Judy Woodruff:
The president replied by saying: “At one point, I retaliate, and it will not be pretty.”
In turn, McCain said: “I faced more difficult opponents.”
In Afghanistan, Taliban bombings and shots left at least 74 people dead today. The worst was the province of Paktika to the east, where two bombs by car killed dozens, including the provincial police chief, and injured more than 100. Taliban activists also organized attacks in the south and west of the country.
In Syria, the militia forces supported by the United States say that it has taken over the de facto capital of the Islamic State group. The city of Raqqa has been under the control of the Islamic State since 2014. The battle to recover it began in June. Today, the fighters led by Kurdish celebrated as they moved to the city center. The US military said 90% Raqqa had been taken, with remaining pockets of activists.
There is a word that US air strikes in Yemen killed dozens of Islamic State fighters on Monday. The strikes have apparently been carried out by drones. The Pentagon claims that the targets were training camps for recruits.
In northern Iraq, Kurdish forces have withdrawn from more territory today, while Iraqi government troops were advancing. He came to the heels of the Kurds’ vote for independence. The federal forces and the Allied militia had already forced the Kurds to leave the area in and around Kirkuk and its oil fields.
The Iraqi Prime Minister said it opened the way for talks.
