Page 150 - War Conflict
Rwanda 'a family again', 25 years after genocide: Kagame
President Paul Kagame said Sunday that Rwandans had become a family again, 25 years after more than 800,000 people were slaughtered in a genocide that shocked the world. Kagame lit a remembrance flame at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where more than 250,000 mainly Tutsi victims are believed to be buried, as the country began its annual 100 days of mourning that coincides with the length of the slaughter. "In 1994, there was no hope, only darkness," said Kagame, at the Kigali Convention Centre, a dome-shaped auditorium in the centre of the capital, a modern building emblematic of the regeneration of Rwanda. "Today, light radiates from this place ... How did it happen? Rwanda became a family once again," he added. "The arms of our people, intertwined, constitute the pillars of our nation. We hold each other up. "Our bodies and minds bear amputations and scars, but none of us is alone. Together, we have woven the tattered threads of our unity into a new tapestry." The genocidal Hutu ...
Christchurch mosque terror attacks were second September 11, says Imam Gamal Fouda
The 'imam' of one of the mosques here that survived back to back shootings last month called the terror attack a "second September 11.""I call the attacks in Christchurch second September 11 [,2001]. It is going to be a turning point to change the world," Imam Gamal Fouda of Al Noor told Anadolu Agency on Sunday."The first person, who came to [New Zealand] from overseas to show kindness and support and gave condolences to the community, was Vice President of Turkey [Fuat Oktay] and Foreign Minister [Mevlut Cavusoglu]," Fouda said while referring to state visits made from Turkey in the wake of the Christchurch attack."And next day, I met with them at the hotel, next morning they came to families and they offered condolences and they called President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and President Erdogan talked to people and offered condolences. That was something people needed," the Imam was quoted as saying.Fifty people were gunned down during the March 15 twin terror attacks at Al Noor and ...
Libya clashes persist as UN truce window passes: UN, rescuers
Fighting raged south of Libya's capital on Sunday, emergency workers and the United Nations said, despite the UN's call for a two-hour humanitarian truce for civilians and the wounded to flee. "There was no truce, but we are still hoping for a positive response" from the warring parties, said Jean Alam, a spokesman for the UN's Libya mission. Emergency services spokesman Oussama Ali said: "So far our teams have not been able to enter" the battle zones.
Bangladesh deploys border guards to island near Myanmar
Bangladesh on Sunday deployed heavily-armed border guards to an island near its southern border with Myanmar for the first time in 20 years, officials said. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) distributed images showing dozens of troops carrying assault rifles disembarking at Saint Martin's island, a small island in the Bay of Bengal that has caused diplomatic tensions between the neighbours. The BGB said the troop deployment was part of "regular activities" to ensure border protection and curb drug trafficking. But the force's lieutenant colonel, Sarker Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman, told AFP it was the first time since 1997 their men had landed there. "After more than 20 years we felt we should deploy," he said. The deployment comes just two months after Bangladesh's foreign ministry summoned Myanmar's ambassador in Dhaka to protest the inclusion of Saint Martin inside their territory in some maps printed inside the Southeast Asian country. He was also summoned in October last year, after a .
ITBP jawans foils Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh
The road opening party (ROP) of 27th battalion of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) thwarted a Naxal attack in Fadki area here on Sunday, said police.A soldier, Shrinivas, who discovered the IEDs sustained minor injuries in a remote-controlled twin improvised explosive device (IED) blast triggered by Naxalites. He is out of danger."ITBP soldiers were deployed between Ambagarh and Manpur for a public meeting programme of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel," said police."The ITBP soldiers at around 9.30 am noticed some IEDs were being planted near the road to target security forces moving on the main road," police said.Police have recovered batteries from the spot."This is the first time in the recent history that Naxals have used remote-controlled IEDs to target security forces," said police.
Thousands of Sudanese press on with rally outside army HQ
Sudanese police fired tear gas Sunday at thousands of protesters who rallied outside the army headquarters for a second day urging the military to back them in demanding President Omar al-Bashir resign. Chanting "Sudan is rising, the army is rising," crowds massed outside the Khartoum complex that also houses Bashir's official residence and the defence ministry, many having spent the night there, witnesses said. "We won't leave this area until he steps down," said demonstrator Osama Ahmed. Bashir chaired a meeting of the security council as protesters continued to chant slogans outside the compound. "The security council confirms that the protesters are part of the Sudanese community and their vision and demands have to be heard," the presidency said in a statement afterwards. "The council will take measures to enhance peace and security across the country." Protesters whistled and waved at military vehicles entering the compound, prompting some soldiers to wave back, a day after ...
Afghanistan to 'exchange views' with Taliban
Afghanistan is sending a delegation to "exchange views" with the Taliban in Qatar, an official said Sunday, in an ongoing push to find a way out of the country's 17-year-old war. Fresh talks are expected to take place in Doha later this month, where Taliban members are due to meet with Afghan officials and other stakeholders. "For now, an inclusive delegation will go (to the Qatari capital) on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and exchange views with the Taliban," said Mohammad Omar Daudzai, President Ashraf Ghani's envoy for peace. Daudzai stressed that the delegation will only serve to swap views with the Taliban, and its members would not necessarily be the same as a formal negotiating team. Afghan officials will meet Wednesday to finalise delegates, and to decide who will comprise that official negotiating team. US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks but the militant group has so far refused to talk directly to the Afghan government, which they ...
At least 21 dead since Libya's Haftar began offensive: Tripoli
At least 21 people have been killed since the start of a four-day-old offensive by Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar to take Tripoli, the country's UN-backed government said Sunday. Another 27 people have been wounded since the assault began on Thursday, the health ministry in Tripoli said, without specifying whether civilians were among the dead. On Saturday, Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) reported 14 deaths among its fighters.
Yemeni officials: Blast in capital kills 7 children
Yemeni medical officials say a big explosion at a warehouse in the capital killed at least seven children in nearby schools. The officials say the explosion in Sanaa wounded another 54 people, including schoolchildren. It was not clear what caused the explosion. The Houthi rebels, who have controlled the capital since 2014, sealed off the area. The rebels say an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition targeted the warehouse and damaged nearby schools. There was no immediate comment from the coalition, which has been at war with the Iran-aligned rebels since 2015. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief media.
Escalating Libya conflict prompts international alarm
The military conflict shaking Libya escalated Sunday as forces of strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an air strike on a suburb of Tripoli and the UN-backed government vowed a major counteroffensive. The United Nations called for an urgent two-hour truce for the southern outskirts of the capital to allow evacuations of civilians and the wounded. Rivalries between the two camps threaten to plunge the country into a full-blown civil war after Haftar on Thursday launched an offensive on Tripoli. Oil-rich Libya has been riven by chaos since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival administrations and armed groups vying for power. Repeated attempts to find a peaceful solution have failed. After a pause overnight, fierce fighting flared anew on Sunday morning south of the capital between Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) and forces backing the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). As clashes raged in the mainly ...
UN envoy with new plan to salvage Yemen peace deal
The UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths arrived in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Sunday for crisis talks with Shia Houthi rebel group.
US pulls forces from Libya amid fighting near capital
The US said Sunday it has temporarily withdrawn some of its forces from Libya due to "security conditions on the ground," as a Libyan military commander's forces advanced toward the capital, clashing with rival militias. A small contingent of American troops has been in Libya in recent years helping local forces combat Islamic State and al-Qaida militants, as well as protecting diplomatic facilities. "The security realities on the ground in Libya are growing increasingly complex and unpredictable," said Marine Corps General Thomas Waldhauser, the head of US Africa Command. "Even with an adjustment of the force, we will continue to remain agile in support of existing US strategy." He did not provide details on the number of US troops that have been withdrawn or on how many remain inside the country. The self-styled Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter, launched a surprise offensive against the capital last week, a move that could potentially drag the country back ..
Indian Army to test AK-203 in carbine role also against terrorists
The Indian Army is planning to use a modified version of the AK-203 assault rifle in carbine role for its troops deployed during counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.The AK-203 assault rifle would be manufactured at Uttar Pradesh's Amethi facility in a joint venture between the Ordnance Factory Board and Russia.The assault rife would be provided to troops for carrying out anti-terrorist operations. A separate tender is being floated to buy 93,000 carbines under fast track procedure."We want to try out the AK-203 in the carbine role. We can remove the rifle's butt completely to reduce its size and then it can be hidden easily under clothes to be used in close quarter combat operations against terrorists," top Army sources told ANI."If needed, more modifications can be done in the AK-203 to suit the carbine role requirement," they said."The carbines are also useful in close quarter combat and can be highly effective during operations like room interventions.""Efforts are ..
Ensure weapons aren't allowed in eateries, pubs, cafes of Connaught Place: Police advisory
The Delhi Police has issued an advisory to all eateries, pubs and cafes in Connaught Place asking them to ensure that weapons are not allowed into their premises, following an incident of accidental firing in one of popular coffee shops in the area. Officials said that in order to avoid any untoward incident, Connaught Place police station issued an advisory in this regard on Saturday to all the eateries, pubs, cafes and restaurants across the area. An advisory has been issued by the Station House Officer of Connaught Place police station to all the eateries in its area to strengthen the safety and security measures. They have been asked to not allow customers with firearms or concealed weapons, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi), Madhur Verma, said. "The security of human life and property is our main concern and of utmost importance. In view of recent incident of an accidental fire from firearm by the customer at one of the eating houses located in the area of Connaught ...
Troops to get modified version of AK-203 assault rifle for counter-insurgency operations in J-K
The Indian Army is planning to use a modified version of the AK-203 assault rifle in carbine role for its troops deployed during counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.The AK-203 assault rifle would be manufactured at Uttar Pradesh's Amethi facility in a joint venture between the Ordnance Factory Board and Russia.The assault rife would be provided to troops for carrying out anti-terrorist operations. A separate tender is being floated to buy 93,000 carbines under fast track procedure."We want to try out the AK-203 in the carbine role. We can remove the rifle's butt completely to reduce its size and then it can be hidden easily under clothes to be used in close quarter combat operations against terrorists," top Army sources told ANI."If needed, more modifications can be done in the AK-203 to suit the carbine role requirement," they said."The carbines are also useful in close quarter combat and can be highly effective during operations like room interventions.""Efforts are ..
Three killed in Nigeria suicide bomb attack
Three people died and more than 30 injured in a twin suicide blast in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, militia sources and residents said Sunday. Two female bombers late Saturday detonated their explosives among a crowd in Muna Dalti on the outskirts of the city, the birthplace of the Boko Haram jihadist group. "They came around 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) and detonated their suicide vests," Umar Ari, a local militia leader told AFP. "They killed three people and seriously injured 33 others," said Ari, who was involved in the evacuation of victims. Residents gathered Sunday morning for the funeral of the three victims. The scene of the bombings, a popular night time venue for residents, has been repeatedly targeted by Boko Haram suicide attacks, said resident Gremah Umar. The area houses a sprawling camp for thousands of people displaced by Boko Haram violence. The attacks there were largely blamed on the Boko Haram faction loyal to longtime leader Abubakar Shekau, notorious for .
Bombardment kills 13 civilians in northwest Syria: Monitor
Bombardment killed 13 civilians in northwest Syria on Sunday, the large majority in regime fire on areas of the jihadist-held Idlib region, a war monitor said. The violence was the latest to threaten a seven-month-old truce intended to stave off a regime offensive on the region held by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. Sunday's shelling and rocket fire by regime forces killed nine civilians in several areas of Idlib, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. They included five people in the town of Nayrab, three in Saraqeb, and one in the village of Al-Khuwayn, the Britain-based monitoring group said. The Observatory said bombardment by Islamist fighters on the regime-held town of Masyaf in the adjacent province of Hama killed four civilians. The rocket fire hit a hospital killing members of its staff, state news agency SANA said. Regime ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey in September inked a buffer zone deal to prevent a massive regime offensive on the Idlib region, near the ...
Rwanda marks 25th anniversary of 1994 genocide
Rwanda on Sunday marked the 25th anniversary of the 1994 genocide in which about a tenth of the African nation's population was killed. The country will mourn for 100 days, the time it took for 800,000 Rwandans to be massacred, the BBC reported.
Militants, security forces exchange brief fire in J-K's Pulwama
A brief exchange of firing took place between militants and security forces on Sunday in the Tral area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, Army officials said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the forest area of Tral in Pulwama district in the morning following information about the presence of militants in the area, they said. The officials said there was a brief exchange of firing between the two sides but no casualties were reported in the incident. The search operations were going on till last reports came in, they said.
Libya PM vows to defend Tripoli, rebels approach
Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj on Sunday vowed to defend Tripoli as rival forces were advancing towards the capital city from the east.