Meanwhile in Iraq & Syria

[jbird4049]

Hune 21 developments
Slow news day edition:
>Air Defense in Tartus shoots down unidentified object
ISIS blows up al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul Old City

As a point of interest, that's the mosque in which al-Bagdadhi declared himself caliph of the "caliphate" of ISIS. Was built in 1172.

I was going to post some comments on the latest Syrian events, but instead I am ask if anyone can explain to me why would ISIS blow a 900 year old Mosque? Especially one with such cultural importance? I know that ISIS is an extremist fanatical organization that makes the Saudis look modern and moderate. I still don't understand why they would go through the effort to mine such a large mosque.

[BjornP]

Hune 21 developments
Slow news day edition:
>Air Defense in Tartus shoots down unidentified object
ISIS blows up al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul Old City

As a point of interest, that's the mosque in which al-Bagdadhi declared himself caliph of the "caliphate" of ISIS. Was built in 1172.

I was going to post some comments on the latest Syrian events, but instead I am ask if anyone can explain to me why would ISIS blow a 900 year old Mosque? Especially one with such cultural importance? I know that ISIS is an extremist fanatical organization that makes the Saudis look modern and moderate. I still don't understand why they would go through the effort to mine such a large mosque.

1. They follow the same branch of Islam as the Saudis. The Saudis have demolished countless historical sites related to the history of Islam, even going so far some years back of planning for the destruction of the tomb (though not the remains) of Muhammed himself, arguing that visiting it was equal to a form of idolatry. There simply isn't the same value placed on history, the study of history or the value of historical sites and artifacts.

2. They do know that it held a cultural and historical value, and most reports are speculating that they blew it up simply so it didn't fall into enemy hands. It's like if US rebels captured the White House, faced defeat, and then blew it up because if they can't hold it, nobody will. They don't place value in the mosque as a historical site, but they did place value on it as a site with propaganda value. Losing it probably meant losing legitimacy in their eyes, so they destroyed it rather than lose it to "heretics".

Adding a list of Islamic holy and historical sites the Saudis destroyed in SA:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destructi ... udi_Arabia

[jbird4049]

As a point of interest, that's the mosque in which al-Bagdadhi declared himself caliph of the "caliphate" of ISIS. Was built in 1172.

I was going to post some comments on the latest Syrian events, but instead I am ask if anyone can explain to me why would ISIS blow a 900 year old Mosque? Especially one with such cultural importance? I know that ISIS is an extremist fanatical organization that makes the Saudis look modern and moderate. I still don't understand why they would go through the effort to mine such a large mosque.

1. They follow the same branch of Islam as the Saudis. The Saudis have demolished countless historical sites related to the history of Islam, even going so far some years back of planning for the destruction of the tomb (though not the remains) of Muhammed himself, arguing that visiting it was equal to a form of idolatry. There simply isn't the same value placed on history, the study of history or the value of historical sites and artifacts.

2. They do know that it held a cultural and historical value, and most reports are speculating that they blew it up simply so it didn't fall into enemy hands. It's like if US rebels captured the White House, faced defeat, and then blew it up because if they can't hold it, nobody will. They don't place value in the mosque as a historical site, but they did place value on it as a site with propaganda value. Losing it probably meant losing legitimacy in their eyes, so they destroyed it rather than lose it to "heretics".

Okay, thanks.

[ssu]

1. They follow the same branch of Islam as the Saudis. The Saudis have demolished countless historical sites related to the history of Islam, even going so far some years back of planning for the destruction of the tomb (though not the remains) of Muhammed himself, arguing that visiting it was equal to a form of idolatry. There simply isn't the same value placed on history, the study of history or the value of historical sites and artifacts.

Plus the Saudi's can then build huge hotels to rich Muslims coming on the pilgrimage.

Mecca Hotel. I'm not sure if the Bin Laden group built this one, but they surely have built a lot on the holy sites.



Funny anecdote, Bin Laden family got banned (at least for a while) in 2015 from building at Mecca when a crane fell down and killed 107 people... on September 11th.

on September 11 last year, while construction work was underway on Mecca’s Grand Mosque, one of the company’s cranes collapsed in a storm, killing at least 107 people and injuring more than 400.

In light of the tragedy, the bin Laden family was banned from taking on new projects and made to halt work on current projects, including the Abraj Kudai hotel. Work on Jeddah Tower, another of the company’s projects, also stalled.

Talk about irony... or karma.

[BjornP]

Goddamn that's hideous. Like Las Vegas Mecca. :hurl:

[jbird4049]

Goddamn that's hideous. Like Las Vegas Mecca. :hurl:

Erasing their heritage with Trump style architecture. Kinda fitting.

[TheReal_ND]

[TheReal_ND]

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.797576



Apparently the UN busted Israel for helping AQ (looking for source on that,) a few days ago. Syria started shelling Israeli positions in the golan heights I believe, Israel worked with an AQ associat to counter air strike. Kind of telling that they are admitting it openly now where only a year ago it was lunatic conspiracy theory.

Also I found this but have no idea what to make of it yet



Edit: looks like Syria may have struck Israel errantly or otherwise

[ssu]

Seems that Trump will soon eat again that most beautiful chockolate cake or what? This part of being Presidential Trump surely likes.

The White House said late Monday that President Bashar al-Assad of Syria appeared to be preparing another chemical weapons attack, and warned that he would “pay a heavy price” if one took place.

“As we have previously stated, the United States is in Syria to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria,” the statement said. “If, however, Mr. Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price.”

See here

[Ex-California]

She can be a refugee to my house