From Iraq to New York, a Busy Week for Islamic State Group
Little known to the wider world 18 months ago, the Islamic State extremist group has muscled its way into the international spotlight by carving out a self-declared caliphate in the heart of the Mideast, beheading its opponents and foreign journalists, and attracting radicalized youth as far afield as Paris, London and New York.
The militants' once seemingly unstoppable push across Syria and Iraq has slowed to a crawl in recent months as the United States, its Arab allies and even rival Iran work to roll back the group and ultimately defeat it. Despite those efforts, the extremists show little sign of crumbling under the weight of international efforts to crush it.
Here's a look at what happened this week involving the extremist group and the fight against it:
SYRIA AND IRAQ: KIDNAPPING CHRISTIANS AND SMASHING ANCIENT ARTIFACTS
In northeastern Syria, the militants swept through several villages and seized more than 220 Christians from their homes over a three-day stretch beginning around dawn Monday. The onslaught also forced thousands of people to flee to nearby cities. The fate of those kidnapped, almost all of them Assyrian Christians, remains unclear. The abductions have compounded fears among religious minorities in both Syria and Iraq, where the Islamic State group's fighters have repeatedly targeted minorities, killing them, driving them from their homes, enslaving their women and destroying their places of worship.
In northern Iraq, meanwhile, the militants took sledgehammers and drills to smash ancient Mesopotamian statues and other artifacts in the city of Mosul, including a winged-bull that dated to the 7th century B.C. The destruction, documented in a video posted online, is part of a wider campaign by the extremists to eliminate anything that they view as heretical. UNESCO's director general, Irina Bokova condemned the destruction, calling it "a deliberate attack against Iraq's millennial history and culture" and "an inflammatory incitement to violence and hatred."
LONDON TO SYRIA: THREE SCHOOLGIRLS LEAVE HOME TO JOIN THE MILITANTS
The long reach of the Islamic State group was felt in London this week with the news that three teenage girls had left their families with the apparent intent of joining a friend who already was with the extremists in Syria. It was another indication that IS had at least some appeal to a small number of Britons who may believe propaganda videos posted online about the building of a caliphate in Syria and Iraq.
The CCTV photos of casually dressed Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15, leaving London's Gatwick Airport on a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul captivated Britain for days. The girls' distraught families issued urgent, tearful pleas imploring the girls to turn back once they arrived in Turkey rather than entering Syria. Prime Minister David Cameron warned that every school and college in Britain needs to play a role in stopping people from joining what he called "an appalling death cult."
The search proved fruitless. London police said Tuesday that their information indicated the girls had successfully crossed into Syria, where they are thought to have linked up with the Islamic State group. Officials say 500 to 600 Britons have traveled to Syria to help the militants, with an increasing number of young women showing an interest in the group.
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From Iraq to New York, a Busy Week for Islamic State Group
- Iraq makes 'decisive findings' about drone attacks without identifying who targeted its bases - ABC News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq works to rein in culprits after sequence of drone attacks on energy and oil sites - Yahoo Home - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq Set for Key Oil Cargo Surge in Sign of Increased Output - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Officials try to identify 18 bodies in deadly Iraq shopping mall fire - ABC News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Pope offers condolences, prayers for victims of Iraq fire - Vatican News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Nutley Mayor John Kelly to deploy with NJ National Guard to Iraq next month - Bergen Record - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Nutley Township mayor set to be deployed to Iraq - News 12 - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq concludes 2025 wheat marketing season with over 6.5 million tons stored - Iraqi News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq Set for Key Oil Cargo Surge in Sign of Increased Output - gCaptain - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- More than 60 die in fire at newly opened shopping mall in Iraq - The Guardian - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- PKK member killed in Iraq by unidentified drone - The Jerusalem Post - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Vacuum of power: What follows the PKKs fade from Iraq? | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Over 10 years after ISIS takeover, Iraq's Mosul Airport reopens: What to know - AL-Monitor - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Drones Hit Oil Fields in Northern Iraq in Spree of Attacks - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq makes 'decisive findings' about drone attacks without identifying who targeted its bases - Indiana Gazette Online - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq urges Turkiye to act in most severe water scarcity in decades - Shafaq News - - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Earthquake Strikes Duhok Province in Northern Iraq... - jordannews.jo - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Sixty people killed in mall fire in al-Kut city, eastern Iraq - The Jerusalem Post - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Crude Oil Prices Erase Early Gains On The Outlook For Iraq To Boost Crude Exports - Barchart.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Investigating deadly Iraq fire and assessing situation in Syria - BBC - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Drone attacks on oil fields in Iraqs Kurdish region shut down facilities - AP News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Over 60 dead after fire rips through shopping mall in Iraq - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Dozens killed as massive fire rips through shopping mall in eastern Iraq - CNN - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Iraq Agrees on Oil Plan With Kurds in Step Toward Export Deal - Bloomberg - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Nutley Mayor Kelly to be Deployed to Iraq - TAPinto - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- More than 60 people killed as fire breaks out in newly opened Iraq mall - France 24 - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Funerals held for victims of mall fire in eastern Iraq - AP News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Oil prices barely changed amid disruptions in Iraq and fears of US tariffs - - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Iraq draws Saudi Arabia and Indonesia in final World Cup playoff as hope and caution collide - Iraqi News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Over 60 people killed commercial building fire in Iraq - WPLG Local 10 - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Fire at newly opened mall in Iraq kills more than 60 people - New York Post - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- A fire at a shopping center in eastern Iraq kills more than 60 people - The Journal Gazette - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Iraq turns to solar energy with 535 government projects and citizen incentives - bne IntelliNews - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- International community offers condolences and support to Iraq after deadly Wasit shopping center fire - Iraqi News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- "Our goal is to make microgreens accessible to every household in Iraq" - Hortidaily - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Dozens killed in fire at brand-new mall in Iraq - The Washington Post - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Newly opened mall in eastern Iraq in ruins after fire which killed dozens - The Lufkin Daily News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Fire tears through Iraq shopping centre, killing at least 60 video report - The Guardian - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- UAE Expresses Solidarity with Iraq and Conveys Condolences over Fire at Shopping Mall - Yemen Online - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- 60 Killed, Many Injured As Huge Fire Breaks Out At Shopping Mall In Iraq - NDTV - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- More than 60 killed in fire at Iraq shopping mall - nhk.or.jp - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Shopping centre fire in Iraq kills more than 60 people - The Globe and Mail - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Drone Strikes in Northern Iraq: A Geopolitical Gamble with Oil and Defense - AInvest - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- How does the PKKs disarmament affect Turkey, Syria and Iraq? - The Conversation - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Oilfields in northern Iraq halt operations following drone attacks - Iraqi News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- U.S. Firm Steps Up As Iraq Fast-Tracks New Floating LNG Terminal - Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- "Our goal is to make microgreens accessible to every household in Iraq" - Vertical Farm Daily - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Kurdish separatist fighters in Iraq begin laying down weapons as part of peace process with Turkey - AP News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Several oil fields shut in Iraq's KRG after 3rd drone strike this week | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Drone strikes target three oil fields in northern Iraq - Latest news from Azerbaijan - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK militants begin handing over weapons in cave in Iraq - NBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trkiyes exports to neighbors rise as Iraq leads with $5 billion trade - Trkiye Today - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Iraq achieves self-sufficiency in wheat for third year in a row - Iraqi News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Former Harrier pilot who served in Iraq appointed RAF chief - The Telegraph - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- In Iraq, drought threatens water supply and ancient heritage - France 24 - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Iraq seeks to foster ties with Islamic Azad University in emerging technologies - Tehran Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Azerbaijan and Iraq expand legal cooperation through high-level judicial talks [PHOTOS] - AzerNews - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK militants burn weapons in Iraq to launch disarmament - Reuters - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Iran is losing its stranglehold over Iraq - The Economist - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Erdoan calls for Turkish-Kurdish-Arab alliance, as PKK holds disarmament ceremony in Iraq - World Socialist Web Site - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Kurdish separatist fighters in Iraq begin laying down weapons as part of peace process with Turkey - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Iraq to establish first seed bank in the region - Iraqi News - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- In a ceremony Friday in Iraq members of the Kurdish rebel group PKK destroyed their weapons - IslanderNews.com - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK fighters burn their weapons at disarmament ceremony in Iraq - The Times of Israel - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Russia, Myanmar, Somalia, Iraq, Lebanon, and Venezuela Designated Extreme Risk Zone as US Urges Citizens to Cancel All Travel Plans This Summer: Heres... - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- PKK terrorists begin disarming in Iraq as 1st step toward dissolution | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK militants begin handing over weapons in northern Iraq - The Arab Weekly - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Russia 1, Iraq 2, Saudi Arabia 3..., despite threats from US, India buying huge amount of oil from..., which - India.Com - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Stop Analogizing Iraq in 2003 to Iran in 2025 - RealClearDefense - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- PKK fighters pile up their weapons in arms amnesty in Northern Iraq - CNN - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Leveraging Irans Defeat to Strengthen U.S.-Iraq Security Relations - The Washington Institute - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- PKK militants in Iraq begin laying down arms as part of peace process with Turkey - MSN - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Explosive drone downed near Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Iraq's Kirkuk province - The Jerusalem Post - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK militants burn their weapons at symbolic ceremony in Iraq - Stockholm Center for Freedom - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kurdish separatist fighters in Iraq begin laying down weapons as part of peace process with Turkey - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kurdish separatist fighters in Iraq begin laying down weapons as part of peace process with Turkey - PinalCentral.com - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- PKK fighters in Iraq burn weapons in disarming ceremony - Yahoo - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Explosive drone downed near military base in northern Iraq - Latest news from Azerbaijan - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kurdish Separatist Fighters in Iraq Begin Laying Down Weapons as Part of Peace Process with Turkey - The National Herald - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kurdish separatist fighters in Iraq begin laying down weapons as part of peace process with Turkey - Corsicana Daily Sun - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]