BAGHDAD (AP) — The Islamic State rakes in up to $50 million a month from selling crude from oilfields under its control in Iraq and Syria, part of a well-run industry that U.S. diplomacy and airstrikes have so far failed to shut down, according to Iraqi intelligence and U.S. officials.
Oil sales — the extremists' largest single source of continual income — are a key reason they have been able to maintain their rule over their self-declared "caliphate" stretching across large parts of Syria and Iraq. With the funds to rebuild infrastructure and provide the largesse that shore up its fighters' loyalty, it has been able to withstand ground fighting against its opponents and more than a year of bombardment in the U.S.-led air campaign.
JERUSALEM (AP) — For the first time in weeks of escalating violence, Israel allowed Muslims of all ages to enter Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site to perform Friday prayers in an apparent bid to ease tensions.
Earlier Friday, a Palestinian stabbed a soldier in the West Bank and was shot by troops, Israel's military said. The soldier and the Palestinian — a 16-year-old, according to Israeli media reports — were wounded and evacuated to hospitals.
