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How foreign fighters are swelling ISIS ranks in startling numbers

Coin

Coin

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How foreign fighters are swelling ISIS ranks - CNN.com

CIA: ISIS doubled, if not tripled, it's ranks

On Thursday, the CIA made a startling announcement: The number of people fighting for ISIS may be more than three times the previous estimates.
Analysts and U.S. officials initially estimated there were as many as 10,000 fighters, including those freed from prisons by ISIS and Sunni loyalists who joined the fight as the group advanced across Iraq.
But now ISIS, which calls itself the Islamic State, can "muster between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters across Iraq and Syria," a CIA spokesman told CNN on Thursday.
"This new total reflects an increase in members because of stronger recruitment since June following battlefield successes and the declaration of a caliphate, greater battlefield activity and additional intelligence," the spokesman said.

Rear Adm. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, said Friday that the increased estimates won't alter how the United States approaches ISIS, a group that he insisted "nobody has underestimated."
"The 20,000 to 31,500 estimate doesn't necessarily change ... our estimate or (Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's) belief that this is going to be a long-term struggle," Kirby said.
Kirby added," We're not just simply about degrading and destroying ... the 20 to 30,000 (ISIS fighters). It's about degrading and destroying their capabilities to attack targets, particularly Western targets. It's about destroying their ideology."

"There are many nationalities." "From Norway, from America, Canada, Somalia, Korea, China, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Lebanon and other European countries such as Germany and France."
Click to expand...

Within few months they gained so much territories, so much victories and now so many fighters within themselves.
And considering how they transform Raqqa, they seem to be very serious when they say that they're there to establish an Islamic State.
If ISIS progress by this way, 3 years and just bombing won't have any effect imo.

Of course there are many reasons to believe that ISIS wouldn't be such this, if West wouldn't mess up that region with Libya and Iraq, however it's time to leave it to the past with this kind of ISIS in front.
I do remember all those prisons break from Iraq, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Tunisia etc etc, and I had the feeling something big was being prepared on that time.
Most of the prisoners who escaped from those countries were not terrorist but just suspected as terrorist and were treated in a very cruel way. There is no surprise to me when ISIS members behead people. They have too much anger inside themselves. At the moment they lost the hope, they saw a light (ISIS). It's a bad light but they'll fight till the end for it.
In Syria, there are many youngers who want to join ISIS.

Still, it is without a question how people from Europe (muslims and non muslims) joined the battle.
While beheading people, ISIS is sending the message with an UK citizen.
All Europe and world was shocked how ISIS got so many foreign fighters and most of them came from most civilized countries (like UK, France, USA, Canada etc.).
Most of these people left a very good job behind. Most of them were doctors, dentists, financiers. Most of them left their children behind.
The West and US have been in quiet so far because indeed there really is so less information about ISIS.
Main threat is that here around us might be a lot of jihadists and unfortunately we can never figure that out. Might be your doctor, your dentist, your teacher, your fire worker etc.

Fact is, ISIS can't be destroyed only with a military plan.
 
With the US and Saudis on their knees taking deep breaths and blowing hard at the base of the fire, what is there to expect but a bigger hotter fire. The POLICY in the ME is destabilisation!
 
Coin said:
How foreign fighters are swelling ISIS ranks - CNN.com



Within few months they gained so much territories, so much victories and now so many fighters within themselves.
And considering how they transform Raqqa, they seem to be very serious when they say that they're there to establish an Islamic State.
If ISIS progress by this way, 3 years and just bombing won't have any effect imo.

Of course there are many reasons to believe that ISIS wouldn't be such this, if West wouldn't mess up that region with Libya and Iraq, however it's time to leave it to the past with this kind of ISIS in front.
I do remember all those prisons break from Iraq, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Tunisia etc etc, and I had the feeling something big was being prepared on that time.
Most of the prisoners who escaped from those countries were not terrorist but just suspected as terrorist and were treated in a very cruel way. There is no surprise to me when ISIS members behead people. They have too much anger inside themselves. At the moment they lost the hope, they saw a light (ISIS). It's a bad light but they'll fight till the end for it.
In Syria, there are many youngers who want to join ISIS.

Still, it is without a question how people from Europe (muslims and non muslims) joined the battle.
While beheading people, ISIS is sending the message with an UK citizen.
All Europe and world was shocked how ISIS got so many foreign fighters and most of them came from most civilized countries (like UK, France, USA, Canada etc.).
Most of these people left a very good job behind. Most of them were doctors, dentists, financiers. Most of them left their children behind.
The West and US have been in quiet so far because indeed there really is so less information about ISIS.
Main threat is that here around us might be a lot of jihadists and unfortunately we can never figure that out. Might be your doctor, your dentist, your teacher, your fire worker etc.

Fact is, ISIS can't be destroyed only with a military plan.
Click to expand...



OK.....let's see now. The CIA says ISIS has three times as many troops as they thought.

And this genius makes the claim"
Rear Adm. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, said Friday that the increased estimates won't alter how the United States approaches ISIS, a group that he insisted "nobody has underestimated."
Click to expand...

One - three times as many fighters and NO CHANGE in strategy?

Two - They have NOT underestimated them?

Oh.....yeah, you're in good hands.
 
When the unemployment rate in Iraq is over 15%, 50% higher than what we called a "depression level" during our last recession, and no gov't help (or security) in sight it just may enhance the appeal of this sort of gang activity. Those elites in charge of the oil revenue (or foreign aid) are not exactly hurt by what the "instability in the region" does to their oil profits (or foreign aid).
 
Coin said:
How foreign fighters are swelling ISIS ranks - CNN.com



Within few months they gained so much territories, so much victories and now so many fighters within themselves.
And considering how they transform Raqqa, they seem to be very serious when they say that they're there to establish an Islamic State.
If ISIS progress by this way, 3 years and just bombing won't have any effect imo.

Of course there are many reasons to believe that ISIS wouldn't be such this, if West wouldn't mess up that region with Libya and Iraq, however it's time to leave it to the past with this kind of ISIS in front.
I do remember all those prisons break from Iraq, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Tunisia etc etc, and I had the feeling something big was being prepared on that time.
Most of the prisoners who escaped from those countries were not terrorist but just suspected as terrorist and were treated in a very cruel way. There is no surprise to me when ISIS members behead people. They have too much anger inside themselves. At the moment they lost the hope, they saw a light (ISIS). It's a bad light but they'll fight till the end for it.
In Syria, there are many youngers who want to join ISIS.

Still, it is without a question how people from Europe (muslims and non muslims) joined the battle.
While beheading people, ISIS is sending the message with an UK citizen.
All Europe and world was shocked how ISIS got so many foreign fighters and most of them came from most civilized countries (like UK, France, USA, Canada etc.).
Most of these people left a very good job behind. Most of them were doctors, dentists, financiers. Most of them left their children behind.
The West and US have been in quiet so far because indeed there really is so less information about ISIS.
Main threat is that here around us might be a lot of jihadists and unfortunately we can never figure that out. Might be your doctor, your dentist, your teacher, your fire worker etc.

Fact is, ISIS can't be destroyed only with a military plan.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter to me how many people have joined ISIS as long as they stay in their region, and they will. Numbers mean nothing on this side of the ocean. All of ISIS couldn't make it through 10 miles of Texas on a Saturday night.
 
Montecresto said:
With the US and Saudis on their knees taking deep breaths and blowing hard at the base of the fire, what is there to expect but a bigger hotter fire. The POLICY in the ME is destabilisation!
Click to expand...

"It's America's fault!" :lamo
 
Risky Thicket said:
It doesn't matter to me how many people have joined ISIS as long as they stay in their region, and they will. Numbers mean nothing on this side of the ocean. All of ISIS couldn't make it through 10 miles of Texas on a Saturday night.
Click to expand...

But, that doesnt mean they're not stupid enough to try. Many innocents would die in the provess, not to mention the negative effect such an attack would have on the country as a whole.
 
Risky Thicket said:
It doesn't matter to me how many people have joined ISIS as long as they stay in their region, and they will. Numbers mean nothing on this side of the ocean. All of ISIS couldn't make it through 10 miles of Texas on a Saturday night.
Click to expand...



Well you said it RT, as long as they stay in their region.....their not. Already they are spreading to Asia.

Also Ansar al Sharia.....has moved west starting in Yemen and has spread from there to Libya.

To top it off they have declared Benghazi an Islamic Emirate. While at the same time Boko Haram has the blessing of ISIL and will then pledge to the Invisible Sheik.

Face the facts.....they are moving west. Towards the Atlantic and the Carribean.
 
Coin said:
How foreign fighters are swelling ISIS ranks - CNN.com



Within few months they gained so much territories, so much victories and now so many fighters within themselves.
And considering how they transform Raqqa, they seem to be very serious when they say that they're there to establish an Islamic State.
If ISIS progress by this way, 3 years and just bombing won't have any effect imo.

Of course there are many reasons to believe that ISIS wouldn't be such this, if West wouldn't mess up that region with Libya and Iraq, however it's time to leave it to the past with this kind of ISIS in front.
I do remember all those prisons break from Iraq, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Tunisia etc etc, and I had the feeling something big was being prepared on that time.
Most of the prisoners who escaped from those countries were not terrorist but just suspected as terrorist and were treated in a very cruel way. There is no surprise to me when ISIS members behead people. They have too much anger inside themselves. At the moment they lost the hope, they saw a light (ISIS). It's a bad light but they'll fight till the end for it.
In Syria, there are many youngers who want to join ISIS.

Still, it is without a question how people from Europe (muslims and non muslims) joined the battle.
While beheading people, ISIS is sending the message with an UK citizen.
All Europe and world was shocked how ISIS got so many foreign fighters and most of them came from most civilized countries (like UK, France, USA, Canada etc.).
Most of these people left a very good job behind. Most of them were doctors, dentists, financiers. Most of them left their children behind.
The West and US have been in quiet so far because indeed there really is so less information about ISIS.
Main threat is that here around us might be a lot of jihadists and unfortunately we can never figure that out. Might be your doctor, your dentist, your teacher, your fire worker etc.

Fact is, ISIS can't be destroyed only with a military plan.
Click to expand...



Heya Coin :2wave: this is what Al Jazeera had put out.....back in August. The estimates we say in Iraq now have been validated. Also our people have stated we don't have much intel inside Syria. IMO they are way off the mark thinking 30k is all between both.

If this is the case.....then whatever boots on the ground will be walking into a bigger hornets nest.


Islamic State 'has 50,000 fighters in Syria'

The Islamic State group has an army of more than 50,000 fighters in Syria, and recruited 6,000 people in the last month, a monitoring group has said. "July saw the largest recruitment since the group appeared in Syria in 2013, with more than 6,000 new fighters," he said.

"The number of IS fighters has passed 50,000 in Syria, including 20,000 non-Syrians," he said. Al Jazeera cannot verify the observatory's figures. However, an Islamic State source backed the statement and told Al Jazeera that the group also had 30,000 fighters in Iraq. Abdel Rahman said the new recruits in Syria included more than 1,000 foreign fighters from Chechnya, China, Europe and Arab countries. He said most had entered Syria from Turkey. Other recruits included defectors from the ranks of other armed opposition groups, including 200 from the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front.....snip~

Islamic State 'has 50,000 fighters in Syria' - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
 
MMC said:
Well you said it RT, as long as they stay in their region.....their not. Already they are spreading to Asia.

Also Ansar al Sharia.....has moved west starting in Yemen and has spread from there to Libya.

To top it off they have declared Benghazi an Islamic Emirate. While at the same time Boko Haram has the blessing of ISIL and will then pledge to the Invisible Sheik.

Face the facts.....they are moving west. Towards the Atlantic and the Carribean.
Click to expand...

My only concern at the present is Pakistan. No one wants radical Islamist to have a nuke. Beyond that radical Islam is going to have to be defeated internally unless the plan is "kill everybody and let God sort them out".

You well know, my friend, that in asymmetric warfare, whiz bang weapons are awesome but they cannot win the war. We cannot drone ISIS into submission. Never happen. There is a point where whiz bang works against us as it becomes the great recruiter for the other side. Ain't no way the West can bomb ISIS into oblivion.

As far as I am concerned as long as the West keeps ISIS out of Pakistan and trains/provides support for regional nations it will be OK.
 
Risky Thicket said:
My only concern at the present is Pakistan. No one wants radical Islamist to have a nuke. Beyond that radical Islam is going to have to be defeated internally unless the plan is "kill everybody and let God sort them out".

You well know, my friend, that in asymmetric warfare, whiz bang weapons are awesome but they cannot win the war. We cannot drone ISIS into submission. Never happen. There is a point where whiz bang works against us as it becomes the great recruiter for the other side. Ain't no way the West can bomb ISIS into oblivion.

As far as I am concerned as long as the West keeps ISIS out of Pakistan and trains/provides support for regional nations it will be OK.
Click to expand...



Pakistan huh.....yeah that's one place where they have been picking up supporters. These guys are more sophisticated than people are giving them credit for.


After Syria and Iraq, Islamic State makes inroads in South Asia.....

PESHAWAR/DERA ISMAIL KHAN Pakistan (Reuters) - Islamic State pamphlets and flags have appeared in parts of Pakistan and India, alongside signs that the ultra-radical group is inspiring militants even in the strongholds of the Taliban and al Qaeda. A splinter group of Pakistan's Taliban insurgents, Jamat-ul Ahrar, has already declared its support for the well-funded and ruthless Islamic State fighters, who have captured large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria in a drive to set up a self-declared caliphate. "IS (Islamic State) is an Islamic Jihadi organization working for the implementation of the Islamic system and creation of the Caliphate," Jamat-ul Ahrar's leader and a prominent Taliban figure, Ehsanullah Ehsan, told Reuters by telephone. "We respect them. If they ask us for help, we will look into it and decide."

Seeking to boost its influence in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, a local cell with allegiance to Islamic State has been distributing pamphlets in the Pakistani city of Peshawar and eastern Afghanistan in the past few weeks, residents said. The 12-page booklet called "Fatah" (Victory), published in the Pashto and Dari languages of Afghanistan, was being mainly distributed in Afghan refugee camps on the outskirts of Peshawar. The pamphlet’s logo features an AK-47 assault rifle and calls on local residents to support the militant group. Cars with IS stickers have also been spotted around Peshawar. Sameeulah Hanifi, a prayer leader in a Peshawar neighborhood populated mainly by Afghans, said the pamphlets were being distributed by a little-known local group called Islami Khalifat, an outspoken Islamic State supporter.....snip~

After Syria and Iraq, Islamic State makes inroads in South Asia


The funny thing is.....BO also knows AQ has moved back into Afghanistan to, and this is due to BO and his own actions leading to his own failures.
 
MMC said:
Pakistan huh.....yeah that's one place where they have been picking up supporters. These guys are more sophisticated than people are giving them credit for.


After Syria and Iraq, Islamic State makes inroads in South Asia.....

PESHAWAR/DERA ISMAIL KHAN Pakistan (Reuters) - Islamic State pamphlets and flags have appeared in parts of Pakistan and India, alongside signs that the ultra-radical group is inspiring militants even in the strongholds of the Taliban and al Qaeda. A splinter group of Pakistan's Taliban insurgents, Jamat-ul Ahrar, has already declared its support for the well-funded and ruthless Islamic State fighters, who have captured large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria in a drive to set up a self-declared caliphate. "IS (Islamic State) is an Islamic Jihadi organization working for the implementation of the Islamic system and creation of the Caliphate," Jamat-ul Ahrar's leader and a prominent Taliban figure, Ehsanullah Ehsan, told Reuters by telephone. "We respect them. If they ask us for help, we will look into it and decide."

Seeking to boost its influence in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, a local cell with allegiance to Islamic State has been distributing pamphlets in the Pakistani city of Peshawar and eastern Afghanistan in the past few weeks, residents said. The 12-page booklet called "Fatah" (Victory), published in the Pashto and Dari languages of Afghanistan, was being mainly distributed in Afghan refugee camps on the outskirts of Peshawar. The pamphlet’s logo features an AK-47 assault rifle and calls on local residents to support the militant group. Cars with IS stickers have also been spotted around Peshawar. Sameeulah Hanifi, a prayer leader in a Peshawar neighborhood populated mainly by Afghans, said the pamphlets were being distributed by a little-known local group called Islami Khalifat, an outspoken Islamic State supporter.....snip~

After Syria and Iraq, Islamic State makes inroads in South Asia


The funny thing is.....BO also knows AQ has moved back into Afghanistan to, and this is due to BO and his own actions leading to his own failures.
Click to expand...

If they make you CIC tomorrow morning what would your plan of action be:

1. Ramp up for a protracted ground war in the region?

2. More advisors to the (semi, part-time) friendly nations in the region?

3. Arms shipment in mass quantities?

5. Make a lake out of the Middle East?

6. Slime the Middle East with a sustained bombardment of lard rockets?

7. All of the above?
 
Risky Thicket said:
If they make you CIC tomorrow morning what would your plan of action be:

1. Ramp up for a protracted ground war in the region?

2. More advisors to the (semi, part-time) friendly nations in the region?

3. Arms shipment in mass quantities?

5. Make a lake out of the Middle East?

6. Slime the Middle East with a sustained bombardment of lard rockets?

7. All of the above?
Click to expand...




Outside of Nukes.....I would first order that all associations with middlemen be immediately stopped. As this is more than likely a 2 way communication broadcast. I would order all intel agencies on orders Shoot to kill any of these Terrorists on Sight. Send in Mercs, Bounty Hunters, and Assassins. This all with Airstrikes and mobilizing Special Forces for Specifics strikes going after all their communications. Take out any Sats they use. Shutdown their use of social media. Go after those printing their propaganda. Jam phones and any communications.

Also I would order our US hackers to wipe accounts out of those funding them. By name and even if they are in government. Also I would take all those in Prison for life and on Death row.....I would give them a shot for Amnesty. Release them armed over there and tell them do what you gotta do. Which means killing these Terrorists on sight and anywhere they are. As they will be coming for you. Survive.....freedom is yours. Over there.....for the rest of your days. Hunt them down.....all of them. Even telling organized crime to go after them.

Naturally I would have talked with other countries and emphasized how this is an everyone problem. Using others Militaries too.

Also.....I would give a message to the poor. 75k US Dollar for each dead terrorist brought to me. 10 million poor people all looking for away out of poverty. These Terrorist are done within a year. Obliterated. Which Naturally after my first term I won't run for another. Just the one and done. Honest! :2razz:
 
Risky Thicket said:
All of ISIS couldn't make it through 10 miles of Texas on a Saturday night.
Click to expand...

Whatever helps you sleep at night, bud.
Meanwhile, the rest of us know the truth: The border is unsecure and Obama doesn't give a ****.
 
I cannot help think that somehow or other, this whole ISIS thing comes across as "we are being spun to death" thing.

That, because the story is so complete in detail. Suddenly, they know everything about them, while for the last year they've said nothing about them. :confused:
 
MMC said:
Outside of Nukes.....I would first order that all associations with middlemen be immediately stopped. As this is more than likely a 2 way communication broadcast. I would order all intel agencies on orders Shoot to kill any of these Terrorists on Sight. Send in Mercs, Bounty Hunters, and Assassins. This all with Airstrikes and mobilizing Special Forces for Specifics strikes going after all their communications. Take out any Sats they use. Shutdown their use of social media. Go after those printing their propaganda. Jam phones and any communications.

Also I would order our US hackers to wipe accounts out of those funding them. By name and even if they are in government. Also I would take all those in Prison for life and on Death row.....I would give them a shot for Amnesty. Release them armed over there and tell them do what you gotta do. Which means killing these Terrorists on sight and anywhere they are. As they will be coming for you. Survive.....freedom is yours. Over there.....for the rest of your days. Hunt them down.....all of them. Even telling organized crime to go after them.

Naturally I would have talked with other countries and emphasized how this is an everyone problem. Using others Militaries too.

Also.....I would give a message to the poor. 75k US Dollar for each dead terrorist brought to me. 10 million poor people all looking for away out of poverty. These Terrorist are done within a year. Obliterated. Which Naturally after my first term I won't run for another. Just the one and done. Honest! :2razz:
Click to expand...

Let us agree to disagree. Other than protecting the Pakistani nuke I'd pull up stakes, say adios and get the **** out. All troops go home. That's a start.

ISIS cannot be irradiated. And if it could there would be another group in its place. Is Al Qaeda still around? The Taliban? You damn skippy they are.

I would reduce as much as possible their reason for hating the West. I'd take the American presence out of the region. I know, I know - what about Israel. Sorry, Israel but you are going to have to learn to negotiate peace.

Certainly, I would want to continue to protect the US against foreign attacks and attackers. The idea that we are in the Middle East to "defend our freedom" is nothing but propaganda.
 
Risky Thicket said:
Let us agree to disagree. Other than protecting the Pakistani nuke I'd pull up stakes, say adios and get the **** out. All troops go home. That's a start.

ISIS cannot be irradiated. And if it could there would be another group in its place. Is Al Qaeda still around? The Taliban? You damn skippy they are.

I would reduce as much as possible their reason for hating the West. I'd take the American presence out of the region. I know, I know - what about Israel. Sorry, Israel but you are going to have to learn to negotiate peace.

Certainly, I would want to continue to protect the US against foreign attacks and attackers. The idea that we are in the Middle East to "defend our freedom" is nothing but propaganda.
Click to expand...


Well, you did ask what I would do.....I didn't say it would be PC to do. Plus I would play to win. But, what I described would work.....and they would be Obliterated. If they can't communicate and get their word out and their numbers are reduced to so few. None will back them and they will no longer have equipment nor money or much of anything else, with all hunting them down. Especially with the poor over there knowing they can live most of their lives with that money. All for the physical body of a Terrorist. They'll be finished.

We can leave the region and stay out of their affairs. Any group like these terrorists would eventually subjugate those around them. Which then.....their ideology doesn't stop them from just hanging out there. They would do what these ones are doing. Expand and consolidate. Then recruit and spread. Then take more land and from other countries weaker than them. Now they make money and govern over those for them. They will need more resources and they will come for them. Plus they know who the one enemy is that can bring them down. Which they would be out for us at any and all times.
 
Roadvirus said:
Whatever helps you sleep at night, bud.
Meanwhile, the rest of us know the truth: The border is unsecure and Obama doesn't give a ****.
Click to expand...

Obama didn't open the border, if he doesn't give a **** that the border is unsecured, then neither did any president before him.
 
apdst said:
But, that doesnt mean they're not stupid enough to try. Many innocents would die in the provess, not to mention the negative effect such an attack would have on the country as a whole.
Click to expand...

Exhale dude, it will be ok. Jeeeeesus, why are people freaking out over a group of guys with no navy or airforce, And nothing compared to the US Pentagon.
 
Montecresto said:
Exhale dude, it will be ok. Jeeeeesus, why are people freaking out over a group of guys with no navy or airforce, And nothing compared to the US Pentagon.
Click to expand...

Because we're in touch with reality.
 
Montecresto said:
Exhale dude, it will be ok. Jeeeeesus, why are people freaking out over a group of guys with no navy or airforce, And nothing compared to the US Pentagon.
Click to expand...
Why would they need a navy or air force? They can enter any democracy at will and start murdering people.
 
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