U.S Department of Defense Reports Details on ISIL Fighting

The U.S Department of Defense reported “Dec. 12, 2014 Update – U.S. and partner nation military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria Dec 10-12 using fighter and bomber aircraft to conduct seven airstrikes.

Five airstrikes near Kobani destroyed five ISIL fighting positions and also struck another ISIL fighting position. Near Aleppo, an airstrike struck five ISIL-occupied buildings. Near al-Qaim, on the Syrian border, an airstrike destroyed two ISIL fortifications.

All aircraft exited the strike areas safely. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the U.S., Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.” Counties all around the world are now participating in the affront on the ISIL fighters.  Countries including Albania, Germany, The Netherlands, Andorra, Greece, New Zealand, Arab League, Hungary, Norway, Australia, Ireland, Oman, Austria, Italy, Poland, and many more are conducting or supporting attacks against the terrorists.

The U.S Department of Defense also reported that in Iraq “our airstrikes near Sinjar destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle and two ISIL storage containers and also struck another ISIL armored vehicle and an ISIL checkpoint. Near Ramadi, four airstrikes destroyed an excavator and five ISIL vehicles and also struck an ISIL-occupied building and three ISIL units. Near Ar Rutbah, three airstrikes destroyed two bulldozers and an ISIL storage container. Near Mosul, three airstrikes destroyed a bunker and a bulldozer and also struck an excavator. Near al-Qaim, three airstrikes destroyed four ISIL vehicles, two ISIL-occupied buildings, an ISIL storage container, and an ISIL guard tower and also struck an ISIL bunker. Near Samarra, an airstrike struck a large ISIL unit. Near Rawah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL guard shack. Near Al Asad an airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.”

The damage is adding up but will it be enough to keep the U.S out of a ground war? I believe that we will be forced into a ground war and will not be able to completely wipe out an entire army using only airstrikes. 

Syrian Refugees

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said "The Syrian crisis has become the biggest humanitarian emergency of our era, yet the world is failing to meet the needs of refugees and the countries hosting them," in relation to refugees fleeing Syria for the last couple years.

According to “Al Jazeera and agencies” a total of 6.5 million Syrians have been displaced from their homes, representing about 30 percent of Syria's pre-war population of 23 million. Over half of all those who uprooted are children, the UN said, describing "cities where populations are surrounded, people are going hungry and civilians are being targeted or indiscriminately killed".

Organizations such as the UN and The World Food Program have been raising money through donations to cover the costs of the refugees, the World Food Program is asking for $1 donations to restore food vouchers for hungry families in desperate need for help. The World Food Program is reportedly short on the funds required to help the refugees by as much as $600 million and the situation is only getting worse.

I feel that it’s important for people to remain informed about what is going on in the world, how can you judge how the world works or claim to have reasonable opinion if you are not informed about the happenings in the world. It is very sad that these people’s lives are being destroyed but I challenge everyone to take a step farther than simply feeling bad, take action! There are many organizations you can donate as little as $1 and it really does make a difference, even $1 can help feed hungry families and save children’s lives, make a difference! What is the point of living so well in America if others are suffering and you can help them by giving something you won’t even miss? It all becomes very real when you become informed and you see the damage for yourself, challenge yourselves and do something that is bigger than yourself, help a family in need.