IS Shrugging Off U.S. Air Strikes: Iraqi Shi'ite Paramilitary Leader
The IS group is withstanding U.S.-led air strikes in Iraq, Hadi al-Amiri, the leader of a powerful Shi'ite militia group, has told Reuters.
"Many of its leadership have been killed but one should know that Daesh (IS) is still strong," said Amiri, leader of the Badr Organization whose armed wing has been fighting alongside Iraqi security forces to recapture territory seized by IS.
"Their attacks are still daring and swift and their morale is high. They still have money and weapons."
Individuals Proposed By Russia Invited To Syria Talks: Reuters
Some of the individuals whom Russia proposed should attend the upcoming Syria peace talks in Geneva have got invitations, two people who got invitations have told Reuters.
"I have been invited, and Haitham Manaa, Saleh Muslim [one of the leaders of the Syrian Kurdish PYD], Ilham Ahmed and Qadri Jamil. We were invited individually," Randa Kassis, president of the Movement of the Pluralistic Society, told Reuters.
However, when asked by Reuters, Muslim said that he had yet to be invited.
Israeli Defense Minister: IS Enjoyed Turkish Money For Oil For A Long Time
Israel's Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has said that the IS group has "enjoyed Turkish money" for oil for a long time.
"It's up to Turkey, to the Turkish government, to the Turkish leadership, whether they want to be part of this or that cooperation in the war on terror. This is not the case so far. As you know, IS has been enjoying Turkish money for oil for a very, very long time. I hope that this will end," Ya'alon told reporters in Athens this afternoon, according to the Hebrew press.
Capture Of Syrian Town Reveals 'Hypocrisy Of Russian Targeting' -- UK
The capture by Syrian government forces of the southern Syrian town of Sheikh Miskeen "reveals the hypocrisy of Russian targeting" in Syria, the UK's Special Representative for Syria, Gareth Bayley, has said.
"Despite having themselves defined the Southern Front and Free Syrian Army as opposition groups -- not extremists -- Russia and the Asad regime bombarded the town, causing massive destruction," Bayley said in a statement.
"This blatant targeting of opposition groups is deeply concerning, particularly as it comes just days before UN-led negotiations for a political settlement leading to transition in Syria."
More Footage Inside Recaptured Town Of Sheikh Miskeen, Syria
Russia Today has published more footage taken inside the southern Syrian town of Sheikh Miskeen in Daraa province. The strategic town was recaptured today from rebels by Syrian loyalist forces backed by Russian air strikes.
Rebel Infighting Major Cause Of Loss Of Sheikh Miskeen -- Syria Direct
Rebel infighting contributed to the loss of the southern Syrian town of Sheikh Miskeen to Syrian government forces, citizen journalists and rebel spokesmen have told Syria Direct.
“One of the main reasons for the fall of Sheikh Miskeen has been ongoing infighting between Harakat al-Muthanna and the [FSA-affiliated] Southern Front,” Mahameed told Syria Direct Tuesday.
The full report is here.
Videos Show Suffering In Starving Syrian Town Of Madaya
CNN has published videos shot in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya. The videos show emaciated people suffering ten days after the last aid convoy brought emergency relief.
The town is still surrounded by pro-government forces.
A doctor in the town's makeshift hospital, in the basement of a house, said that one woman named Lama Issa died Monday from acute malnutrition, after not responding to treatment with intravenous drips; a man was also said to have died. CNN cannot independently confirm their deaths.
One of the videos CNN was able to verify shows a man, Fawaz Saeef Aldin, 50, almost unconscious, his stomach concave from longstanding malnutrition. Lamar, his 9-month-old granddaughter is next to him, her face skeletal.
We are now closing the live blog for today. Join us again tomorrow morning for all the latest news on Islamic State.
Iranian Deputy FM In Moscow For Consultations Ahead Of Syria Talks
Russia's RIA Novosti is reporting this morning that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has arrived in Moscow this morning for consultations ahead of the Syria talks.
The Syria talks are set to begin on Jan. 29 in Geneva.
Syria's Saudi-Backed Opposition Resumes Discussions In Riyadh
Syria's Saudi-backed opposition has resumed discussions in a luxury hotel in the Saudi capital of Riyadh this morning to decide whether or not to attend peace talks in Geneva, AFP reports.
Speaking to AFP at the venue in a luxury Riyadh hotel, spokesman for the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), Monzer Makhous, said the talks could last "perhaps all day".
"There will be no comment until they finish," he said.