Page 307 - War Conflict
UN Council votes to send observers to Yemen
The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved a resolution that authorises the deployment of observers to war-torn Yemen to oversee a fragile truce in the strategic Red Sea port of Hodeida. The draft, which was submitted by Britain, had been the subject of tough negotiations among the 15 council members, and was amended several times before the vote. It also endorses the results of UN-brokered peace negotiations in Sweden last week. Yemen's warring parties agreed to a ceasefire that took effect Tuesday and the withdrawal of fighters in Hodeida, a major gateway for aid and food imports. The city is a vital lifeline for millions at risk of starvation, and the ceasefire between Saudi-backed government forces and Huthi Shiite rebels is seen as the best chance yet of ending four years of devastating conflict. The agreement also included a planned prisoner swap involving about 15,000 detainees. The UN Security Council resolution "insists on the full respect by all parties of the ...
6 Zakir Musa men killed in J&K
Six militants of the Al Qaeda-affiliate Zakir Musa's group Ansar Ghazwatul Hind, including its Kashmiri deputy, were killed on Saturday in a gunfight with the security forces in Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, the Defence Ministry said.
Zakir Musa's aide killed in J&K gunfight
A foreign militant belonging to the Zakir Musa outfit, Ansar Ghazwatul Hind, was killed on Saturday in a gunfight with security forces in Tral area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.
Encounter underway in J-K's Pulwama
An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces on Saturday in Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.Terrorists are reportedly holed up in the area where the encounter is underway.More details are awaited.A string of terrorist activities has taken place in the week.Yesterday, two Army personnel lost their lives during a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Keran sector of Kupwara.A week prior to this, three terrorists were killed in an encounter that broke out in Pulwama's Monghama area of Sirnoo village. Seven civilians and one security personnel too lost their lives in the gun battle.
Italian consulate 'to reopen' in Libya's Benghazi
Rome, Dec 22 (IANS/AKI) Italy will reopen its consulate in the eastern Libyan port city of Benghazi, which has been closed since 2013, Adnkronos has learned from sources.
A blow to morale: Afghan generals worry about US withdrawal
The Taliban welcomed the news of the US plan to withdraw half its troops in Afghanistan by the summer, while Afghan generals warned Friday it would be a blow to the morale of the country's beleaguered security forces, who come under daily attacks from the insurgent fighters. The announcement seems certain to complicate efforts to reach a peace deal, mostly because it gives the Taliban leverage by allowing them to hold off until a total US withdrawal, or step up their demands over a weakened Afghan government. "I believe the Taliban will see this as a reason to stall, and therefore it disincentivizes the Taliban to actually talk to the Afghan government, which it has refused to do," said Bill Roggio an Afghanistan analyst with the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Afghanistan's security forces rely heavily on US airpower against both Taliban and an upstart Islamic State affiliate, and Afghan military officials note the announcement by the Trump administration ...
More 'yellow vest' protests planned as France winds down for Christmas
French "yellow vests" are gearing up for a sixth Saturday of nation-wide demonstrations, but numbers on the streets are falling fast as the police clear protest camps in the run-up to the Christmas holidays. The protesters appeared split Friday on whether to stage another large rally in Paris, or in the nearby town of Versailles, once home to king Louis XVI who lost his head to the revolutionary guillotine. Fearing possible unrest, authorities said they were closing the Palace of Versailles and its gardens, a top tourist venue, on Saturday. They have also urged shopkeepers in Paris, many of whom remained shuttered over the past two weekends to guard against looting and violence, to exercise caution. On Friday, just hours after the lower house of parliament adopted a raft of measures to help the working poor and pensioners, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe visited the Haute-Vienne region of central France to discuss grievances of disgruntled rural-dwellers with local mayors. Philippe ...
Modi discusses security, policing issues with DGPs, IGs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with Directors General and Inspectors General of Police from across the country at their annual conference being held at Kevadia in the state and held discussions on specific security and policing issues.
PM Modi attends laser show at Statue of Unity in Gujarat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a laser show at the recently-inaugurated Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Kewadia on Friday.The Prime Minister arrived at Kewadia earlier today for the Conference of Director Generals of Police and Inspector Generals of Police.At the Statue of Unity, he witnessed a vibrant parade, featuring various police and paramilitary forces, which showcased the theme of "Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat." He also paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.Through the day, in the tent city at Kevadiya, there were presentations and discussions on various subjects relating to security.The Prime Minister also held discussions with select groups of officers, on specific security and policing issues over meals.The discussions will continue tomorrow - December 22. The Prime Minister will also release a commemorative stamp on National Police Memorial, and launch the Portal of the Cyber Coordination Centre.He will also present President's Police Medals for distinguished ..
Fresh protests in Sudan after deadly bread clashes
Protests over the rising cost of bread broke out in Khartoum and its twin city Omdurman on Friday, witnesses said, as Sudanese troops deployed after two days of deadly clashes between riot police and demonstrators left eight protesters dead. A government decision to raise the price of a loaf of bread this week from one Sudanese pound to three (from about two to six US cents) sparked protests across the country on Wednesday. In Omdurman, a witness -- who declined to be named -- said demonstrations erupted as worshippers emerged from a mosque frequented by followers of the Al-Ansar sect, which is linked to the Umma Party, Sudan's main opposition group. Protesters chanted "the people want the fall of the regime" and "freedom, freedom," said the witness. "Riot police fired tear gas at the demonstrators," the witness added. The Umma Party overnight Thursday issued a statement calling on its members to join the protest movement. Dozens also demonstrated on Road 60, a main artery in eastern .
Indian, Chinese nationals arrested in Nepal
An Indian and a Chinese national were arrested in Nepal for possessing foreign currencies obtained from unauthorised sources, police said. The arrests were made during a regular security check at Bouddhanath stupa area on the outskirts of Kathmandu, police said. Those arrested are Indian national Chhiring Dorje and Chinese national Panchaudi, it said. Police confiscated 1.35 million Nepali Rupees and 4,300 Chinese Yuan from the duo, besides a golden Buddha image, said a police statement. An investigation has been launched into the matter, it said.
Trump to pull half of US troops from Afghanistan
US President Donald Trump has decided to pull about 7,000 troops from Afghanistan, a US official said Friday, but the Afghan presidency brushed off concerns the drawdown would affect security. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the US official told AFP that "roughly half" of the 14,000 US forces in Afghanistan would leave "within the next several months." The move stunned and dismayed diplomats and officials in Kabul who are intensifying a push to end the 17-year conflict with the Taliban, which already controls vast amounts of territory and is causing "unsustainable" Afghan troop casualties. "If you're the Taliban, Christmas has come early," a senior foreign official in the Afghan capital told AFP on the condition of anonymity. "Would you be thinking of a ceasefire if your main opponent has just withdrawn half their troops?" Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid would not comment about the troop withdrawal when contacted by AFP. But a senior Taliban commander welcomed the ...
1 killed in Vienna shooting
At least one person was killed and another seriously injured on Friday in a shooting near an iconic square in the Austrian capital, officials said.
Cabinet meeting in Barcelona sparks protests by pro-independence Catalans
The Centre's decision to hold a cabinet meeting in Barcelona, instead of Madrid, sparked protests by pro-independence Catalans who blocked roads and major highways in the region on Friday.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez made the decision for a meeting to be held here on Friday as a push for decentralisation, almost a year after a failed independence movement in the region.Scores of anti-riot police forces have been deployed outside the venue, while Al Jazeera reported that videos being circulated also showed protestors throwing bottles and flares at the law enforcement officials.Sanchez had on Thursday issued a joint statement along with Catalonia's President Quim Torra pushing for an "effective" dialogue to settle the crisis in the region.Catalonia is one of Spain's most prosperous regions that represents around 20 per cent of the country's economic output. Around 15 per cent of the nation's population or almost 7.5 million people reside in the region which includes the ...
US to withdraw 7,000 troops from Afghanistan by Feb '19
The Pentagon on Thursday (local time) announced the withdrawal of around 7,000 troops from Afghanistan, amounting to the removal of half of the total US forces deployed in the country at present.A US defence official told the New York Times that the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan was taken to ensure that the Afghan military could become self-reliant in the coming days and does not depend on any Western government in order to stabilise security in the country.However, officials fear that this decision would adversely affect the Afghan military that has already suffered losses due to casualties in Taliban-orchestrated attacks."If we left precipitously right now, I do not believe they would be able to successfully defend their country," Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. of the Marines told Pentagon.I don't know how long it's going to take. I think that one of the things that would actually provide the most damage to them would be if we put a timeline on it and we ..
Taliban commander among 4 killed in Afghanistan
Four militants, including Taliban commander Mullah Qadir, were killed in a clash in Afghanistan's Parwan province on Friday, the police said.
Dozens of bodies 'found in IS mass grave' in Iraq
Iraqi authorities said they uncovered a new mass grave containing the remains of dozens of people in an area of northern Kirkuk province once held by the Islamic State group. Security forces have discovered dozens of mass graves since they drove out IS in 2017 after three years of occupation of swathes of northern and western Iraq. The United Nations said in November that more than 200 mass graves containing up to 12,000 victims had been found in Iraq that could hold vital evidence of war crimes by the jihadists. The latest macabre discovery was made on Thursday in the Hawija district of Kirkuk province, Adel Ismail, a lieutenant-colonel in the Iraqi federal police force, told AFP. He said the grave contained the remains of "innocent Iraqi civilians" who "were abducted and then killed" by the jihadists. It was found in what appears to be a deep well in the Al-Abbassi area of Hawija. "This is a mass grave used by Daesh," said Wani Firas, a resident of the area, using an Arabic-language
Trump to withdraw 'significant' troops from Afghanistan
US President Donald Trump has decided to pull a significant number of troops from Afghanistan, a US official told AFP on Thursday, with the Afghan presidency brushing off concerns the drawdown would affect security. Reports suggested as many as half of the 14,000 troops in the war-torn country could be leaving. The surprise move stunned and dismayed foreign diplomats and officials in Kabul who are involved in an intensifying push to end the 17-year conflict with the Taliban, which already controls vast amounts of territory and is causing "unsustainable" Afghan troop casualties. "If you're the Taliban, Christmas has come early," a senior foreign official in the Afghan capital told AFP on the condition of anonymity. "Would you be thinking of a ceasefire if your main opponent has just withdrawn half their troops?" Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid would not comment about the troop withdrawal when contacted by AFP. But a senior Taliban commander welcomed the decision. "Frankly speaking .
President Ghani spokesman says US troop withdrawal will not affect Afghan security
A withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan would not affect security of the war-torn country, a spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani said Friday, in the first official response to the news that has left officials in Kabul reeling. "If they withdraw from Afghanistan it will not have a security impact because in the last four and half years the Afghans have been in full control," presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri said via social media.
Gujarat: PM Modi inspects "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" parade
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited Gujarat's Statue of Unity in Kevadiya and inspected the "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" parade held here.The parade was led by the flag units of all states and union territories, central police organisations and the women officers band of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), BSF (Border Security Force) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to give a message of unity.CRPF, which was given Presidential Colours by the then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, enthralled spectators with an incredible Rifle drill.BSF Commandos and Gujarat police's first response force of terrorist attack also put a great show at the event.Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day visit to Gujarat to participate in an annual conference of state police chiefs and to address BJP women's wing workers.