Special Emphasis on Terrorism (Feb-2020)

Bomb/IED Explosions

A suicide bomber targeted a mosque in Quetta during evening prayers on Friday, January 10, killing at least 15 people and wounding 20 others, officials said, reports Daily Times. The blast took place in Satellite Town of Quetta. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the SITE intelligence group.

Two persons killed in explosion in Quetta

Two persons were killed and 14 others injured, including two Security Force (SF) personnel, after a motorcycle parked close to a Frontier Corps (FC) vehicle blew up on McConaughey Road, close to Liaquat Bazar in Quetta District on January 7, reports Dawn. Hizbul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has claimed responsibility for the attack. One of the deceased was identified as Muhammad Akram, while the injured included Nisar Ahmed, Muhammad Waris, Imran Khan, Raz Gull, Asim, Baran, Muhammad Akhtar, Muhammad Hashim, Abdul Khaliq, Zabi-Ullah, Umar Zaman, Abdul Ghafar, Muhammad Shuaib and Muhammad Roshan. The identities of other persons are yet to be established. 

At least nine people, including five women, were injured in a hand grenade explosion near the Karkhano police checkpost in Peshawar on January 14, reports Dawn.

Targetted Killings

Two Policemen were killed in a targeted shootout in Saddar Town in Karachi that also left four people injured on January 7, reports Dawn. The slain Police officials were identified as Mohammad Ali and Saeed Ahmed while a Dolphin Force official, Hassan Akram, and bystander Sumaira Sharif and two others, including a woman, were injured. City Police Officer Mohammad Ahsan Younas said, “The shooter who was killed during yesterday’s encounter with the police was affiliated with the Jamaatul Ahrar group and some evidence available with the police also suggests that he was trained in Afghanistan.” The Police later recovered a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC)from the suspected shooter’s pocket, identifying him as a native of Pasrur in Sialkot.

One Frontier Corps (FC) soldier was killed in firing incident in Azadkhel Bittani Haramatala locality under Serai Gambila Police Station in Lakki Marwat District on January 8, reports Dawn. Police said FC soldier Shakirullah had left the village to reach his duty station in Shab Qadar when unidentified assailants intercepted him and shot him dead.

On January 11, bullet-riddled body of a fabric trader, Imran Khatri  was found in a gunny bag in a storm water drain in Khuda ki Basti area near the 4-K bus terminus located in Surjani Town of Karachi, reports Dawn.

Unidentified assailants shot dead an Afghan refugee residing in Gohati refugee camp in Swabi on January 14, reports Dawn. Kago Khan, the father of the deceased, said that that his son Ali Khan was on way home in a car when two motorcyclists shot him dead at the Badri bridge.

Miscellaneous

SFs defuse bomb in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The Security Forces (SFs) defused a remote-controlled bomb in Salarzai tehsil (revenue unit) in Bajaur District on January 5, reports Dawn. The bomb, which had been planted along the road in Dara area, was successfully defused by Bajaur Scouts’ Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) personnel. They added that the personnel of BDS were moved to the area soon after information from the local residents about the presence of the bomb in the locality was received.

Security Force (SF) personnel on January 21 shot dead a militant during a search operation in Kulachi tehsil (revenue unit) at Dera Ismail Khan District, reports The Week. Acting on a tip off, the SFs conducted a search operation in Kulachi tehsil. During the search operation, militants opened fire at the SFs. In the retaliatory firing, a militant was killed and four hand grenades and one rifle were recovered from his possession.

Separately, Police on January 21 defused 26 landmines planted in a Government college in Khar tehsil of Bajaur District, reports The Week. District Police Officer Ali Shah said on receiving the information that landmines were planted in the Government College of Technology, personnel of the Bomb Disposal Squad rushed to the site and neutralised the mines.

Security forces killed three militants and arrested four facilitators in an operation launched in the hilly area of Darra Adamkhel on Saturday, Jan 25. Acting on a tip off the security forces launched an operation in the Buland area of the gun manufacturing Darra Adamkhel town after which exchange of heavy gunfire took place between the security forces and the militants. Three militants were killed while four facilitators were rounded up. The two slain militants were identified as Said Muhammad and Zubari alias Riaz. Darra Adamkhel had been cleared of militants several years ago after military operations.

PAKISTAN

Five al-Qaeda operatives arrested from Gujranwala

Five al Qaeda operatives were arrested in a raid here on night between Thursday and Friday (Dec 26/28), an official with the country’s counter terrorism department said on Friday, the foreign media reported.

According to the official, Muhammad Imran, the raid in Punjab was carried out in collaboration with the country’s top intelligence agency, the Inter Services Intelligence. The suspects arrested belong to the al Qaeda branch active in the region and known as Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, he said, adding that the men ran a media cell for the terror network and coordinated its militant operations in the region.

One of the arrested men was an expert in forging documents, while another specialised in digital media and publications, the official also said. He said the suspects, who were initially based in Karachi but recently moved to Gujranwala, were also involved in raising funds for al-Qaeda. Laptops with encrypted data, cell phones, a printing press, explosives, five Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition and cash were recovered in the raid. “They were planning attack on law enforcement officials in Gujranwala,” the police statement added, without giving more details on the plot.

Pakistan expresses deep concern over Iran-US tension

Pakistan on Friday, Jan 3 expressed “deep concern” as tensions rise between Iran and the United States after the assassination of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, in an air strike at Baghdad airport in Iraq.

The government stressed that all should avoid unilateral actions and use of force, as besides General Soleimani, top Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was also killed in the attack.

“Pakistan has viewed with deep concern the recent developments in the Middle East, which seriously threaten peace and stability in the region,” the Foreign Office said as news about the assassination was confirmed.

The government urged both the United States and Iran to exercise maximum restraint, engage constructively to de-escalate the situation, and resolve issues through diplomatic means, in accordance with UN Charter and international law. Islamabad did not name directly either the United States or Iran but pointed to the “two parties”.

Earlier, Pentagon in a statement announced that, “At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani.”

“Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which should be adhered to. It is also important to avoid unilateral actions and use of force,” added the Foreign Office.

Meanwhile, according to the spokesman at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, India said it was alarmed. “The increase in tension has alarmed the world. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so,” said the spokesman.

Border tensions getting worse: FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said Pakistan and the whole region is passing through a very critical juncture.

Addressing the closing ceremony Friday (Jan 3) of 706th Urs of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam, he warned that Pakistan and this region is experiencing very critical situation. Pakistan’s eastern and western borders are facing continuous tension these days and the situation is getting worse. The regional situation, particularly Middle East is becoming critical and increasing problems, he added.

Speaking on the situation in Muslim countries particularly in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said they are also facing critical situation and their miseries are increasing day by day. India has deprived Kashmiris of their constitutional rights. India has increased aggression on Kashmiri people and Indian forces were openly violating constitution. Qureshi said India did not allow members of Indian Jamaat Ghousia to participate in 706th Urs of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam. The Modi government did not permit members of Jamaat Ghousia to attend the Urs and they were forced to hold the Urs in their respective Indian states. He especially prayed for reducing miseries of Kashmiris and the Muslim world and also for Pakistan’s safety.

Afghan gangs involved in serious crimes in capital

Criminal Investigation Agency (CIA) of Islamabad Police has busted eight gangs comprising 34 criminals involved in snatching valuables and cash at gun point and recovered cash worth Rs28.9 million, gold ornaments, cell phones, vehicles and weapons from them.

Addressing a press conference here at Rescue 15 on Friday, Jan 3 the DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed said that special task was assigned by IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan who succeeded to arrest 34 criminals of eight gangs in short span of time.

SP (Investigation) Dr. Syed Mustafa Tanveer, SP (City) Zeeshan Haider, SP (Industrial Area) Zubair Ahmed Sheikh, SP (Saddar) Omer Khan, SP (Rural) Malik Naeem Iqbal, DSP Criminal Investigation Agency (CIA) Hakim Khan and other police officials were also present on the occasion.

The DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin said these criminals also included Afghan nationals who used to decamp to Afghanistan after committing crime here. Giving the details, he said that seven criminals of a notorious ‘Satti Gang’ were arrested who looted cash of Post Office in Rawal Town. “Police recovered looted cash Rs 5.6 million, weapons, vehicle and bikes used in this dacoity incident,” he maintained.

He said that another gang including three Afghan nationals was busted which looted a house at Orchard Scheme in Khana area after making house inmates hostage at gun point. DIG (Operations) said that national and foreign currency, imported weapons, gold ornaments and watches worth Rs 12.1 million were recovered from them. Four street criminals of another gang were held and mobile phones, cash worth Rs 250,000 were recovered from them. A device used to change IMEI number of mobile phones was also recovered from one of the accused of this gang identified as Abrar.

KP unlikely to hold local-Government elections in near future, according to report

Holding of local-Government polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) seems impossible in the next couple of months as so far, the Government has not taken the required steps for the purpose, reports Dawn on January 6. They further said that the Government so far did not frame delimitation rules for holding the polls. The Government could not hold elections within the stipulated 120 days since the expiry of the last elected local bodies on August 28, 2019. Official sources said that there was no possibility of holding polls in the near future. However, Provincial Information Minister, Shaukat Yousaf zai told Dawn that the Government desired to start electoral process in March, 2020. He said that till that time all legal formalities would be fulfilled.

Pakistan to have coherent national security policy by year end, says PM’s Special Assistant on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning Moeed Yousuf

Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning Moeed Yousuf on January 12 said Pakistan is going to have a coherent national security policy with an inclusive economic diplomacy by the end of this year, ensuring security in all respects for every Pakistani, reports Dawn. The new policy, he added, would not deal with national security only, but all aspects of the country with multiple level inputs. It would not produce results overnight, he said.

Half of Lahore no more under PSCA, says report

Half of the Lahore city (Lahore District) of Punjab Province in Pakistan is no more under surveillance of the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) mainly due to financial issues following a ‘tug of war’ between the police and bureaucracy to get control of the PKR billion mega project, reports Dawn. Official sources say almost 50 per cent (4,000) CCTV cameras are offline at a time when Lahore prepares to host some games of the Pakistan Super League and possibly the Bangladesh cricket team matches. An unnamed senior official said almost half of the city’s leading roads, sensitive installations and government buildings were now out of the range/coverage of the PSCA cameras. “It is a matter of serious concern that the PSCA cameras are not functioning even at prime locations like Faisal Chowk, Regal Chowk, Ali Hajvery shrine and surroundings of the Lahore High Court where terror attacks had been carried out in the past, “the official said.

‘Last year sees improved security situation in tribal districts’, says FRC annual security report

Security situation in tribal districts witnessed significant improvement in 2019, according to the annual security report of Fata Research Centre (FRC), reports Dawn on January 15. The report issued on January 14 said that 160 incidents of violence were recorded during the year 2019 in tribal districts compared to 264 such incidents in 2018. “It shows a 16 per cent decline in incidents of terrorism and 82 per cent decrease in counter-terrorism incidents,” said the report. It added that the 106 incidents of terrorism in the previous year included 54 attacks on security forces and 48 attacks on civilians while attacks targeted members of civil militia or peace committee. The incidents of both terrorism and counter-terrorism resulted in 281 casualties including 110 killed and 171 injured in all tribal districts, marking a significant decrease of 24 per cent in overall casualties. The report said that of the total casualties, 57 per cent were related to security forces. Comparatively, 12 per cent increase in casualties of security forces was observed. Civilians stood at second with 87 casualties, which make it 31 per cent of the overall casualties. A significant decline of 55 per cent was observed in civilian casualties in the reporting year. Eight casualties of peace committees were also recorded during the year 2019. The report said that North Waziristan tribal district remained the most turbulent one as 45 terrorism incidents were recorded in the district compared to 58 such incidents in 2018. South Waziristan tribal district stood second with 25 terrorist incidents which resulted in 44 casualties followed by Bajaur and Khyber that reported 15 and 12 incidents of terrorism, respectively. Six incidents of terrorism were reported from Mohmand tribal district while only one such incident took place in Orakzai. Although only one incident of terrorism was reported from Kurram, yet the district is highly vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Sindh Energy Minister running crime ring, trying to influence Police, accused SSP Shikarpur Dr Muhammad Rizwan Ahmed Khan

An investigation report by Shikarpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr. Muhammad Rizwan Ahmed Khan on January 16 accused PPP lawmaker and Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh of patronising criminals and using them for political and financial gains, reports Daily Times. The report comes in the backdrop of the Sindh Government’s decision to replace the provincial Police Chief, Inspector General (IG) Dr. Kaleem Imam, citing “compelling reasons”.

Earlier, on December 6, the Sindh Government had also tried to transfer SSP Dr. Rizwan to the Establishment Division, saying his services were no longer required. Subsequently, the SSP had approached the Sindh High Court against the move, which suspended the notification. Meanwhile, Dr. Rizwan had also taken the matter to the newly created Provincial Public Safety and Police Complaints Commission, saying he was “surprisingly surrendered from province of Sindh without any prior notice, complaint or inquiry”. At the time, the IG had written a letter to the Sindh chief secretary, complaining about not being informed of the decision in advance and raising concern that such moves “demoralised the police”.

ATC sentences TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi’s brother, nephew to 55 years in jail

Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on January 17 has sentenced 86 members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), including TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi’s brother Ameer Hussain Rizvi and nephew Mohammad Ali, to 55-year prison terms each for taking part in violent rallies in 2018 over the acquittal of a Christian woman in a blasphemy case, reports Daily Times. The trial had lasted for over a year. Additionally, the court ordered the convicts to collectively submit Rs 12,925,000 and directed authorities to seize their moveable and immoveable assets. The court was hearing a case registered in the Pindighep Police Station against TLP workers who held violent protests and clashed with the Police over the arrest of party chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi in 2018. Pir Ejaz Ashrafi, a senior leader of TLP, said the sentences will be appealed. “Justice has not been done,” Ashrafi said. “We will challenge the verdicts,” he added. 

Bangladesh – Internal Dynamics

Six HuJI-B cadres arrested in Dhaka city

Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) on December 26 arrested six cadres of the banned militant outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B) from Badda area of Dhaka city in Dhaka District of Dhaka Division, reports Dhaka Tribune. The arrestees have been identified as Billal Hossain (25), Nur Alam (28), Rafiqul Islam (29), Abul Miah (35), Abdur Rahman (30) and Akter Hossain (34). CTTC Chief Monirul Islam said “The six arrestees are active Huji-B members. They conducted robberies so that they could finance their group activities, and ensure bail for their fellows who are in prison.”

Five Allahr Dal cadres arrested in Khulna District

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on December 29, arrested five cadres of banned militant outfit Allahr Dal while they were holding a clandestine meeting in Labanchora area of Khulna District in Khulna Division, reports Dhaka Tribune. The arrestees are Elias Kanchan Ripon (37), Mukul Hossain (36), Yeasin Ali (38), Shukkur Ali (29) and Sohanur Rahman Sohan (23). RAB recovered some leaflets of the organisation from their possession.

300 Bangladeshis arrested while illegally crossing border in Bangladesh, according to BGB Director General, Mohammad Shafeenul Islam

On December 29, Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) Director General, Mohammad Shafeenul Islam stated that BGB has arrested more than 300 Bangladeshis while crossing from Indian side for lack of documents, according to Outlook India. After signing a Joint Record of Discussion with Border Security Force (BSF), BGB Chief addressing the media at the 49th DG level border coordination conference held from December 25 to 30 stated that Bangladeshis who illegally enter India mostly for work purpose are arrested by the BGB at regular intervals. In this bilateral border coordination conference, BSF raised six issues with BGB. Action against the Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) and prevention of attacks on BSF troopers as well as Indian civilians by Bangladesh criminals, joint efforts to prevent trans-border crimes such as smuggling of cattle, Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) and gold, illegal migration and human trafficking, breaching of India-Bangladesh border fence, border violations, and illegal crossing, kidnapping or abduction, and illegal crossing by nationals of countries other than Bangladesh were discussed during this conference. Other than this, issues related with border infrastructure construction of single row fencing, infrastructure works and construction within 150 yards of International Border without prior intimation and joint efforts for effective implementation of a Comprehensive Border Management Plan through simultaneous coordinated patrols, identification of vulnerable areas and sharing of information, and confidence building measures were also part of the bilateral talk.

Focusing on counter-narratives, de-radicalisation and awareness programmes to curb militancy, says ADIG Mohammad Moniruzzaman

Additional Deputy Inspector General (ADIG) Mohammad Monir-uz-zaman said focusing on counter-narratives, de-radicalization and awareness programmes to curb the militancy, reports Dhaka Tribune on December 30. He stated, “Alongside regular activities, we are now embracing a soft approach, trying to change the mindset of the radicalized faction and taking up programs which raise motivation and awareness. Also, we are working on long term capacity building and institutional skills development. We are using ‘community engagement’ and ‘civil society’ to deradicalize and eradicate radical elements among the population as part of our long-term strategy. We believe this will help root out the remnants of any militancy.”

HuJI-B planned to form ‘robber wing’ in country’s southern and northern regions, say CTTC officials

Officials of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) said that Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh planned to form a ‘robber wing’ in the country’s southern and northern regions, reports The Daily Star on January 2. As per the plan, the banned militant outfit leaders managed to communicate with 20 people, who were involved in petty crimes like snatching and theft. These people were asked to use chloroform on their victims, said officials of the CTTC. The leaders wanted 30 percent cut for the ‘welfare’ of the wing. The wing was supposed to take care of all legal issues of the members if they got arrested. It was also supposed to pay for arrested or on-the-run gang member’s family expenses. The CTTC unit learnt the latest strategy of HuJI-B after interrogating robbers who were arrested in the capital Dhaka city on December 26.

Neo-JMB den busted in Dhaka city

Police on January 13 busted a den of Neo-Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB) and arrested a female member of the militant outfit in Gokulnagar area on the outskirts of Dhaka city in Dhaka District of Dhaka Division in Bangladesh, reports The Daily Star. Police recovered bomb-making materials, crude bombs, sharp weapons, three toy pistols and computer. The arrestee Shaila Sharmin (25), is the wife of militant suspect Tanvir, an IT expert.

Ahmadiyya mosque damaged in Brahmanbaria town during clashes

On January 14, a mosque of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Bangladesh was vandalized after an altercation broke out between students from a local Qawmi madrasa and members of the Ahmadiyya community at Kandipara area in Brahmanbaria town in Brahmanbaria District of Bangladesh, reports Dhaka Tribune on January 16.

Government stifled dissent and failed to hold law enforcement accountable for abuses, says HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2020 published on January 15 said winning the third straight elections marred by allegations of fraud and a crackdown on the opposition, the Awami League (AL)-led Government stifled dissent and failed to hold law enforcement accountable for abuses, reports Dhaka Tribune. The report said: “Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League took office after securing 96 percent of seats in the parliament, with international concern about an increasing bent towards authoritarianism. Instead of restoring international and public faith in the government’s respect for rights, the ruling party has only tightened their grip on civil society.”

Two New JMB militants arrested in Dhaka City

On January 19, Counter Terrorism & Transnational Crime (CTTC) arrested two militants of banned militant outfit Neo-Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Jamal Uddin Rafique (26) and Md Anwar Hossain (25), from Shonir Akhra area of Dhaka City in Dhaka Division of Bangladesh, reports Dhaka Tribune. From April 29 till August 31 2019, the duo was responsible for five improvised explosive devices (IED) explosions targeted at police in Dhaka’s Gulistan, Malibagh, Science Lab, Paltan, and Khamarbari area.

Two IEDs recovered in Dhaka city

Two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered in Dhaka city’s Paltan and Khamar Bari areas on Jan 24, reports The Daily Star. Police said the bombs were powerful enough to kill people and destroy properties in the surrounding areas. The bombs were similar to each other. Seven cans of butane gas were attached to each of the devices to amplify the explosion and fire. The bombs could have killed people within 10 to 15 meters. “The use of gas in IEDs had not been seen in Bangladesh before,” said an official preferring anonymity.

Home-grown militants of JMB group could join ISIS, says IGP Javed Patwary

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammad Javed Patwary speaking at a function of Rangpur Metropolitan Police on Jan 24 said home-grown militants of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JMB) group could join Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), reports Dhaka Tribune. 

India – Internal Dynamics

Weapons recovered in Mizoram

On December 24, Border Security Force (BSF) recovered arms and grenade launcher from a house in Aizawl, along Myanmar border in Aizawl District, reports Northeast Now. It is suspected that the arms were dumped by Myanmarese rebel group Arakanese Liberation Army (ALA). Ten M-16 rifles, six AK-47, three SLR rifles and one G-3 rifle, a 9mm pistol, twenty claymore mines, and an under-barrel grenade launcher were recovered from the house. INR 1,19,100 was also recovered from the house. Mizoram, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya, the four northeastern states share a 1,880-km border with Bangladesh, while Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh have a 1,640-km unfenced border with Myanmar.

Maoists kill two civilians branding as ‘police informers’ in two separate incidents in Bihar

Suspected cadres of Communist Party of India-Maoist killed two civilians after branding them as ‘police informers’ in two separate incidents in Lakhisarai District of Bihar on December 29, reports The Times of India. In one incident, the Maoists abducted Mughal Koda (50) from Baskund Korasi under Chanan Police Station limits and shot him dead by using a SLR (Self-Loading Rifle) rifle. In another incident, Maoists abducted Sanjay Koda (30) from Gobardaha village under the same Police Station and subsequently shot him dead by using an AK-47 rifle. Further, the Maoists had left pamphlets on the spot, warning local residents of meeting the same fate if they dared to leak information about the activities of the outfit. The pamphlets also revealed the names of four people who had been given death penalty earlier by the Kangaroo court (people’s court) organised by the Maoists. Three of them have already been eliminated. The Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of the District said, “The search operation in the forest will continue,” adding that patrolling has been intensified in the region to instill a sense of security among the residents, mostly belonging to tribal community. The police seized a large quantity of CPI-Maoist literature during the search operation.”

GNLA attempting to recruit new cadres, states intelligence inputs

The Shillong Times reports on January 1, that according to intelligence inputs received by Border Security Force (BSF), Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) is allegedly trying to recruit new cadres. According to BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) UK Nayal, United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) ‘chief of staff’ Drishti Rajkhowa is in Bangladesh and sometimes move over to India. Earlier there were also unconfirmed reports that splinter factions of GNLA were attempting to regain strength by associating with ULFA-I.

NSF condemns extension of AFSPA in Nagaland

Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on December 31, has condemned the Centre’s notification declaring whole of Nagaland as a “disturbed and dangerous area” and thereby extending the operation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), reports The Telegraph. NSF stated that “The NSF is appalled that a peaceful state like Nagaland is shown as a picture of chaos and lawlessness by the notification as the world is witness to the fact that Nagaland is not what it is made to look by the ill-intended notification of the central government.”

CAA imposition provoking a section of youths to take up arms, claims ULFA-PTF leader Anup Chetia

United Liberation Front of Asom-Pro Talks Faction (ULFA-PTF) leader Anup Chetia on January 1 stated that Centre’s imposition of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was provoking a section of youths of Assam to take up arms, reports The Telegraph. Chetia’s apprehension came in the wake of a recent media reports that amid the nationwide protests against the CAA, Bordumsa police arrested six youths who were secretly preparing to join ULFA-I. Joining the anti-CAA agitation of the Nagarik Samaj in Kamrup Metropolitan District, he stated that However, the Centre’s conspiracy against the indigenous people will not work,” he added. “We have not instigated or provoked anyone to commit violence and crime in Assam since 2010. He also stated that I appeal to them (youths) to refrain from any thought of taking up arms. We must stay united and resist any move of the Centre democratically if there is anything against the interests of the people of Assam.”

Anti-CAA protesters waved black flags at Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s convoy at two unspecified locations in Nalbari District, reports The Telegraph on January 2. The protest was organised by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP). Police baton charged AASU members and picked up two AJYCP members.

IPFT start indefinite strike in Tripura

The Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) on January 6 started an indefinite sit-in at Khumulwng in West Tripura District against the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA), creation of a separate Twipraland and implementation of National Register of Citizens, reports The Telegraph. The IPFT said it will continue the demonstration at Dukmali Bazar at Khumulwng, Headquarters of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, till the Centre takes a positive step on these issues. IPFT president and state Revenue Minister N.C. Debbarma stated that “Several reports, some by the Centre, confirmed the presence of illegal immigrants in Tripura. In 1996, the then home minister Indrajit Gupta had said in Parliament that more than 8 lakh illegal immigrants are present in Tripura. Settling more illegal immigrants will be detrimental to interests of the indigenous people”.

Anti-CAA protests continue in Assam

About 3,000 people staged a protest against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Muttock tea estate in Lahowal in Dibrugarh District, reports The Telegraph on January 9.

Separately, anti-CAA protesters waved black flags at the convoy of state cultural affairs minister Naba Kumar Doley in Dhemaji District, reports The Telegraph on January 9. Some miscreants reportedly stopped and partially damaged the vehicle of Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Debananda Hazarika.

Additionally, protests against CAA were held in Beltola, Sonapur, Narengi, Chachal and Khanapara in Guwahati in Kmarup Metropolitan District, reports The Telegraph on January 9.

On the same day around 200 tribal protesters were detained in Agartala (West Tripura District) while protesting against CAA, reports Indian Express. The protest was made under the banner of Joint Movement Against CAA (JMACAA). JMACAA, a joint forum of three tribal political parties and some social organisations, had held a three-day Tripura Bandh from December 9.

On Jan 11 thousands of people including representatives of various political parties joined Anti Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest in Khumlung in West Tripura District of Tripura, reports Northeast Now. The protest was organised by Tripura royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, who has formed an apolitical organization Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) to voice against the new citizenship law.

Language and tribal rivalry result in insurgent violence in northeast, states UMHA report

According to Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) report, language ethnicity, tribal rivalry, migration, control over local resources and a widespread feeling of exploitation and alienation have resulted in violence and diverse demands by “Indian Insurgent Groups” (IIGs), reports Eastern Mirror on January 9. The demands, vary from sovereignty to independent state or simply better conditions for ethnic groups they claim to represent. The report claimed that “The underground outfits indulge in violent and terror activities and intimidate people with arms in order to achieve their objectives demands. They maintain cross-border links, procure arms, recruit and train their cadres, and indulge in unlawful activities such as damaging of public properties, bomb explosions, extortions, killing of innocent civilians, security forces personnel, attacks on/abduction of government employees, politicians, and businessmen”. The report also stated that government had shown its willingness to enter into dialogue with any group willing to abjure the path of violence and place its demand within the framework of the Constitution of India.

Hidma is the new Maoist militia leader in Chhattisgarh

After the death of Communist Party of India-Maoist leader Ravula Srinivas aka Ramanna, who had a bounty of INR 14 million on his head, Hidma, who had been heading Maoist attacks in Sukma District, has now been made state in-charge of the CPI-Maoist organisation’s militia actions, reports The Print on January 10. Hidma’s elevation is seen as an attempt by the Maoists to fill the void resulting from the death of Ramanna in the second week of December. Senior police officers deployed in anti-Naxal operations said there has also been a churn in the CPI Maoist ‘Central Committee, CC’ on whether to elevate Hidma, or other cadre leaders such as Ganesh Uike and Sujata, as chief of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC). The DKSZC was headed by Ramanna. It also works as a Maoist think tank for Chhattisgarh, and Gadchiroli in adjoining Maharashtra where Maoists have a presence. “So far there is no confirmation, neither do we have any recovery to substantiate if Hidma has been given any new task as DKSZC head but security forces are prepared for any eventuality irrespective of which Naxal leader has been given what tasks,” Sukma Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Shalabh Sinha said. “Hidma is a known hard militia taskmaster and had been heading their Battalion 1 in Sukma for more than two and a half years now,” Sinha added. 

Indian police officer arrested

A decorated Indian officer has been arrested for helping to transport freedom fighters in Occupied Kashmir, the police chief of the restive and highly-militarized Himalayan province said on Sunday, Jan 12.

Deputy superintendent Davinder Singh had worked for the police for decades and was a member of an elite counter-insurgency force in the Indian occupied territory. He was apprehended late on Saturday, when his vehicle was pulled over at a police checkpoint south of Srinagar, the region’s main city.

“The fast moving car was stopped and searched. Two wanted freedom fighters and our officer and a third person were arrested in the operation,” Kashmir police chief Vijay Kumar told reporters. Kumar said police and intelligence agencies were questioning Singh, accusing the officer of a “heinous crime”.

Security forces recovered guns and ammunition from several locations in the follow up to the arrests, including from Singh’s residence in Srinagar. Hours after the four men were detained, police killed three freedom fighters during a gunfight in southern Kashmir’s Tral district.

Maoists bring out pamphlet against Kerala Government

The Wayanad Press Club, on January 17, received a pamphlet from the Communist Party of India-Maoist criticising the Government for what it termed a nominal hike in wages of plantation workers, reports The Hindu. “Many commissions had been appointed by the State Government to study issues of plantation workers. But no decision had been taken in favour of the working class. Whereas it had taken many decisions in favour of estate owners,” Ajitha, spokesperson of the Nadukani Dalam (armed squad) of the CPI-Maoist, said in the letter. While the Government had exempted agriculture income tax and land tax for the corporates, it only made a nominal increase of INR 52 in wages for the workers in the sector, she said. Such a decision was only to protect the vested interests of the capitalist class. The life of workers in the sector was in crisis now as prices of essential commodities had increased manifold since 2015, she said. The Government was cheating the working class. The pamphlet demanded land, house, and minimum wages of INR 800 a day for the workers.

Associate Professor of Osmania University arrested for Maoist links in Telangana

An Associate Professor in the Telugu Department of Osmania University, identified as Chintakindi Kaseem, was arrested by the Gajwel Police for his alleged close links with Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI Maoist) from Hyderabad District on January 18, reports The New Indian Express. Kaseem was arrested after Police conducted searches at his residence in the staff quarters of the University and seized banned Maoist literature, pamphlets, CDs and electronic equipment. As per the reports, Kaseem, who is also the editor of ‘Nadustunna Telangana’ magazine, was recently elected as the ‘secretary’ of the revolutionary writer’s association, ‘Virasam’. In 2016, he was booked under sedition charges by Mulugu Police.

IED recovered from bag and defused in Karnataka

Mangaluru Police on January 20 recovered an unattended laptop bag with a crude explosive device from Bajpe airport in Mangaluru (Dakshina Kannada District) of Karnataka, reports Indian Express. The low intensity explosive device (IED) inside a tiffin box-type metal container placed in the laptop bag was later moved by the bomb squad to an open field near the airport in a bomb disposal container and defused. According to Mangaluru Police, CCTV footage revealed that a man in a cap and a white shirt and dark pants who is believed to come in an auto rickshaw suspected to have abandoned the bag at the airport. Further investigation is going on as Police has registered a case under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Act.

Political party in Tripura warns of massive agitation demanding separate statehood for ethnic Bengalis

Tripura unit of Amra Bangali, a Bengali political party, January 20 threatened a massive agitation if the government doesn’t fulfill its demands, including Bangalistan, a separate state for Bengalis, and exemption of the state from Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), reports The Telegraph. The party Tripura secretary stated that “During the period of insurgency in Tripura, and before that during Partition, a large number of Bengalis were affected. Many were rendered homeless. On December 10 last year, during a protest against CAA in Kanchanpur sub-division of North Tripura District, displaced Brus had attacked Bengalis after which some of them shifted to relief camps out of fear. Many people lost their properties but the government didn’t take any action against the culprits. To protect the interest of Bengalis, we need a land exclusively for Bengalis, Bangalistan. Bengalis are an integral part of this land and should not leave it at any cost. We shall not let any Bengali be excluded from this land.”

Maoists distribute pamphlets in Kerala

A group of eight armed cadres of Communist Party of India-Maoist including one woman visited Ambayathode town in Kannur District of Kerala and distributed pamphlets and pasted posters on January 20, reports UNI.

According to Police sources, the suspected Maoists, carrying guns, handed over pamphlets to the employees who reached Ambayathode bus stand in Kottiyoor Panchayat (village level local self-Government institution). Following the incident, a Police team led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), of Iritty town, R. Anand,along with Thunderbolts (the Kerala Police elite commando force), and Anti-Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] squad has intensified search operations in the nearby areas with the support of forest department officials at Kottiyoor wildlife sanctuary to catch the Maoists.

Maoists assault civilians, set ablaze vehicles in Odisha

A group of over 60 cadres of Communist Party of India-Maoist attacked a construction site, assaulted two of its workers and set ablaze two JCB machines, a roller and a mixture machine engaged in road construction work near Gumma village under Kalyansinghpur Block (administrative unit) in Rayagada District of Odisha on January 22, reports The Pioneer. As per the report, the Rural Development Department has taken up a road construction project worth INR 100 million from Naringtoli village to Gumma village in the District. After the attack, the Maoists left posters, bearing the name of the ‘Rayagada Area Committee’ (RAC) of CPI-Maoist. The posters alleged that the road is being constructed to facilitate the entry of Vedanta Mining Company into the Niyamagiri forests in the State and forcibly suppress the movement of tribals against bauxite mining. It also read that those people would be punished in the ‘Jan Adalats’ (People’s court, hold by CPI-Maoists) if they supported handing over Niyamagiri to the Vedanta Company.

Huge quantity of ammunition, explosives seized in Jharkhand

Security Forces (SFs) recovered a huge quantity of ammunition and explosives suspected to be hidden by the Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres from a village in Dumka District of Jharkhand on Jan 23, reports Mid-Day. A total of 1804 live cartridges of 7.62 bore rifle,  993 cartridges of .303 rifle, sixty magazines of a carbine, a walkie-talkie and 800 kilograms of explosives were seized from Suklatola village inside a forest area under Kathikund Police Station limits in the District. The explosives hidden in a container were meant to target security personnel, Superintendent of Police (SP), Y S Ramesh said. Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] literatures and diaries were also recovered from the spot, SP added.

Northeast militant groups call for boycotting Republic day celebrations

Coordination Committee (CorCom) and United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent  called for boycott of Republic Day (January 26), reports The Sangai Express on January 23.

Additionally, Kuki National Front-Nehlun (KNF-N) has also called for boycotting the Republic Day, reports The Sangai Express. They have called for boycott in all Kuki inhabited areas on January 26. KNF-N is a non-signatory of Suspension of Operation (SoO).

Monthly Fatalities

The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period Dec 26, 2019 to Jan 25, 2020:

	Civilian	Indian Security  Personnel	Militant	Total
Assam	04	00	02	06
Arunachal P	03	02	02	07
Left Wing	10	00	02	12
Total	17	02	06	25

Nepal – Internal Dynamics

IED planted at Ncell tower in Surkhet District

An unidentified group on January 1 planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Pipira based Ncell tower in Birendranagar city of Surkhet District in Province No. 6, reports Republica. Officials suspect the involvement of the cadres of outlawed Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand) for planting the IED.

Unidentified groups torch Ncell towers at different parts of the country

Unidentified groups set on fire communication towers of Ncell, a private sector telecom company, at different parts of the country, reports Kathmandu Post.

In Dhading District of Province No.3, an Ncell tower was torched on January 1. According to Police, radio set, generator and other equipment were destroyed in the arson. Some leaflets, stating that Ncell has swindled Nepali people and evaded billions of tax, were also found in the incident site.

Earlier, in Chitwan District of Province No. 3, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was exploded at an Ncell tower on December 31.

Similarly, in Rautahat District of Province No. 2, an Ncell tower was torched on December 31.

Demand to suspend Transitional Justice appointment process

Conflict victims have urged the Government to suspend the process initiated to appoint commissioners for key Transitional Justice (TJ) bodies at least until the new law is promulgated, reports My Republica on January 11. On January 10, Primary victim groups–Conflict Victims’ Common Platform (CVCP) and National Network of Disabled Conflict Victims (NNDCV) threatened to stay away from the TJ process. Both the groups warned of boycotting the TJ process if their demands were ignored, while conflict victims have announced to reject their participation in national consultations scheduled for January 13, 2020. “Since the consultation scheduled for January 13 is just for the sake of consultation and not meaningful as demanded by the victims, it’s not acceptable to us,” reads the statement issued by CVCP. After spending 10 months without doing anything substantive to complete the given assignment, a committee formed to suggest commissioners for the two commissions – Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) has reportedly finalized the probable candidates. The recommendation process is now said to be delayed until the consultations are organized.

Unidentified group torches Ncell tower in Tanahun District

An unidentified group set on fire communication tower of Ncell, a private sector telecom company, at Mirchulung in Tanahun District of Province No. 4 in Nepal on January 11, reports The Himalayan Times. 12-volt battery, eight pieces of cable wire, and generator were destroyed in the arson attack. After preliminary investigation, Police estimated that the arson attack might have destroyed property worth millions of rupees.

Bomb exploded in Katmandu

A bomb was exploded on January 15 at the residence of Shobha Kanta Dhakal, one of the names associated with Lalita Niwas land grab case in Baluwatar area of Katmandu District in Province No. 3, reports The Himalayan Times. Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand) took responsibility for the blast. The glass windows of the house and a parked vehicle inside the compound suffered damages in the blast. Nobody was hurt in the incident.

Ready to take responsibility of 5,000 deaths, says NCP Co-chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Co-chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who led the 10-year long Maoist insurgency from 1996 to 2006, on January 15 said the allegation that he was responsible for 17,000 conflict-era killings was false, but added that he was ready to take responsibility of 5,000 deaths, reports The Himalayan Times. “Please check the statistics. The then state killed 12,000 people. If you hold me responsible for the killing of 5,000 persons, I am ready to accept it,” said Dahal at a programme held at Tundikhel on the occasion of Maghi festival. Dahal also reiterated that he would take full responsibility of the ‘people’s war’. “I take full responsibility of all good and bad work of the war. I will never run away,” he said. “But please do not hold me responsible for anything that I have not done.”

Government of Nepal is rolling out series of laws to undermine freedom of expression, says HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2020 said on January 15 that the Government of Nepal is rolling out a series of laws to undermine the freedom of expression, while denying justice to victims of conflict-era abuses, reports The Himalayan Times. According to the report, the KP Sharma Oli led Government proposed amendments to the law related to transitional justice, but they did not meet international standards that could ensure trial for those most responsible for the worst crimes committed during the conflict. “Instead, the current government, like its predecessors, continued to resist amending the transitional justice legislation to abide by the landmark 2015 Supreme Court ruling, which struck down key components of the current law, such as provisions that would allow amnesty even for perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity,” it warned.

Contact office of Dilasaini Rural Municipality set ablaze in Baitadi District

An unidentified group set ablaze the contact office of Dilasaini Rural Municipality in Baitadi District of Province No. 7 on January 22, reports The Himalayan Times. Besides, a pressure cooker bomb, an improvised explosive device (IED) was found in front of the main gate. Police were yet to find the culprits involved in the arson attack and bomb plantation. 

Sri Lanka – Internal Dynamics

Repealing 19th Amendment is key to fulfill people’s aspirations, says President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa during a meeting with the heads of the Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas at the President’s House on December 28, said repealing 19th Amendment is key to fulfill people’s aspirations, reports Colombo Post. “It is the challenging responsibility of all the people’s representatives to fulfill the aspirations of the people who delivered a remarkable victory. It is the responsibility of everybody to commit to this endeavor,” he pointed out. The President also stressed that the 19th Amendment has been a major obstacle to state governance. He stressed the need for a strong Parliament to remove the legislation. The President said that it is the key factor to fulfilling the aspirations of the people.

Government receives Cabinet approval to withdraw Counter Terrorism Bill

The Government on January 2, received the Cabinet approval to withdraw the Counter Terrorism Bill, which was drafted by the previous Government to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reports Colombo Page. The controversial Bill is being considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations in Parliament. However, considering the views expressed by various parties regarding certain provisions contained in the Bill, Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena has proposed the withdrawal of the Bill.

Constitution should be changed to protect the country, says President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa opening the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament on January 3, said constitution should be changed to protect the country, reports Colombo Page. Presenting the policy manifesto, the President said the country’s independence would not be compromised and in order to safeguard the security, sovereignty, stability and integrity of the country, it is essential that changes be made to the existing Constitution.

Government has decided to review OMP Act, says official

An official said the Government has decided to review the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Act enacted by Parliament during the former regime, reports Daily Mirror on January 7. The Act was brought in as part of the previous government’s commitment to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in terms of resolution 30/1. It provided for the establishment of the Office of Missing Persons as part of that government’s reconciliation process. Resolution 30/1 envisaged the setting up of such a mechanism to trace the fate of persons who went missing, particularly during war time, to maintain a database of them. The rulers of the incumbent Government – who were in the opposition at that time – were then opposed to the Act saying it would be a step in the direction of pressing war crime charges against the military.

Two suspects arrested with explosives C4 and TNT

Two suspects were arrested along with an explosive mix of TNT and C-4 in their possession, during a joint search operation conducted by the Navy and the Kinniya Police in the Nagautthu region of Trincomalee District on January 9, reports Colombo Page. The suspects have been identified as residents of Trincomalee, aged 44 and 56, (names yet to be established), were handed over to the Kinniya Police along with explosives for further investigation.

HRW calls Government to repeal draconian Counterterrorism Law

The New York-based global rights organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW) on January 10 called on the Sri Lankan Government to repeal the draconian Counter terrorism Law, reports Colombo Page. The Sri Lankan Government should abide by its commitments to replace the abusive Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) with legislation that respects its international human rights obligations, the HRW said. The cabinet of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced on January 4 that it would withdraw a proposed replacement law, reneging on pledges to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the European Union.

Tamil diaspora is trying their best to revive LTTE by lobbying against Government, says Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne

Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne while addressing the officers and other ranks during his maiden visit to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Headquarters on January 13 said Tamil diaspora is trying their best to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by lobbying against the Government with the support of the international community, reports Daily Mirror. He said “The Tamil diaspora is trying to achieve what the LTTE couldn’t through the arms struggle. But all those attempts were proved to have been futile.”

Respect for fundamental human rights in Sri Lanka is in serious jeopardy, says HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2020 released on January 14 said respect for fundamental human rights in Sri Lanka is in serious jeopardy following Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election as President in November 2019, reports Colombo Page. “There is every reason to fear that any progress Sri Lanka has made in recent years in restoring basic rights and rebuilding democratic institutions will be overturned with a vengeance. The new president seems intent not only to wipe away the Rajapaksas’ past abuses but clear the path for future ones. Concerned governments should make it clear that international crimes cannot simply be brushed under the carpet,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at HRW.

President admits thousands of people missing since end of brutal civil war are “dead”

For the first time, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during a meeting with United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on January 17 admitted that thousands of people missing since the end of the brutal civil war between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels over a decade ago are “dead”, reports Times of India. He told that after the necessary investigations are completed steps would be taken to issue death certificates to these missing persons. According to the Government figures, over 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts including the three-decade separatist war with LTTE in the north and east which claimed at least 100,000 lives.

Biased election coverage by private and state media tainted otherwise well managed election process by EC, says EU EOM

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) on January 24 publishing the final report on Sri Lanka’s November 16, 2019, Presidential Election said the biased election coverage by private and state media tainted the otherwise well managed election process by the Election Commission (EC), reports Colombo Page. Chief Observer of the EU EOM to Sri Lanka, Ms. Marisa Matias presenting the report, said “An electoral process well managed by the Election Commission and a peaceful campaign on the ground contrasted with divisive rhetoric, hate speech and disinformation in traditional and social media. The absence of a law on campaign finance and the biased election coverage by private and state media contributed to an uneven playing field and limited the opportunity for most candidates to convey their message.”

INTERNATIONAL

90 killed in Mogadishu’s massive car bomb blast

A massive car bomb exploded in busy area of Mogadishu on Saturday, Dec 28 leaving at least 90 people dead, many of them are university students, in Somalia’s deadliest attack in two years. The blast occurred at a busy intersection southwest of the Somali capital where the presence of a security checkpoint and a tax office often cause traffic jams. Scores of wounded were carried on stretchers from the site, where the force of the explosion left the charred and twisted remains of vehicles.

The attack has not been claimed, however, Mogadishu is regularly hit by car bombings and attacks waged by Al-Shabaab militants allied to al-Qaeda. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo condemned the attack in comments carried by the Somalia national news agency SONNA.

Police officer Ibrahim Mohamed described the explosion as “devastating”. “We have confirmed that two Turkish nationals, presumably road construction engineers are among the dead, we don’t have details about whether they were passing by the area or stayed in the area,” he said. Turkey´s defence ministry wrote on Twitter it had sent a military plane “loaded with emergency aid equipment in order to provide emergency aid to our Somalian brothers injured in the despicable terror attack in Somalia”.

Mogadishu´s mayor Omar Mohamud Mohamed told a news conference that the exact number of dead was not yet known.

“We will confirm the exact number of the number of the dead later but it is not going to be small, most of the dead were innocent university students and other civilians,” he said.

Witness Muhibo Ahmed said the attack was a “devastating incident because there were many people including students in buses who were passing by the area when the blast occurred”. Mogadishu is regularly hit by attacks by the Shabaab, which has fought for more than a decade to topple the Somali government.

Rocket attack kills US contractor in strife-torn Iraq

New rocket attacks in Iraq have killed a US civilian contractor, raising fears on Saturday, Dec 28 that violence could escalate in the protest-hit country already engulfed in its worst political crisis in decades.

Washington recently promised “a firm response” to a growing number of attacks on its interests in Iraq, for which no one has claimed responsibility but which Washington blames on pro-Iran factions.

US-Iran tensions have soared since Washington pulled out of a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran last year and imposed crippling sanctions, leaving Baghdad — which is close to both countries worried about being caught in the middle. In the latest attack, 30 rockets were fired at the K1 Iraqi military base in Kirkuk, an oil-rich region north of Baghdad, at 2220 GMT Friday, a US official told AFP in Washington. “One US civilian contractor was killed and several US service members and Iraqi personnel were wounded,” the US-led international coalition against the Islamic State group said. The attacks come at a time when Iraq is gripped by its biggest wave of anti-government street protests since the US-led invasion of 2003 that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein. The protesters, many of whom were born in the post-Saddam era, have vented their anger at a government they consider inept, corrupt and beholden to neighbouring Iran.

IS claims execution of 11 Christians in Nigeria

Jihadists aligned to the Islamic State group have released a video claiming to show the execution of 11 Christians in restive northeast Nigeria.

The footage posted online late on Thursday, Dec 26 by IS-linked propaganda arm Amaq showed 11 blindfolded men being shot and stabbed by jihadists from the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) at an undisclosed location.

“This is a message to Christians all over the world,” said a masked man in the one-minute video. He claimed the killings were in reprisal for the death of IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and his spokesman.

IS leader Baghdadi committed suicide in October to avoid capture during a US special forces raid on his hideout in the province of Idlib in northwest Syria.

In recent months, ISWAP has intensified its attacks on Christians, security personnel and aid staff, setting up roadblocks on highways and conducting searches.

On Sunday, the jihadists killed six people and abducted five others including two aid workers when they intercepted vehicles on a highway on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Philippines bans US senators, mulls visa for Americans

The Philippines banned two US senators and threatened to introduce visa restrictions for Americans entering the country, the president’s spokesman said on Friday, Dec 27 if Washington pushes ahead with sanctions against Filipino officials involved in jailing a leading opposition leader.

Senators Richard Durbin and Patrick Leahy were banned from entering the country after introducing a provision in the 2020 US budget that would prevent officials involved in the incarceration of Senator Leila de Lima from entering the US, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

De Lima, one of the highest-profile critics of Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, has been imprisoned since February 2017 over a drug charge but has claimed innocence, and accused him of persecuting political opponents.

The senators’ provision allows the US to deny entry to Philippine officials if the state department finds “credible information” on those involved in the “wrongful imprisonment” of De Lima.

A former human rights commissioner, she has said her imprisonment was an act of revenge for her decade-long effort to expose the president’s alleged death squads during his time as mayor of the southern city of Davao.

235,000 people have fled Idlib region in Syria, says UN

More than 235,000 people have fled the Idlib region over the past two weeks, the UN said on Friday, Dec 27 amid heightened regime and Russian attacks on Syria’s last major opposition bastion.

The mass displacement between 12 and 25 December has left the violence-plagued Maaret al-Numan region in southern Idlib “almost empty,” the UN said in a statement. Since mid-December, Russian-backed regime forces have pressed with an assault on jihadists in southern Idlib, despite an August ceasefire deal and calls for a de-escalation from Turkey, France and the United Nations.

The increased air strikes came as Russian-backed regime forces advance on the ground. They have since December 19 seized dozens of towns and villages from the jihadist amid clashes that have killed hundreds on both sides. The bombardment and clashes have amplified displacement from Maaret al-Numan and the nearby town Saraqeb in the southern Idlib region, the UN said.

Idlib is dominated by the country’s former al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, whose chief this week urged jihadists and allied rebels to head to the frontlines and battle “the Russian occupiers” and the regime.

90 killed in Mogadishu massive car bomb blast

A massive car bomb exploded in a busy area of Mogadishu on Saturday, Dec 28 leaving at least 90 people dead, many of them are university students, in Somalia’s deadliest attack in two years.

The blast occurred at a busy intersection southwest of the Somali capital where the presence of a security checkpoint and a tax office often cause traffic jams. Scores of wounded were carried on stretchers from the site, where the force of the explosion left the charred and twisted remains of vehicles.

The attack has not been claimed, however, Mogadishu is regularly hit by car bombings and attacks waged by Al-Shabaab militants allied to al-Qaeda. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo condemned the attack in comments carried by the Somalia national news agency SONNA.

Sudan sentences 27 agents to death

A Sudanese court on Monday, Dec 30 sentenced 27 intelligence agents to death for torturing and killing a protester early this year, an AFP correspondent said.

The defendants were found guilty of torturing to death Ahmed al-Kheir Awadh at an intelligence services facility and sentenced to be hanged, judge Sadok Albdelrahman said.

The teacher was beaten and tortured to death after he was arrested in late January by intelligence operatives in Kassala state in eastern Sudan, the judge said.

Sudanese took to the streets from December 2018, initially to protest against high bread prices, but the demonstrations soon turned into demands for autocrat Omar al-Bashir to step down.

The president was deposed in April by the military, but huge protests continued, culminating in a compromise that saw a joint military-civilian transitional council formed in August.

At least 177 people were killed in repression of the months-long protests, according to rights group Amnesty International, while a doctors’ committee close to the protest movement put the toll at over 250. Many of those killed were the victims of a June 3 massacre outside army headquarters in Khartoum, perpetrated by men in military fatigues.

Turkey arrests 100 IS suspects

Turkey has arrested 100 suspected members of the Islamic State group (IS) in raids across the country, state news agency Anadolu reported on Monday, Dec 30. More than 40 Iraqis, around 20 Syrians and a Moroccan were among those detained across six provinces in recent days, including Ankara, Bursa and Batman, Anadolu said.

Turkey has stepped up raids on IS militants in recent months and pushed to repatriate them to their countries of origin. It announced 20 arrests in Istanbul last week. Turkey was accused of allowing foreign Jihadists to pass easily across its border in the early years of the Syrian conflict. But it took a much tougher response after a spate of IS attacks in 2015 and 2016 that decimated its tourism industry, culminating in a massacre at an Istanbul nightclub celebrating the 2017 New Year in which 39 people died.

Darfur tribal fighting kills 48

At least 48 people were killed and more than 200 wounded in tribal fighting in Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur, the Red Crescent said on Thursday, Jan 2.

The armed clashes broke out on Sunday night in El Geneina, capital of West Darfur state, and continued until Monday between Arab and African tribes during which several houses were torched, it said.

At least 48 people were killed and their bodies transferred to a morgue in the city and 241 wounded, including 19 in critical condition who were flown to Khartoum for treatment, it said in a statement.

“This morning the situation is calm,” it said, adding that several homes had been torched. The Khartoum government imposed a curfew across West Darfur on Monday and has launched an investigation into the bloodshed, while a delegation of senior officials visited the area.

US kills top Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad air strike

Iran’s most powerful military commander, Gen Qasem Soleimani, was killed by a US air strike in Iraq on Jan 3. The 62-year-old spearheaded Iranian military operations in the Middle East as head of Iran’s elite Quds Force. He was killed at Baghdad airport, along with other Iran-backed militia figures, early on Friday in a strike ordered by US President Donald Trump.

Mr Trump said the general was “directly and indirectly responsible for the deaths of millions of people”.

Soleimani’s killing marks a major escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. Under his leadership, Iran had bolstered Hezbollah in Lebanon and other pro-Iranian militant groups, expanded its military presence in Iraq and Syria and orchestrated Syria’s offensive against rebel groups in the country’s long civil war.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “severe revenge awaits the criminals” behind the attack. He also announced three days of national mourning.

Soleimani was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran, behind the Ayatollah Khamenei. The Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reported directly to the ayatollah and Soleimani was hailed as a heroic national figure.

But the US has called the commander and the Quds Force terrorists and holds them responsible for the deaths of hundreds of US personnel. President Trump, who was in Florida at the time of the strike, tweeted an image of the American flag shortly after the news broke. Tweeting again on Friday, Mr Trump said Soleimani had “killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans and was plotting to kill many more” and “should have been taken out many years ago. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country,” he said.

A statement from the Pentagon the headquarters of the US Department of Defense said Soleimani had been “developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region”. “This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans,” it added.

Meanwhile Iranian officials are categorical this is an act of war to be met by “harsh retaliation”. Iran has many ways and means to strike back as a long-simmering crisis suddenly moves to a new, dangerous chapter.

Gunmen kill 19 in Nigeria attack

Armed assailants on Friday, Jan 3  killed 19 people in a night-time raid on a rural community in central Nigeria, police said. The gunmen torched houses and other buildings after launching the attack against the Tawari community in Kogi state, 100-km south of the capital Abuja, at midnight. “They burnt some houses, a school, a church and the palace of the local ruler,” regional police spokesman William Aya told AFP. “Nineteen people were killed.”

A local security source told AFP that the killings were suspected to be a reprisal attack linked to clashes with a rival community in the area, but there was no official confirmation. Police spokesman Aya said the motive for the attack and identity of the assailants remained unclear. “We have commenced the investigation and it will reveal what happened,” he said.

‘US deploying up to 3,500 troops to Middle East’

The US is deploying up to 3,500 more troops to the Middle East in a show of force, a Pentagon official said Friday, Jan 3 after an American drone killed a top Iranian general.

The reinforcements will come from the 82nd Airborne Division´s Global Response Force, which already supplied several hundred extra troops to the region earlier this week as tensions grew over an attack on the US embassy in Baghdad.

A Defense Department spokesperson said that the 82^nd Airborne’s Immediate Response Force brigade had already been notified earlier this week that they could be sent to the region.

“The brigade will deploy to Kuwait as an appropriate and precautionary action in response to increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities, and will assist in reconstituting the reserve,” the official said.

Trump warns Turkey against ‘interference’ after Libya vote

Turkey’s parliament approved on Friday Jan 3 the deployment of troops to Libya aimed at shoring up the UN-backed government in Tripoli, sparking a blunt warning from US President Donald Trump against any “foreign interference” in the war-torn country.

Libya has been beset by chaos since a Nato-backed uprising toppled and killed dictator Moamer Qadhafi in 2011, with rival administrations in the east and the west vying for power.

The beleaguered Tripoli government, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, has been under sustained attack since April by military strongman General Khalifa Haftar, who is backed by Turkey’s regional rivals Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

In response to the prospect that Ankara might intervene after Thursday’s vote, Trump had told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a call “that foreign interference is complicating the situation in Libya,” White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement.

Egypt also strongly condemned the Turkish vote, saying it amounted to a “flagrant violation of international law and Security Council resolutions on Libya”, while Israel, Cyprus and Greece denounced a “dangerous threat to regional stability”.

Libya’s elected parliament in the east allied with Haftar called Turkey’s prospective military intervention “high treason”.

President Erdogan is due to receive Russian President Vladimir Putin next week to inaugurate a new gas pipeline and Libya is expected to be a key topic of discussion. Erdogan has repeatedly accused Russia of sending private mercenaries to support Haftar’s forces, though this has been denied by Moscow.

At the same time, Turkey and Russia have managed to work closely on the Syrian conflict despite supporting opposing sides, and are expected to seek a similar balancing act with regards to Libya.

Erdogan’s office confirmed last Friday that a request for military support had been received from the internationally recognised Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA).

No details have been given on the scale of the potential deployment and Vice-President Fuat Oktay told state news agency Anadolu on Wednesday that no date had yet been set.

“We are ready. Our armed forces and our defence ministry are ready,” he said, adding that parliamentary approval would be valid for a year. He described the parliament motion as a “political signal” aimed at deterring Haftar.

“After it passes, if the other side changes its attitude and says, ‘OK, we are withdrawing we are abandoning our offensive,’ then what should we go there for?” The bill passed easily by 325 votes to 184.

Czech mosque vandalised with death threats

A mosque in the Czech Republic’s second city of Brno has been vandalised with graffiti threatening to kill Muslims, police said on Saturday, Jan 4.

“Don’t spread Islam in the Czech Republic! Otherwise we’ll kill you,” reads the inscription sprayed on the mosque. “We have been investigating the case since Friday afternoon as damage to property for now,” local police spokesman Bohumil Malasek told AFP. The perpetrator faces up to a year in prison if convicted.

“We take it seriously as a direct threat, it’s not an anonymous call on the internet,” Muneeb Hassan Alrawi, head of the Czech Muslim Communities Centre, told the CTK news agency. “We must also see this in the light of attacks on mosques in the world and of the oppressive sentiment and atmosphere in the Czech Republic,” he added.

The migrant wave that peaked in Europe in 2015 stoked anti-Muslim sentiment in the Czech Republic even though it is home to only a small number after most refugees headed for wealthier states such as Germany or Sweden.

The Muslim population in the Czech Republic, an EU member of 10.7 million people, tallied at 3,358 in a 2011 census but unofficial estimates suggest a community of 10,000-20,000.

Syria death toll tops 380,000 in nine-year war

Almost nine years of civil war in Syria has left more than 380,000 people dead including over 115,000 civilians, a war monitor said in a new toll on Saturday. Jan 4.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of sources across the country, said they included around 22,000 children and more than 13,000 women.

The conflict flared after unprecedented anti-government protests in the southern city of Daraa on March 15, 2011. Demonstrations spread across Syria and were brutally suppressed by the regime, triggering a multi-front armed conflict that has drawn in Jihadists and foreign powers.

The conflict has displaced or sent into exile around 13 million Syrians, causing billions of dollars-worth of destruction.

The Britain-based Observatory’s last casualty toll on the Syrian conflict, issued in March last year, stood at more than 370,000 dead. The latest toll included more than 128,000 Syrian and non-Syrian pro-regime fighters. More than half of those were Syrian soldiers, while 1,682 were from the Lebanese group Hezbollah whose members have been fighting in Syria since 2013.

Seven children among 14 killed in Burkina Faso

Seven children and four women were among 14 civilians, killed when a roadside bomb blew up their bus in northwestern Burkina Faso, the government said.

“The provisional toll is 14 dead,” a statement said, adding that 19 more people were hurt, three of them seriously in Saturday’s (Jan 4) blast. The explosion happened in Sourou province near the Mali border as students returned to school after the Christmas holidays, a security source said.

“The vehicle hit a homemade bomb on the Toeni-Tougan road,” the source told AFP. “The government strongly condemns this cowardly and barbaric act,” the statement said. No one claimed responsibility for the attack but jihadist violence in Burkina Faso has been blamed on combatants linked to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups.

Five Mali soldiers killed by roadside bomb

Five Malian soldiers were killed on Monday, Jan 6 in a roadside bomb attack, a government spokesperson said, in the latest violence to hit the West African country’s volatile central region.

The troops were travelling in the region of Alatona, near the border with Mauritania, when their convoy hit a homemade bomb on Monday morning and destroyed four vehicles. “Reinforcements are already in place for the operation to neutralise the enemies,” government spokesperson Yaya Sangare said on Twitter.

Mali has been struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that erupted in the north in 2012, and which has claimed thousands of military and civilian lives since. More than 140 Malian soldiers died in Jihadist attacks between September and December.

Despite some 4,500 French troops in the Sahel region, plus a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in Mali, the conflict has engulfed the centre of the country and spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

Kurds free dozens of IS-linked Syrians

Syria’s Kurds have released 30 Syrians suspected of affiliation to the Islamic State group after guarantees from tribal leaders, a spokesman said on Tuesday, Jan 7 adding more should be freed soon.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) hold thousands of suspected IS fighters after years of leading the US-backed fight in the country against the Jihadist group. The suspects are mostly Syrian and Iraqi Iraq was the other key crucible of the conflict with IS but they also include hundreds of foreigners.

A spokesman for the Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria said tribal leaders had requested that 300 Syrian detainees be freed, and that 30 were approved and released on January 5.

Germany rejects Trump call to ditch Iran nuclear pact

Germany said on Friday, Jan 10 it still wanted “to save” the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s plea for Europeans to quit the hard-won pact.

“Our goal is still to save the agreement because we remain convinced that it’s the right instrument to prevent Iran from possible nuclear armament,” foreign ministry spokesman Rainer Breul said in Berlin. His comments echoed those by Britain and France, who have also stressed their continued commitment to the deal.

Trump on Wednesday pulled back from the brink of war with Iran, but said “the time had come” for fellow signatories to “break away from the remnants” of the nuclear accord. “We want to use all the possibilities offered by the (deal) to move towards a diplomatic solution,” Breul told reporters.

He urged Tehran “to return its commitments” under the 2015 agreement struck with the US, Britain, Germany, France, Russia and China. The deal has been unravelling ever since Trump withdrew the United States from the pact in 2018.

King of Jordan warns Islamic State on rise again

King Abdullah of Jordan on Monday, Jan 13 warned that the Islamic State group was regrouping and was once again on the rise in the Middle East. Months after the ousting of IS last year from their last Syrian holdout, Abdullah said his “major concern is that we have seen over the past year the re-establishment and rise of Isis, not only in southern eastern Syria but also in western Iraq.

“We have to deal with the reemergence of Isis,” the king added in an interview with TV channel France 24 ahead of talks this week in Brussels, Strasbourg and Paris. He also said many foreign fighters from Syria were now in Libya.

“From a European perspective, with Libya being much closer to Europe, this is going to be an important discussion in the next couple of days,” Abdullah said. “Several thousand fighters have left Idlib (Syria) through the northern border and have ended up in Libya, that is something that we in the region but also our European friends will have to address in 2020.”

Jordan, whose stability is seen as vital for the volatile Middle East, hosts some 1.3 million refugees from neighbouring war torn Syria.

US sends 21 Saudis home

The United States will send home 21 Saudi military trainees after an investigation into the “jihadist” killing of three American sailors last month, the Justice Department announced late on Monday, Jan 13.

Attorney General Bill Barr said the December 6 shootings by Royal Saudi Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani at the US Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida was an “act of terrorism.” “The evidence shows that the shooter was motivated by jihadist ideology.” There was no evidence that Alshamrani had colluded with others, although Barr said FBI investigators had been unable to unlock his two phones to determine whom he had contacted.

Iran wants dialogue, working to prevent war: Rouhani

Iran’s president said on Thursday, Jan 16 dialogue with the world was “possible” despite high tensions with the United States, and stressed that Tehran was working daily “to prevent military confrontation or war”.

Iran attacked the US military in Iraq on January 8 with missiles to retaliate against Washington’s targeted killing of a key Iranian general five days earlier in Baghdad, at a time when both are also locked in a bitter dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme.

“The government is working daily to prevent military confrontation or war,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech, adding that “for me this is a daily concern”.

The latest surge in tension has prompted calls for de-escalation from an international community that fears a wider conflagration in the Middle East, where the US has multiple allies and bases and Iran has proxies, especially in Iraq and Lebanon.

On Wednesday, Rouhani had said Iran’s missile launches against Iraqi bases used by the US armed forces had provided “compensation” for the death of General Qasem Soleimani, the architect of Iran’s Middle East military strategy.

Europe will face terror threat if Tripoli govt falls, says Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Europe it could face new threats from terrorist organisations if Libya’s UN-recognised government in Tripoli were to fall.

In the article, published on Saturday, Jan 18  on the eve of a Libya peace conference in Berlin, Erdogan said the EU’s failure to adequately support the Government of National Accord (GNA) would be “a betrayal of its own core values, including democracy and human rights”.

The GNA led by Fayez al-Sarraj has been under attack since April from strongman Khalifa Haftar’s forces based in the east of the country, with fighting killing over 280 civilians and 2,000 fighters.

“Europe will encounter a fresh set of problems and threats if Libya’s legitimate government were to fall,” Erdogan wrote. “Terrorist organisations such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda, which suffered a military defeat in Syria and Iraq, will find a fertile ground to get back on their feet.”

In a joint initiative, Turkey and Russia have brokered a ceasefire but Haftar walked away from talks in Moscow this week aimed at finalising the truce agreement. A furious Erdogan has accused Haftar of fleeing Moscow and said he would “teach (him) a lesson” if he resumed fighting.

Erdogan’s government backs Sarraj and the Turkish parliament earlier this month approved the deployment of troops to Libya after the signing of controversial security and maritime deals between Tripoli and Ankara.

World powers are trying to mediate a lasting ceasefire at the international conference in Berlin on Sunday which the warring parties are expected to attend.

Meanwhile, Turkey on Saturday lashed out at Greece for hosting Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar ahead of an international conference in Berlin, saying that the move by Athens would “sabotage” peace efforts.

“Inviting Haftar to Greece and highlighting the Greek national agenda sabotage the efforts to bring peace to Libya,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote on Twitter. “We would like to remind our Greek friends that these futile efforts are in vain.”

US ‘white extremist’ trio arrested for anti-govt plot

Three alleged members of a US white supremacist group have been arrested on charges of plotting to overthrow the American government and conspiracy to murder two anti-fascist activists.

Police said the trio were members of The Base, which US prosecutors have described as an international network of white nationalists who discuss “committing acts of violence against minority communities.”

“The group was involved in recruiting new members online, meeting to discuss strategy and practicing in paramilitary training camps on a 100-acre (40-hectare) tract in Silver Creek” northwest of Atlanta, Floyd County police said in a statement on Friday, Jan 17.

The men, aged from 19 to 25 and based in the US state of Georgia, sought to “accelerate the downfall of the United States government, incite a race war and establish a white ethno-state,” according to a police affidavit.

The governor of that state had a day earlier declared a “state of emergency” ahead of the rally following threats of violence from white nationalist and militia groups.

Over 100 Yemen soldiers killed in missile drone attack

More than 100 Yemeni soldiers have been killed and scores injured in a missile and drone attack blamed on Huthi rebels in central Yemen, medical and military sources said Sunday, Jan 19. Saturday’s strike follows months of relative calm in the war between the Huthis and Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

The Huthis attacked a mosque in a military camp in the central province of Marib about 170 kilometres (105 miles) east of the capital Sanaa during evening prayers, military sources told AFP.

The drone and missile strike came a day after coalition-backed government forces launched a large-scale operation against the Huthis in the Nihm region, north of Sanaa. Fighting in Nihm was ongoing on Sunday, a military source said according to the official Saba news agency.

“Dozens from the (Huthi) militia were killed and injured,” the source added. Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi condemned the “cowardly and terrorist” attack on the mosque, Saba reported.

The president also stressed the importance of increasing military vigilance “to foil hostile and destructive plans and maintain security and stability”. The Huthis did not make any immediate claim of responsibility and the Saba report did not give a death toll.

Iran warns IAEA

Iran’s parliamentary speaker on Sunday, Jan 19 warned of unspecified repercussions for the UN’s nuclear watchdog if European nations that launched a dispute mechanism against the Islamic republic act “unfairly”.

Britain, France and Germany launched a process last week charging Iran with failing to observe the terms of the 2015 deal curtailing its nuclear programme, while Tehran accuses the bloc of inaction over US sanctions.

The EU three insisted they remained committed to the agreement, which has already been severely undermined by the US exit from it in 2018 and its re-imposition of unilateral sanctions on key sectors of Iran’s economy.

“What the three European countries did regarding Iran’s nuclear issue… is unfortunate,” parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. “We clearly announce that if Europe, for any reason, uses Article 37 of the nuclear agreement unfairly, then Iran will make a serious decision regarding cooperation with the agency,” he said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Since May 2019, Iran has progressively scaled back some commitments under the agreement in response to the US sanctions and Europe’s inability to circumvent them. It has stressed, however, that they can be reversed if Tehran’s interests are realised. Iran’s latest and final step in January entailed forgoing the limit on the number of machines used to make uranium more potent.

Iran MP offers $3m ‘to anyone who kills Trump’

An Iranian lawmaker on Tuesday, Jan 21 offered a $3 million reward to “anyone who kills” US President Donald Trump to avenge the assassination of Maj Gen Qasem Soleimani, semi-official news agency ISNA reported.

Ahmad Hamzeh, a little-known member of the Majlis, made the offer on behalf of the people of Kerman, the hometown and final resting place of Maj Gen Qasem Soleimani. “We will give $3 million to anyone who kills Trump,” Hamzeh, who represents Kahnouj county near the southeastern city of Kerman, was quoted as saying by ISNA. He did not say who would pay the bounty offer, which comes a month ahead of a parliamentary election. Soleimani, one of the most popular public figures in Iran, was killed on January 3 in US drone strike outside Baghdad airport.

Russian air strikes kill 17 civilians in Syria

Russian air strikes killed 17 civilians on Tuesday, Jan 21 in northwestern Syria, as renewed violence tightened the noose around the country’s last major rebel-held bastion and deepened an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Retaliatory rocket attacks blamed on rebels and jihadists killed three more civilians in the government-held city of Aleppo in northern Syria, state news agency SANA said.

The spike in violence in the neighbouring provinces of Aleppo and Idlib follow so far unsuccessful diplomatic attempts to reduce hostilities in the flashpoint region, with the latest truce in theory going into effect less than two weeks ago.

The Damascus regime, which controls around 70 percent of the country after nearly nine years of war, has repeatedly vowed to recapture the region. On Tuesday, air strikes by regime-ally Russia on a rebel-held region in Aleppo’s western countryside killed eight members of the same family sheltering in a house, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Three other victims were killed in separate Russian air strikes on western Aleppo on Tuesday, while raids also by Moscow in a southern region of Idlib killed two more people, the Observatory said.

Germany bans neo-Nazi group Combat 18

The German government announced on Thursday, Jan 23 it had banned the neo-Nazi group Combat 18, an organisation founded in Britain that was implicated in the murder of a German municipal official last year.

“Far-right extremism and anti Semitism do not have a place in our society,” an interior ministry spokesman said on Twitter as justification for the ban on the group’s German chapter. He added that raids against its members were underway in six states.

German authorities have long kept a close eye on the group, which although believed to have only about 20 members, are considered to be willing to commit violent acts. The neo Nazi sympathiser suspected of having killed a municipal official for his pro migrant positions was found to have had contacts with Combat 18.

Combat 18 was founded in Britain in 1992 and the number in its name stands for the first and eight letters of the alphabet the initials of Adolf Hitler.

Current Threat Levels

City/Region                                           Threat Level         

Islamabad                                              Level 2                          **

Karachi                                                   Level 2                          **

Lahore                                                    Level 2                          **

Punjab                                                    Level 2                          **

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa                            Level 3                          ***

Peshawar                                               Level 2                          **

Quetta                                                   Level 2                       ***

Upper Balochistan                                  Level 3                         ***

Lower Balochistan                                  Level 2                          **

Upper / Rural Sindh                               Level 2                           **

Gilgit and Northern areas                      Level 3                      ***

Tribal areas,

close to Afghan border                     Level 3                     ***

Index to Threat Level References

Threat Level 1                                                                     *      

No threat to foreigners although there may be isolated incidents involving petty crime. No security precautions are required.

Threat Level 2                                                                     **

No specific threat to foreigners, however because of the overall general law & order situation, some security precautions are advised, especially if traveling.

Threat Level 3                                                                     ***

Indicates that law and order situation is cause for concern and travel should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.  Foreigners should rehearse plans for evacuation.

Threat Level 4                                                                     ****  

Indicates complete breakdown of civil administration and law and order leading to possible anarchy. All foreigners to remain indoors and confined to their own city.  Families and staff not required to be evacuated retaining only a skeleton staff.

Threat Level 5                                                                   ***** 

Indicates complete breakdown of law and order, enemy action/hostilities, invasion/ occupation by enemy.