural livelihood development alcadev one largest indigenous groups southern philippines said killing money part culture even ask us kill killing way peace communities shows ignorance plight struggle underlying principle struggle defend land ancestors can never bought alcadev statement posted social media said ve never asked kill anyone ve ever asked justice chad booc teaches indigenous children mindanao told real culprit violence indigenous areas southern philippines military said government targeting indigenous lands coal mining operations planned booc said military harassing indigenous communities alienating turning government added indigenous community finds president offer insulting feels outraged president thinks lowly will enticed kill money bloody rebellion jerome succor aba head alliance muslim indigenous groups said statement community survived centuries without much need cash using resources ancestral lands communist rebels said operate area protect indigenous people military harassment duterte administration engaged peace negotiations rebels since mid following new clashes government forces rebels duterte signed proclamation labelling communist fighters terrorist group essentially breaking peace process military also compared communist rebels armed muslim fighters pledged allegiance islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis communists say fighting social justice equality communist party philippines cpp launched rebellion far claimed lives people meanwhile sison communist leader warned bigger civil war philippines duterte succeedds concentrating powers hands fascist dictator sison referring duterte push change constitution pave way federal form government article updated include statement jose maria sison exiled leader communist party philippines news document ee us turkey look mend ties syria tension grows words visit turkey secretary state rex tillerson hopes ease anger us support syrian kurdish ypg us secretary state started two day visit turkey rex tillerson hopes ease increasing tension us turkish officials conflict syria war words nato allies escalated ever since turkey launched military offensive afrin region northern syria last month effort root kurdish ypg fighters figure among us backed coalition armed groups heels visits kuwait jordan lebanon tillerson arrived turkish capital ankara thursday met president recep tayyip erdogan earlier week turkey demanded us expel ypg syrian democratic forces sdf coalition fighting islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis syria support us demanded relationship ended nurettin canikli turkey defence minister told reporters briefing brussels thursday turkish government views ypg extension outlawed kurdistan workers party pkk fought decades long war ankara want us end support given syrian arm pkk ypg canikli said reported reuters news agency war words earlier month erdogan accused us sending stockpiles weapons ypg syria claim tillerson denied thursday us never given heavy arms ypg therefore nothing take back tillerson said turkey also demanded us troops leave manjib syrian town east afrin held kurdish militia risk confrontation response paul funk commander us forces syria iraq said us partners syria hit back attacked articleguid hit us will respond aggressively will defend funk said visit manjib month turkish president threatened deliver ottoman slap tactic used ottoman forces th century according legend instantly fatal us get way tillerson taken conciliatory tone saying week us keenly aware legitimate security concerns turkey officials ankara blunt ties reached critical stage mevlut cavusoglu turkey foreign minister said local media reported either improve ties will deteriorate completely issues increasingly complex political reality syria led staffan de mistura un special envoy syria described violent dangerous worrying situation witnessed since took post four years ago articleguid seeing syria today imperils de escalation arrangements regional stability also undermines efforts political solution de mistura said wednesday syria cause strained ties washington ankara last year two countries temporarily suspended non immigrant visa services respective embassies arrest several staff members us consulate istanbul turkish officials alleged staff members ties muslim leader fethullah gulen ankara accuses responsible deadly failed coup gulen lives self imposed exile us denied allegations turkish government put pressure washington extradite gulen face charges attempted putsch united states far refused extradite muslim leader news document ee de mistura civilians killed horrific scale syria words violence country called violent worrying moment us russian diplomats trade blame un un special envoy syria given warning violence country worst seen since taking job four years ago staffan de mistura remarks wednesday came us russia traded blame un ongoing conflict civilians killed horrific scale reports suggest civilians first week alone told un security council now four years special envoy violent worrying dangerous moment seen time tenure far de mistura mentioned countries now fighting syria including turkish operation around afrin syrian government continued bombardment eastern ghouta idlib talked developments recent days including us attack assad forces near deir az zor israeli air attacks syria including iranian targets operations later defended nikki haley us ambassador un united states will always reserve right act self defence syrian president bashar assad regime become front iran hezbollah allies advance irresponsible dangerous agenda middle east told security council criticised russia failing stop assad regime bombing gassing civilians drawing sharp response moscow permanent representative un vassily nebenzia nebenzia said us allies use influence opposition groups prevent violence meanwhile un latest modest peace effort based outcome conference russian city sochi seems now doubt de mistura wants select members new committee come new constitution syria syria ambassador un rejected participants conference lend authority mr de mistura set committee said bashar jaafari syrian diplomat earlier wednesday first convoy aid since november delivered eastern ghouta rebel held enclave east damascus diplomats point familiar cynical pattern syrian government syria international spotlight small amount aid finally delivered aid also reached deir az zor liberated november last year islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis abdirahman meygag deputy director world food programme syria told damascus thursday team visited city two days earlier first time since majority city uninhabitable percent city destroyed said seen electricity majority people depend generators water running sewage system disfunctional also said thet majority people depended foreign assistance year half un airdrop operations deir az zor city kept people alive however city needs assist need step operations news document ee french muslims urge macron interfere islam words macron said considering profound reorganisation way islam funded preachers schooled leading representative french muslims urged emmanuel macron interfere organisation country second largest religion days president said try redefine relations islam state statement came leader organisation set years ago bid defuse concern conservative religious leaders foster form islam fit better france hard line secularism insists separation church state affairs everyone must stick role ahmet ogras president french council muslim faith cfcm told reuters interview muslim faith religion takes care household affairs last thing want state act guardian said ogras frenchman turkish descent led cfcm since mid macron elected last may runoff victory far right leader marine le pen said newspaper interview planned revisit way islam overseen like get done first half set markers entire way islam organised france told journal du dimanche priority bring back secularism traditionally catholic france home largest jewish muslim communities europe latter estimated million population million emergency search arrest powers official rule strict separation religion state former considered strictly private matter rule used justify ban wearing hijab headscarf worn many muslim women feel part religion public service employees well wearing fully concealing head toe veils public places macron pressure limit muslim preachers mosques wave attacks killed people france since attacks carried muslim individuals claiming avenge french wars muslim countries france militarily involved afghanistan mali syria reportedly provided material support armed groups fighting islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis syrian government france response attacks soil enact emergency search arrest powers made permanent tougher security legislation several mosques shut imams expelled macron declarations newspaper interview suggest considering profound reorganisation way islam faith funded preachers schooled back nicolas sarkozy interior minister time president engineered agreement among country main islamic groups create cfcm idea council speak muslims similar way french bishops conference speaks catholics consistory speaks jews reuters news agency document ee uo civilian victims afghan war exceed words suicide complex attacks kill injure people previous recorded year afghanistan afghanistan suffered civilian casualties deadly suicide complex attacks killed injured people previous year war torn country according un annual report released thursday un assistance mission afghanistan unama un human rights office documented deaths injuries decline record high figure chilling statistics report provide credible data war impact figures alone capture appalling human suffering inflicted ordinary people especially women children tadamichi yamamoto secretary general special representative afghanistan said statement nearly recorded highest number civilian casualties suicide complex attacks single year since un mission began documentation use improvised explosive devices ieds suicide non suicide armed groups led majority casualties last year ground engagements accounting second highest number victims particularly appalled continued indiscriminate unlawful use ieds suicide bombs pressure plate devices civilian populated areas yamamoto said shameful articleguid report attributed percent casualties afghan taliban noting increase victims attacks islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group responsible percent casualties pro government forces including afghan national security forces international military forces caused fifth civilian casualties zeid ra ad hussein un high commissioner human rights called perpetrators held accountable people afghanistan year year continue live insecurity fear responsible ending lives blighting lives escape punishment said statement attacks prohibited international humanitarian law likely cases constitute war crimes difficult year year wave attacks armed groups killed nearly people recent weeks may deadliest attack afghan capital least people killed massive truck bomb ripped heart kabul diplomatic district date group claimed responsibility attack despite decline overall figures danielle bell unama human right director said much needs done fourth consecutive year ve seen civilians killed injured told kabul indeed difficult year see improvement battlefield taliban pro government forces still needs done women children affected women children continued bear brunt armed conflict unama reported five percent rise female deaths injured total child casualties stood killed injured overall percent decrease compared sleep day night due frightening sounds firing year old girl injured bullet ground engagement arghandab district zabul province september told unama un agency also reported cases sexual abuse child recruitment afghan national security forces anti government elements news document ee um elusive aid reaches syria besieged eastern ghouta words much needed food humanitarian supplies delivered syrians eastern ghouta wednesday international aid convoy delivered food humanitarian supplies besieged rebel held area near damascus first distribution reach syria eastern ghouta since late november convoy delivered supplies civilians month town nashabiyah km east damascus wednesday said jakob kern syria country director united nations world food programme need much convoys fighting stop deliver much needed aid civilians need kern said twitter nine aid trucks delivered food parcels flour medicine nutritional aid medical supplies said syrian red crescent helped organise convoy people living government imposed siege eastern ghouta opposition held area east syrian capital since local residents half reportedly children suffering severe lack food medicine medical supplies crippled local hospitals area one handful de escalation zones opposition government forces promised limit fighting internationally brokered deal last year scores people killed eastern ghouta amid heavy syrian state russian bombardments almost people killed eastern ghouta syria northern idlib province four days earlier month james bays reporting un headquarters new york said convoy delivered desperately needed aid residents eastern ghouta require lot one convoy cut long aid supplies besieged areas syria continuing problem un trying get often aid trucks allowed supplies taken trucks syrian government bays said major confrontation privately international diplomats questioned timing aid delivery bays reported calling pretty cynical move part syrian government seeking alleviate pressure ahead meeting un security council unsc ve seen pattern allowing small amount aid reduce pressure around council table bays said unsc met wednesday discuss ongoing war syria increasingly complicated situation playing country fighting continues rage number fronts articleguid staffan de mistura un envoy syria said situation country violent dangerous worrying seen past four years january turkey launched military offensive afrin kurdish held region northern syria effort root kurdish ypg fighters border area turkey views ypg offshoot outlawed kurdistan workers party pkk fought decades long war ankara ypg ally united states fight islamic state iraq levant group isil also known isis led increasingly tense relationship us turkey meanwhile month also seen surge syrian russian air raids rebel held areas country cross border confrontations syrian state forces israeli military syrian forces reportedly shot israeli jet aircraft returning bombing iran backed site syria israel said iranian drone entered airspace earlier day israel later retaliated shelling said dozen syrian iranian targets inside country seeing syria today imperils de escalation arrangements regional stability also undermines efforts political solution de mistura said wednesday francois delattre france ambassador un also told reporters ingredients present nothing urgently major regional international confrontation syria news document ee gv donors pledge bn iraq post isil reconstruction words kuwait qatar saudi arabia turkey several non state actors including eu promise fund rebuilding iraq international donors pledged tens billions dollars help iraq rebuild four year war isil left large swathes country ruins iraq received bn pledges fund reconstruction efforts government kuwait confirmed wednesday conclusion three day donor conference capital qatar saudi arabia kuwait turkey among several countries promising offer loans direct investments help rebuild country ibrahim jaafari iraq foreign minister said later wednesday funds fall short needed country minister planning qusai abdelfattah said earlier week iraq needs estimated bn achieve goals bn needed immediately despite antonio guterres secretary general united nations one summit co organisers called conference kuwait city enormous success major donors conference organised kuwait iraq european union un world bank sought funding state non state actors well private investors goal help rebuild iraq destroyed homes schools hospitals well revive demolished infrastructure economy following fight islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis armed group emir kuwait sheikh sabah ahmad sabah pledged bn loans investments saudi arabia said provide bn qatar pledged bn turkey vowed give iraq bn financial support promises come various non governmental organisations also pledged first day summit attended total states non state actors corruption major concern iraq quest raise funds however last year country ranked nations found corrupt according annual corruption perceptions index released advocacy group transparency international iraqi prime minister haider abadi previously vowed government work towards combatting corruption bureaucracy country elizabeth dickinson senior analyst international crisis group said ahead summit iraq gone great lengths reassure potential donors investments will well spent possible initial test donors investors might watch many promised reforms oversight mechanisms get enacted implemented iraqi government dickinson tweeted news document ee italian fascists adore syria bashar assad words italy us far right throws support behind syrian government accused war crimes rome italy six half years ongoing bloodshed syria general issam zahreddine infamous breaking suffocating three year siege deir az zor killed landmine died october vehicle hit explosive hawija saqr government military campaign islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis supporters syrian opposition zahreddine butcher deir az zor leading culprit behind widespread torture allegedly took place hands authorities assad supporters however general assad government represent fortress ethnic religious sectarianism conflict provided viable alternatives may year half death photos circulated social media appeared depict zahreddine posing next severed remains people killed sliced left hanging yet outside syria north america europe assad vocal supporters come far right days zahreddine death posters mourning general appeared across italian cities towns according report italian daily la stampa posters printed casapound self proclaimed fascist party one many far right groups worldwide support assad government along italy far right forza nuova greece neo fascist golden dawn uk british national party bnp poland ultranationalist national rebirth among others casapound part international front rallying behalf syrian president sending solidarity delegations war ravaged country articleguid syria conflict started mass uprising assad rule quickly morphed full fledged civil war claimed lives hundreds thousands people throughout war government forces allies armed opposition groups accused war crimes human rights violations according estimates million people fled homes finding refuge outside country ending internally displaced within borders million syrians received requested asylum europe rising far right parties populist groups regularly rallied presence solidarity delegations sitting neatly organised conference room casapound headquarters municipal building group squatted years ago party prime ministerial candidate upcoming elections simone di stefano boasted relationship syrian government assad regime people can celebrate christmas openly women forced wear headscarf di stefano told echoing common pro assad talking points course like ideology syrian state also support represent freedom openness opposed fundamentalism modern arab socialism italy casapound led far right demonstrations refugees migrants reportedly attacked anti fascists advocates return fascist rule country toiled liberation end world war ii party worked closely european solidarity front syria esfs coalition neo fascist far right groups support assad government members joined delegations damascus meet syrian officials di stefano said sana syria state news agency publicised esfs visits may esfs members met assad aide bouthaina shaaban sana reported italian delegation expressed solidarity syrians condemned crimes committed armed terrorist organisations group full hopes learning happening syria conveying true image situation european people report continued di stefano syria proudly proclaims casapound affiliates met syrian first lady asma assad ada oppedisano president solidarite identites sol id group pushed pro assad narrative later described meeting type remember lifetime syrian children asma told us us italy tomorrow say â hat italians abandoned syrian brothers oppedisano said italian language report published il primato nazionale casapound administered newspaper articleguid report authored alberto palladino casapound activist convicted violent attack left five democratic party activists hospitalised asked contradiction opposing influx syrian refugees displaced governmental forces supporting assad di stefano insisted mostly flee rebels isil according poll nearly syrian refugees germany half return country assad quit around percent blamed government violence percent pointed finger isil ideological overlaps guido caldiron rome based journalist author extreme right argues casapound support assad stems group ideological roots authoritarianism islamophobia perception syrian government resisted israel since inception assad government marketed bulwark resistance israel yet demarcation line israeli occupied golan heights rest syria largely quiet middle east war outbreak syria civil war nearly seven years ago fact assad authoritarian nationalist assad represents non religious world view opinion told another thing see assad anti israel anti zionist casapound war syria part larger assault globalists caldiron added articleguid leila shami syrian british activist co author burning country syrians revolution war explained far right relationship assad rooted ideological overlap european fascism baathism syrian government founding ideology definitely overlap works two levels first ideological roots baathism definitely incorporates elements fascism extreme nationalism shami told explaining early baathists took inspiration european fascism particularly build totalitarian state shami argued many neo fascists also see assad government resisting israel muslims alike meanwhile assad government seized visits build legitimacy saying international support visitors know conspiracy syria author said broader western far right support far right groups north america europe supporting assad government recent development april american white supremacist richard spencer led anti war demonstration washington dc us bombing syrian airbase spencer leading figure alt right loosely knit coalition white supremacists white nationalists neo nazis forza nuova another italian neo fascist party also defended assad october party leader roberto fiore fled italy several years police raid found cache weapons explosives office tweeted party alliance syrian ruler forza nuova defends assad syrian people attacks isis usa wrote post accompanied photo depicting group forza nuova members raising pro assad banner greek far right group black lily self proclaimed national socialist organisation claimed sent fighters syria support assad forces fighters hezbollah lebanese political military group aligned syrian government year nick griffin formerly british national party member european parliament ventured damascus part international delegation far right ultranationalist politicians across europe griffin returned syria following year conference organised syrian ministry justice yet white supremacist alliance syrian government predates war david duke former grand wizard ku klux klan notorious holocaust denier delivered speech damascus state television america around world zionists want war rather peace declared crowd hurts heart tell part country occupied zionists just part country golan heights occupied zionists duke said arguing zionists control american media much us government articleguid back still german nazi war criminal alois brunner reportedly given safe haven syria advised government torture tactics eventually falling favour hafez assad current president father predecessor brunner oversaw deportation jews death camps holocaust eventually detained believed died custody today almost seven years syrian civil war signs assad white supremacist alliance breaking back casapound headquarters di stefano defended government attacks pressed issue human rights violations including government forces alleged use barrel bombs civilian areas even today people taking guns centre cities said assad shouldn bomb people civil war unfortunately news document ee erdogan slams us support kurdish ypg fighters words ankara says washington can longer use fighting isil excuse support kurdish fighters northern syria turkish president recep tayyip erdogan slammed us support kurdish ypg fighters northern syria warning washington move fund group will impact ankara future decisions towards nato ally us decision give financial support ypg will surely affect decisions turkey will take erdogan said tuesday will better stand terrorists support today calling people united states money coming budget us coming people pockets erdogan said comments response pentagon new defence budget allocates military activities syria us defence department requested syrian train equip activities border security requirements related counter isis mission according copy budget turkey last month started military incursion dubbed operation olive branch kurdish held afrin region northwestern syria sweep kurdish ypg fighters border top turkish officials threatened extend incursion syrian town manbij control ypg led syrian democratic forces sdf warned us troops stationed get way us reiterated plans withdraw forces manbij paul funk commander us forces syria iraq made recent visit manbij said us partners syria hit back attacked hit us will respond aggressively will defend funk said erdogan took aim saying obvious say will give sharp response hit hit ottoman slap ottoman slap potentially fatal martial arts technique used elite infantry ottoman empire th century used soldier lost dropped weapon battle supposedly devastating enough cause concussion even break enemy neck tit tat us believes turkish move northern syria undermines larger fight islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis us secretary state rex tillersoncalled allies unite fight isil criticised turkey operation afrin end major combat operations mean achieved enduring defeat isis tillerson said tuesday meeting kuwait turkey operation detracted fight defeat islamic state eastern syria â orces diverted afrin said referring isil erdogan however said us longer use fighting isil excuse group according president largely defeated syria now nobody right use daesh excuse theatre isil ended said articleguid us long supported sdf reliable ally fight isil despite strong objections ankara sees ypg leading coalition syrian branch outlawed kurdistan workers party pkk people killed turkey since pkk launched fight turkish state seeking autonomy kurds tillerson expected visit turkey thursday tillerson planned visit turkey shows just serious matter department state spokesperson heather nauert said tuesday referring stark differences turkish us interests syria daily briefing one areas deep deep concern part administration nauert told reporters washington certainly don want see violence escalate news document ee xe billions pledged iraq post isil reconstruction words kuwait qatar saudi arabia turkey several non state actors including eu agree fund post isil iraq several countries middle east pledged billions dollars aid help war torn iraq mission rebuild country following four year war islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis armed group three day summit iraq reconstruction concluded kuwait city wednesday qatar saudi arabia kuwait turkey pledging offer loans direct investments help rebuild country emir kuwait sheikh sabah ahmad sabah pledged give bn loans investments saudi arabia said provide bn qatar pledged bn turkey also agreed donate vowing provide bn financial support donations come various non governmental organisations pledged first day summit attended total states non state actors conference organised kuwait iraq european union united nations world bank seeking funding donors investors rebuild iraq destroyed homes schools hospitals well revive demolished infrastructure economy iraq minister planning qusai abdelfattah said country needed estimated bn achieve goals bn needed immediately noted quest raise funds corruption major concern country last year ranked nations found corrupt according findings annual corruption perceptions index conducted transparency international iraqi prime minister haider abadi previously vowed government work towards combatting corruption bureaucracy country news document ee un tillerson urges coalition unity fight isil words tillerson comments come donor conference kuwait support reconstruction stabilisation efforts iraq fight islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group far us secretary state said urging unity among arab countries gulf sake regional stability rex tillerson says rift qatar former allies gulf cooperation council gcc namely saudi arabia uae bahrain well egypt counterproductive efforts root group countries imposed blockade qatar last june end major combat operations mean achieved enduring defeat isis tillerson said meeting tuesday kuwait city said us priorities prevent isis establishing called caliphate iraq syria recruiting new members able train future attacks without continued attention support coalition members risk return extremist groups like isis liberated areas iraq syria spread new locations said us also pledged support stabilisation efforts syria tillerson announced ibrahim fraihat professor conflict resolution doha institute graduate studies qatar said tillerson sending message two tracks disconnected war terrorism can affected instability gulf iraq reconstruction tillerson comments came three day donor conference kuwait support reconstruction stabilisation efforts iraq experts estimate bn needed fund reconstruction efforts bn urgently needed begin rebuilding process said fraihat large parts iraq second largest city mosul long held isil fighters still ruins six months retaken iraqi government us role always key process especially iraq whole thing started back american invasion iraq regime change us caused fraihat told far groups leading reconstruction process iraq european union world bank un kuwait iraqi government said us taking leading role whether terms financing terms providing support reconstruction process news document ee donors pledge post isil iraq words non governmental organisations kuwait hosted conference reconstruction war torn iraq pledged million far short billion requested iraq hoping concrete pledges international donors second day conference rebuilding cities infrastructure shattered conflict isil islamic state iraq levant also known isis monday non governmental organisations pledged million reconstruction effort far short billion government says needs sami zeidan reports kuwait document ee md israel squares showdown iran syria words tit tat exchanges israel iran backed syria confront russia challenge keeping lid tensions surge israeli syrian cross border incidents turned biggest confrontation two countries decades confronted russia new dilemma preserve ties sides tit tat attacks started saturday continued following day accompanied war words benjamin netanyahu warning israel continue strike aggression dealt severe blows iranian syrian forces netanyahu said referring iranian bases present inside syria toughest israeli aerial assault syrian iranian bases reportedly response syrian forces shooting israeli fighter jet saturday claims iranian drone entered israeli airspace attacks killed least six syrian troops allied militia members targeted areas near syrian capital damascus israel warning increased iranian involvement along borders syria lebanon statement pro government military alliance syria said drones used islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group fighters israel chief military spokesperson said israel held iran directly accountable incident saturday netanyahu told russian president vladimir putin phone israel intended counter iran actions putin urged israeli leader avoid steps escalate tensions russia strategic ally syrian president bashar assad maintained close relations netanyahu blaming iranian paramilitary units syria breaching sovereignty carrying border attacks past six years frequency israeli raids intensified since iranian paramilitary fighters entered syria following start syrian civil war israel never publicly admitted attacks vary firing rockets air raids experts believe latest development forced israel admitting launched attacks due shooting fighter jet first time israel lost aircraft enemy fire major loss defeat israel don think something israeli regime cover mohammad marandi academic university tehran told israelis using iran scapegoat able carry attacks regional countries justify continued subjugation palestinian people iran presence syria officially aimed combating isil qaeda affiliates marandi says israel supporting groups borders weakening neighbours israel syria brink war ever since israel occupied part strategic golan heights annexed following six day war move played role israel decision refrain getting involved syrian conflict occasional attacks syrian targets stop describes delivery advanced weaponry iranian backed hezbollah whose fighters present southern lebanon marandi says issue iran influence rather israel attempt weakening syrian government along iran attempting push qaeda country former mossad director efraim halevy revealed israel maintained tactical relations nusra front qaeda former affiliate syria always useful â deal enemies humane way halevy said revealing israel used treat wounded fighters nusra front articleguid also said support treatment wounded hezbollah fighters hezbollah targeted israel asked war hezbollah israel imminent marandi said israel favour however others believe russia ally syria iran israel party can limit possibility upcoming regional war following latest attacks israel protested iran presence growing power syria beginning israel us object iran presence syria back opposition upper hand syrian regime brink defeat omar kouch syrian political analyst told russia intervened balance power shifted favour syrian regime kouch explained israel want fall syrian president bashar assad government issue regime issue iran threatens security said several israeli attacks today carried rockets various kinds according kouch iran knew attacks occur iran syria prepared several rockets various kinds fired said saturday iranian president hassan rouhani said country ready defend region warned increasing terrorism â ombing neighbouring countries achieve israel objectives full frontal war unlikely time kouch believes russia trying maintain alliance iran israel simultaneously two equations iran influence region israel security concerns difficult balance projects colonialist projects hugely conflicted said presence many players make frictions inevitable last month netanyahu met putin moscow discuss israeli concerns iran presence syria will discuss president putin iran relentless efforts establish military presence syria strongly oppose also taking action netanyahu said ofer zalzberg israeli analyst international crisis group said israel inspect drone saturday incident try demonstrate indeed iranian spite tehran denials zalzberg also agreed russia alliance parties thwart potential escalation perhaps meet party demands anyone can broker reality israel succeeds endeavour stop iranian bases permanently set syria iran succeeds keeping damascus cooperative partner russia said ongoing border violence unlikely stop experts spoke predicted fact puts civilian lives continuously risk ultimately losers syrian people syrian revolution said kouch news document ee iraqi tribesmen warn isil fighters families words government seeks bn reconstruction iraq western anbar province tribesmen starting rebuild warned will take revenge families isil fighters return anbar biggest province iraq one last places freed isil islamic state iraq levant group isil also known isis swept province cities falluja ramadi qaim soon became urban battlefields don want go back square one omar shihan alwani fought isil said re totally come back blood will flow neither tribes military operations will able stop homes isil family members destroyed tactic isil used past re isil family members returning timing bad risk provoking unrest return bloodshed streets said omar ibrahim former tribal fighter fighters think families group members camp supervision iraqi government experts religious leaders professors intellectuals receive daily training sessions families isil fighters including women children already detained two camps across province remain outcasts anbar cities rebuilding iraq nearly three years war isil will cost close bn according iraqi officials attending international donor conference kuwait conference iraq seeking investment reconstruction projects including rebuilding homes hospitals schools throughout iraq million people displaced fighting estimated housing units damaged fight isil half completely destroyed iraqi official said news document ee abu bakr baghdadi alive wounded syria words iraqi intelligence chief says abu bakr baghdadi suffered severe wounds legs air raid alive syria isil leader abu bakr baghdadi alive treated medical facility northeastern syria severely wounded air raid senior iraqi official said head islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis sustained serious wounds legs air raids abu ali basri iraq intelligence counterterrorism department chief quoted monday government run sabah daily saying irrefutable information documents sources within terrorist organisation baghdadi still alive hiding help collaborators basri said baghdadi one world wanted men us bounty head currently syria desert west deir az zor said suffers injuries diabetes fractures body legs prevent walking without assistance said basri despite series major military defeats past year isil retains significant presence northeastern syria hasakah province despite lost cross border caliphate baghdadi announced fighters shocking military victories across region unclear air force responsible targeting isil leader basri quoted saying wounded air raids iraq russia defence ministry said may killedal baghdadi one air raids outskirts syria raqqa isil stronghold group ousted city late last year american broadcaster cnn monday quoted us officials saying baghdadi wounded raqqa forced relinquish command armed group injuries isolated strikes russians raqqa timeline don know unidentified american official said attack wounded isil chief another us official told network unclear leading group know much baghdadi day day running shop news agencies document ee james mattis pyd pkk shifting afrin words james mattis says fighters kurdish led sdf shifting towards afrin region fight turkish troops turkey legitimate security concerns along southern border syria james mattis us defence secretary said turkish forces continued offensive kurdish fighters afrin mattis acknowledged members kurdish led syrian democratic forces sdf shifted afrin region syria north amid turkey ongoing operation coalition armed groups anadolu news agency reported distraction going afrin right now drawing sdf forces got percent afrin region mattis told reporters flight europe sunday adding percentage less us long supported sdf reliable ally fight islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis despite strong objections ankara sees coalition syrian branch outlawed kurdish workers party pkk armed wing pkk listed terrorist group us eu turkey taken lives turkey including since july describing turkey nato ally facing active revolt mattis also reiterated ankara real security concerns region turkey legitimate security concern dismiss one bit along border syria stated adding washington will continue work closely turkey forces aligned kurdish democratic union party pyd pkk afrin launched hundreds cross border rocket attacks turkey including dozens since late last month killing injuring many civilians pentagon previously stated pyd pkk led sdf elements shifting fighters specify headed mattis expected meet turkish counterpart nurettin canikli brussels week turkey launched operation olive branch january clear pyd pkk isil afrin anadolu news agency document ee us mattis says pyd pkk shifting afrin words pentagon stated pyd pkk led sdf elements shifting forces specify turkey legitimate security concerns along border syria dismiss says us defence secretary us defense secretary james mattis acknowledged members pyd pkk led sdf shifted afrin syria amid turkeyâ ongoing operation groups border region according anadolu news agency distraction going afrin right now drawing sdf forces got percent mattis told reporters flight europe sunday adding percentage less reason armed group mobilisation afrin said believe fellow kurds afrin attack referring turkey operation olive branch northwestern syrian province clear pyd pkk elements us long supported pyd pkk led sdf reliable ally fight islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis strong objections ankara documented syrian branch pkk pkk listed terrorist group us eu turkey taken lives turkey including since july describing turkey nato ally active revolt facing mattis also reiterated ankara real security concerns region turkey legitimate security concern dismiss one bit along border syria stated adding washington will continue work closely turkey pyd pkk afrin launched hundreds rocket attacks turkey across border including dozens since late last month killing injuring many civilians pentagon previously stated pyd pkk led sdf elements shifting fighters specify headed mattis expected meet turkish counterpart nurettin canikli brussels week turkey launched operation olive branch jan clear pyd pkk isil afrin northwestern syria anadolu news agency document ee iraq seeks billion donors post isil reconstruction words iraq seeks around billion foreign investment transport energy agriculture part plan rebuild parts country revive economy three year war isil iraq hoping raise billions dollars donor conference starting monday kuwait finance reconstruction campaign isil islamic state iraq levant also known isis estimated bn needed reconstruction large parts iraq second largest city mosul still ruins six months retaken government jazeeraâ sami zeidan reports kuwait document ee netanyahu air raids dealt serious blow iran syria words netanyahu says israel continue strike back amid tensions downing warplane syrian government forces benjamin netanyahu israel prime minister described country significant air attacks syria decades heavy blow syria iran attacks response syrian government forces shooting israeli fighter jet saturday claims iranian drone entered israeli airspace air attacks reportedly hit airport outskirts suwayda southern syria weapons depot near capital damascus israel sounded several warnings perceived increased iranian involvement along borders syria lebanon russia president vladimir putin urged netanyahu avoid steps escalate tension netanyahu held several consultations putin part sent forces back syrian president bashar assad following israeli attacks two spoke saturday netanyahu conveying israel intention counter iran actions russian criticism russia foreign ministry appeared criticise israel actions calling restraint respecting syria sovereignty absolutely unacceptable create threats lives security russian servicemen syria invitation legitimate government said however netanyahu told cabinet meeting sunday israel continue strike aggression yesterday dealt severe blows iranian syrian forces netanyahu said made unequivocally clear everyone rules action changed one bit will continue strike every attempt strike us policy will remain policy saturday air attacks marked toughest israeli aerial assault syria decades israel confirmed fighter jet shot enemy fire marking first instance israel since fighting war lebanon according washington post report preliminary understanding plane crashed due ground air missile lieutenant colonel jonathan cornicus israeli military spokesperson said sunday hit jet one eight planes carrying israeli raid inside syria said report first direct public acknowledgment attack inside syria country civil war israel also said bombed military sites across border eight syrian four said iranian syrian military allies denied iranian drone violated israel airspace according report syrian state run sana news agency joint operations room run syria iran russia lebanese armed group hezbollah said drone regular mission gathering intelligence fighters islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis sources damascus said casualties among syrian forces britain based syrian observatory human rights sohr monitors war syria network activists ground said least six syrian troops allied militia members killed israeli air attacks six included syrian non syrian allied troops sohr said adding israel targeted several bases east central province homs said bases used iranians russians deployed support assad government israel technically war syria occupies chunk strategic golan heights seized six day war later annexed move never recognised international community israel sought avoid direct involvement syria conflict acknowledges carrying dozens air raids stop calls deliveries advanced weaponry hezbollah un chief appeal backdrop un chief called immediate unconditional de escalation violence concerned syria region responsibility must abide international law relevant security council resolutions antonio guterres said statement saturday stephane dujarric un chief spokesman said secretary general following closely alarming military escalation throughout syria dangerous spillover across borders white house issued statement said supports israel right defend iranian backed syrian militia forces southern syria call iran allies cease provocative actions work toward regional peace said news document ee assad quietly aids ypg turkey words ypg depend assad regime supply afrin turkey assad relies ypg grain oil supply forces us backed ypg northern syria says reached agreements russian iran backed regime bashar assad allow reinforcements sent afrin sustain war turkey ypg regarded turkey extension kurdistan workers party pkk fought three decade armed conflict turkey regarded terrorist group us european union kino gabriel spokesman kurdish dominated syrian democratic forces sdf said reuters news agency ypg reached understanding assad regime different ways get reinforcements afrin fundamental route via regime forces understandings two forces sake delivering reinforcements afrin ypg depends assad reach afrin damascus also needs ypg cooperation source grain oil areas northeast kurdish control source added pro assad forces backed russia iran ypg forces fought elsewhere syria damascus opposes ypg demands autonomy afrin common enemy mutual interest blocking turkish advances commander military alliance fighting support assad said condition anonymity syrian regime helping kurds humanitarian support logistics like turning blind eye allowing kurdish support reach fronts turkey regards kurdish ypg militia afrin terrorist organization threat southern border launched assault region last month return ypg asked damascus send forces region fight turkish army assad government shows sign providing indirect help allowing men supplies reach afrin territory controls representatives sides told reuters assad stands gain little arrival reinforcements likely sustain ypg bog turkish forces prolong conflict sapping resources military powers rival assad control syrian territory us welcomed development syria seven year old war complicated may nevertheless strategic ally ypg must times make deals assad survival turkish campaign moves slowly turkish military making slow gains nearly three weeks operation calls olive branch us relied ypg vital ground component war islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis syria backed group kurdish controlled regions northern syria along border turkey us forces afrin unable shield afrin attack turkey nato ally ypg meanwhile accuse russia giving green light turkish attack withdrawing observers deployed afrin last year afrin war marks another twist complicated story relations assad syrian kurdish groups spearheaded ypg carved autonomous regions northern syria since war began ypg controls nearly syria frontier turkey afrin separated bigger kurdish controlled region east km wide zone controlled turkish military syrian militia allies much war damascus ypg avoided confrontation times fighting common enemies including rebel groups now helping turkey attack afrin tensions mounted recent months damascus threatening parts eastern northern syria captured sdf support us led coalition underlining pro assad forces attacked sdf eastern province deir zor drawing coalition air attacks overnight killed attackers coalition said regime allowed ypg bring people afrin attacking east euphrates river think indicative state relations right said noah bonsey international crisis group senior analyst syria added still significant gap ypg regime positions future northeastern syria fighting afrin main syrian kurdish groups remain wedded vision syria gain autonomy form federalism odds assad determination control syria side allowed maintain footholds territory ypg held qamishli assad forces still control airport sheikh maqsoud district aleppo regime city ypg forces patrol streets scores kurds sheikh maqsoud gone afrin support fight kurdish officials said short journey requires movement areas held government iran backed shi ite militia allies course people went sheikh maqsoud hundreds bear arms defend afrin said badran himo ypg official sheikh maqsoud around martyred told reuters ypg forces held rally commemorate one dead earlier week witnesses say people drove convoy hundreds cars afrin ypg held areas support group syrian government ignored appeals ypg authorities guard syrian border afrin tried convince via russians least protect borders take position get result aldar khalil top ypg politician told reuters don protect borders least don right block way syrian patriots protecting borders regardless domestic issues reuters news agency document ee um un calls immediate de escalation syria words antonio guterres says international law must respected syria region following israeli air raids un chief called immediate unconditional de escalation violence israel launched intensive air raids called iranian bases syria raising tensions region ll concerned syria region responsibility must abide international law relevant security council resolutions antonio guterres said statement saturday secretary general following closely alarming military escalation throughout syria dangerous spillover across borders un chief spokesman stephane dujarric said israeli army saturday launched large scale attacks inside syria intercepting said iranian drone entered occupied golan heights subsequent downing israeli fighter jet syrian air defence forces un chief reaction came russia intervened support syria president bashar assad said seriously concerned confrontation urge parties involved exercise restraint avoid actions lead even greater complication situation russia foreign ministry said statement consider necessary unconditionally respect sovereignty territorial integrity syria countries region added us support white house expressed support israel hostilities israel staunch ally united states support right defend iranian backed syrian militia forces southern syria white house statement released late saturday read call iran allies cease provocative actions work toward regional peace pentagon department state made similar comments earlier saturday syrian military allies denied drone violated israel airspace syria state run sana news agency reported joint operations room run syria iran russia hezbollah said aircraft regular mission gathering intelligence fighters islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis sources damascus said casualties among syrian forces syrian observatory human rights uk based monitor said israel targeted several bases east central province homs said bases used iranians russians deployed support regime israel technically war syria occupies swath strategic golan heights seized six day war later annexed move never recognised international community israel sought avoid direct involvement syria conflict acknowledges carrying dozens air raids stop calls deliveries advanced weaponry hezbollah news document ee jh tillerson turkey visit will help mend ties words us state secretary expected ankara amid strained relations nato allies kurdish rebels syria us secretary state rex tillerson visited turkey twice first year office third trip due next week may well important turkish us relations strained former president barack obama tenure observers say ve become worse president donald trump administration fear nato allies clash militarily syria tillerson mission reduce tensions like obama trump backing kurdish led syrian democratic forces sdf success reclaiming territory held islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis armed group angered turkish president recep tayyip erdogan sdf umbrella group fighters led people protection units ypg kurdish rebel group considered terrorist group ankara erdogan routinely accuses washington undermining country security supporting kurdish fighters inside syria refusing extradite cleric fethullah gulen allegedly plotting failed coup attempt turkey never trying overthrow syrian president bashar assad worrisome us erdogan launched operation olive branch late january sending forces northwestern syrian town afrin order prevent ypg rebels taking control now threatening send troops east manbij sdf us troops securing city isil fighters us doesn want happen tillerson will repeat message meetings friday senior state department official told reporters urging show restraint operations afrin show restraint along line across border northern syria need work turks figure way way can work address legitimate security concerns time minimising civilian casualties else keeping everything focused fight isil official said analysts say trip important tillerson listen talk senior policy analyst nicholas danforth bipartisan policy center told cautiously optimistic continue think sides sanity will prevail sides will realise damage will suffer breakdown us turkish relationship nato alliance catastrophic therefore will avoid provocative steps said rhetorically ground sides working positions will increasingly difficult back fact will make tillerson third visit turkey one watch news document ee israeli jet shot syria fire says military words israeli military says one planes shot syria operation targeting iranian sites israeli fighter jet shot syrian military targeting called iranian sites responsible launching drone occupied golan heights israeli military said saturday combat helicopter successfully intercepted iranian uav launched syria infiltrated israel idf israel defence forces targeted iranian control systems syria sent uav israeli airspace massive syrian anti air fire one crashed israel pilots safe lieutenant colonel jonathan conricus israeli military spokesman said twitter israeli media said jet crashed northern israel dramatic development zeina khodr reporting lebanon capital beirut said israel carried dozens attacks past one year first time syrian military shot israeli plane said also first time israel said planes carried attacks inside syria past israelis carried attacks inside syria mention anything target even acknowledge attacks israeli aggression syria state television later cited syrian military official saying israeli aggression targeted syrian army base central region country sources damascus said casualties among syrian forces response syria shot one israeli fighter jets according official sirens sounded northern israel result massive syrian fire pro government military alliance syria said statement later saturday israel see severe serious response terrorism now statement also said drones one israel shot used islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis israeli military said monitoring events fully prepared action israel chief military spokesman brigadier general ronen manelis said israel held iran directly responsible incident serious iranian attack israeli territory iran dragging region adventure doesn know will end said statement whoever responsible incident one will pay price later saturday reuters news agency quoted unnamed israeli military spokesman saying israel seek escalation region willing prepared capable exact heavy price anyone attacks us however looking escalate situation defensive effort triggered iranian act aggression defending airspace sovereignty civilians source said imran khan reporting west jarusalem said big inquiry likely look incident israeli pride fact can patrol airspace arab world without much competition anybody else going big inquiry said now politics optics israelis now going go iran blame squarely bekaa valley explosions heard lebanon bekaa valley region near syrian border khodr said israel warning late increased iranian involvement along border syria lebanon first said allow weapons reach hezbollah lebanese armed shia group iran syrian territory late israelis saying won allow set permanent bases syria said israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu russia capital moscow clearly russians given green light use syrian airspace said israel shot several drones previously tried infiltrate territory syria targeting iranian site response however marks escalation israeli retaliation news document ee turkey resumes afrin operation northern syria words overnight air attacks hit targets neutralising dozens syrian kurdish ypg isil fighters turkish army says turkey resumed air attacks enclave afrin northern syria destroying dozen targets neutralising least rebels turkish army says fighters belonged syrian kurdish armed group ypg islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group according army turkish state news agency anadolu reported friday turkish armed forces struck targets overnight part ongoing operation inside syria according turkish media ankara aerial campaign briefly halted russia closed airspace afrin result downing russian jet neighbouring idlib province since operation started january estimated ypg isil fighters neutralised term turkey uses imply fighters either killed captured surrendered according anadolu sunday least turkish troops also reported killed fighting turkish military said terror targets destroyed operation syrian kurds said villages full civilians also repeatedly hit reports hundred killed afrin general public hospital also quoted voice america saying least children killed others injured turkish attacks earlier un office coordination humanitarian affairs ocha reported civilians internally displaced afrin operation turkey insists operation afrin fully line international law saying presence syrian kurdish ypg area security threat country turkey sees ypg trained armed supported us fight isil extension outlawed kurdistan workers party pkk fought bloody decades long uprising country meanwhile oleg syromolotov russia deputy foreign minister said thursday developments afrin provoked action us accusing washington planning supply weapons us allied groups within syria news document ee trump palestine deal real estate transaction words us pursuing plan push palestinians northern sinai transfer part west bank israel president donald trump continues bluster tweet way chaotic presidency middle east simmering dangerously close boiling point wars yemen syria still burning hard feud qatar called quartet saudi arabia united arab emirates uae egypt bahrain trundles apparent end sight iran continues flex military muscles iraq egypt struggle contain terrorist attacks forgotten palestinians israel buoyed trump recognition jerusalem capital continues flagrant disregard international law un resolutions build settlements west bank trump threatens cut us aid palestinians refused meet vice president mike pence president provocatively named jerusalem capital israel disrespected us week ago allowing great vice president see said meeting israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu president said prepared withhold hundreds millions dollars aid adding money table money going unless sit negotiate peace peace proposal trump likes best son law special middle east adviser jared kushner reportedly pursuing together saudi crown prince mohammed bin salman looks remarkably like real estate transaction unsurprising given year old kushner previous experience diplomacy awful lot wheeling dealing high stakes world new york property ventures articleguid called sanctuary plan involves palestinians surrendering percent west bank israel palestinian cities towns west bank encircled israeli settlement projects fall administrative control jordan part egyptians agree cede north sinai new palestinian entity contiguous gaza capital strange agglomeration become palestinian town outskirts jerusalem abu dis jerusalem whole undivided become capital israel course madness cause palestinians give rights west bank return piece egypt riddled terrorism egyptian president abdel fattah el sisi turn land already roundly attacked giving two small islands red sea saudis one year trump presidency taught us anything extreme ludicrous positions can morph quickly crude ugly reality now two stories helping nudge sanctuary narrative along first broken new york times military support israelis providing egypt fight ansar beit maqdis abm affiliate islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis sinai peninsula abm pledged allegiance self proclaimed isil caliph abu bakr baghdadi peninsula declared wilayat sinai sinai province isil years egyptians lost hundreds police soldiers battling terrorists sinai november isil affiliate carried attack sufi mosque left people dead single worst terrorist atrocity egypt recent history according new york times called secret alliance enabled israelis carry air raids inside egypt abm past two years egyptians denied claim crucially israelis neither confirmed denied using unmarked drones fighter jets markings concealed israelis trying degrade fighters military capability something egyptian army successful return analogy real estate deal jared kushner want evict problem tenants highly desired property little awkwardness possible offer something return something can property overrun heavily armed gangsters israelis bit help secure neighbourhood part president el sisi desperately needs keep saudis israelis side struggles sluggish economy growing disenchantment heavy handed rule saudi cash tune several hundreds millions dollars will help keep economy el sisi afloat egyptian president giving troublesome north sinai may seem small price pay mohammed bin salman solution palestinian problem helps bring one favourable israel means can draw israelis nuclear arms stand iran struggle regional hegemony us grateful will put military might confronting iran egyptians now living north sinai well question sorted road presumably articleguid meanwhile forced relocation large numbers people uncomfortable scenario israelis contemplate given horrific fate jews holocaust better way soften israeli public opinion mass eviction palestinians first launch deportation undocumented african immigrants facing precisely plight netanyahu government vowed forcibly repatriate desperate economic migrants take leave offer one way ticket back africa jail gideon levy columnist israeli daily haaretz denouncing forced repatriation project wrote recently called far reaching plans extreme right talks now commendable clarity lays will come next government proceed efforts remove africans mini expulsion succeeds expect come prepare population transfer first operation successful will buoy hopes additional expulsions israel will learn can one will stop world sits back watches will expelled left land will palestinians trump desire pull biggest deal ever coupled saudi money israeli backing egyptian connivance see ugly dream become reality one yet excludes palestinians meaningful say put simply nightmare never allowed see light day views expressed article authors necessarily reflect editorial stance document ee us led air raids syria kill pro assad fighters words syria accuses us led coalition war crimes air raids oil rich deir az zor province target fighters syria accused us led coalition war crimes air raids oil rich deir az zor province targeted fighters us official told reuters news agency thursday pro government fighters killed overnight raids us said responded unprovoked attack washington backed syrian democratic forces sdf give details casualties pentagon spokesperson told reporters sdf acted self defence support us led coalition pro regime forces initiated appeared coordinated attack syrian democratic forces east euphrates river deconfliction line dana white said syrian democratic forces supported coalition targeted aggressors combination air artillery strikes added syrian news agency sana disputed us account said us led coalition attacked popular forces fighting armed groups islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis syrian government described air raids new aggression poses war crime crime humanity called un security council condemn massacre according state news agency sana russia ally assad said goal us military presence syria aimed taking control country economic assets fighting isil russian news agency tass reported sdf us backed alliance kurdish arab fighters led kurdish peoples protection units ypg area attack took place significant just one places known oil within syria importantly controls ground syrian democratic forces jamal elshayyal reporting gaziantep turkish side syria turkey border said washington depended heavily upon fight isil years now find situation pegged turkey others accuse militia essentially just bad isil air raids coincided escalating violence elsewhere syria people killed damascus suburb eastern ghouta idlib turkey continues military offensive clear ypg northwestern border town afrin news document ee md us bombers halt taliban victory sight words us taliban unleashing violence tilt stalemate favour conditions table aggressive us strategy afghanistan put taliban back foot soldiers police say recent bloody attacks kabul show group remains potent prolonged stalemate looms president donald trump august unveiled hawkish military approach including surge air attacks aimed forcing taliban negotiating table afghan security forces say effect significant taliban still mobile huge swaths country foreign troop levels compared appears little hope outright military victory american air attacks broken back said nasrullah soldier kunar province pakistani border don dare attack large numbers know get killed without air support struggling taliban made gains nato withdrew combat troops late two years later threatening several district centres even two provincial capitals including kunduz north briefly captured now fighters longer threaten city said kunduz police chief abul hameed hamidi air attacks game changer said along revived campaign night raids aimed capturing fighter leaders previous president hamid karzai banned unpopular soldiers police districts outside kunduz contested year ago said war tilted favour can face us instead hide among civilians plant roadside bombs carry suicide attacks said soldier abdul karim changed picture helmand province south taliban pushed back km provincial capital lashkar gar said governor hayatullah hayat also credited air attacks fears last year town fall helmand policeman baz gul said air attacks changed picture completely morale high us air attacks afghanistan shot according us data compared previous year nato resolute support mission said tuesday air campaign expanded north bombers striking taliban positions mission commander general john nicholson said taliban fighters win battlefield taliban spokesman denied air attacks forced fighters flee saying still operating district centres across countryside according recent bbc study taliban openly active percent districts spokesman nato mission said bbc estimate overstated insurgents influence impact percent population full taliban control thomas ruttig afghanistan analysts network think tank told reuters limits air power achieve pointing number civilian casualties risen used taliban propaganda pushing taliban back victory said taliban proven able adjust wait campaigns escalating violence including clashes islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis afghanistan forced people homes civilians killed according united nations end trump rejected talks taliban january bomb kabul killed people week taliban attack hotel killed four americans afghans long term us aim remains force taliban settlement top us official said later afghan government also taken tougher stand talks taliban say negotiations depend foreign troops leaving said kabul attacks response trump aggression threatened international crisis group think tank said us officials say diplomatic military efforts aimed reaching settlement us longest war officials estimate will cost taxpayers bn year diplomacy clearly downgraded us afghan governments hope peace process will emerge ashes intensified military campaign peace process never remote recent years said group senior afghan analyst borhan osman sides unleashing violence based rationale tilt stalemate favour conditions table afghan forces steeling drawn fight well armed enemy must another way said sher wali policeman nangarhar province looks like ll never end reuters news agency document ee gt syria civil war explained beginning words syrian civil war deadliest conflict st century witnessed far syrian conflict will soon enter eighth year syrians killed fighting million injured million half country prewar population displaced homes became known arab spring revolts toppled tunisian president zine el abidine ben ali egyptian president hosni mubarak peaceful protests erupted syria well boys detained tortured writing graffiti support arab spring one boys year old hamza khateeb killed brutally tortured syrian government led president bashar assad responded protests killing hundreds demonstrators imprisoning many july defectors military announced formation free syrian army rebel group aiming overthrow government syria began slide civil war caused uprising initially lack freedoms economic woes fuelled resentment syrian government public anger inflamed harsh crackdown protesters successful uprisings tunisia egypt energised gave hope syrian pro democracy activists many islamist movements also strongly opposed assads rule targeted years bashar father hafez assad ordered military crackdown muslim brotherhood hama killing people flattening much city although initial protests mostly non sectarian armed conflict led emergence starker sectarian divisions syrians sunni muslims syria security establishment long dominated members alawi sect assad member minority religious groups tend support assad government overwhelming majority opposition fighters sunni muslims even global warming said played role sparking uprising severe drought plagued syria causing many million people migrate countryside cities exacerbating poverty social unrest international involvement foreign backing open intervention played large role syria civil war russia entered conflict assad government main ally since regional actors governments majority shia iran iraq lebanon based hezbollah supported assad sunni majority countries including turkey qatar saudi arabia supported anti assad rebels since turkish troops launched several operations isil near borders well kurdish groups armed united states anti isil coalition us armed anti assad rebel groups led international coalition bombing targets islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group since israel carried air raids inside syria reportedly targeting hezbollah pro government fighters facilities israel syria technically war since border largely quiet since us russia us repeatedly stated opposition assad government backed russia involved deeply chemical red line former us president barack obama warned use chemical weapons syria red line prompt military intervention april us carried first direct military action assad forces launching tomahawk cruise missiles syrian air force base us officials believe chemical attack khan sheikhoun launched cia training cia began covert programme arm fund train rebel groups opposing assad programme later shut revealed cia spent trained fighters russia campaign september russia launched bombing campaign referred terrorist groups syria included isil well anti assad rebel groups backed usa russia also deployed military advisers shore assad defences un security council russia china repeatedly vetoed western backed resolutions syria peace talks peace negotiations ongoing syrian government opposition order achieve military ceasefire political transition syria main sticking point fate assad geneva first round un facilitated talks syrian government opposition delegates took place geneva switzerland june latest round talks december failed amid tit tat syrian government opposition delegates statements future role assad transitional government staffan de mistura replaced kofi annan un special envoy syria astana may russia iran turkey called setup four de escalation zones syria syrian russian fighter jets expected fly sochi january russia sponsored talks future syria black sea city sochi opposition bloc boycotted conference claiming attempt undercut un effort broker deal rebel groups since conflict began syrian rebellion assad government many new rebel groups joined fighting syria frequently fought one another free syrian army fsa loose conglomeration armed brigades formed defectors syrian army civilians backed united states turkey several gulf countries december syrian army scored biggest victory rebels recaptured strategic city aleppo since fsa controlled limited areas northwestern syria since january fighting turkey capture afrin kurdish fighters seeking self rule isil emerged northern eastern syria overrunning large portions iraq group quickly gained international notoriety brutal executions energetic use social media recruit fighters around world groups fighting syria include jabhat fateh sham iran backed hezbollah syrian democratic forces sdf dominated kurdish people protection units ypg situation today turkey free syrian army launched offensive kurdish ypg groups northern syria russian syrian government forces intensified offensive last remaining rebel stronghold near capital ghouta bombing russian syrian government forces killed civilians eastern ghouta within hours reported monitoring groups us also accused syrian government using chemical weapons eastern ghouta siege since turkish offensive january turkey allied groups began military operation ypg northwestern syria near afrin also northwestern syria hay et tahrir sham rebels claimed responsibility shooting russian warplane near idlib syrian refugees now gone longer world war ii war syria causing profound effects beyond country borders many syrians left homes seek safety elsewhere syria beyond un refugee agency unhcr registered million refugees syria estimated million internally displaced persons idp within syria borders lebanon turkey jordan hosting syrian refugees many attempt journey onwards europe search better conditions geneva convention relating status refugees describes refugee person owing well founded fear persecuted reasons race religion nationality membership particular social group political opinion outside country nationality unable owing fear unwilling avail protection country refugees returned syria according reports much syria ruins population deeply traumatised war one thing certain rebuilding syria war will lengthy difficult process news document ee gp pakistan youth seek justice naqeebullah mehsud words group young activists pakistan north fight tribal rights pursue case police killing dera ismail khan pakistan â aqeebullah mehsud never wanted life slaving away long hours textile factory scraping together cash start garment shop evening january sat roadside restaurant northern karachi pakistan largest city friends discussing plans going start shop armed men plain clothes burst restaurant demanding know young men naqeebullah mehsud identified men grabbed mehsud took away vehicle last time seen alive january police said naqeebullah among four islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis pakistani taliban terrorists killed shootout police eastern karachi incident sparked national outrage relatives friends protesting naqeebullah innocence joined thousands fans naqeebullah ran popular facebookpage posted pictures modeling clothes hairstyles articleguid friends family said far feared taliban fighter killed several security forces personnel police claimed naqeebullah aspiring male model police inquiry ordered supreme court told rao anwar police officer responsible killing presided least killings police shootouts since took senior police official karachi malir district anwar long known karachi version dirty harry now run wanted courts police inquiry found evidence suggest naqeebullah member taliban none however happened mehsud tahaffuz movement mtm grassroots group young activists naqeebullah native district south waziristan born violence honest person kind pride arrogance said abdul wahid mehsud one founders mtm friend naqeebullah said worked lot labourer now getting good response social media modeling open shop â fame help make shop successful abdul wahid one founders mehsud tahaffuz movement mehsud protection movement back just eight students gomal university town dera ismail khan km southwest capital islamabad adjacent south waziristan group founded fight rights members mehsud tribe hails south waziristan articleguid remote district northwestern pakistan one country poorest consistently scores among lowest countrywide socioeconomic surveys widely known birthplace pakistani taliban home group founder baitullah mehsud successor hakeemullah mehsud waged bloody war pakistani security forces civilians years driven homes military launched successful operation displace taliban stronghold mehsuds continue live outside homeland want security basic services like healthcare education employment operation brutal mtm members allege military let violence south waziristan residents chosen return often arbitrarily detaining subjecting whole villages collective punishment security incident area grown watching happen around us alam zeb one group outspoken members told end thought someone raise voice someone ask harsh questions saw one political leadership â tribal leaders â one willing ask questions mtm fight focuses three major issues unexploded landmines improvised explosive devices ieds remain strewn across south waziristan alleged arbitrary detention residents military alleged harassment armed forces military denies arbitrarily detains assaults citizens south waziristan elsewhere case sporadic terrorist ied incident area efforts identify possible resident facilitation terrorists locals investigate details event local populace engaged strictly per local â tradition said military statement response questions landmines however mtm emerged group willing organise victims lobby military effective job clearing explosives far claimed least lives wounded scores since displaced mehsuds began returning home thankful day thank enough said khan rasool whose daughter grandson severely wounded landmine explosion south waziristan last month mtm members said helped get medical care needed bringing apocalypse fight naqeebullah case personal area knew met times said muhammad idrees another group founders says case outraged mehsud youths brought home issue social profiling pashtuns particularly mehsuds terrorists ihsanullah mehsud member movement narrated recent trip pakistan second city lahore denied accommodation hotel hotel owner saw last name national identification card others quickly chimed similar stories mtm hadn raised voice naqeebullah considered kind terrorist many others killed hundreds years said ihsanullah asked think residents south waziristan accorded human rights citizens pakistan laugh apparently absurdity question south waziristan state human rights someone killed explosion army goes oppresses people targets ask explosion happen narrates alam zeb essentially ask die since mtm led sit hundreds people across country capital islamabad uniting demonstrators across political party lines rallying around naqeebullah killing demands include arrest trial rao anwar formation inquiry commission similar extrajudicial killings police karachi elsewhere end policy assault abduction common people security incidents south waziristan elsewhere say sign day judgment pashtuns actually stand together said saeed anwar mehsud political leader south waziristan seems mtm brought apocalypse subverting power structures mtm able achieve never happened also work manner one else using social media grassroots activism subvert traditional power structures tribal leadership south waziristan almost killed said mansur khan director research islamabad based fata resource centre ones left now sycophants government military mtm opposes constantly standing power addition khan says young activists able harness power social media organise directly common people bypassing political parties traditional leadership structures social media become weapon us can use make voice voice person tribal areas heard â given every person voice said alam zeb zeb known hosting facebook lives landmine victims arrive local hospital dera ismail khan documenting happened explosion occurred government aid offered way protect said adding videos broadcast authorities deny problem exists idrees said questioned man identifying member pakistan military intelligence agency asking posting statements victims stories social media rather approaching military directly said done desperation said gotten tired times told promised issues resolved time phone call carried veiled threat idrees said first members group received last year several members detained hours security forces leading protest landmine victims others kicked homes activism accused agents money ngos set things aside pay attention said wahid even cut us tiny pieces will step backwards burned boats enter battlefield back protest islamabad wahid speakers continue rally hundreds refuse leave justice done naqeebullah mehsud stage stand upon draped ft high portraits young aspiring model taken facebook portfolio now looking upon massive crowd achieve life seems achieved death said one bystander asad hashim web correspondent pakistan tweets asadhashim news document ee gp ashraf ghani philosopher king ethnonationalist words despite labelled intellectual politician ashraf ghani pursuing reckless identity politics afghan president ashraf ghani seems earned respect among political circles thanks impressive educational background phd anthropology years experience teaching top us universities praised career achievements may ghani ranked second among world thinkers britain prospect magazine ghani enjoyed high regard afghans well inauguration head national unity government afghanistan nug september met optimism among educated segments society despite widespread fraud election process led power sharing deal ghani rival abdullah abdullah thanks reputation top thinker ghani long portrayed plato philosopher king someone can lead multi ethnic afghanistan towards much needed civic nationalism transform country image worked un world bank ghani seen someone bridge ethnocentric socio political divides however three years passed since ghani started tenure head nug performance proved much ethnonationalist philosopher king philosopher king foreign affairs foreign affairs ghani done much better former afghan president hamid karzai pursuing pragmatic foreign policy strategies ghani government improved standing world stage learned stand countries like pakistan articleguid leadership afghanistan raised voice state sponsors terrorism regional global forums succeeded convincing international community put pressure pakistan give support taliban new us strategy towards south asia tougher rhetoric pakistan followed intense lobbying efforts ghani government afghanistan also utilised regional mechanisms south asian association regional cooperation conference interaction confidence building measures asia heart asia istanbul process etc promote country key economic link south central asia result afghanistan participating major regional projects spheres trade transport energy progress foreign affairs crucial future afghanistan thus far ghani done well ethnonationalist domestic affairs however domestic front afghanistan seems going uncertain path ghani ethnic pashtun became president back controversial election following accusations unprecedented electoral violations us secretary state john kerry brokered power sharing deal ghani jamiat islami party candidate abdullah abdullah many reports electoral fraud nug agreement made ghani president abdullah chief executive officer position similar prime minister seat agreement brought ghani power mandated nug amending constitution change absolute presidential system semi presidential one prime minister head government also supposed reform electoral system distribute electronic national identity cards reforms helped formation truly democratic political system inclusive ethnic groups supposed implemented within two years election articleguid nug power nearly four years now none agreed measures materialised furthermore ghani made number controversial decisions fuelled political tensions among country ethnic groups example repealed law citizen choose ethnicity new biometric identification cards now everyone will classified afghan term many country perceive refer members pashtun tribe angered many non pashtun groups apart ghani isolated number prominent non pashtun leaders fired senior adviser ahmad zia massoud well known ethnic tajik figure former vice president forced first vice president general abdul rashid dostum powerful leader uzbek community self imposed exile accusing ordering kidnapping rape elderly political opponent dostum claimed accusations part political plot ghani also severed relations mohammad mohaqiq powerful hazara leader one ceo abdullah deputies locked horns general atta noor highly influential jamiat figure tajik ethnic group north noor governor balkh province years ghani fired december last year ghani systematically forced non pashtun leaders unity government surrounded pashtun ethnonationalist leaders signed controversial peace deal gulbuddin hekmatyar notorious pashtun tribal leader ties taliban qaeda islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis also known butcher kabul role played destruction kabul civil wars ghani also appointed handful pashtu speaking advisors given full access government resources decision making authority within presidential palace example president national security adviser mohammad hanif atmar charge security institutions nug agreement executive powers granted first vice president instead dostum now exile ghani adviser enjoys privileges position hiring firing promoting demoting within national army police unprecedented executive power granted ghani advisors makes de facto chief ministers overriding decision making individuals appointed positions nug looking domestic policies impossible deny ghani acting like ethnonationalist presidential elections coming year time perhaps thinks strategy will guarantee re election pushing afghanistan path ethnic divisions dangerous precipitate ghani political demise views expressed article author necessarily reflect editorial stance document ee yemenis protest us drone attack kills shabwa words residents say january raid killed seven innocent civilians searching missing child scores yemenis taken streets southern province shabwa us drone attack killed least seven civilians january drone attack decimated car carrying least six male members family another individual searching missing child shabwa said district residents said saleh aishi ateeqi relative one victims organised protest told local media victims innocent civilians nothing political religious organisation speaking protest city ateq sunday ateeqi blamed arab coalition war yemen deaths saying responsible country airspace protecting civilian lives united states force known operate armed drones yemen normally comment operations increase attacks trump washington stepped use drone attacks president donald trump bureau investigative journalism reporting least drone attacks last year increased bombing comes despite botched american raid qaeda arabian peninsula aqap killed number civilians january raid yakla impoverished desolate town resulted deaths least civilians including women children january raid attracted widespread media attention one navy seal also killed marked first operation kind authorised trump aqap local affiliate islamic state iraq levant isil known isis exploited yemen three year war carry assassinations bombings mostly lawless areas south according united nations people killed fighting nearly half civilians since saudi led coalition launched air attacks yemen news document ee uo saddam eldest daughter raghad wanted list words names individuals including daughter late saddam hussein raghad iraq wanted list iraqi government placed name late saddam hussein daughter raghad wanted list together individuals people wanted suspicion belonging islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis qaeda baath party list seen afp includes name saddam daughter raghad lives jordan also features suspected isil fighters qaeda baath party giving details roles allegedly play organisations alleged crimes suspected cases photographs iraqis apart maan bashour lebanese man accused recruiting fellow citizens fight iraq list includes senior members group among fawaz mohammad mutlaq former officer saddam fedayeen paramilitary organisation later became member isil military council name abu bakr baghdadi leader isil absent list senior security official contacted afp declined explain terrorists wanted judicial authorities security services official said first time publish names now secret isil fighters document lists accused fighting iraq second city mosul surrounding province nineveh well provinces kirkuk diyala anbar isil took third iraq territory lightning advance beaten back iraqi forces backed us led coalition afp news agency document ee hague mosque vandalized words group claimed responsibility act vandalism port city hague mosque dutch port city hague vandalized late friday far group claimed responsibility act vandalism turkish flag crossed red paint slogans turkish president recep tayyip erdogan also written speaking anadolu agency saturday sinasi koc head ahi evran mosque currently construction belongs islamic foundation netherlands condemned attack koc said attack probably related turkeyâ ongoing operation olive branch syriaâ afrin want unity solidarity want bring disorder us will succeed allah us koc said since turkey launched operation olive branch january rid afrin northwestern syria kurdish democratic union party syria pyd kurdistan workers party pkk islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis numerous attacks mosques across europe pyd pkk supporting groups according turkish general staff operation aims establish security stability along turkeyâ borders region well protect syrians oppression cruelty rotterdam supporters pyd pkk organisation attacked turkish demonstrators anadolu agency correspondent scene reported supporters holding banners market hall also attacked reporters allowing take footage europe experienced growing number protests violence pyd pkk supporters since group launched campaign two weeks ago protest turkeyâ operation anadolu news agency document ee turkish army suffers deadliest day syria afrin words eight turkish soldiers killed northern syria died kurdish forces hit tank army says turkey says suffered deadliest day yet northern syria since launching offensive ypg kurdish fighters two weeks ago saturday eight turkish soldiers killed according turkish army statement died tank came fire syrian kurdish forces turkey wants push ypg says terrorists afrin create buffer zone along southern border ypg fighters targeted turkish army tank sheikh haruz northeast afrin killing five soldiers three soldiers killed fighting elsewhere afrin turkish prime minister binali yildirim promised retaliate statement twitter will pay twice much given necessary response instantly continue yildirim said immediately attack sheikh haruz air operation targeting ypg positions weapon storages area launched army said turkey operation olive branch began january along free syrian army fsa clear armed kurdish groups islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis fighters afrin northwestern syria since start operation kurdish fighters carried cross border attacks firing rockets southern turkey according turkish army operation aims establish security stability along turkish borders region well protect syrians ankara called terrorist oppression cruelty russian retaliation meanwhile syrian rebels shot russian warplane northwestern idlib province saturday russian defence ministry said pilot aircraft sukhoi used ejection seat plane hit man carried portable air defence missile later killed rebels tried capture pilot managed report ejection area controlled militants jabhat nusra later died fighting terrorists statement russian ministry defence said downing aircraft claimed hay et tahrir sham commonly known tahrir sham group spearheaded former nusra front used qaeda branch syria moscow retaliated dozens attacks least civilians killed according local activists russia says killed fighters heavy fighting idlib weeks un says civilians displaced news agencies document ee gp refugees deported europe attacked taliban isil words afghans deported returned europe tell caught crossfire amid rising attacks nasir year old shopkeeper northern kunduz province left refugee europe july year father local police officer killed unknown assailants last month returned afghanistan deported finland injured taliban claimed massacre kabul killed people recovered hospital bed fractured legs ribs nasir remembered tough decisions make following father death articleguid assaults across country security apparatus including local policemen often targeted along mother two brothers family used spend every moment state constant fear mother asked us leave knew father death danger said nasir using pseudonym protect safety big decision make leaving everything behind afghanistan even mother difficult shortly father death brother also attacked group unknown men nasir decided flee afghanistan fewer three years later back afghan soil claims immigration officials finland pressured sign forms fully understand essentially authorising deportation recent months european countries tightened borders asylum policies resulting large groups refugees pushed back afghanistan volatile country civilian casualties record levels nine months passed since returned finland kabul work shopkeeper nasir told mother uncle family know deported one else life still danger recalling brief time finland nasir said felt unwanted knew safer afghanistan remember wanted buy something supermarket even though money pay shopkeeper refused sell bothered bit least life safe let go according eurostat eu statistical office september afghans accounted largest group asylum seekers bloc applications pending approval ineligible applicants sent back home country safe third country expected provide sufficient protection percent first instance applications afghan asylum seekers rejected according eurostat first three quarters half first instance applications percent rejected nasir said living afghanistan means facing death every day don want die protection hayat hooman member persecuted hazara minority sent back afghanistan sweden voluntary returnee europe facilitated international organization migration iom promised financial assistance reintegration resources july incentives meant little friend killed wounded isil attack kabul peaceful protest hazara minority killed least people thought get money will able start something kabul will help family financially hooman said felt family needed back afghanistan poor return back earn something situation afghanistan getting bad every day might go back apply asylum family don want die protection bloodshed continues un documented security related incidents first eight months june un secretary general antonio guterres said situation afghanistan intensively volatile january june unama reported civilian casualties including deaths injured despite obvious risk citizens safety nine european countries germany denmark norway sweden finland austria netherlands belgium france deporting decided deport failed afghan asylum seekers via joint way forward agreement eu afghanistan agreement facilitates return thousands afghans return bloc promised continue aid package afghanistan european politicians officials regularly describe areas afghanistan safe recent events demonstrated security situation afghanistan far safe january talibanorchestrated bloody siege kabul intercontinental hotel left least dead january islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis fighters killed three people office save children eastern city jalalabad week later people lost lives including nasir injured taliban suicide attack heart capital november survey afghan returnees europe reach researches humanitarian issues respondents said make another attempt returning europe nasir among willing take risk said able fund expensive journey know will difficult get asylum live fear every second country said afghanistan safe need know safe kabul else follow shereena qazi twitter shereenaqazi news document ee us accuses syria chemical weapons use east ghouta words state department says concerned volunteer white helmets group claims children among suffocated united states accused syrian government using chemical weapons people us state department spokesman heather nauert said thursday reports chlorine gas used civilians eastern ghouta concerning russia making wrong choice exercising unique influence allow syria regime use chemical weapons people unconscionable will pursue accountability said writing twitter russia syria closest ally previously blocked attempts investigate suspected use chemical weapons nauert comments follow suspected chlorine gas attack rebel held territory eastern ghouta outskirts damascus thursday saturday syria foreign ministry denied allegations according reuters news agency white helmets volunteer rescue group posted photos suspected attack twitter hashtag douma suffocating civilians killed many injured including suffocation cases among children women civildefense volunteers air raids surface surface missiles loaded chlorine gas artillery shells targeted cities eastern_ghouta today doumasuffocating group wrote twitter unclear whether white helmets suggesting three people killed died suffocation group claimed volunteer bilal bayram among victims suffocated chlorine gas attack several children also affected group said rebel stronghold siege eastern ghouta last remaining rebel stronghold near capital damascus government siege since believed around people still live area suffers acute food medicine shortages ceasefire deal eastern ghouta recently negotiated vienna russians implemented late january truce lasted hours civil war syria top news agenda least weeks thursday trump administration made serious concerns said rosalind jordan reporting washington dc camera reporters told us government believes syrian government still holds chemical weapons jordan said use chemical biological agents rare since world war recent years syrian government islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis accused using weapons tool conflict chemical weapons used several occasions war claimed least lives displaced million people since fighting began last april autopsy results revealed chemical weapons used attack killed people syria idlib province syrian president bashar assadsaid suspected attack fabrication justify us military attack news document ee trump say foreign policy words even first state union address trump foreign policy still mystery former speaker house representatives tip neill said politics local united states president donald trump adhered motto delivered first state union address tuesday reserving approximately percent minute long speech domestic policy issues focused specifically tax reform act shrinking unemployment figures repeatedly congratulated taking steps towards building safe strong proud america brief moments touched upon foreign policy carefully avoided delving salient issues like syria yemen gulf crisis israeli palestinian conflict avoided commenting significant foreign policy challenges either administration failed produce coherent strategies tackle simply want taint opportunity brag successful first year office addressing thorny issues instead stuck usual talking points criticised iran nuclear deal praised us military success war islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis attacked cruel dictatorship north korea briefly mentioned widely condemned decision move us embassy israel tel aviv jerusalem rather using opportunity respond controversy explain move fits plan end israeli palestinian conflict chose launch attack countries voted un vote issue first state union address trump also took page cold war playbook resurrected idea us protector global freedoms just like ronald reagan richard nixon frequently shaped sections speech deal foreign policy around advocacy freedom american morality told gruelling story north korean defector ji seong ho equated yearning freedom side globe construct freedom deeply rooted america exceptionalism historical collective memory asserted yearning freedom nearly years ago gave birth special place called america also mentioned recent protests iran government emphasised america stands people iran courageous struggle freedom trump perpetuated pro freedom narrative one purpose first presenting protector human rights freedoms implicitly countered critics argument undermining values american democracy nativist racist misogynist islamophobic positions growing conviction international community trump america relinquished commitment human rights liberties second taking pro freedom stance first state union speech trump sought affirm extreme right wing evangelical base attachment idea american exceptionalism ultimately positioned high moral ground close idol reagan said freedom sole prerogative chosen universal right god children course trump moralistic call freedom iran north korea contradictory anti globalist motto keeping america first seems irony lost supporters brief analysis trump address congress proposes revealing observations first trump realpolitik mindset apparent throughout address showcased preference muscle flexing military superiority deterrence strategy stating believes weakness surest path conflict unmatched power surest means defense president clearly demonstrated inclination focus country hard power capabilities neglect considerable soft power resources address trump expressed intention modernise rebuild nuclear arsenal asked congress fully fund us military even though us military spending percent federal budget already exceeds military spending china saudi arabia russia united kingdom india france japan combined however refrained mentioning cultural educational exchanges forms public diplomacy nations decades long practice soft power certain agencies state department international institute education smithsonian already waning imposed percent cut international programs state department second trump speech signals selective resurrection cold war paradigm russia heir soviet union nouveau trumpian axis evil state nation address trump sought overdramatise stance korea iran isil praised speaking iran corrupt dictatorship also vowed impose sanctions communist socialist dictatorships cuba venezuela without indexing strategy containment let alone deterrence advocates sharper defensive realism seem coherent foreign policy strategy beyond simplifications based us vs dichotomies third trump avoided addressing several elephants room uttered word russia one two economic rivals us avoided mention russian rivalry turbulent middle east beyond many americans remain uneasy russia growing influence region amidst trump isolationism criticise lack strategy syria beyond loud criticism predecessor barack obama failure act assad use chemical weapons since decision fire dozens cruise missiles government controlled shayrat airbase syria retaliation suspected chemical weapons attack rebel held town killed scores civilians trump drifted five conflicting policies assad must go assad can stay fight isil first let russians iranians fight enemies let see russia wants syria trump address coincided kremlin hosted sochi meeting syria failed clarify one five strategies strategy president currently pursuing syria earlier month pentagon implicitly gave green light turkey military operation afrin targeting kurdish groups allied us fight isil recent phone call president trump urged turkish counterpart de escalate limit military actions avoid civilian casualties increases displaced persons refugees raised new questions us lack strategy syria yet president clarify administration stance turkey cross border operation fact mention turkey kurds even throughout address fourth state nation address showed trump political radar seem detect upcoming crises middle east beyond showed president planning adopt informed pro active foreign policy strategy lift us standing world president claimed administration strengthen ing friendships around world restoring clarity adversaries unfortunately oversimplified us vs dichotomy nothing ease concerns political observers trump tendency distort reality fit personal myth greatness address nation trump called new american moment possibly attempt carve place next true american statesmen history books one commentator rightly put end first state nation address nothing prove donald trump politician american history looks smaller surrounded trappings presidency views expressed article author necessarily reflect editorial stance document ee ul saudi uae move end standoff yemen aden words uae backed separatists took yemeni government buildings saudis emiratis insist goal saudi arabia uae called yemeni government fighters southern secessionists focus efforts fighting houthi rebels apparent attempt end standoff two sides aden emirati backed separatists took large parts southern port city earlier week including military bases stopped short advancing presidential palace clashing pro government forces briefly surrounding building prime minister ahmed bin daghr ministers inside move exposed potential divides saudi arabia finances arms yemeni government uae providing direct financial military aid separatist southern transitional council armed militia yemeni government officials accused emirati government deploying fighter planes help separatist fighters statement published saudi press agency thursday saudi led coalition said riyadh abu dhabi shared one goal shared vision yemen saudi arabia uae ambitions yemen safe stable able arab nation statement said stopping short expressing support yemeni government based aden capital houthi rebel control coalition called sides focus goal defeating houthi militias iran separatists want greater autonomy south yemen independent state reunification north complain government presided rampant corruption neglected southern regions fighting aden left least people dead wounded people since sunday according international committee red cross arab coalition intervention uae saudi arabia intervened militarily yemen houthi rebels swept across country threatened conquer last government stronghold aden coalition government fighters successfully fended houthi takeover aden years air attacks failed dislodge houthis much rest country coalition stated aim restoring president abd rabbu mansour hadi rule still seems distant capital sanaa remains houthi control saudis indicated want war largely limited campaign bombing raids emiratis also committed troops effort defeat houthis separatists government forces houthis competing control yemeni territory alongside qaeda local affiliate islamic state iraq levant isil also known isis group war severely damaged country infrastructure un warning million people risk starvation million contracted cholera news document ee gs "
> corp=Corpus(VectorSource(text2))
> dtm=DocumentTermMatrix(corp)
> inspect(dtm)
<<DocumentTermMatrix (documents: 1, terms: 5001)>>
Non-/sparse entries: 5001/0
Sparsity           : 0%
Maximal term length: 19
Weighting          : term frequency (tf)
Sample             :
    Terms
Docs also forces government iraq isil said state syria syrian turkey
   1  166    139        201  148  179  348   173   347    281    185
> tdm =TermDocumentMatrix(corp)
> dim(tdm)
[1] 5001    1
> tdm_matrix=as.matrix(tdm)
> dtm_matrix=as.matrix(dtm)
> is.vector(str(dtm_matrix))
 num [1, 1:5001] 1 2 2 2 1 2 5 2 1 2 ...
 - attr(*, "dimnames")=List of 2
  ..$ Docs : chr "1"
  ..$ Terms: chr [1:5001] "aba" "abadi" "abandon" "abandoned" ...
[1] FALSE
> #Summaries
> #calculate frequencies -  total counts (over all docs) for each term
> df=as.data.frame(tdm_matrix)
> head(df)
            1
aba         1
abadi       2
abandon     2
abandoned   2
abandonment 1
abazeid     2
> colnames(df)=c('frequency')
> freq=df$frequency
> df$words=rownames(df)
> 
> #calulate total number of terms using freq
> total_no_terms= sum(freq)
> 
> #List all terms in decreasing order of freq and write to disk as file "word_freq.csv"
> df_des=df[order(df$frequency,decreasing = TRUE),]
> rownames(df_des)=1:length(df$frequency)
> head(df_des)
  frequency      words
1       348       said
2       347      syria
3       281     syrian
4       201 government
5       185     turkey
6       179       isil
> write.csv(df_des, file = "word_freq.csv")
> #Plot Function
> colnames(df)=c('frequency')
> df$terms=rownames(df)
> plot_word(df$terms,df$frequency,70)
NULL
> plot_all(df$terms,df$frequency,100)
   [1] "aba"              "abadi"            "abandon"          "abandoned"       
   [5] "abandonment"      "abazeid"          "abbas"            "abd"             
   [9] "abdel"            "abdelfattah"      "abdelkebir"       "abdirahman"      
  [13] "abduction"        "abdul"            "abdulaziz"        "abdullah"        
  [17] "abed"             "abide"            "abidi"            "abidine"         
  [21] "able"             "abm"              "abolishing"       "abroad"          
  [25] "absence"          "absent"           "absolute"         "absolutely"      
  [29] "absurd"           "absurdity"        "abu"              "abul"            
  [33] "abuse"            "abuses"           "abushagur"        "academic"        
  [37] "academy"          "accept"           "acceptable"       "accepted"        
  [41] "accepting"        "access"           "accessing"        "accommodation"   
  [45] "accompanied"      "accord"           "accordance"       "accorded"        
  [49] "according"        "account"          "accountability"   "accountable"     
  [53] "accounted"        "accounting"       "accurate"         "accusations"     
  [57] "accuse"           "accused"          "accuses"          "accusing"        
  [61] "achieve"          "achieved"         "achievements"     "acknowledge"     
  [65] "acknowledged"     "acknowledges"     "acknowledgment"   "across"          
  [69] "act"              "acted"            "acting"           "action"          
  [73] "actions"          "active"           "activism"         "activist"        
  [77] "activists"        "activities"       "actor"            "actors"          
  [81] "acts"             "actually"         "acute"            "ada"             
  [85] "added"            "adding"           "addition"         "additional"      
  [89] "additionally"     "address"          "addressing"       "aden"            
  [93] "adhered"          "adjacent"         "adjust"           "administered"    
  [97] "administration"   "administrative"   "admit"            "admitted"        
 [101] "admitting"        "adopt"            "adopted"          "adore"           
 [105] "adriatic"         "adult"            "adults"           "advance"         
 [109] "advanced"         "advances"         "advancing"        "adventure"       
 [113] "adversaries"      "adversary"        "advised"          "adviser"         
 [117] "advisers"         "advisors"         "advisory"         "advocacy"        
 [121] "advocate"         "advocates"        "aerial"           "afad"            
 [125] "afar"             "afc"              "affairs"          "affect"          
 [129] "affected"         "affiliate"        "affiliated"       "affiliates"      
 [133] "affiliation"      "affirm"           "affirms"          "afford"          
 [137] "afghan"           "afghanistan"      "afghanistanâ"     "afghans"         
 [141] "afloat"           "afp"              "africa"           "african"         
 [145] "africans"         "afrin"            "aftermath"        "aged"            
 [149] "agencies"         "agency"           "agenda"           "agent"           
 [153] "agents"           "agglomeration"    "aggression"       "aggressive"      
 [157] "aggressively"     "aggressor"        "aggressors"       "ago"             
 [161] "agree"            "agreed"           "agreeing"         "agreement"       
 [165] "agreements"       "agricultural"     "agriculture"      "ahead"           
 [169] "ahed"             "ahelbarra"        "ahi"              "ahmad"           
 [173] "ahmed"            "ahmet"            "ahrar"            "aicha"           
 [177] "aid"              "aide"             "aids"             "aim"             
 [181] "aimed"            "aiming"           "aims"             "air"             
 [185] "airbase"          "aircraft"         "airdrop"          "airline"         
 [189] "airport"          "airspace"         "airways"          "aishi"           
 [193] "ajupfront"        "akbar"            "aksoy"            "aksu"            
 [197] "aktay"            "alam"             "alarming"         "alawi"           
 [201] "albeit"           "alberto"          "albil"            "alcadev"         
 [205] "aldar"            "aleppo"           "ali"              "alienating"      
 [209] "aligned"          "alike"            "alitalia"         "alive"           
 [213] "allah"            "allegations"      "allege"           "alleged"         
 [217] "allegedly"        "allegiance"       "alleviate"        "alliance"        
 [221] "allied"           "allies"           "allocates"        "allow"           
 [225] "allowed"          "allowing"         "alluding"         "ally"            
 [229] "almost"           "alois"            "alone"            "along"           
 [233] "alongside"        "already"          "also"             "alt"             
 [237] "alternative"      "alternatives"     "although"         "altogether"      
 [241] "alwani"           "always"           "amaq"             "ambassador"      
 [245] "ambiguous"        "ambitions"        "ambulance"        "ambulances"      
 [249] "ambush"           "ambushed"         "amending"         "america"         
 [253] "american"         "americans"        "amid"             "amidst"          
 [257] "amman"            "amnesty"          "among"            "amount"          
 [261] "amounts"          "anadolu"          "analogy"          "analysis"        
 [265] "analyst"          "analysts"         "anbar"            "ancestors"       
 [269] "ancestral"        "anger"            "angered"          "angie"           
 [273] "angrily"          "angry"            "ankara"           "annan"           
 [277] "annexed"          "announced"        "announcement"     "annual"          
 [281] "anonymity"        "anonymous"        "another"          "ansar"           
 [285] "answer"           "anthony"          "anthropology"     "anti"            
 [289] "antonio"          "anwar"            "anybody"          "anyone"          
 [293] "anything"         "anywhere"         "apart"            "apartheid"       
 [297] "apocalypse"       "apologised"       "appalled"         "appalling"       
 [301] "apparatus"        "apparent"         "apparently"       "appeal"          
 [305] "appeals"          "appeared"         "appears"          "applicants"      
 [309] "applications"     "apply"            "appointed"        "approach"        
 [313] "approaching"      "appropriate"      "approval"         "approximately"   
 [317] "april"            "aqap"             "aqeebullah"       "arab"            
 [321] "arabia"           "arabian"          "arbitrarily"      "arbitrary"       
 [325] "area"             "areas"            "arena"            "arfaoui"         
 [329] "arghandab"        "argued"           "argues"           "arguing"         
 [333] "argument"         "arifi"            "arm"              "armed"           
 [337] "armies"           "arming"           "arms"             "army"            
 [341] "around"           "arrangements"     "arrest"           "arrested"        
 [345] "arrests"          "arrival"          "arrive"           "arrived"         
 [349] "arrogance"        "arsenal"          "article"          "articleguid"     
 [353] "artillery"        "artists"          "arts"             "asad"            
 [357] "asadhashim"       "ashes"            "ashraf"           "asia"            
 [361] "asian"            "aside"            "ask"              "asked"           
 [365] "asking"           "asma"             "aspects"          "aspiring"        
 [369] "assad"            "assads"           "assadsaid"        "assailant"       
 [373] "assailants"       "assassinated"     "assassinations"   "assault"         
 [377] "assaults"         "asserted"         "assertion"        "assets"          
 [381] "assist"           "assistance"       "assistant"        "assists"         
 [385] "associated"       "association"      "astana"           "asylum"          
 [389] "ateeqi"           "ateq"             "atlantic"         "atmar"           
 [393] "atrocity"         "atta"             "attachment"       "attack"          
 [397] "attacked"         "attacker"         "attackers"        "attacking"       
 [401] "attacks"          "attempt"          "attempted"        "attempting"      
 [405] "attempts"         "attend"           "attended"         "attending"       
 [409] "attention"        "attracted"        "attributed"       "audience"        
 [413] "auditorium"       "august"           "auspices"         "austria"         
 [417] "author"           "authored"         "authorised"       "authorising"     
 [421] "authoritarian"    "authoritarianism" "authorities"      "authority"       
 [425] "authors"          "automatic"        "autonomous"       "autonomy"        
 [429] "autopsy"          "avail"            "available"        "avenge"          
 [433] "aviation"         "aviv"             "avoid"            "avoided"         
 [437] "awaiting"         "aware"            "away"             "awful"           
 [441] "awkwardness"      "axis"             "azaz"             "azeri"           
 [445] "baath"            "baathism"         "baathists"        "bab"             
 [449] "back"             "backdrop"         "backed"           "background"      
 [453] "backing"          "backwards"        "bad"              "badran"          
 [457] "baghdad"          "baghdadi"         "bahrain"          "bahraini"        
 [461] "baitullah"        "baker"            "bakr"             "bala"            
 [465] "balance"          "balkans"          "balkh"            "ban"             
 [469] "bana"             "bank"             "bankruptcy"       "banned"          
 [473] "banner"           "banners"          "bantustans"       "baraa"           
 [477] "barack"           "bardakli"         "bardo"            "barrel"          
 [481] "base"             "based"            "bases"            "bashar"          
 [485] "bashour"          "basic"            "basis"            "basked"          
 [489] "basri"            "battered"         "battering"        "battle"          
 [493] "battlefield"      "battlefields"     "battles"          "battling"        
 [497] "bayram"           "bays"             "baz"              "bbc"             
 [501] "beach"            "bear"             "beaten"           "became"          
 [505] "become"           "becoming"         "bed"              "began"           
 [509] "begin"            "beginning"        "begins"           "behalf"          
 [513] "beharovic"        "behaves"          "behaviour"        "beheaded"        
 [517] "behind"           "beijing"          "beirut"           "beit"            
 [521] "bek"              "bekaa"            "bekir"            "belgium"         
 [525] "believe"          "believed"         "believes"         "bell"            
 [529] "belonged"         "belonging"        "belongs"          "ben"             
 [533] "beneficial"       "benefit"          "benjamin"         "berlin"          
 [537] "besieged"         "best"             "better"           "beyond"          
 [541] "bid"              "big"              "bigger"           "biggest"         
 [545] "bilal"            "bilateral"        "bilkent"          "billion"         
 [549] "billions"         "bin"              "binali"           "biological"      
 [553] "biometric"        "bipartisan"       "birth"            "birthplace"      
 [557] "birtley"          "bishops"          "bit"              "bizarre"         
 [561] "black"            "blackmailed"      "blame"            "blamed"          
 [565] "blames"           "blaming"          "blast"            "blasts"          
 [569] "blew"             "blighting"        "blind"            "bloc"            
 [573] "block"            "blockade"         "blockading"       "blocked"         
 [577] "blocking"         "blood"            "bloodied"         "bloodshed"       
 [581] "bloody"           "blow"             "blown"            "blows"           
 [585] "blunt"            "bluster"          "bnp"              "board"           
 [589] "boasted"          "boats"            "bodies"           "body"            
 [593] "bog"              "bogus"            "boiling"          "boluk"           
 [597] "bomb"             "bombarding"       "bombardment"      "bombardments"    
 [601] "bombed"           "bomber"           "bombers"          "bombing"         
 [605] "bombings"         "bombs"            "bonsey"           "booc"            
 [609] "books"            "boost"            "border"           "bordering"       
 [613] "borders"          "borhan"           "born"             "bosnia"          
 [617] "botched"          "bothered"         "bought"           "bounty"          
 [621] "bouthaina"        "boy"              "boycotted"        "boys"            
 [625] "bozdag"           "brag"             "branch"           "breaching"       
 [629] "break"            "breakdown"        "breaking"         "bridge"          
 [633] "brief"            "briefing"         "briefly"          "brigades"        
 [637] "brigadier"        "bring"            "bringing"         "brink"           
 [641] "britain"          "british"          "broached"         "broadcast"       
 [645] "broadcaster"      "broader"          "broadly"          "broidy"          
 [649] "broke"            "broken"           "broker"           "brokered"        
 [653] "brokers"          "brother"          "brotherhood"      "brothers"        
 [657] "brought"          "brunner"          "brunt"            "brussels"        
 [661] "brutal"           "brutally"         "budget"           "buffer"          
 [665] "build"            "building"         "buildings"        "built"           
 [669] "bullet"           "bullets"          "bulwark"          "buoy"            
 [673] "buoyed"           "bureau"           "bureaucracy"      "burn"            
 [677] "burned"           "burning"          "burst"            "business"        
 [681] "bussed"           "butcher"          "buy"              "buzzfeed"        
 [685] "bypassing"        "bystander"        "cabinet"          "cache"           
 [689] "caldiron"         "caliph"           "caliphate"        "call"            
 [693] "called"           "calling"          "callousness"      "calls"           
 [697] "came"             "camera"           "camp"             "campaign"        
 [701] "campaigns"        "camps"            "can"              "cancelled"       
 [705] "candidate"        "canikli"          "capabilities"     "capability"      
 [709] "capable"          "capacity"         "capital"          "capitals"        
 [713] "capture"          "captured"         "capturing"        "car"             
 [717] "card"             "cards"            "care"             "career"          
 [721] "carefully"        "carlos"           "carried"          "carrier"         
 [725] "carry"            "carrying"         "cars"             "carve"           
 [729] "carved"           "casapound"        "case"             "cases"           
 [733] "cash"             "casualties"       "catastrophic"     "catholic"        
 [737] "catholics"        "caught"           "cause"            "caused"          
 [741] "causes"           "causing"          "cautiously"       "cavusoglu"       
 [745] "cease"            "ceasefire"        "cede"             "celebrate"       
 [749] "cells"            "center"           "central"          "centre"          
 [753] "centres"          "centuries"        "century"          "ceo"             
 [757] "certain"          "certainly"        "cessation"        "cfcm"            
 [761] "chad"             "chairman"         "chakhansuri"      "challenge"       
 [765] "challenges"       "championships"    "chance"           "change"          
 [769] "changed"          "changer"          "changing"         "chaos"           
 [773] "chaotic"          "charge"           "charges"          "charter"         
 [777] "cheapest"         "chechnya"         "checkpoint"       "chemical"        
 [781] "chhoa"            "chief"            "chieftain"        "child"           
 [785] "children"         "chilling"         "chimed"           "china"           
 [789] "chinese"          "chlorine"         "choice"           "cholera"         
 [793] "choose"           "chose"            "chosen"           "christian"       
 [797] "christmas"        "chunk"            "church"           "cia"             
 [801] "circles"          "circulated"       "cited"            "cities"          
 [805] "citing"           "citizen"          "citizens"         "citizenship"     
 [809] "city"             "civic"            "civil"            "civildefense"    
 [813] "civilian"         "civilians"        "claim"            "claimed"         
 [817] "claiming"         "claims"           "clarify"          "clarity"         
 [821] "clash"            "clashes"          "clashing"         "classified"      
 [825] "cleansing"        "clear"            "clearing"         "clearly"         
 [829] "cleric"           "click"            "clogged"          "close"           
 [833] "closed"           "closely"          "closest"          "closure"         
 [837] "clothes"          "cloud"            "clubs"            "cnn"             
 [841] "coal"             "coalition"        "coastal"          "coffin"          
 [845] "coherent"         "coincided"        "cold"             "collaborators"   
 [849] "colleagues"       "collective"       "colonel"          "colonialist"     
 [853] "columnist"        "combat"           "combating"        "combatting"      
 [857] "combination"      "combined"         "come"             "comes"           
 [861] "coming"           "command"          "commander"        "commemorate"     
 [865] "commendable"      "comment"          "commentator"      "commentators"    
 [869] "commenting"       "comments"         "commission"       "commissioner"    
 [873] "commit"           "commitment"       "commits"          "committed"       
 [877] "committee"        "committing"       "common"           "commonly"        
 [881] "communist"        "communists"       "communities"      "community"       
 [885] "company"          "compared"         "competing"        "competition"     
 [889] "complain"         "complete"         "completely"       "complex"         
 [893] "complicated"      "complication"     "component"        "compound"        
 [897] "comprehensive"    "concealed"        "concealing"       "concentrated"    
 [901] "concentrating"    "concentration"    "conception"       "concern"         
 [905] "concerned"        "concerning"       "concerns"         "conciliatory"    
 [909] "concluded"        "conclusion"       "concrete"         "concussion"      
 [913] "conde"            "condemn"          "condemned"        "condemning"      
 [917] "condition"        "conditions"       "conducted"        "conducting"      
 [921] "confederation"    "conference"       "conferences"      "confidence"      
 [925] "confined"         "confirmed"        "confirming"       "conflict"        
 [929] "conflicted"       "conflicting"      "conflicts"        "confront"        
 [933] "confrontation"    "confrontations"   "confronted"       "confronting"     
 [937] "conglomeration"   "congratulated"    "congress"         "congressmen"     
 [941] "connivance"       "conquer"          "conricus"         "cons"            
 [945] "consecutive"      "consensus"        "consequence"      "conservative"    
 [949] "consider"         "considerable"     "considered"       "considering"     
 [953] "considers"        "consistently"     "consistory"       "conspiracy"      
 [957] "constant"         "constantly"       "constitute"       "constitution"    
 [961] "constitutional"   "construct"        "construction"     "consulate"       
 [965] "consultations"    "contacted"        "contain"          "containment"     
 [969] "contemplate"      "contested"        "contiguous"       "continental"     
 [973] "continue"         "continued"        "continues"        "continuing"      
 [977] "continuous"       "continuously"     "contracted"       "contradiction"   
 [981] "contradictory"    "contrary"         "control"          "controlled"      
 [985] "controls"         "controversial"    "controversy"      "convenience"     
 [989] "convention"       "conventions"      "conversations"    "conveying"       
 [993] "convicted"        "conviction"       "convince"         "convincing"      
 [997] "convoy"           "convoys"          "cooperation"      "cooperative"     
 [ reached getOption("max.print") -- omitted 4001 entries ]
   [1]   1   2   2   2   1   2   5   2   1   2   3   1   1   4   1   6   1   2   2   2  12   3
  [23]   1   5   1   1   1   1   1   1  18   1   1   2   5   1   2   3   1   4   1   2   1   1
  [45]   2   1   2   1  59   3   1   3   2   1   1   5   3  21   5   4  10   3   1   1   4   2
  [67]   1  21   8   1   2  11  10   8   2   5  17   2   1  20   2   1   1   1  16  13   1   2
  [89]   1  17   4  14   1   1   1   1   8   1   1   2   1   3   1   1   1   1   2   4   5   4
 [111]   3   1   2   1   1   5   3   2   1   2   1   2   5   1   2   4   9   1   5   8   3   2
 [133]   2   1   2   1  37  48   1   8   1   6   2   1   1 127   1   1  12  44   2   1   3   1
 [155]   7   4   2   2   1  14   2   4   1  12   4   1   1   2   1   1   1   6   2   1   7   1
 [177]  22   2   1   3   7   6   4  75   2   5   1   3   2  13   6   1   2   1  10   1   3   3
 [199]   2   3   1   1   1   2   1  14   6   1   3   2   1   6   1   3   1  10   4   2   1  17
 [221]   8  20   1   6   4   6   1  21   6   1   5  22   4  10 166   1   9   2   2   1   1   4
 [243]   1   4   2   3   2   1   1   1   1  10  16   5  14   1   2   1  24   2   1  15   1   1
 [265]   7   6   4   1   1   6   2   1   1   1  30   3   3  11   4   4   1   2  20   1   1   1
 [287]   1  30   7   4   1   4   3   1   2   2   2   1   1   2   1   4   2   2   1   6   2   1
 [309]   3   5   4   3   1   1   2   1  10   2   1  36  25   1   2   1  31  32   2   1   1   2
 [331]   1   2   2   1   5  82   1   1   5  56  20   2   6   2   1   1   4   3   1   1   9  31
 [353]   2   2   1   1   1   1   4   4   7   1   7  17   1   2   1   2 115   1   1   1   1   1
 [375]   1   7   2   1   2   1   1   4   1   1   4   3   4   7   2   1   2   1   1   1   1  67
 [397]  19   3   3   2  77  15   1   1   2   3   3   3   4   1   2   1   1   3   1   1   8   1
 [419]   1   1   1   1  15   6   1   1   1   4   1   3   1   1   1   1  10   5   1   1   7   1
 [441]   1   1   1   2   2   2   1   3  44   1  52   1   6   1   5   1   3  11  12   3   1   1
 [463]   5   1   2   1   1   1   1  15   1   4   1   1   1   2   5   1   1   1   6  18  10  22
 [485]   1   1   5   1   4   2   1  12   5   1   1   1   1   4   1   3   1   2   1   7  14   1
 [507]   1  22   2   6   2   4   1   2   1   1   3   3   1   1   2   2   3   1   9   2   6   1
 [529]   1   4   1   9   1   2   4   3   6   5   8  10   1   3   3   7   1   1   1   4   4  15
 [551]   2   1   1   1   1   1   3   1   6   1   4   1   5   3   1   1   3   2   1   1   1   5
 [573]   1  12   4   1   1   1   1   6   9   2   1   2   1   1   1   1   1   1   5   2   1   1
 [595]   1   1   3   2   7   1   1   3   4  23   7   4   1   2   2   1  42   1  24   1   3   2
 [617]   1   1   1   5   1   2   3   6   4   1  16   1   1   1   3   1   3   2   4   6   1   9
 [639]   2   2   2   7   1   1   1   3   1   1   3   2   5   2   1   2   4   2   4   2   1   4
 [661]   4   3   4   2   3   9   1   2   1   1   1   1   1   1   2   1   1   2   1   1   1   2
 [683]   1   2   1   1   2   1   2   1   2  10  36  15   1   9  15   1   5  21   1   8  38   1
 [705]   2   4   2   1   2   1  37   2   5   4   2   8   1   2   4   1   1   1  18   2   7   5
 [727]   2   1   1  10  11   7   4  19   1   1   1   4   3   7   1   7   1  10   5  26   1   1
 [749]   1   3   6   5   3   1   4   2   4   2   2   3   2   2   1   2   1   4   1  10   6   1
 [771]   1   1   1   1   4   2   1   1   3  22   2  17   1  10  66   1   1  12   2   5   1   1
 [793]   1   1   2   1   1   1   1   9   1   1   2  18   2   1   9   1  47   1  35   1  26  42
 [815]   6  25   8   8   2   2   2   7   1   1   1  13   1   4   1   2   1   8   1   6   1   1
 [837]   2   1   2   1   1  37   1   1   2   2   2   1   1   3   5   1   3   5   1   2   1   1
 [859]  19   5   4   1   4   1   1   1   1   1   1   8   1   2   3   2   1   4   8   1   6   1
 [881]  14   1   4  13   1   4   1   1   1   2   5   6   4   1   1   4   3   1   1   1   1   1
 [903]   1   8   4   1  12   1   1   1   1   1   3   1   6   2   2   5   1   1   2  36   2   1
 [925]   1   7   1  38   1   1   6   3   8   1   1   1   6   1   2   1   1   1   1   1   3   1
 [947]   1   1   1   1   6   3   5   1   1   3   3   1   1   3   1   1   1   2   1   1   1   1
 [969]   1   1   1   2  19  14  12   1   1   1   1   1   1   1  51  11  10   5   1   1   3   1
 [991]   1   2   2   1   3   2   8   1   4   1
 [ reached getOption("max.print") -- omitted 4001 entries ]
         word freq
1       afrin  127
2        also  166
3       assad  115
4    fighters  109
5      forces  139
6  government  201
7       group  117
8        iraq  148
9        isil  179
10     israel  103
11   military  115
12     people  125
13       said  348
14      state  173
15      syria  347
16     syrian  281
17     turkey  185
18    turkish  103
19        war  128
20        ypg  117
> 
> 
> #Use the following parameters for Gibbs sampling
> burnin <- 4000
> iter <- 2000
> thin <- 500
> seed <-list(2003,5,63,100001,765)
> nstart <- 5
> best <- TRUE
> 
> #Number of topics
> k <- 5
> 
> #Run LDA using Gibbs sampling
> ldaoutput <-LDA(dtm,k, method="Gibbs", control=list(nstart=nstart, seed = seed, best=best, burnin = burnin, iter = iter, thin=thin))
> #topics(ldaoutput,5)
> #terms(ldaoutput,15)
> #write out results
> #The LDA algorithm returns an object that contains a lot of information. 
> #Of particular interest to us are a) the document to topic assignments and b) the top terms in each topic
> 
> #a) docs to topics
> ldaoutput.topics <- as.matrix(topics(ldaoutput))
> write.csv(ldaoutput.topics,file=paste("ldamodel",k,"DocsToTopics.csv"))
> 
> #b) top 6 terms in each topic
> ldaoutput.terms <- as.matrix(terms(ldaoutput,6))
>   write.csv(ldaoutput.terms,file=paste("ldamodel",k,"TopicsToTerms.csv"))