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BBC Investigation Exposes US, UK, Saudis Protecting IS in Syria

Published

8 years ago

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BBC Investigation Exposes US, UK, Saudis Protecting IS in Syria

By Saeed Naqvi

The BBC expose, with graphic visuals, is quite emphatic: the US and British led coalition forces enabled hundreds of IS jihadists escape from Raqqa after the headquarters of their self declared Caliphate had been bombarded out of recognition. This will set the cat among the pigeons.

The matter will surely come up in the British Parliament and Congressional hearings in Washington. More such mischief is surfacing.

The Defence Ministry in Moscow is already in overdrive. “The US refused to bomb a military convoy retreating from Abu Kamal (in Raqqa). The coalition’s aircraft also attempted to prevent Russian Aerospace Forces from carrying out air strikes against militants.” There is considerable evidence of “direct cooperation and support for ISIS terrorists by the US led International Coalition”, the Defence Ministry said.

In a separate incident “Americans peremptorily refused to conduct airstrikes on ISIS terrorists.” The reason given was that the militants were agreeing to surrender as prisoners of war and were “therefore subject to the provisions of the Geneva convention.” US aircraft obstructed “Russian aerospace from taking action.”

Stratfor, an establishment think tank, offers almost an apology for terrorism perpetrated by returning jihadists. “Looking at recent cases involving fighters returning from Iraq and Syria, they have tended to conduct attacks against soft targets instead of making more complex attacks against harder, more significant targets. Some examples include a Jewish museum and the soft side of the airport in Brussels; a concert in Manchester in the UK; and a café, concert venue and sports stadium in Paris.” Is it not too sanguine a tone on the theme of returning jihadists who destabilize Western societies?

Youth, fired by jihad, who have left their homes in the West for destinations like Syria, are unlikely to be less than hostile towards their respective societies when they return home. This hostility will erupt into acts of terrorism listed in the stratfor brief.

The cat-and-mouse that goes on between terrorists and counter terrorism units confronting them provides room for others to advance their rogue agendas. It is a witches brew.

This was lethal enough. What has evolved since the 9/11 wars in West Asia is a system of regularizing terrorists in Company and Platoon strengths, backed by trainers, finance and weapons, as a military asset to be relocated wherever required. Sophisticated propaganda is integral to the project.

If readers have not seen Amaq, the propaganda organ of the IS, they must instantly obtain a copy online. It is a glossy publication which would put to shame some of the better magazines in the business. If IS is an underground, guerrilla outfit, living in bunkers and trenches, how does it have time, skill, printing presses to regularly churn out this professional product?

Non GCC Arab diplomats, with access to their respective agencies, have been informing South Block that US terrorists, air lifted from various theatres in Syria and Iraq, may have been relocated to war zones like Afghanistan and Rakhine state in Myanmar. India cannot consider itself exempt from this global menace.

Almost on cue, appears a piece by Sara Flounders of the International Action Centre, Washington, focusing on how the Rohingyas plight worsened in Myanmar. Hostility between the Buddhist clergy, the Myanmar military and the Rohingya Muslim in Rakhine has continued for years. What then was the need for the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, an armed resistance group, to carry on attacks on 30 Myanmar military posts on august 30? It was only then that the Myanmar military responded with a wave of brutal attacks on the Muslims driving them in thousands over the border.

There is an intriguing twist to the tail: ARSA is headquartered in Mecca, under Ataullah abu Ammar Jununi, a Pakistani national resident in Saudi Arabia.

Why have the US and Saudi Arabia, who have supervised a three year long war in Yemen, rendering millions homeless and killing thousands, turned with so much sympathy to the one million Muslim Rohingyas in Rakhine? It is their callousness elsewhere that invites this cynicism at their concern for Rakhine? Are they driven by a desire to control a group in a poor, mineral rich country bordering China?

Former President, Hamid Karzai has, in an interview to Tehran Times expressed similar fears.

According to him IS “is the brainchild of the US and its allies which introduced this terrorist group to the world under the pretext of fighting extremism and terrorism.” He warns regional powers not to allow the IS to grow in Afghanistan. He said the “number of this terrorist group is increasing by the day in Afghanistan.”

The Moscow Initiative on Afghanistan enunciated by Putin last April sought regional co-operation to isolate IS and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Towards this end the Taleban, an Afghan national entity, should be accommodated in Kabul’s power apparatus. As soon as Trump saw Moscow developing a constructive theme in Kabul, he reversed his decision to withdraw from Afghanistan,. He will stay come wind, come weather.

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US ends oil sanctions waiver for Iran and Russia, impact likely on India’s energy imports

The US decision to end the Iran and Russia oil waiver may impact India’s oil imports, fuel prices and global energy markets.

Published

11 hours ago

on

April 16, 2026

By

US oil tanker

The United States has decided not to extend a temporary sanctions waiver that allowed limited trade in Iranian and Russian oil, marking a shift towards stricter enforcement of economic restrictions.

The waiver, introduced in March 2026, had permitted the sale of oil already loaded on ships to stabilise global supply during heightened geopolitical tensions. However, it is now set to expire around mid-April without renewal.

US officials have indicated that the move is part of a broader strategy to increase pressure on both Iran and Russia amid ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions.

What the waiver did and why it mattered

The short-term waiver allowed millions of barrels of oil—estimated at around 140 million barrels—to enter global markets, helping ease supply shortages and prevent sharp price spikes.

It also enabled countries like India to purchase discounted crude oil from Russia and resume limited imports from Iran after years of restrictions.

Impact on India

India, one of the world’s largest oil importers, is expected to feel the impact of the decision in several ways:

  • Reduced access to discounted oil
     India had been buying cheaper Russian crude and recently resumed Iranian imports under the waiver. Its end may limit these options.
  • Potential rise in fuel costs
     With fewer discounted supplies available, India may need to rely more on costlier sources, which could increase domestic fuel prices.
  • Supply diversification pressure
     India may need to explore alternative suppliers in the Middle East, Africa, or the US to maintain energy security.
  • Geopolitical balancing challenge
     The move adds pressure on India to align with US sanctions while managing its own economic interests.

Global energy market concerns

The end of the waiver comes at a time when global oil markets are already under stress due to conflict in West Asia and disruptions in key routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts warn that tightening sanctions could:

  • Reduce global oil supply
  • Increase price volatility
  • Intensify competition among major buyers like India and China

Bigger picture

The US decision reflects a broader shift from temporary relief measures to stricter enforcement of sanctions, even if it risks tightening global energy markets.

For India, the development highlights a recurring challenge—balancing affordable energy access with geopolitical realities.

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Sanctioned tanker fails to breach US blockade, turns back near Strait of Hormuz

A US-sanctioned tanker failed to cross the Hormuz blockade and turned back, underscoring rising tensions and disruption in global shipping routes.

Published

1 day ago

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April 15, 2026

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A US-sanctioned oil tanker failed to break through a newly imposed American naval blockade and was forced to turn back near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting growing tensions in the region.

The vessel, identified as the Rich Starry, reversed its course after attempting to exit the Gulf, according to shipping data. The development comes just days after the United States enforced restrictions on ships linked to Iranian ports.

The blockade was announced by Donald Trump following the collapse of recent diplomatic talks with Iran. The move aims to restrict maritime traffic associated with Iranian trade.

Officials said that during the first 24 hours of enforcement, no vessel successfully crossed the blockade. Several ships, including the sanctioned tanker, complied with instructions from US forces and turned back toward regional waters.

The tanker is reported to be linked to a Chinese company previously sanctioned for dealing with Iran. It was carrying a cargo of methanol loaded from the United Arab Emirates at the time of the incident.

The situation underscores the rising risks in one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. The Strait of Hormuz typically handles a significant share of global energy shipments, but traffic has sharply declined due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The blockade, which applies specifically to vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports, has added further uncertainty for shipping companies, insurers and global energy markets.

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Jaishanakar discusses Middle East crisis with Kuwait and Singapore counterparts, focus on Indian community

Jaishankar holds talks with Kuwait and Singapore counterparts on West Asia tensions, highlights Indian community safety.

Published

2 days ago

on

April 14, 2026

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India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with his counterparts from Kuwait and Singapore amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia, focusing on regional developments and the safety of Indian nationals.

In separate telephonic conversations, Jaishankar exchanged views with Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. The discussions come at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East region.

According to details shared by the minister, his conversation with the Kuwaiti counterpart primarily revolved around the evolving regional situation and the well-being of the Indian community residing in Kuwait.

He described the interaction as a constructive exchange, highlighting India’s continued attention to the safety and interests of its citizens abroad during the crisis.

In a separate interaction with Singapore’s foreign minister, Jaishankar said the two sides discussed the ongoing conflict in West Asia and its broader implications.

The talks reflect India’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with key global partners as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, impacting regional stability and international concerns.

The latest outreach is part of a series of high-level communications by India aimed at closely monitoring developments in the region while safeguarding its strategic and humanitarian interests.

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