Iraq Special Forces Take Fallujah Govt Building
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SUBSCRIPTION SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2016 RAMADAN 13, 1437 AH No: 16908 Ramadan-time: Eder fires Second black Ramadan TImings Euro 2016 fever Azzurri box recovered Emsak: 03:03 into from EgyptAir Fajer: 03:13 sweeps the Shrooq: 04:48 Dohr: 11:47 Arab world last 16 crash site Asr: 15:21 Maghreb: 18:47 5 48 8 Eshaa: 20:19 Iraq special forces take Fallujah govt building Min 28º 150 Fils Breakthrough in 4-week offensive against IS Max 47º BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces raised the national flag over the main tion of the state’s authority” in Fallujah, he said. Ramadan Kareem government building in Fallujah yesterday, top commanders Saadi said the Iraqi flag was raised above government said, a breakthrough in the nearly four-week-old offensive buildings in the compound and claimed that “Iraqi forces have When God spoke against the Islamic State group’s bastion. now liberated 70 percent of the city.” In the deserted, recently They met limited resistance from IS fighters, who were flee- re-conquered neighborhoods of the insurgent bastion known ing the city, the commanders told AFP, leaving the organiza- in Iraq as the “City of Mosques”, elite forces were consolidating By Teresa Lesher tion on the brink of losing one of the most emblematic strong- positions, stocking up on food and weapons. holds in its two-year-old “caliphate”. Dozens of bodies of dead IS fighters were left to rot under e often offer silent or audible prayers, asking for It is the latest setback for the jihadists who have also lost blankets amid the rubble of homes destroyed by air strikes, help from our Creator, for succor from our prob- territory in neighboring Syria and in Libya in recent weeks, rockets or controlled explosions of the hundreds of bombs the lems, for blessings on our loved ones, and for for- W although US Central Intelligence Agency director John jihadists themselves laid across the city. giveness for our mistakes. We also - unfortunately less Brennan warned on Thursday that they remain a formidable often - thank Him for our sustenance and surroundings, force with global reach. “The counter-terrorism service and the ‘Little resistance’ our families and abilities. We communicate with God, and rapid response forces have retaken the government com- The government lost control of Fallujah in 2014, months we may perceive the conversation as one-sided since we pound in the centre of Fallujah,” the operation’s overall com- before IS took second city Mosul and swept across large parts receive no spoken or written response. But what if the mander, Lieutenant General Abdulwahab Al-Saadi, told AFP. of the country. Fallujah, just 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Almighty Creator of the heavens and earth did answer you Raed Shaker Jawdat, Iraq’s federal police chief, confirmed Baghdad, is one of IS’s key historical bastions and its loss would - did send you a spoken or written response? What would the advance. “The liberation of the government compound, leave Mosul as the only major Iraqi city under its control. He say? Would it be one word? A 20-minute speech? A which is the main landmark in the city, symbolizes the restora- Continued on Page 13 letter? Or an entire book? In the month of Ramadan, 1450 years ago, God sent us a message. It is the Quran, the Speech of God, revealed through the angel Gabriel (PBUH) to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who dictated it so it could be transcribed for all of Tearful vigil for slain British MP humanity. It is a direct message for you and me, and all humankind. In fact, many verses of the holy Quran are LONDON: Tearful mourners laid flowers addressed to “O People!” or “O Mankind!” These are gen- outside the British parliament yesterday eral verses for every living soul. While some verses are in memory of pro-EU lawmaker Jo Cox, addressed particularly to believers, in fact, the whole holy hours after she was killed in a shock Quran is a message for each of us. The holy Quran is the attack at a meeting with constituents. only divinely revealed scripture that has remained intact in Dozens of people gathered next to a its original language throughout the centuries, being large picture of the 41-year-old former widely available until today. It has also been translated in charity worker, who had campaigned in virtually every language across the globe. favor of Britain’s membership of the So what did God say in this book to us from Him? European Union ahead of next week’s Following are a few key verses: Brexit vote. “O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and “What’s happened is beyond those before you, that you may become righteous. [He] appalling. We are here in silent memory who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky of her loss,” said Jeremy Corbyn, the a ceiling and sent down from the sky rain, and brought leader of Cox’s centre-left Labor party, as forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attrib- rain began to fall. “This is a shocking ute to Allah equals while you know [that there is nothing occasion and I hope everybody realizes similar to Him].” (2:21-22) hatred will never solve problems. Only “O People! Remember the favor of Allah upon you. Is people coming together will solve prob- there any creator other than Allah who provides for you lems,” he said. Corbyn was flanked by fel- from the Heaven and the Earth? There is no deity except low members of the Labour party, many BIRSTALL: Flowers and tributes including a photograph of Labor MP Jo Him, so how are they turned away? If they deny you (O of them shaking and tearful, as they lit Cox outside 10 Downing Street are laid in remembrance of the slain MP Muhammad) so were messengers denied before you. To candles and one by one laid them beside in Birstall, northern England yesterday where she was killed the day God all affairs are returned (for decision).” (35:3-4) the photograph of a smiling Cox. before. — AFP (See Also Page 10) “O People! God’s promise is true, so do not let the “We are suspending all campaigning ment after reportedly being shot and shaken by her loss,” she said. Cox worked worldly life turn you away and do not let the devil deceive activities until the weekend as a mark of stabbed in the village of Birstall in north- for charity group Oxfam before becom- you. Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an respect for her,” Corbyn said, referring to ern England, according to witnesses ing a lawmaker in 2015, and several at enemy. He only invites his party to be among the compan- the tense run-up to Britain’s EU member- quoted by media. Fatima Ibrahim, a 23- the vigil recalled her tireless campaign- ions of the Blaze.” (35:5-6). ship referendum on June 23. year-old campaigner with human rights ing to help refugees from Syria. Mike, a “This (Message) is a declaration to (all) people as well as Mourners left heaps of flowers in the group Avaaz, which helped organize the 55-year-old who works in the charity sec- a guidance and instruction for God-fearing people” (3:138). lawmaker’s memory, who was the first vigil, told AFP she was “devastated”. “She tor who did not want to give his sur- Say, [O Muhammad], “If ye do love Allah, Follow me: British MP to be killed in office since Ian was a fearless campaigner, and a voice name, described Cox as “Someone who Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Gow was killed by a car bomb planted by for the voiceless. We feel shaken by her was utterly dedicated to the ideals of Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (3:31) the Irish Republican Army in 1990. loss, but committed to meeting the peace, love, justice on a global scale as Continued on Page 13 She was left bleeding on the pave- hatred that killed her with love.” “We feel well as in the UK.” — AFP LOCAL SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2016 News in brief Kuwait-Kurdistan festival, exhibition begins in Irbil IRBIL: The Kuwait-Kurdistan marketing festival and exhibition began late Thursday in the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Irbil under patronage of the Kuwaiti consulate. General Consul of Kuwait to Irbil Dr Omar Al-Kanderi said that the event saw the partici- pation of some 20 Kuwaiti business entities and companies. He hoped that the event would contribute to the development of commercial and economic ties between Kuwait and the Kurdistan region. On his part, Governor of Irbil Nawzad Hadi welcomed the organizing of the Kuwait-Kurdistan marketing festival and exhibition, affirming that the Kurdistan region was in need of such events to be held. He thanked Kuwait for its continuous support to Iraq’s Kurdistan and wished that more of such events were held to bolster ties on all possible levels. GCC support security measures in Bahrain RIYADH: The GCC member states have expressed their sup- port for judicial measures taken by Bahrain aiming to main- tain its security and stability, and to combat terrorism and any attempts trying to undermine the Kingdom’s unity and peaceful co-existence. Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif Al-Zayani stressed in a press statement that the GCC states are backing the Kingdom of Bahrain in measures taken against some organi- zations and groups that commit acts which run counter to KUWAIT: Photo show a Bulbul bird picking seeds.