The Long War Journal (Site-Wide)

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• Islamic State claims Manila casino attack blamed on botched robbery
• Qassem Soleimani spotted near the Syrian border with Iraqi militias
• Taliban again affirms Haqqani Network is an integral part of group

Islamic State claims Manila casino attack blamed on botched robbery Posted: 02 Jun 2017 08:08 AM PDT The government of Philippines says that an attack that left more than 30 people dead at the Resorts World Manila (RWM) casino was a botched robbery. However, the Islamic State claims that one of its supporters carried it out.

Qassem Soleimani spotted near the Syrian border with Iraqi militias Posted: 02 Jun 2017 06:55 AM PDT Major General Qassem Soleimani, the chief of the Guard Corps' Qods Force, has been photographed allegedly with Iranian-backed Iraqi militias of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in the northwestern countryside of Iraq near the Syrian border. The photo's precise location and date are yet unconfirmed; however it surfaced on May 29.

Taliban again affirms Haqqani Network is an integral part of group Posted: 02 Jun 2017 05:22 AM PDT The Taliban has issued a second statement denying any responsibility for the May 31 bombing in Kabul. Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) has accused the Haqqani Network and Pakistan of orchestrating the attack. The Taliban claims the NDS is lying and defends the Haqqanis, once again affirming their key role in the organization.