Jihad Watch reported yesterday about Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s claim that the Islamic State had returned in Syria, took 700 hostages, and was threatening to murder 10 of them every day. It remains certain that jihadists will do any and everything they possibly can to conquer territory, no matter how violent and abusive their actions. For this reason, Western countries remain at risk because of Islamic State infiltration of the refugee stream.
Following up on Putin’s claim about the return of the Islamic State to Syria:
A senior U.S. official told Fox News that the claim was “fake news” and that ISIS has been virtually eradicated in the region by Assad and the U.S.-led coalition…..the Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats also issued a stark warning to Americans to be aware of propaganda messages put out by foreign governments that may be untrue.
Let’s continue to hope that America remains vigilant to protect innocent people and the virulent growth and prevent any new expansion of Islamic State domains, as well as act to protect Americans and other Westerners, who are at risk of suffering jihad violence in their own countries.
“U.S. Officials: Putin’s Claim of Hundreds of Islamic State Hostages in Syria Is ‘Fake News,’” by Ben Kew, Breitbart, October 19, 2018:
U.S. officials told Fox News on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that the Islamic State (ISIS) is holding around 700 people hostage in Syria, including several European and U.S. Nationals, is “fake news.”
Speaking at a conference in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Putin claimed that ISIS had resurged in U.S.-controlled territory and had taken hundreds of people hostage.“Islamic State terrorists have delivered ultimatums and made certain demands, threatening to shoot ten people every day,” he said. “This is just horrible, it is a catastrophe. Some U.S. and European citizens are among the hostages.”
A senior U.S. official told Fox News that the claim was “fake news” and that ISIS has been virtually eradicated in the region by Assad and the U.S.-led coalition.
“While we have confirmed that there was an attack on an IDP camp near Deir Ezzour last week, we have no information supporting the large number of hostages alleged by President Putin and we are skeptical of its accuracy,” Pentagon spokesperson Cmdr. Sean Robertson later explained. “We are also unaware of any U.S. nationals located in that camp.”
“We reject Russian assertions that the U.S. and Coalition have failed to address the threat posed by ISIS. On the contrary, the Coalition has liberated more than 99 percent of the territory previously held by ISIS,” he continued. “We will continue to work by, with and, through our local partners to pursue the remnants of ISIS in the Middle Euphrates River Valley. Despite our successes, there is still much work to do with our partners to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS.”
Robertson also attacked Russia’s involvement in Syria, where they continue to support the Assad regime and its alleged war crimes as his Syrian Arab Army edges closer to victory. The U.S. has continued to focus on destroying ISIS but has also ordered missile strikes on areas of Damascus in response to Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons.
“Russia, on the other hand, has focused its efforts exclusively on aiding the Syrian regime with limited steps to address the threat posed by ISIS and without regard for the laws of armed conflict, civilian casualties, or regime use of chemical weapons,” he contested.
On Thursday, the Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats also issued a stark warning to Americans to be aware of propaganda messages put out by foreign governments that may be untrue…..