Islamic State

There's A Reason We Say 'Self-Declared Islamic State'

2:14pm February 23, 2015

by Mark Memmott

When NPR correspondents report about that group, they try to make it clear that it is not a "state" in the standard sense of that word. This month's "Word Matters" conversation explains why.

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World News

France Seizes Passports Of 6 Allegedly Planning To Join Islamists In Syria

1:03pm February 23, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

It's the first time the French government has used a measure that was approved in November to limit the number of French citizens joining Islamist groups in the Middle East.

Turkish soldiers during the military operation in Syria on Sunday. Turkey launched the raid to evacuate some 40 soldiers guarding the Tomb of Suleyman Shah, grandfather of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.

World News

Turkish Operation Rescues Soldiers Guarding Tomb In Syria

2:40pm February 22, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The raid evacuated some 40 Turkish soldiers stationed near Aleppo at the Tomb of Suleyman Shah, the grandfather of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.

World News

Britain's Cameron Calls On Schools To Help Stop Extremist Recruitment

5:46pm February 21, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The prime minister's remarks follow the disappearance this week of three British girls who are believed to have flown to Turkey with the intent of joining the self-declared Islamic State.

Training at a new camp near the front line, a mix of Arabs and Kurds prepare for an assault on Mosul in upcoming months. The men will wear balaclavas to conceal their identities while they fight, because they have family in Mosul and don't want to put the

World News

From A Mountain, Kurds Keep Watch On ISIS In Mosul

10:43pm February 20, 2015

by Ari Shapiro

From a nearby mountain, Kurdish forces can see look down into the strategic city. An Iraqi-led assault on the city is planned, but for now the frustrated men hold their territory and train.

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Surveillance footage shows three British girls who are believed to be on their way to Syria to join the Islamic State.

World News

U.K. Police Look For 3 Missing School Girls Suspected Of Heading To Syria

5:56pm February 20, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

The teenagers left home on Tuesday and took a flight to Turkey. Authorities suspect they are headed to Syria, lured by Islamic State militants.

An Iraqi man inspects the remains of what are believed to be members of the Yazidi minority, in the northern village of Sinuni on Feb. 3.

World News

In A Somber Homecoming, Yazidis Grieve And Watch Over Their Dead

3:22pm February 20, 2015

by Ari Shapiro

With the Islamic State pushed back, Iraq's Yazidis are returning to their villages — and to mass graves. Now, they guard the remains and are calling on the U.N. to document the killings.

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World News

U.S., Turkey Reach Agreement To Train, Equip Some Syrian Rebels

4:14pm February 19, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

A defense official tells NPR that the rebels will be vetted and screened under top-secret protocols. Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia will also be part of the effort.

World News

Pro-ISIS Messages Create Dilemma For Social Media Companies

8:16pm February 18, 2015

by Laura Sydell

Facebook, YouTube and other sites are being asked to do more to stop terrorists. Yet they are also being asked to let some of the propaganda remain to help officials track jihadis.

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Relatives of Egyptian Coptic Christians purportedly murdered in Libya by self-proclaimed Islamic State militants mourn for those killed.

World News

ISIS Beheadings In Libya Devastate An Egyptian Village

9:09am February 18, 2015

by Leila Fadel

The small hamlet of el-Aour is reeling from the massacre of 13 of its men in Libya, where they worked. A lack of jobs in Egypt means laborers still head to neighboring Libya, despite the danger.

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