>> all the days sports. the sports under the shadow of doping allegations. >> the white house said that the white hous second in response has been killed. police believe he was involved in directing the group's operations. what else are they saying about the airstrike.

>> the two names that they mentioned who they say is second in command, and also the second was killed, a media operative. they said that they were targeted, and near mosul by an u.s. bomb. now they're specifically highlighting thi them because they were responsible for coordinating the movement of weapons and people between iraq an in mosul. it was widely believed he was killed in september of 2014. they said they were taking the leadership off the battlefield. they went back to the spokesman for the chairman and said how could this be? they said well, the chairman

didn't get the names. the unnamed defense officials. they were talking about the number of leaders being killed. what is clear is that they're saying once again they were killing this high ranking operative, and once again they're saying that it will have an impact. >> what is the general view on capitol hill about the effecti effectiveness of the strategy and the progress they're making in defeating isil. >> they're really beginning to be louder calls o. but the broader question is what is beneath the pivot of the strongest point of the plan. they need to train moderate fighters, who they could take the fight to islamic state in iraq and the levant, but they have to find people who want to find isil. they're having a hard time finding those people.

a year into the training program they've only trained 54 of them. it was disastrous, and wildly seen as captured by the al nusra front. they admit that they're problems with that. but when people say, especially recommendation say there is no strategy, their defense is that it is going to take time. this is not going to be solve in a year or two, but they believe that not only the iraqi army, but syria and rebel fighters will be able to defeat the islamic state in iraq and the levant. joining us now from the iraqi capital of baghdad by skype i, what do we know about the role they played within isil? >> well, i'veen speaking to iraqis who have information or insight into the inner workings

in the organization. they do have contacts within mosul. they can confirm that a high-ranking mobile has been killed. this is what the contact underground has been telling them. but they cannot confirm who. now a well-known figure, a high ranking member of saddam's army, and he is in charge of isil's military operations in iraq. he's also a member of the council, so this is an influential man, if, indeed, he was killed. now whether or not this is a blow, definitely it is a blow, but will isil be able to replace him? we do know that isil's predecessor really, born from the al-qaeda in iraq organization, which lost a lot of leaders. what we understand is that it learned from the past, and it's

making sure that if they lose a leader, the structure of the organization will not fall apart. but like i mentioned he was a high-ranking figure. he was also an iraqi. he's from mosul. he knows the area. he has military skills, he knows the people of the area, and in one way or another it gives him or gives the organization some legitimacy. yes, isil has lost a lot of support, but being an iraqi, knowing the people in the area gives them some legitimacy. he knows how to deal with them. but at the end of the day isil still controls mosul. it's iraq's second largest city. it is deeply entrenched in mosul. and it regulates everything in the city. it regulates what people wear, when shops open. they tell people how to live their lives. we understand hundreds of thousands of people still live there. killing or getting rid of a

military commander undoubtedly a blow to isil. still isil controls territory, and mosul has been controlled for over a year and just months ago mosul was able to take control of anbar province in iraq. not much progress on the ground, but this is a blow to organization in which top leaders all share the same cleanses, people who are iraqi. people who spent time in u.s. jails. people what people saw as occupation, and people who managed to gain support among soonies. >> thank you very much putting it in perspective for us from iraq's capital of baghdad. meanwhile, th there has been damage by airstrikes as well.

according to a statement the iraqi air force strikes caused heavy losses in men and equipment, and it's unclear when the airstrikes were carried out. meanwhile fighters from the islamic state in iraq and the levant have also destroyed an one and a half thousand moneta monastery. located in a village near homs, it was once home to amongst who farmed the local countryside until the end of the 17th century. we can now speak to the senior fellow for american progress. he join us by skype. thank you very much for taking the time to speak to us. >> let me start by getting your

reaction to isil's second in command, how much of a blow has this dealt to the group? >> i think it has dealt a blow psychologically and strategi strategically. it shows that the strategy of the united states and 57 partners is working, and strategically not only is he the number two person, but he was in charge of the war in iraq, and he's a former al-qaeda operative. >> there have been reports in the past of his death. how difficult is it to identify who is targeted in these airstrikes? how do you explain these conflicting reports. >> i think it shows that we have good intelligence on the ground, whether it's the free syrian army or the people we've just trained, and maybe they're getting it from air reconnaissance, but the fact is that the white house did confirm it. when the first reports came out people said well, we heard a lot of this before.

but the fact that the white house not only confirmed it, but said exactly where it occurred and how it occurred shows that they had very good intelligence, and i would say this is a sign that the strategy of the united states and it's allies is beginning to work. >> is this a scenario that isil would have been prepared for, the group has demonstrated it's ability to overcome the set backs quickly by simply th replacing the high ranking figures that were killed. >> there is no doubt that they have done this in the past and have replaced them. again the people who come in are not as good as the ones that go. we may hav the fact of the matter is that the new recruits are not as nearly as effective on the battlefield. don't forget this number two man. he was responsible for them getting mosul.

>> and just give us a bit of context around the characters, the past experience, and the role that he played within the group. >> well, as i mentioned, he had that experience of fighting th the united states in iraq. and once the defensive was launched a year ago, he knew enough about iraq to help capture mosul, which is a surprise give the number of troops we had there, and the equipment that they had.

and i think the fact that it also i think sent a message to some other people who are thinking they better join isil or al nusra group, they better be careful because it doesn't look like these people are on the ascendancy. >> moving now to syria. 15 people have been killed in air raids in eastern aleppo. the plane targeted the town located in the countryside. it's currently under isil control and is a regular target for government forces. well, syria's conflict is still no closer to a resolution, and the international community is accused of not doing enough to bring it to an end. the severes say that they're still waiting for justice. we have this story and a warning

that many may find the images upsetting. >> the death and the dying. there was no blood on their bodies. no visible injuries. the attack was different from what syrians had seen before. >> it was seconds when i lost my ability for speech. i was not able to breathe, so i had to pound my chest really hard to be able to take a single breath. >> he survived, hundreds of others didn't. two years later he has a new life in the united states. but he remembers that day clearly. dozens of people, men, women,

children, running and falling on the ground, suffocating, the terror, the confusion, it was unbearable. i just didn't know what to do. >> at the time he was a photographer working in syria. he wanted to document the evidence of a crime he believed the world should see. >> i asked about what i needed to know. he showed me. >> even though he has covered the war for many years, he said that he can't forget what he saw that day. >> for me to see a dead body with the blood, it's normal. when you see them, you think about the first thing that you think--you realize that after one or two seconds you realize what is going on.

>> there was an ex-dud where he would film people who continued to live under siege. since the establishes tried to raise awareness. he said that it has all been in vain. >> i felt like i did nothing. i feel like after all this talking, all the people that i met, not just me, but thousands of syrians here felt like there is no hope. >> the u.n. concluded that sarin was used in the attack, but did not have a mandate to accuse anyone. the attacks before 2014 won't be included i in, denying people of justice. >> joining us is ambassador david mack. thank you very much for speaking

to us. two years after the compel weapons attack in syria, there seems to be very little accountability when it comes to attacks, and the indiscriminate use. is that likely to change any time soon? >> i don't think it's going to change right away. the sad reality for syria is that there is overall agreement among almost all syrian factions and among almost all ex-personal governments that this so-called islamic state represents a really serious danger. on the other hand, when you get beyond that you find virtually every party has a different group that it views with suspicion. for the turks they will view the kurds with great suspicion, including the syrian kurdish groups. for some syrians, they view other rebel groups.

then you have groups, and i think its possible to see an evolution of agreement among the external powers in particular that we need to resume some kind of negotiations between syrian parties, working between some sort of political agreement that would involve the maintenance of syrian state institutions, but bashar al-assad to step down and the political evolution. >> is there any kind of evidence of that? do you see a tangible track leading in that direction? what is your cement o

--assessment of the commitment between russi russia's regime. >> russia won't have much choice in the matter if there is current agreement between russia and the united states and other world powers on this point. and it will help, obviously, if the nuclear agreement goes through because iran is going to be pre-occupied elsewhere. and i don't think its interest in syria is going to be sustained at the same level. the important thing, of course, is that there needs to be an agreement amongst some of the syrian factions. there is no longer a possibility of military victory. assad government is equally true for the rebel groups, they need outside backing.

they can get outside backing for political agreement. and key development is an agreement between turkey and the united states to include a safe zone, inside territory across from tou turkish territory. inside jordanian safe territory. this will provide ways in which syrians can find refuge, seek humanitarian assistance without simply going across the border and creating new kinds of humanitarian problems. we all need to be concerned about the humanitarian situation of syrian people. >> that's the bottom line, isn't it. thank you very much, it was very interesting to talk with you, david mack. we appreciate it. >> you're welcome.

>> still so much more to come on the al jazeera news hour. ordering the military to be ready for war as tensions with south korea escalate even further. is this property deal, is it really up for sale? find out what are the surprises next door. and the contender get back on track ahead of the belgium grand prix. >> a gunman has shot and wounded three people on a high speed train going to paris before being overpowered by passengers. the man open fired on the train on friday. it's not clear what his motive was. france's anti-terror police are investigating. the french interior minister is

investigating what took place. >> since we are to respect the rules of the inquiries. i'm asking everybody to be cars regarding the reports of the identity and profile of the individual who has been arrested, and who is now in custody. >> scenes of chaos on the border between greece and macedonia as thousands of refugees try to make their way further north. many are fleeing war in syria and iraq. they've traveled through turkey and into greece. some of them making shorter journeys by sea to avoid european borders. others countries have moved to, many refugees moving through

libya to reach lampedusa. many more have died in the attempt. some continue their journey deeper into europe. well, this is a scene in calais in northern france. around 3,000 people have been camped there trying to cross the channel into the u.k. we have more now on the situation in mas macedonia. >> in no man's land waiting to cross the border between greece and macedonia. but their passage was blocked by wright police. rocks were flown, and then this, smoke filling the air with police using some grenades to try to keep some people out. and the ensuing chaos there was panic. most refugees here have escaped conflict, and few would have expected this. [ yelling ]

>> later more frustration and fear as numbers built up at the border. it was opened for a short time and then quickly closed again. leaving the crowd desperate to be allowed through. but the heat and the crush was too much for some. tens of thousands of people have crossed through macedonia's borders heading north. too many authorities declared a state of emergency in two border regions. most want to try to reach serbia, hungary, and other parts of europe. while the border is still being so closely guarded many will have to stay and wait wherever they can on the greek side. >> there are hundreds of persons. some are babies. some with medical needs.

most of them if not all of them stay in the open air. we do appeal to the authorities to take all necessary measures to address the humanitarian needs of those on the borderline. >> macedonia said that it will allow refugees to enter in numbers it can cope and care for, but by bolstering it's borders the country may create a backlog of desperate men, women and children knowing where they can go next knowing that they can't go home. >> greece's main opposition party tried to form a new government. it follows the resignation of alexis tsipras as it called for new members. we have reports from athens. >> the second election in a year

appeals for alexis tsipras. >> maybe they'll be able to do better. we expected a different deal, but he tried very hard. >> most greeks, however, want more stability. >> it's a bad idea. we're voting every six months. that suggests something deeply wrong with the political system and it especially effects those of white house are unemployed. we believed in tsipras. did he not stick to his promises, and if a politician can't do that, it's better if he doesn't stand. >> seven months of negotiations resulted in a third bailout loan accompanied by strict austerity measures. the long period of uncertainty allowed the economy to slide back into recession despite an outlook of growth this year. they used to count the rich and

famous among his 800 clients. he has now given up his busine business. >> tsipras is trying to escape. they promised much and delivered nothing. they said they would abolish the tax and it was all grandstanding. then they did what they were told. >> tsipras resignation has started a many to breakaway and create anti-austerity party. the conservatives want to break of those who lie near the political center. pro austerit austerity parties including syriza include seats in the 300 seat legislature.

the venture seems ambitious. >> it seems that in just a few years, those who want it to return to its leftest roots, want it to unravel even faster. the appeal of the alexis tsipras is less, they're less likely to succeed. >> why the u.n. is forced to cut life-saving health programs for people in iraq. and the eruption of a volcano in equ in ecuador, and the rematch in the men's tennis final.

>> we're here to fully get into the nuances of everything that's going on, not just in this country, but around the world. getting the news from the people who are affected. >> people need to demand reform... >> ali velshi on target weeknights 10:30p et >> welcome back. you're with the al jazeera news

hour. the white house said that it has killed the second in demand of the islamic state in iraq and the levant during u.s. military airstrikes on tuesday. 15 people were killed in air rides over eastern aleppo. and hundreds of refugees have washed up on border fences to enter greece. al jazeera is with hundreds of migrants gathered on the greek side of the border with macedonia. we have this update. >> more than 3,000 refugees here at the border within greece and macedonia will spend another night outside. these people were not born--they don't have enough of their own problems, another one showed up. just a few minutes ago the signers started, and another fun

night inight for these people. the border expected the boats from athens for two and a half thousand refugees, who will eventually come here. macedonia police announced that they will not allow any crossings tonight, and then they will reopen the border tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. the priority for crossing the border will be for women and children, and then everybody else. they'll allow people to cross the border at every two hours. but crossing the border at this camp is very difficult. they don't have enough food, they don't have enough water. many will spend the night out in the open, and many have been here for more than two weeks.

>> last month around 80% of health programs provided by the u.n. and it's partners were forced to close. the reason, it was not able to raise the half billion dollars required to fund services which is described as devastating and inexplicable. among those effected half million children will now not be able to be vaccinated against diseases. >> at the hospital they dole out medical care and dispense help. living in a city of violence. while this government-run facility is cleaner and better stocked than many other

hospitals and clinics in iraq's capital it is not inmenu to the crisis spreading through a healthcare system here considered decade and diseased. the shortage of supplies and well-trained staff is nothing new in iraq, but things are getting worse. even storing medicines at the right temperature is difficult. the medication stored inside here must stay constantly refrigerated. that's why these cooling units have to keep working. and this is during a time there are so many power cuts that this hospital and others are relying on back up generators. back inside patients find on a relatively slow day wait times are long. >> if i had critical condition and needed immediate surgery, i would need a month to get my turn, and that's not practical at all. >> going to a private hospital would be far too expensive for

this couple. the ministry of health isn't the only institution in the country struggling to deliver medical aid. the united nations recentlily announced a funding gap forcing front line health services in iraq to shut down. 1million people are affected. >> it means that all the kids who are going to be immunized are not going to be immunized. all the pregnant people who need birth, before birth and after, they're not going to receive that assistance. >> 3 million people are displaced inside iraq. >> when you're in a clinic that yesterday was yesterday was providing antibiotics and today is closed because we don't have the funding, you have nothing but shame. you're ashamed. >> another blow to a country whose people needs more help, but are receiving less and less. al jazeera. >> tensions are building between

north and south kia after an exchange of fire on the border. kikim jong-un has until saturday afternoon to hotel messages or face military actions. the message being conveyed is a personal command of the situation as north and south korea engaged in one of the pore readyic face offs. >> the military should be led to further provocations. i want to you take action first rand then report later. >> it followed a late night meetings of the central military commission in which kim jong-un brought front line areas into a quasi war state and commanders to launch surprise attacks

against the south. >> the general staff greed that the enemy's army saying that the korean people's army would lead a strong reaction within 48 hours. >> south korea started broadcasts of propaganda three weeks ago for the first time in 11 years in response to earlier this month on the other side of the demil demilitarized zone. the closest civilian area to where south korea says the first north korean project tile was fired on thursday. hundreds of people were to do it to leave their homes in the border, and here the advisory is still in place. >> north korea's provocation is

likely to continue, so we're advising residents to stay in shelters. there are some who went out mostly to carry out their daily business, but we advise them to come back to the shelter this afternoon. >> it's mostly the elderly and the young who stay inside. >> leaving in this area i've seen many drills and heard explosions, the sound was louder and there was an announcement asking them to evacuate, compared to the past, i'm more concerned. >> seeking shelter is more difficult. north korea had been firing at propaganda carrying balloons launched by activists. they said that if an attack follows there would be a counterattack.

>> in thailand, back cock residents, officials, all came to pay respects of the bombing. the defense rulers in russ russia, accused of killing two russian television journalists, their lawyers want the trial moved from the ukrainian border to moscow. >> the manhunt for two art thieves. the man with the broken nose was stolen from a leading copenhagen museum on the 16th of

july. two men are suspected of stealing in broad daylight. the bust is worth $1,800,000. ecuador's government has banned approaching a volcano that has erupted. it's considered to be one of the most dangerous volcanos in the world. journalists say that the ban is one of many restrictions on ecuador. >> after 31 years, he now watches every word he says on air afraid his radio station will be fined by the government. >> we have to publish exactly as they send it to us. with their vision on the issues. that includes everything.

>> their station could even lose it's operating license given by the government if they anger the president. >> they're shameless, sick, psychopaths, manipulative and dishonest. >> he does not trust the private media and constantly lashes out against it. private tv station has eliminated investigative reports on corruption to avoid the president's criticism and prevent punishment. >> it's not that you violate the law and you're punished, you are punished even if you violate the law. >> since it's creation the law has gone after and fined 143 news organizations. only one of them is public.

the rest are private. any information aired or publish is subject to scrutiny by a panel named by the government. a government-sponsored media said, the end game now is to make journalism independent, rigorous and responsible. >> there isn't any persecution. obviously the private media dislikes the control over content. the law does not prohibit publishing information, but if you want to publish, you have to do it well. >> critics say that the communications is what helps to improve the quality of journalism. ned, they say community radios and small radios are disappearing or are being used by propaganda as tools for the government. >> they were forced to close. the regulations means that their

outlets can be discredited or immediately punished, even if they can prove they're telling the truth. al jazeera. >> in qualit guatemala. >> former vice president has been arrested in allegations of a bribery ring. >> on a piece of prime reality in istanbul, and it can only be turned into a cultural facility. >> a crumbling former home of one of communism's great

revolutionists. he arrived here in 1929. now his former refuge on an island near istanbul is now up for sale for $4.4 million. but in a twist that might make an old communist smile whoever buy this is prime real estate won't be able to use it as a private home. >> the owners want to restore the private assess dent but then future years ago it was designated as a public facility. >> it's estimated a restoration would cost around $1 million. >> trotsky chose this place because it gave him security from moscow. he spent four years in turkey before traveling further through europe and on into mexico. it was there trotsky was murdered with an ice pick, on

stalin's orders. >> trotsky was not the kind of person to get upset. but we should be upset at the state of this beautiful mansion. trotsky did consider coming back. he writes upon my return. i'm sure if he did come back and saw it in this state he would be saddened. >> they have changed little list trotsky. but elsewhere in the world life has moved on. trotsky's house soon will disappear. bernard smith, al jazeera, istanbul. >> coming up for you on al jazeera. >> welcome, welcome. enjoy. >> could it really be that bad?

the theme park disneyland opens its doors to the public. and in sport a bonus for one golfer on the european tour.

>> welcome back. now the british street artists banksy has unveiled his first major show in six years. converting an open swimming pool into an installation called

dismal land. >> the castle looks vaguely familiar. the attractions are reminiscent of the british seaside. but the creators say that this is a family theme park unsuitable for children, and the themes there tweak the comic and are thought provoking. it is revealed to be the aftermath of a catastrophic civil emergency. in another room a grim reaper rides a car to upbeat music. on the side toy boats on models of stricken migrant ships. with no hope of reaching manned. the theme parks should have bigger themes. it comes to the bigger household name artist. they tend to be the one sticking the next out. for the political message. a lot more than other artists.

>> banksy is the headline artist, but other works here with commercial dilapidat dilapidated--locals were told it was used as a hollywood film set. but it's local residents were given exclusive access, the reaction has been unanimously positive. >> i've been around quite a bit. some surreal is the opening word for it: some of the righters are scary on. >> going down hill a bit. >> banksy made his name, groundbreaking artwork in the

palestinian territories helped propel him to worldwide fame. his last show in 2009 was a smash hit. and dismal land is expected to draw crowds here to western disneyland. this is far more than a shot in the arm for a run down seaside resort. this is an unsettled commentary on society's values. it includes the minds. the show will run until decemb december 27th. >> thank you very much. despite our outgoing world athletics, con citiesing of the sport. it still has quite a bit credibility. it has been dominated by all the

talk around doping allegations, and the show piece sees six-time champion usain bolt. >> the final hours before a world championship, outside of the olympics there is no bigger stage for an athlete to perform on. >> this is the most intense ar area. sometimes you don't feel like you're talking to anybody. you have to concentrate on a target. >> in beijing such talk is secondary to debates over doping. allegations of widespread problems could hardly come at a worse time for a sport struggling for audience share and sponsors. the outgoing head of athletics

are forced to deny that the iaaf tried to hide evidence of tests. >> i think this is just sensational journalism that is trying to take advantage of the situation. >> usain bolt has never failed a drug test, but finds himself at the moral center of the issue. in the spring he'll be taking on rival justin gatlin. he has recorded fast times this year, but he is an athlete who served two bans for doping. his teammates are still standing by him. >> he's just doing his job. i'm happy for him. you know, that's a huge problem. people keep bringing it up and focusing on that when there are tons of other great athletes that represent usa.

>> one race highlights why this issue can't be brushed aside. of the ten women who finished the 1800 meters final at the london olympics, three has since had their results squashed for doping offenses. >> what we're seeing now is the demonstration of an unfortunately thing. i think those sorts of situations are unfortunate to see in our sport. >> the right to restore credibility are either in the viewing public, and will be every bit of important as the race for gold in beijing. >> the first event on the world championships schedule in a few hours time is the men's marathon. as always, the athletes will have beijing's air pollution to deal with. >> well, beijing's reputation for smoke is well deserved.

we see pictures like this coming out of the chinese capital on a regular basis, but these are wintertime pictures. during the summer months beijing's air quality is no worse than many other cities in the northern hemisphere. the air pollution levels were very low, indeed. yes over the weekend those levels will rise into the moderate area. i suspect for most athletes that's not going to be a major problem. the winds are going to be quite variable. we could get air coming in from surrounding areas, but for the athletes taking part in the marathon, the main concern are the temperatures well into the 20s. it looks like the weather is going to be nice and comfortably low. >> djokovic has booked his place in the finals. in a rematch of the finals. djokovic, who lost is bidding to

become the first player to play al in his career. djokovic cruised to a straight set victory. the quickest in practice head of sunday's grand prix. the driver did not have a perfect day. also the suffering on one of the circuit's fastest corners. they're still able to go quicker than the teammates, and world championship leaders in both sessions. hamilton is 21 points ahead in the title standing. australia are in dominant position after the fifth and final test on the back of 143. australia all odds for 481, while england were in all sorts of trouble on 102-8.

>> it would have been nice to have a day like this. >> all time greats, aiming to add to the 38th career test match century, and had you had get the chance to bat again. sri lanka in reply tipped's 396. one of the best goals you're likely to see have come at football tournaments in estonia. they have been playing for france. and definitely were caught unaware. professional golfer in denmark has had an event likely

to remember for the rest of his life. a birdie on the 16th hole at the european event. he celebrated by drawing out his girlfriend from the crowd, getting down on one knee and asking her hand in marriage. and she said yes. that's it for me. >> thank you very much. now, italy's civil aviation authority has suspended the license of a helicopter pilot who dropped roses o on the funeral of a mafia boss. the funeral featured the music from "the godfather," and a gilded horse-drawn carriage carrying his casket. you can find more on everything we're covering on our website. the address for that is www.aljazeera.com. that's it for me for now, but i'll be back after a very short break.

>> could normalization change cuba forever? >> i'm afraid for cuba. >> we ask cubans about their hopes and fears. >> i would love to see my business grow into a transnational company.

>> a blow against isil. hedge, i'm maryam nemazee. coming up, two years on from the chemical attacks that shocked the world. thousands of refugees are pushed back as they try to cross the border from greece to macedonia. anand alexis