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Coverage From Al Jazeera 

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An Israeli student has been stabbed and critically wounded in Jerusalem and another person stabbed in Tel Aviv as tensions between Israelis and Palestinians continue to rise. 

The 25-year-old Yeshiva student was stabbed in his upper body at Ammunition Hill in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday, in the fourth such incident to take place in a 24-hour period, according to local media reports. 

The alleged attacker, a 19-year-old Palestinian from East Jerusalem, was detained by police at the site of the incident.

"Police have him apprehended and he is being questioned," Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told Al Jazeera. 

In a separate incident a female Israeli soldier was stabbed with a screwdriver in Tel Aviv, and the perpetrator was shot dead according to the Israeli military. 

Stabbing attacks

On Wednesday, three similar stabbing attacks were carried out. 

In East Jerusalem's Old City, an Israeli man was reportedly stabbed and injured by Shurooq Dweiyat, a 19-year-old Palestinian woman. The man, who was lightly injured shot and critically injured her. Dweiyat says the Israeli man attacked her. 

Another Palestinian, 20-year-old Amjad Jundi, was shot and killed by police after stabbing an Israeli soldier and attempting to steal his weapon, Israeli police said.

The soldier sustained light injuries. 

In Petah Tikva, a city in central Israel, an Israeli man was stabbed outside a local mall on Wednesday evening. He was in stable condition, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz. 

Police detained the suspected attacker, a Palestinian man from the Hebron area of the West Bank. 

1600 Palestinians injured

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, at least 1,600 Palestinians have been injured since October 3.

The above photos released via JustPasteIt on September 23, 2015, depict the Islamic State's executions of what are alleged to be two individuals spying against the Islamic State. The executions took place in Aleppo, Syria termed Wilayat Halab by the Islamic State. The message which accompanied the photos of the execution described this as a "message in blood" accusing the two blindfolded individuals shown here to be "spies". The message also stated that the two individuals were caught and "interrogated" after which it was apparently determined that the two were conducting espionage against the Islamic State. Additionally, it was also described that a "number of ordinary Muslims attended" the execution.

Background and Current Information

The siege of the Deir Ezzor (also spelled Deir Ezzor, Deir Al-Zor, Dayr Al-Zawr, Der Ezzor) airbase, located in the Deir Ezzor state of eastern Syria, has existed for four years. However, new media and statements from IS show that the group continually tries to overtake the airbase but has not yet been successful. The SAA holds the base and conducts multiple airstrikes and military operations throughout the city of Deir Ezzor and the state itself. Both Syrian military and IS militias continue to clash throughout the city, with reports from SAA that the government staged several successful airstrikes and are beginning to move in liberation of Al-Kanamat, Al-Husseiniyeh, Al-Haweeqa, and Al-Rashidiyah districts inside of Deir Ezzor. 

For information on the SAA and Syrian state involvement in Deir Ezzor:

Syrian forces take eastern city of Deir al-Zour after local rebels quit fighting

Authorities Continue Crackdown on Terrorist Groups in Douma, Deir Ezzor, Hama, Homs and Lattakia

For more information on jihadist groups in Deir Ezzor:

ISIL Seizes Islamic Front’s Positions in Deir Ezzur 

Deir ez-Zour becomes jihadist battlefield

Update 18 January 2016

After a major offensive in Deir Ezzor, the Islamic State kidnapped over 400 civilians northwest of the city. 85 civilians and 50 government forces were killed by the group, in which the attack has called a massacre. Further, Russian air raids, while moving closer to the town of al-Bab, have killed 40 civilians. 

A full TRAC Insight of the 18 and 19 January events can be found here.

Update 19 December 2015

The sighting of Muslim Al Britani in Deir Ezzor shows the Al-Qaeda defector has fully pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. His plight into Deir Ezzor took four months of smuggling from Turkey into Syria, completing the one-year bay'ah of Al Britani. Follow the previous link for pictures depicting his work under Al-Qaeda in the mountains of Waziristan. 

Islamic State fighters are reported to have set off explosions throughout factories in Deir Ezzor, including the paper factory. Earlier in the day, the SAA reportedly fought off an IS attack on the airbase and destroyed two VBIEDs before they could detonate. 

Further, Clashes took place between the regime forces and allied militiamen against IS in the two neighborhoods of al- Hwayqa and al- Sina’ah in the city of Deir Ezzor. 

Update 16 December 2015

Islamic State fighters captured three strategic military points from the SAA in Deir Ezzor. According to reports, IS fighters captured large amounts of ammunition and medium and heavy machine guns. 

Update: 11 November 2015

The Islamic State has released a new statement and photo report about the ongoing siege of Deir Ezzor's airbase. Read the message below and view the photo report here.

Further, the group has released a video dictating "the moment of implementation of the martydom operation that targeted the Syrian Army positions in the East of Deir Ezzor airport." The short video (32 seconds) features a large explosion directed towards SAA forces.

Update: 13 October 2015

Reports surfaced that IS fighters have taken four strategic points in the Deir Ezzor military airbase. 

Contradictory reports have surfaced more recently stating that the SAA has fought off an assault from IS troops. The IS siege lasted from last night until seven in the evening today.

An updated map shows the military and IS movements and territories controlled in Deir Ezzor.

Multiple pictures have surfaced of the Islamic State fighting against the SAA in the wilayat. 

All photos from 13 October 2015.

The below image is reportedly of an SAA soldier, dead. 

Update: 06 October 2015

IS has captured eight fighters who planned to flee from the group and cross the border into Turkey. Five of the fighters are Moroccan, three Tunisian. As a result the Islamic State has closed all borders in Deir Ezzor and imposed a strict curfew for all in the wilayat. The IS-linked Sharia court in the wilayat is expected to hand down a ruling next week as interrogations continue at the moment. According to reports, dozens of IS members, mostly foreign fighters, have deserted the group and fled into Turkey after witnessing the treatment of prisoners through the group's dynamics. In an attempt to keep fighters, IS is giving new members free electricity and tax exemptions inside of Wilayat Khayr. 

Update: 05 October 2015

Image uploaded via Twitter

Reports also surfaced saying that IS commander Farooq Sakr Abo Akarma has been killed by the SAA. New airstrikes have been reported but it is not discerned whether the strikes came from the regime or from Russia. The Islamic State has lost anywhere from 15-30 militants, reported widely from different sources. 

Update: 24 September 2015

Islamic State holds Eid prayers in Deir Ezzor to a crown of what appears to be 75-100 people

Notice the Islamic State flag hanging in the alter in the foreground.

Islamic State fighter goes into Mosque.

Update: 23 September 2015

Russia's Aid and Effects

Russian satellite imagery has helped the SAAF (Syrian Arab Air Force) strike more efficiently on IS targets, helping the Syrian army regain lost ground. SAAF strikes destroyed an estimated six armored vehicles and killed 40 IS combatants thanks to updates imagery provided by Russian support. Among IS dead include Khaled al-Ayash, Asaad Mohammad al-Ayash, Yazan Mohammad al-Ayash, Ahmad al-Shouk and Izz-Eddin al-Moheimid, forces reported.

SAA regained Jabal Jazal earlier today, and now surrounds Palmyra. It took two weeks to regain Jabal Jazal from an IS offensive movement. The SAA has taken full advantage of a slow-moving IS and recaptured Tal SyriaTel, a small area located west of Palmyra's gates. 

Chinese Intervention in Syria

Reports surfaced Tuesday morning that a Chinese naval vessel traveled through the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean. The Arab Source reports that Chinese military personnel are expected to arrive in Syria within six weeks. Russia, unlike the U.S., is not seeking help from fellow Arab states in the region, instead turning to ally China. The newly elected Xi administration has flaunted its closeness with Russia, adding this to the states' relationship. The addition of Chinese armed forces on the ground to the Russian forces already there is a strikingly different policy than the U.S., which has encountered difficulty training and maintaining rebels to fight against both IS and the Assad regime. The Chinese vessel and peronnel are expected to dock in the port city of Tartous in six weeks time. 

Update: 22 September 2015

The Russian Effect

The SAA has received reconnaissance and combat aviation materials from regional ally Russia in addition to more arms and ammunition, in a move from Syria's long-standing ally. This is another showing of Russia working with the Assad regime who, with ally Iran, constitute Russia's two largest allies in the region. Raqqa has also received Russian assistance in the fight against the Islamic State strongholds in the two cities. Moscow has sent at least five combat aircraft to the under-manned and under-equipped SAA to increase sophistication of weapons and materials in the fight against IS. 

For More on First Photos of Russian troops in Syria 

US/Russia Now Share Same Air Space

This means that the United State and Russia are now flying in the same airspace, both against the Islamic State, but differing in views of the continued support of the Assad regime. Russia envisions the possibility of further military involvement and even intervention from its Mediterranean base located in Syria. 

ISIS Losses

The Islamic State is also rumored to have lost 60 combatants in the past 24 hours as SAA assault continue on IS strongholds in Deir Ezzor, specifically in Al-Hasakah. 

Islamic State Actions in Deir Ezzor

Shaytat Tribe and SAA

The increased attacks on Deir Ezzor indicate that IS has taken care of its problem confronting the Shaytat Tribesman in the east. On 14 September 2015 the group began pulling its troops from the city to combat the tribesman, allowing the SAA to pummel the group with little resistance. IS has generally had strong ties with the tribes and clans in Syria, however the Shaytat tribe wreaked havoc on IS-controlled cities of Mohassan, Abukamaal, and Al-Mayadeen. 

IS Hold on City's Infrastructure 

IS, as of 20 September 2015, has banned WiFi and charges households, commercial enterprises, and private companies monthly fees for the use of landlines in the area. Speculation leads to the conclusion that the execution of 22 year-old woman who had anti-IS conversations through messaging app WhatsApp. Banning WiFi, a requirement for WhatsApp conversations taking place across borders, and taking control of landlines demonstrates IS's need to control information flow into and out of the region in addition to strategic monitoring of conversations. 

Islamic State Propaganda on Deir Ezzor

Multiple pictures and videos of the assault and its aftermath have surfaced, including members of SAA and IS militias, occurring at the high frequency noted across the IS organization.

The two videos below show SAA airstrikes against IS bases in Deir Ezzor.

The video below is IS propaganda to stir fervor for the siege and takeover of Deir Ezzor airbase.

Combat Photos from September 2015

The above two images (21 September 2015) show IS rebels in the attack on Deir Ezzor: Militants claim to have attacked several strategic points.

The above two images are members of the SAA, Syria's military (21 September 2015). 

The above two images show casualties from shaitat/NDF fighters (16 September 2015).

Executions

Further, rebel militants have executed a SAA soldier point-blank with a shotgun in a show of power and control, shown in the photo set below (21 September 2015). 

Official Statement

The Islamic State has also released a statement on 16 September 2015 that it failed again to take Deir Ezzor airbase, however fighting continues throughout the city and airbase in an IS attempt to gain control form the Syrian military. 

Previous Activity May 2015

Islamic State activity in the region is not new, May 9, 2015 IS photo report on Deir Ezzor, shows various shoulder fired weapons being used to attack APC vehicles in combat.  (click here for complete report).  By May 11, the Islamic State released a video already declaring victory.

He will replace longtime leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, who the Talibanacknowledged Thursday had died. The council named Omar's replacement Wednesday, Geo News reported.

Mansour formerly headed the council, also known as the Quetta Shura, which is composed of longtime leaders who direct the Taliban's operations from Pakistan's Balochistan province, according to the Jamestown Foundation, a global research and analysis group.

According to the U.N. Security Council sanctions list, Mansour previously was the Taliban's minister of civil aviation and transportation and is considered "a prominent member of the Taliban leadership."

"He was repatriated to Afghanistan in September 2006 following detention in Pakistan. He is involved in drug trafficking and was active in the provinces of Khost, Paktia and Paktika in Afghanistan as of May 2007. He was also the Taliban 'Governor' of Kandahar as of May 2007," the U.N. document said.

He was an active recruiter in the Taliban's fight against the Afghan government, and before his appointment as Omar's deputy in 2010, he was chief of military affairs for a regional Taliban military council that oversees operations in Nimruz and Helmand provinces, the United Nations said.

The acknowledgment that Omar had died, made in a statement released by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, came a day after Afghanistan's government announced the reclusive Islamic cleric had died in 2013.

Following the announcement, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the upcoming Afghan-Taliban peace talks, slated to begin Friday in Pakistan, would be held at a later date.

"In view of the reports regarding the death of (Mullah) Omar and the resulting uncertainty, and at the request of the Afghan Taliban leadership, the second round of the Afghan peace talks, which was scheduled to be held in Pakistan on 31 July 2015, is being postponed," the ministry's statement said.

The Taliban's statement on Omar's death, in the Pashto language, called him "the late leader of the faithful."

It did not confirm when or where he died, but did say that he died of an illness. It also claimed that Omar had not once left Afghanistan -- even for neighboring Pakistan -- since the U.S.-led invasion of 2001.

Haseeb Sediqi, spokesman for Afghanistan's intelligence service, said Wednesday that Omar had died in a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, in April 2013.

Sediqi said that Afghanistan's intelligence service -- the National Directorate of Security -- was aware of Omar's death long ago and had conveyed that information to the country's parliament.

The Taliban statement added that three days of mourning would be observed for Omar.

The latest developments come weeks after the Afghan government held its first face-to-face talks with Taliban representatives in an attempt to work toward a peace process.

In a statement on Omar's death, a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said the government was optimistic about the talks "and thus calls on all armed opposition groups to seize the opportunity and join the peace process."

White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz could not confirm Omar's death but said the administration believed the reports were credible. Schultz said the intelligence community was looking into the reports.

The elusive leader had not appeared in public since the Taliban regime's overthrow in Afghanistan 14 years ago and made no video or authenticated audio statements in that time.

Under Omar's leadership, the Taliban offered haven to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, precipitating the U.S. military action in Afghanistan after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

That led to a Taliban insurgency that continues to this day, even as U.S. and other NATO troops are drawing down their numbers in Afghanistan.

The U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan ended last year, leaving the Afghan military to lead the fight against the Taliban. The thousands of NATO troops that remain in Afghanistan are there in a training and support role.

This is the largest release of several prison breaks that have freed Yemeni militants. Narratives as to exactly how the break happened vary. It is not clear how many of the prisoners were Al-Qaeda suspects. A local official said the prisoners were able to leave amid heavy clashes between AQAP fighters and army units loyal to former president Saleh who supports the Houthi rebellion. The Houthis entered the city in March in their advance into the south. A security official claimed that forces linked to Saleh had allowed the prisoners to escape as the Al-Qaeda-linked forces, called "popular commitees" advanced. These groups may be of both AQAP fighters and local Sunni tribal fighters who have joined forces to combat the Houthis. One official said: "Heavy fighting took place near the central prison and the popular committees approached and seized control of the area, but Saleh's forces opened the prison doors."

The man pictured above from the video resembles and may be one of the executioners from IS' first mass-beheading video, "Even if the Disbelievers Dislike It." (TRAC INSIGHT, Nov '14)

Select quotations: “[Hamas is] raising their children to respect this [Palestinian] flag.”

“The rule of Shariah will be implemented in Gaza, in spite of you. We swear that what is happening in the Levant today, and in particular the Yarmouk camp, will happen in Gaza."