Russia Launches Airstrikes, Explosions in China, 9/11 Lawsuit Against Saudi dismissed...

Russia conducts air strikes in Syria, boldly demands US jets withdraw

Hours after the Russian parliament approved the use of military force, Russian jets launched multiple airstrikes against targets in Homs, a vital link between Damascus and Aleppo to the north. The strikes came with just an hour warning to US forces, as a demarche delivered to the US embassy in Baghdad demanded that US fighter jets withdraw from Syrian airspace. Senior US officials note that the targeted area is free of IS elements, and that the US will continue its operations over Syria.

This development is the latest escalation by Vladimir Putin, who continues to push the envelope against the US. While calling for a coalition against IS at the UN (which already exists but excludes Iranian allies Syria and Iran), Russia operates freely and confidently in Syria, oblivious to US pressure to bring Russia into line with the existing coalition. Putin appears to believe that the Obama administration can be backed into a corner, and forced to acquiesce to Russian interests.

Mysterious explosions continue in China

Chinese state media is reporting that a series of parcel bombs have exploded in the southern city of Liuzhou, near the Vietnamese border. While the authorities have ruled out a terrorist attack, the bombs were placed at shopping malls, hospitals, and government offices. The death toll is at 7 with as many as 50 injured.

Chinese authorities are investigating the bombings as a criminal act for the moment. While the explosions at the Tianjin port city warehouse last August were blamed on weak security procedures, today’s bombings occurred on the eve of China’s national day and were clearly coordinated.

Lawsuit against Saudi Arabia by 9-11 families dismissed

Citing sovereign immunity, federal judge George Daniels of the District Court of New York dismissed a lawsuit by a number of 9-11 victim’s families that sought compensation from the kingdom and accused members of the royal family of facilitating the attacks. The judge’s reasoning was that the families did not present sufficient evidence of Saudi Arabia’s role in the 9-11 plot.

Even testimony from the alleged 20^th hijacker, Zacarias Moussaoui, was not enough to compel the judge to allow the lawsuit to proceed. Moussaoui claimed that an unidentified Saudi prince provided financial support to him and other hijackers. Lawyers for the families will appeal, citing the US government’s refusal to declassify the 28 pages in the 9-11 report, which plaintiffs believe implicates Saudi Arabia as the main reason for the lawsuit not to go forward.

Hunt for warlord Joseph Kony leads to uncomfortable partnerships

US Special Forces operating in remote areas of Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and the Central African Republic have been forced to partner with an Islamic militia known as the Seleka, (“Alliance”) as the U.S. hunts for notorious warlord Joseph Kony. The Seleka, a collective of

President Obama is expected to re-authorize the approximately 100 operators to continue their efforts to capture Kony for at least another year. Since being deployed in 2011, Special Forces have been unable to corner him, as he moves in an area the size of California and counts on corrupt government forces as well as the Seleka faction to elude capture.

Peshmerga launch major operation against IS in Kirkuk

Many Islamic State (IS) jihadists have been killed as Kurdish Peshmerga forces launched a major operation against the organization Wednesday morning. According to BasNews, Peshmerga forces have advanced on southern and western frontlines, aiming to disband IS and secure borders of Kirkuk. In the process, the Peshmerga have managed to drive the jihadists out of several villages, destroy vehicles and facilities, and disable roadside bombs and booby-traps.

Fighting amongst the two has recently slowed down since 2014, as both the central government in Baghdad as well as the US and its allies have pressured the Peshmerga to hold old off until the Iraqi government-led coalition was ready. The Peshmerga could barely keep up with the IS’s offensive last summer, however they have reconquered lost territory and are strengthening; fighting between IS and Peshmerga forces ensues throughout Iraqi Kurdistan.

Other stories we’re following:

US welcomes Russian intervention in Syria

Pentagon stops Syrian rebel training program

Saudi Arabia: military option to oust Assad on the table

Sixteen Turkish workers abducted by Shia militia in Baghdad released

Pentagon does not know what intel Iraq is sharing with Russia

Iranian boat loaded with weapons seized off the coast of Yemen

Afghan government bid to retake Kunduz from the Taliban fails

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi moves to Ramadi

French air strikes in Syria claim child victims

7 killed in suicide attack outside Baghdad

Army assault forces Burkina Faso coup strategists to abandon barracks in capital