Page 274 - War Conflict
TN CM condemns Sri Lankan Navy chasing away Indian fishermen
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Wednesday condemned the Sri Lankan Navy chasing away two Indian fishing boats, resulting in the death of one person.
Foreign troops in Iraq cut by a quarter in 2018: PM
Foreign troop numbers in Iraq fell by a quarter during 2018, Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi said, as the fallout fizzled from Washington's announcement it was withdrawing from neighbouring Syria. "In January 2018 there had been almost 11,000 foreign fighters, about 70 percent of them are American, the others are from other countries," Abdel Mahdi told a weekly press briefing on Tuesday evening. "In December, the numbers have been reduced to almost 8,000, and the American troops are around 6,000... maybe I am wrong by some hundreds." Abdel Mahdi said that more than 12 months after the government declared victory over the Islamic State group in Iraq, the drawdown was accelerating. "In recent months, the decrease has sped up and in the last two months there was a drop of 1,000 forces," he said. US President Donald Trump has said that US troops will remain in Iraq after the withdrawal of all troops from Syria and will be available to take action against IS on the other side of the border
Conned on the pretext of jobs, 15 Indians stranded in Iraq seek Swaraj's help
As many as 15 Indians stranded in Iraq after being duped by an agent on the pretext of employment have requested External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to help them return to India.In a video, the men revealed that they were duped by an agent off around Rs 2 lakh each, who sent them to Iraq on the pretext of getting them a work permit in the country."We came to Iraq from India after giving 1.5 lakh each to the agent, after coming here the agent again asked for more 50,000 rupees for making Iqama and we paid. Later, we got to know that the agent has cheated us by sending us to Iraq on a visit visa. The agent in Iraq is not responding to us and we are facing crisis here without proper food and water. I request External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to help us get back to India," the men said in the video.Speaking to ANI over the phone, Nizamabad activist Basanth Reddy, who is helping the victims, stated that 15 people from the district had left for Iraq in September 2018 to work there
Kenyan President says hotel siege over, 14 killed
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday said a siege by terrorists in the capital that left at least 14 people dead was over and all the attackers had been "eliminated".
Police detain leading Zimbabwe activist after protests: AFP
Leading Zimbabwean activist Evan Mawarire was detained by police on Wednesday, AFP reporters witnessed, when he was taken away from his house in the capital Harare. Armed police had been at Mawarire's property for more than two hours before he was driven away in a pick-up truck as security forces crack down after anti-government protests. "Armed police surrounded his residence this morning and he has been picked up. We don't know for what purpose," Teldah Mawarire, his sister, told AFP. "We are not aware of where he has been taken... I was directly in contact with him until he was taken and he could no longer be online. We are very concerned." Security forces have shot dead at least five people and wounded 25 others during a crackdown since nationwide protests on Monday, according to Human Rights Watch. "Those responsible for using unlawful lethal force should be promptly investigated and held accountable," Dewa Mavhinga, Southern Africa director at HRW, said in a statement. It said ..
Kenyan president says Nairobi attackers 'eliminated', 14 victims
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Wednesday that all Islamists who had stormed an upmarket hotel complex had been "eliminated" after an almost 20-hour siege that left 14 dead. "I can now confirm that... the security operation at Dusit is over and all terrorists have been eliminated," Kenyatta said in a televised address to the nation. He said 14 people had been killed and 700 civilians rescued from the building, but did not clarify if people were still hiding in the complex.
Top Taliban commander among 4 militants killed in Pakistan
Security forces in Pakistan have gunned down four militants, including a top Taliban commander who masterminded the last year's powerful bomb blast in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in which at least 31 people including three Sikhs were killed. Those killed in the exchange of fire include Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Islam and Mohibullah who were involved in various terror activities, officials said. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered from their possession. Intelligence agencies raided a house near Qazi pump area where the militants were believed to be hiding. The owner of the house was also killed in the firing between the militants and security forces. In November, 31 people including three Sikhs were killed and over 40 others injured in the bomb blast at the Friday Market (Juma Bazar) near an imambargah, a Shia religious place, in Orakzai tribal district's Kalaya area, bordering Afghanistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan had strongly condemned
Shah Faesal's resignation not in country's interest, says Kavinder Gupta
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Kavinder Gupta on Wednesday expressed disappointment over former IAS officer Shah Faesal's decision to quit government service, and said such a decision is not in the interest of the country.Speaking to ANI, Gupta opined, "Faesal must work for the country instead of resigning from the post. Such a decision is not in the country's interest. We want such people to work for the country's welfare instead of speaking in support of militants, supporting militants is like supporting Pakistan. His father was too killed by the militants. He should work for the country."Faesal, who joined the service in 2010, announced his resignation on January 9 over "unabated killings" in the Valley and "lack of any sincere reach-out from the Union government."The 35-year-old alleged "insidious attacks on the special identity of the J&K State and growing culture of intolerance and hate in the mainland India in the name of hypernationalism."He went on to ..
Maoists kill 2 in Bihar
Maoists have shot dead two men in their stronghold Jamui district in Bihar suspecting them to be police informers, police said on Wednesday.
IMF to resume Sri Lanka's loan discussion in February - Lagarde
COLOMBO (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund will resume discussions with Sri Lanka in February for further disbursal of part of a $1.5 billion loan, the lender said, after a political crisis led to talks being delayed by three months.
15 killed in ongoing Islamist attack on Kenya hotel complex
Fifteen people have died in an Islamist attack on an upmarket hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenyan police sources said Wednesday, as fresh explosions and gunfire rang out in the siege which stretched into its second day. Security forces worked throughout the night to secure the DusitD2 compound, which includes a 101-room hotel, spa, restaurant and office buildings, after an attack claimed by Al-Shabaab Islamists on Tuesday afternoon. At least one suicide bomber blew himself up at the hotel while gunmen sprayed fire before engaging security forces and holing themselves up at the premises as civilians fled or barricaded themselves in their offices awaiting rescue. "We have 15 people dead as of now and that includes foreigners," a police source told AFP on condition of anonymity. Among the dead was an American citizen, a State Department official said. A second police source confirmed the toll but warned "there are areas not yet accessed but that's what we know so far." After 12 hours ...
15 dead in Islamist attack on Kenya hotel complex: police sources
An Islamist attack on an upmarket hotel and office complex in the Kenyan capital has left 15 people dead, according to two police sources at the scene where fighting was still ongoing. "We have 15 people dead as of now and that includes foreigners. You will be given more details on all this and even the nationalities by our seniors," a police source told AFP on condition of anonymity. A second source confirmed the toll but warned "there are areas not yet accessed but that's what we know so far.
Germany to host international meet on Yemen's peace efforts
Germany is set to host an international conference on Wednesday in an effort to support United Nations' peace efforts in Yemen."After the Stockholm consultations and agreements, Germany has invited international partners and key actors to support UN efforts for peace in Yemen," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas was quoted by Anadolu News Agency as saying.He said that the deal reached between the Houthis and the Yemen government during the talks at Stockholm in December last year offered a "real window of opportunity" to make further progress in attaining peace in Yemen."We must work to make the international community's support for the upcoming process as constructive and strong as possible. This includes ensuring that further progress is not impeded by a lack of funds or lengthy administrative processes," Maas said.Among other officials, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths and Resident Coordinator of the UN in Yemen Lise Grande are expected to attend the meeting.On December .
Anti-fuel price hike protests continue in Zimbabwe, social media sites blocked
Protests against the Zimbabwe government's decision to raise fuel prices continued for the second day, even as hundreds of people complained that they were unable to access popular social networking platforms in the country.The citizens said that popular messaging applications like Whatsapp and Facebook were inaccessible and journalists, who are covering the anti-fuel hike demonstrations also said that they lost VPN internet connections as well, CNN reported.Supermarkets and other businesses remained shut on Tuesday after incidents of looting were reported. With public transport suspended owing to the sharp increase of fuel prices, commuters were stranded.Educational institutions have been shut down in view of the situation and students were asked to not return unless stability was restored.The police said that they have arrested a number of protesters after they blocked roads and burned tyres in the capital Harare. Although the exact number was not revealed by the authorities, ...
11 dead in Nairobi terror attack
At least 11 people lost their lives in a series of powerful blasts and exchange of gunfire by terrorists that took place at a luxurious hotel complex here on Tuesday, a source said.A Kenyan government official was quoted by CNN saying that security forces secured the complex where the attack took place."The security teams have evacuated scores of Kenyans and other nationalities from the (hotel and office) buildings. We are now in the final stages of mopping up the area and securing evidence and documenting the consequences of these unfortunate events," Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i said in a statement.The source, who confirmed the death toll, termed it as "conservative" and said that the number is expected to rise. "I saw six dead on the footpath exit over the river and five more at the secret garden cafe," the source was quoted by CNN as saying.The attack first took place at a bank inside the hotel complex, where three vehicles ...
Ex-Ivory Coast president acquitted of war crimes
The International Criminal Court (ICC) here on Tuesday acquitted former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo of all charges of crimes against humanity.Gbagbo, who served as the president of the West African country from 2001 until his arrest in 2011, was on trial for the post-election violence that happened in 2010.The ICC said that Gbagbo was acquitted as the prosecutors were not able to prove the charges against him and Charles Ble Goude, another accused and a former minister, CNN reported.An ICC press officer told CNN that the prosecutors could push for an extension of Gbagbo's detention and the judges are likely to hear the matter on Wednesday.Violence broke out in Ivory Coast after Gbagbo refused to step down from his post even after his opponent Alassane Ouattara won the presidential elections in 2010.Subsequently, massive protests took place and thousands of people were killed in the unrest, while hundreds were displaced.Following this, Gbagbo was arrested and was put on trial .
Al-Shabab extremists claim deadly attack on Nairobi hotel
Extremists stormed a luxury hotel in Kenya's capital on Tuesday, setting off thunderous explosions and gunning down people at cafe tables in an attack claimed by Africa's deadliest Islamic militant group. Witnesses reported seeing several bodies. "It is terrible. What I have seen is terrible," said Charles Njenga, who ran from a scene of blood, broken glass, burning vehicles and pillars of black smoke. Al-Shabab the Somalia-based group that carried out the 2013 attack at the nearby Westgate Mall in Nairobi that left 67 people dead claimed responsibility for the carnage at the DusitD2 hotel complex, which includes bars, restaurants, offices and banks and is in a well-to-do neighbourhood with many American, European and Indian expatriates. Authorities sent special forces into the hotel to flush out the gunmen. Late Tuesday night, about eight hours after the siege began, Interior Minister Fred Matian'i said that all of the buildings affected by the attack had been secured and that ...
Six killed in terror attack at Nairobi hotel complex
Kenya's government on Tuesday said the situation was under control after six people were killed and some 30 others wounded in a terrorist attack at an upscale hotel and office complex in this capital.
Six dead in attack on upmarket Nairobi hotel complex
At least six people were killed Tuesday when an Islamist suicide bomber and gunmen stormed an upmarket hotel complex in Nairobi, in the first such attack in the Kenyan capital in five years. Gunshots rang out sporadically as night fell in Nairobi, where police combed the hotel and outlying office buildings for survivors while trying to flush out the attackers. The attack at the DusitD2 compound, which includes a 101-room hotel, restaurant and office buildings housing local and international companies, began at 3 pm (1200 GMT) with a massive explosion heard five kilometres away at the AFP bureau. The Al-Qaeda linked Somalian group Al-Shabaab, which carried out a notorious assault on a Nairobi shopping mall in 2013, claimed responsibility, according to the SITE Intelligence Group which monitors jihadist activities. "We can now confirm that this criminal activity commenced at about three o'clock in a coordinated fashion and began at I&M Bank with an explosion that targeted three ...
Five dead in attack on upmarket Nairobi hotel complex
At least five people were killed Tuesday when an Islamist suicide bomber and gunmen stormed an upmarket hotel complex in Nairobi, in the first such attack in the Kenyan capital in five years. Gunshots rang out sporadically as night fell in Nairobi, where police combed the hotel and outlying office buildings for survivors while trying to flush out the attackers. The attack at the DusitD2 compound, which includes a 101-room hotel, restaurant and office buildings housing local and international companies, began at 3 pm (1200 GMT) with a massive explosion heard five kilometres away at the AFP bureau. The Al-Qaeda linked Somalian group Al-Shabaab, which carried out a notorious assault on a Nairobi shopping mall in 2013, claimed responsibility, according to the SITE Intelligence Group which monitors jihadist activities. "We can now confirm that this criminal activity commenced at about three o'clock in a coordinated fashion and began at I&M Bank with an explosion that targeted three ...