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Showing posts from June 4, 2017

UAE-tied militants kidnap, torture hundreds in Yemen: Probe

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Militants backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reportedly kidnapped and tortured hundreds of people in southern Yemen. On Friday, the American news and analysis website The Daily Beast published an investigation bankrolled by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism NGO, which pointed to the findings. The probe said the militants, who would fight under the banner of the Elite Forces, had spirited the men away from their homes and brought them to a secret prison compound in southern Yemen, where they were tortured. Earlier in the year, the United Nations had likewise reported an increase in forced disappearances in southern Yemen. The UAE has served as an ally of Saudi Arabia in the latter’s 2015-present campaign in Yemen to restore the impoverished country’s former Riyadh-allied government. The Elite Forces have been fighting in Yemen since the same year to assist the Saudi-led campaign. The investigators interviewed local rights activists and families of those abduc

The rulebook for cyberwar

With ransomware like "WannaCry" sowing chaos worldwide and global powers accusing rivals of using cyberattacks to interfere in domestic politics, the latest edition of the world's only book laying down the law in cyberspace could not be more timely. The Tallinn Manual 2.0 is a unique collection of law on cyber-conflict, says Professor Michael Schmitt from the UK's University of Exeter, who led work on the tome. Published by Cambridge University Press and first compiled by a team of 19 experts in 2013, the latest updated edition aims to pin down the rules that governments should follow when doing battle in virtual reality.  The manual was among the hot topics this week as over 500 IT security experts from across the globe gathered at NATO's Cycon cyber security conference in Tallinn. Launched in 2009, the annual event is organised by NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence based in the Estonian capital. In 2007, Estonia was among the f

US anti-fascists take on alt-right fight squads

Antifa groups and alt-right activists have increasingly clashed with one another in cities and towns across the US. Patrick Strickland09 Jun 2017 08:09 GMT A group of black-clad anarchists surround a far-right activist, pushing him from their protest area and dousing him in silly string. The anti-fascist demonstrators had gathered in Portland in the United States to counter an alt-right rally. "Nazis go home," they yell in videos of the incident on Sunday. Other anti-fascists - or Antifa - set ablaze a blue, black and white version of the US flag that signifies support for the police in a gesture against police brutality. Columns of police in riot gear, supported by officers from the Department of Homeland Security, stand between the alt-right rally-goers and the Antifa counter-protesters, and although there are only minor skirmishes between them, clashes between the police and Antifa result in the arrest of at least 14 people. Sunday was just the latest occasio

US created ISIS, seeks discord among Muslims – Ayatollah Khamenei

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The US is hostile towards Islam and tries to create divisions between Muslims, said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, also accusing Washington of conceiving the Islamic State terrorist group. “One of the main tools used by the enemies to prevent the birth of modern Islamic civilization is through creating divisions among Muslims,”  Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday, as cited by Fars news agency. Khamenei believes that the US is against the principles of Islam and promoting terror groups such as Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). US infiltrates Iran though ‘money and sex’ – supreme leader Khamenei “The present US officials are against the principles of Islam and, unlike their statements, they are after fomenting differences among Muslims, and its example is creating terrorist groups like Daesh  (the Arabic acronym for ISIS) and other groups that have been created through the funding of the US affiliates and their political aids; they  (the American offi

Syrian soldiers push through ISIL, reach Iraqi border

Troops and allies reach border area for first time since 2015, a day after US jet shot down pro-Damascus combat drone. 10 Jun 2017 08:36 GMT Syrian troops and allied forces fighting ISIL have reached the Iraqi border for the first time since 2015, advancing close to a strategic area that has been at the centre of tensions between Damascus and Washington.  State news agency SANA, citing a military source, said that "army units in cooperation with allies managed to arrive at the border ... with Iraq" on Friday, and "set up positions in an area northeast of At-Tanf". Forces from a US-led coalition fighting ISIL in Syria and Iraq are using a garrison in Al-Tanf to stage attacks against the armed group and train Syrian rebels to fight them. The SANA report said the advance came after "the last" ISIL fighters in the area "were eliminated". The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had earlier said that dozens of pro-government f

UN: We are not bound by Saudi Arabia's 'terror list'

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Spokesman for secretary-general says UN built 'strong partnerships' with Qatari charities branded 'terrorist' entities. 10 Jun 2017 01:01 GMT The United Nations says it is not bound by Saudi Arabia's "terror list" after the kingdom named several high-profile Qatari charities that carry out life-saving work in war-torn and impoverished countries on it. Stephane Dujarric, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterras' spokesman, said on Friday he had seen media reports that four Arab countries accused three Qatar-based charities of being involved in "terrorism". Qatar Charity, Qatar's largest NGO, has worked extensively with the UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, Oxfam, CARE, and USAID. The Sheikh Eid Al-Thani Charity Foundation and the Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for humanitarian services were also  blacklisted by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain late on Thursday. "The UN is bound only by the sanctions l

13 marines killed as fighting rages in Marawi City

US confirms it is 'assisting' Philippine army in besieged Marawi where fighting broke out more than two weeks ago. 10 Jun 2017 09:31 GMT At least 13 Philippine marines were killed on Friday as the battle against fighters linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) continued in the besieged southern city of Marawi.  The death toll was provided by the Philippine army on Saturday, which also said that at least 40 others were wounded in a 16-hour fight against members of the Maute group. "There was an intense, house-to-house fire fight between the marines and the local terrorist group", Jo-Ar Herrera, army spokesman, told a televised press conference. He said the marines, who were taking part in an operation to rescue about 100 people who are  being held hostage  by Maute, were targeted by improvised explosive devices set off by the group's fighters. The setback for the  Philippine  military comes more than two weeks af

J&K's youth 'being instigated by a misinformation campaign on social media,' says Army chief

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir's youth "are being instigated by a misinformation campaign on social media" said Army Chief General  Bipin Rawat  on Saturday, news agencies reported.  "Security forces have to devise ways to counter this", he said while addressing cadets at the  Indian Military Academy  in  Dehradun , on the occasion of the 'passing out parade', reported PTI.  "If we have modern technology it should be used properly, that way the public won't face so many hardships and we can become more capable too," the Army chief said, according to ANI.  General Rawat also said terrorism is the biggest challenge the country is facing. He urged the cadets to be ready to deal with "the scourge".  The Army chief's comments come two days after he said social media is being used by Pakistan to create unrest in Kashmir.  "Pakistan is spreading disinformation among the youth of Kashmir with doctored videos and messages. Thi

Erdogan says 'not witnessed' Qatar give support to terror

The Saudis and their allies placed several Qataris and Doha-based organisations on a 'terror list' AFP/PTI Turkish President Recep Tayyip  Erdogan  said he has never known  Qatar  to give support to terror organisations, a charge made by  Saudi Arabia  and its allies who have cut ties with the gas-rich emirate. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates,  Bahrain  and other states broke off relations on Monday over what they say is the emirate's financing of extremist groups as well as its ties to Iran, Riyadh's regional arch-rival. Yesterday, the Saudis and their allies placed several Qataris and Doha-based organisations on a "terror list" as the bitter diplomatic row escalated. They released a joint statement listing as many as 18 individuals, including members of Qatar's royal family and a former minister as involved in "terrorist" activities. While maintaining good relations with the  Gulf  states, Turkey has vowed to continue to back it

Modi conveys India's strong support to Afghan in combating terror

Astana, Jun 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and conveyed India's firm support to the war-ravaged country in "resolutely and effectively" combating the challenge of terrorism. The Prime Minister strongly condemned the recent spate of terrorist attacks in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan, and expressed India's sincere condolences on loss of hundreds of innocent lives. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The two leaders discussed the current situation in Afghanistan with specific reference to fighting terrorism, and promoting peace, stability and reconciliation in the country. "PM Modi highly appreciated the sacrifices made by the brave Afghan people and assured President Ghani that 1.25 billion Indians stood by the friendly people of Afghanistan in resolutely and effectively addressing the challenge of terrorism imposed on that country,&

You are next: Islamic State warns Saudi Arabia

Days after the Iran Parliament attack claimed by the Islamic State, the outfit had a stern message for Saudi Arabia as well. You are next, the IS said. SITE Intelligence group reported that , IS claimed responsibility and threatened more attacks against Iran's majority Shi'ite population, seen by the hardline Sunni militants as heretics. In a video that appeared to have been recorded before the attack on Tehran, five masked fighters were shown threatening Shi'ites in Iran as well as the Saudi Arabian government saying their turn "will come". "Allah permitting, this brigade will be the first of jihad in Iran, and we ask our brothers the Muslims to follow us, as the fire that was ignited will not be put out, Allah permitting," one of the masked fighters said, SITE also reported. At the end of the video, he sent a message to the Saudi government. "Know that after Iran, your turn will come. By Allah, we will strike you in your own homes... W

Mask off: China calls Pakistan a risky place

It appears as though the mask is off and China has now termed Pakistan as a risky place. Pakistan and China which call each other all weather friends appear to be having some problem over the killing of two Chinese citizens. The initial information from the Pakistan side says that the two Chinese citizens kidnapped may have already unfortunately been killed," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, adding, "We are highly concerned". She also said China had "always been advising its citizens to not visit highly risky regions". China has been urging Pakistan to rescue a Chinese teacher couple from Balochistan. The couple were abducted two weeks back. While the killing is a sore point between the two countries, one would also have to wait for an official warning from China to Pakistan. Hua however added that the incident has no necessary connection either with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor or the SCO meeting. She said that Pakis

US-led coalition interferes in Syrian govt’s fight against terrorism – Russian MoD

The air forces of the US-led coalition are working to undermine the anti-terrorist efforts of the Syrian government, Colonel General Sergey Surovikin of the Russian ground forces has said. “The coalition air forces and the strongholds of the forces of New Syrian Army [now known as the Revolutionary Commando Army] have blocked the way of the government forces, tasked with defeating IS [Islamic State] groups, ” he said at a briefing on Friday. “This is a violation of the sovereign right of Syria to protect it borders, ” he said. The statement comes after US warplanes stuck pro-government forces near At Tanf on Thursday, the third such incident in the space of several weeks. The commander expressed hope that the US-led coalition would undertake measures to avoid further attacks on government forces and would “ engage in a more substantial fight against Islamic State terrorists on the territory of Syria.” Source:  https://www.rt.com/news/391628-us-coalition-syria-fight-

Analysis: Qatar-Gulf crisis: Who are the 'terrorists'?

For the Trump administration, the 'terrorist' label is little more than a foreign policy tool of the US and its allies. Abdullah Al-Arian 07 Jun 2017 20:08 GMT On May 21, US President  Donald Trump  headlined a widely celebrated summit in  Saudi Arabia  bringing together the heads of state of the Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) and many of their regional allies to affirm their commitment to the never-ending battle against "terrorism". Just two weeks later, one wonders whether the GCC will go down as yet another in a long line of failed enterprises that got the patented Trump touch.  During the festivities in Riyadh, all participants agreed with the general tenor of Trump's  "terrorism is bad" speech . They applauded enthusiastically, touched a glowing orb, and returned home committed to fighting their common scourge. The essence of the problem, it seems, is that no one can quite agree on who the terrorists are that they are meant to be