Despite falling attacks, ISIL terrorists remain ‘global threat’: UN report

Feb 12, 2019, at 09:56 am

New York, Feb 12 (IBNS): Though attacks were down last year, a new United Nations report to the Security Council on Monday shows that ISIL is still a global threat, despite evolving into a “covert” terrorism network, with countries continuing to face challenges from the growing scourge of violent extremism.

Feature: Six months after ISIL, life is returning to Mosul despite hidden bomb threats

Nov 28, 2017, at 09:51 am

New York, Nov 28(Just Earth News): Mosul’s Al Qasoor Water Treatment Plant is on the eastern bank of the Tigris River which bisects the city that was, until about six months ago, one of the last strongholds of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Level (ISIL).

ISIL ‘down but not out’ in Iraq; UN envoy urges efforts to defeat group’s extremist ideology

Nov 23, 2017, at 10:02 am

  New York, Nov 23(Just Earth News): The military victory against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) is only one component of a complex battle that addresses the root causes of extremist ideology, the United Nations envoy for Iraq said on Wednesday.  

Security Council approves probe into ISIL’s alleged war crimes in Iraq

Sep 22, 2017, at 04:29 pm

New York, Sept 22(Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council on Thursdayauthorised the establishment of an investigation team to support Iraq’s domestic efforts to hold the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) accountable for acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in the country.

Iraq: ISIL targeting civilians to 'avenge' loss of Tal Afar, UN envoy says

Sep 02, 2017, at 09:39 am

New York, Sept 2 (Just Earth News): Fighters from the Islamic State (ISIL) are indiscriminately targeting civilians to avenge for their loss of Tal Afar, the top United Nations political representative in Iraqi on Friday said, condemning the latest attack in Baghdad.

Syria: Forces battling ISIL 'lose sight of ultimate aim' to free civilians from terror – UN rights chief

Sep 01, 2017, at 04:25 am

New York, Aug 31(Just Earth News): Forces fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorist group in Syria are losing sight of the obligation to protect civilians as the battle to retake Raqqa from ISIL is being waged at the cost of their lives, the top United Nations human rights official warned on Thursday.

Thousands flee as Iraqi forces advance on ISIL-held Tal Afar – UN

Aug 22, 2017, at 04:46 am

New York, Aug 21(Just Earth News): The top United Nations humanitarian official in Iraq has warned against the consequences of displacement as thousands of civilians are expected to flee from Tal Afar and surrounding communities during the Iraqi military operation to retake these areas from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorist group.

Liberation of Mosul a 'milestone' in global fight against ISIL – UN Security Council

Jul 14, 2017, at 01:40 pm

New York, July 14(Just Earth News): The liberation of Mosul has marked an “important milestone” in the global fight against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh), the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, welcoming the announcement by Iraqi authorities that the city has been freed of the terrorist group.

UN envoy on sexual violence in conflict urges protection of survivors released from ISIL-held Mosul

Jul 13, 2017, at 01:25 pm

New York, July 13(Just Earth News): The United Nations official advocating against the use of sexual violence in conflict on Wednesday urged all Iraqis to shun stigmatization, and called for women and girls returning from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) captivity to be embraced into their communities and supported, especially if they have children as a result of rape.

With Mosul reclaimed, accountability key to heal Iraq's 'ISIL wounds' – UN rights chief

Jul 12, 2017, at 04:34 am

New York, July 11(Just Earth News): Although the retaking of Mosul city from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters by Iraqi Government forces marks a significant turning point in the conflict, Iraq must ensure that those who committed crimes be held accountable, the United Nations human rights chief has said.

Iraq: UN warns against ‘collective punishment’ of population with alleged ISIL ties

Jul 01, 2017, at 04:58 am

New York, June 30(Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights office has expressed concern over forced evictions of people alleged to have ties with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorist group, noting that such actions may amount to collective punishment that is in clear contravention of the Iraqi Constitution as well as human rights and humanitarian law.

Despite pressure and losses, ISIL remains potent threat, UN political chief warns Security Council

Jun 09, 2017, at 01:22 pm

New York, June 9(Just Earth News): After losing control on population centres and declining financial strength, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorist group is more focused than ever before on “enabling and inspiring” attacks outside of conflict zones, the top United Nations political official said on Thursday.

UN relief workers concerned about civilians in Mosul threatened by Iraqi forces, ISIL

May 10, 2017, at 02:18 pm

New York, May 10 (Just Earth News): As a new front opens in the fight between Iraqi forces and the group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) in north-western Mosul city, United Nations humanitarian staff are raising concern about hundreds of thousands of civilians still living in the area.

Adapting to increased military pressure, ISIL shifts to ‘dark web,’ UN Security Council told

Feb 08, 2017, at 02:37 pm

New York, Feb 8 (Just Earth News): The terrorist group, known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), is on the defensive militarily in several regions, but is also adapting to military pressure by resorting to covert communications such as the ‘dark web,’ the top United Nations political affairs official warned on Tuesday.

Days of ISIL are numbered, says UN envoy as nation prepares for unified Iraq

Feb 03, 2017, at 02:08 pm

New York, Feb 3 (Just Earth News): The military campaign to oust Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) terrorists from Iraq is nearly won, but the humanitarian crisis is expected to continue for months, if not years, the United Nations top official for the country said on Thursday.

Amid battle for Mosul, ISIL forcing civilians ‘squarely in harm’s way,’ UN rights wing warns

Nov 30, 2016, at 05:27 am

New York, Nov 29 (Just Earth News): As the Iraqi military intensifies its operations to wrest Mosul from terrorists, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday warned that it continues to receive reports of “serious breaches” of international human rights and humanitarian law by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) in and around the war-torn city.

Mosul offensive against ISIL pushing Iraq’s civilians into war-ravaged Syria – UN rights wing

Nov 12, 2016, at 01:52 pm

New York, Nov 12 (Just Earth News): Amid the intensification of the military offensive against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) in Iraq’s Mosul city and the resulting displacement of civilians, the United Nations human rights wing said on Friday that it has received reports that Iraqi civilians are also fleeing into Syria, which itself is reeling under a five-year long conflict that has displaced millions of Syrians and left hundreds of thousands trapped in besieged cities.

Iraq: Fostering reconciliation should complement military victories against ISIL, Security Council told

Nov 10, 2016, at 01:49 pm

New York, Nov 10 (Just Earth News): Alongside liberating the country’s territory from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), it is essential that processes are undertaken to “capture the hearts and minds” of all Iraqis from all parts of Iraq for it to be peaceful and united, the United Nations envoy to the country told the Security Council on Wednesday.

ISIL forces civilians towards Mosul airport; UN rights office probes reports of mass graves

Nov 09, 2016, at 01:45 pm

New York, Nov 9 (Just Earth News): Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) fighters have forced 1,500 families towards the airport in Mosul, the United Nations human rights wing said on Tuesday, adding that it is also looking into reports of mass graves near the city, where military operations are under way to oust the terrorists.

As Iraqi military prepares to enter Mosul, ISIL forcibly relocates thousands of civilians near city, UN warns

Nov 02, 2016, at 01:23 pm

New York, Nov 2 (Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights wing on Tuesday received reports that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) is attempting to forcibly transfer tens of thousands of civilians closer to Mosul, including near its own military installations, which could be targets as the Iraqi Government’s offensive to retake the city intensifies.

Nearly 8,000 families abducted by ISIL from Mosul vicinity – UN rights office

Oct 29, 2016, at 05:03 am

New York, Oct 28 (Just Earth News): Credible reports suggest that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) has been forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes in sub-districts around Mosul, including nearly 8,000 families the group abducted, since the operations to restore Iraqi Government control over Mosul began on 17 October, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Friday.

UN receives reports of executions and use of ‘human shields’ by ISIL in battle for Mosul

Oct 26, 2016, at 01:33 pm

New York, Oct 26 (Just Earth News): As Iraqi Government forces close in on Mosul, the United Nations human rights wing said on Tuesday that it continues to receive reports of grave violations against civilians, including extrajudicial killings and summary executions, by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) extremists.

Mosul: UN mission calls for Iraqi unity behind Government forces fighting ISIL

Oct 19, 2016, at 01:27 pm

New York, Oct 19 (Just Earth News): With the military operations under way to wrest the control of Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) terrorists, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Tuesday called on the Iraqi people to unite in support of their country’s armed forces and is urging “that every step be taken to avoid civilian casualties.”

Political will needed to counter terrorism and address evolving nature of ISIL, Security Council told

Oct 14, 2016, at 01:37 pm

New York, Oct 14 (Just Earth News): Briefing the Security Council on Thursday, the top United Nations political official said that while the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) and its affiliates have continued to face military setbacks, they nevertheless continue to pose a significant and diversified threat.

Yazidi survivor of ISIL’s human trafficking appointed UN Goodwill Envoy for victims

Sep 17, 2016, at 01:38 pm

New York, Sept 17 (Just Earth News): Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Nadia Murad Basee Taha, who survived trafficking at the hands of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) was on Friday appointed a United Nations advocate for the victims of human trafficking.

In meeting with Turkey's President, UN chief stresses country's key role in fighting ISIL

Sep 04, 2016, at 01:42 pm

New York, Sept 4 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday met with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasizing the key role of Turkey in the fight against Da'esh (ISIL), Ban's office said.

Senior UN official deeply concerned over reports of children used in fighting ISIL in Iraq

Sep 01, 2016, at 02:02 pm

New York, Sept 1 (Just Earth News): The top United Nations humanitarian official in Iraq has expressed deep concern over reports that boys are being sent to areas near front lines in the country’s war, possibly to join armed groups fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

INTERVIEW: The Syrian forces and ISIL used toxic chemicals as weapons – report

Aug 31, 2016, at 02:02 pm

New York, Aug 31 (Just Earth News): The Syrian Airforce and ISIL used toxic chemicals as weapons, according to a new report issued on Tuesday by an “independent, impartial, and objective” Leadership Panel, mandated by the UN Security Council.

UN human rights panel concludes ISIL is committing genocide against Yazidis

Jun 17, 2016, at 12:38 pm

New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) [also known as ISIL and Da'esh] is committing genocide against Yazidis that amounts to crimes against humanity and war crimes, a United Nations-mandated human rights inquiry reported on Thursday.

US Secretary of Defense targets ISIL, calls for Turkey to do more

Jan 23, 2016, at 08:16 pm

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, Jan 22 (IBNS): The defeat of ISIL 'needs to occur, it will occur … first and foremost in Syria and Iraq,' said US Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter.