Islamic State executes Shi'ite militia fighters north of Baghdad

Israeli jets hit targets near Damascus: Hezbollah’s TV Syria says Israeli airstrikes hit near Damascus Dec. 7, 2014 11:03 AM EST DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's state news agency says Israeli airstrikes have hit two areas near the capital, Damascus. SANA says the strikes hit Sunday near the capital's main airport as well as the town of Dimas northwest of Damascus. It called the attack "an aggression against Syria" and said there were no reports of casualties. There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials. Israel has carried out several airstrikes in Syria since the revolt against President Bashar Assad began in March 2011. Most of the strikes have targeted sophisticated weapons systems believed to be destined for the militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon. By Staff writer | Al Arabiya News Sunday, 7 December 2014 Israeli aircraft conducted air raids targeting sites near the Syrian capital, Damascus, Hebzollah’s Al-Manar television station reported on Sunday. (Developing) ==================== Islamic State executes Shi'ite militia fighters north of Baghdad . Reuters BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters executed 12 Shi’ite militiamen north of Baghdad after heavy fighting for control of a rural village, security sources said on Sunday. Related Stories 1. Iraqi forces say retake two towns from Islamic State Reuters 2. Islamic State attacks Iraq provincial capital: officials Reuters 3. Islamic State kill 16 from Iraqi tribe Reuters 4. Islamic State cedes little ground despite air attacks Reuters 5. Iraqis show no sign of uniting in response to massacre of Sunni tribe Reuters 6. Give big screen blockbusters this Christmas! Event Cinemas Sponsored  Army and police officials said Iraqi security forces and the Shi'ite militia fighters launched an attack on Friday against Islamic State militants on Tal al-Thahab, near the town of Balad, 80km (50 miles) north of the Iraqi capital. They managed to drive the militants from their base in Tal al-Thahab police station on Friday, but hours later the Islamic State fighters returned and surrounded it, trapping dozens of security forces and militiamen inside. "Supporting troops with cover from army helicopter reached the area and managed to break the siege. We have confirmation from our sources that 12 volunteer fighters were executed on Saturday by terrorists,” said an army intelligence officer on condition of anonymity. Balad's mayor, Amir Abdul Hadi, confirmed that some of the Shi’ite militiamen were executed by Islamic State near Balad and others were missing after Friday's battle, but said he did not have details. Officials said 10 militiamen were missing. Sources at Balad hospital said they had received at least six bodies of militia fighters believed to have been killed in the first wave of fighting on Friday. Balad, which houses a shrine to a revered Shi'ite imam, is one of several towns north of Baghdad which has seen heavy fighting between Islamic State fighters, who control large parts of north and west Iraq, and Iraqi security forces and pro-government Shi'ite militia. ((Balad is a small town near Sakmarrah Rauza of Syed Muhammed Ibne Imam Ali Naqi (as) He was the son of Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.). The place where his Rauza is used to be the cemetery of Shias. During the time of Hujjaj bin Yusuf thousands of Shias were imprisoned here and when they died were buried there. No Shia was allowed to leave the area and because of the torment thousands of them died. This Rauza is very famous for couples who come to make a Nadr (wish) that they be blessed with a child. It is in Balad a small village near samarrah )) Security and local officials said more Shi’ite militia fighters were gathering in Balad to try to drive out Islamic State militants from areas surrounding the town. "We have asked the residents to stock food and basic material to prepare for an imminent military operation against the terrorists around Balad," one official said. In the town of Tarmiya, between Balad and Baghdad, militants detonated a car bomb overnight at a security checkpoint before attacking with guns. Five police and three civilians were killed, security and medical sources said. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Dominic Evans)