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Showing posts from December 29, 2019

Myanmar Military Clashes with Karen Armed Group, 2 Civilians Wounded

Fighting broke out Thursday between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade No. 5 and the Myanmar army in Papun District, Karen State. The ethnic armed group reported that two civilians were wounded. “They came into our controlled area and confronted our local troops. That is how the fighting broke out,” Colonel Saw Kler Doh from KNLA Brigade No. 5 told The Irrawaddy on Friday. He said that KNLA troops withdrew after the fighting but that the Myanmar army remained in the area in Kamanaung, a sub-township in Papun District. Col. Saw Kler Doh also said that two Karen civilians who entered the area after the fighting were shot and wounded by the Myanmar army. The fighting lasted half an hour. KNLA ground forces reported no casualties but Col. Saw Kler Doh said that one member of the Myanmar military was killed. Myanmar military spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun confirmed that fighting broke out between the Myanmar army and KNLA Brigade No. 5. “Troops on th

Syrians in Idlib celebrate Qassem Soleimani's death with sweets and cakes

Displaced Syrians, who were once forced to eat cats and shrubs while under siege, rejoice their foe's demise by handing out Arab sweets and delicacies Thousands of Syrians, forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in Idlib - the last rebel-held stronghold in the country, have celebrated the death Qassem Soleimani with sweets and cakes. Late on Thursday, American air strikes killed Soleimani, the commander of Iran's secretive Quds Force, and seven of his associates. The Trump administration justified the strikes, first describing Soleimani as a ruthless killer, and then by saying that the raid was in response to "imminent threats to American lives." Was it legal?: What US and international law say about Trump's strike on Soleimani Read More » Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the assassination an "act of international terrorism," while Iran's Supreme Leader warned that "severe revenge" awaited the killers.

Ethiopian Muslims task govt on violation of their human rights

The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Council has urged the government to give hard and fast solutions to the repeated violations of the rights of the Ethiopian Muslims.In a statement issued on Friday, the council listed detailed problems which it claimed are faced by Muslim communities in Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR and Tigray regional states of Ethiopia. The council noted that followers of Islam have been subjected to attacks, death and injuries in the areas where they lived for long as well as distruction of properties in Amhara state. According to the statement, Several Ethiopian Muslims were subjected to forced displacement due to the attack carried out using armaments. The council said the Muslim communities had managed to abort repeated attempts of burning and destroying of mosques in Amhara, SNNPR and Oromia regional states and Addis Ababa city. Among the human rights violations committed in Amhara state, the council said burning and robbery of business establishments ow

French police shoot dead man near Paris after stabbing attempt

BFTM TV said the attacker died shortly after he was shot and said one of the victims was severely injured. French police shot dead a man on Friday in the city of Villejuif near Paris after he tried to stab several people in a public park, France’s BFM TV reported. BFTM TV said the attacker died shortly after he was shot and said one of the victims was severely injured. Source:  https://indianexpress.com/article/world/french-police-shoot-dead-man-near-paris-after-stabbing-attempt-6198487/

India condemns attack on Sikhs Holiest Shrine the Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan, lead by militant Islamist Mohammad Hassan

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The holy shrine of Sikhism, Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan came under attack by an angry Muslim mob as they threatened to raze it to build a mosque to avenge 'police brutality' in a matter related to a Sikh girl's alleged forced conversion. Hundreds of angry Muslim residents of Nankana Sahib pelted stones on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib on Friday. The mob was being led by the family of Mohammad Hassan, the boy who allegedly abducted and converted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, who is the daughter of the gurdwara's granthi. The mob of angry Muslims gheraoed the holy shrine on Friday afternoon, leaving many devotees stranded inside. The protesters threatened to destroy the gurdwara and build a mosque in its place. In a video, recorded at the site of the protest, Hassan's brother could be seen saying that he will  destroy the gurdwara to build a mosque . Addressing a mob at the gates of the holy shrine, Hassan's brother said that he will ensure that no Sikh is left

'Attempt to Convert Gurdwaras into Mosques' Pakistani Minorities

A mob on Friday had attacked the shrine where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born, with reports suggesting that hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib pelted the Sikh pilgrims with stones. New Delhi: Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday claimed that a mob attack on the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan was an "open declaration" to convert the shrines into mosques. "The incident is an open declaration to convert all gurdwaras into mosques. (Pakistan Prime Minister) Imran Khan is silent on it. Sikhs will never be scared of such acts," said Sirsa. "This shows and proves that Pakistan is a Muslim nation and has no value for minorities who live there. We will be forced to take revenge. We want Pakistan to stop such goons and demand action against them." A mob on Friday had attacked the shrine where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. Reports suggested that hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib pelted the Sikh pil

Akali Dal Manjinder Sirsa Leader Warns Pakistan Over Nankana Sahib Incident; Akhand paat & Diwaan stopped in nanakana saheb

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday, January 4, condemned the attack on Sikhs in Pakistan. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday, January 4, condemned the attack on Sikhs in Pakistan. Several Sikh groups protested outside Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi on Saturday to condemn the attack. During the rally, Sirsa also warned Pakistan over the atrocities done by Muslims on Sikh minorities in the country. The attack on the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, in Pakistan has triggered protests among Sikhs in India, Akhand paat & Diwaan stopped in nanakana saheb Source:  https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/pakistan-news/akali-dal-manjinder-sirsa-leader-warns-pakistan-over-nankana-sahib-inc.html

Ethiopia Loosens Anti-Terrorism Law Used to Subdue Opposition

Ethiopian lawmakers approved a bill to replace notorious 2009 counter-terror legislation that rights groups said the authorities used to suppress dissent and freedoms. The Proclamation to Provide for the Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism bill “fills the gaps in the previous law” by giving suspects access to the full legal system including regional courts, according to a record of parliamentary proceedings. Searches without an order from the police chief will be illegal under the new rules, which also introduce a witness-protection program and require suspects to be presented in court within 48 hours of arrest. The amendments are part of a raft of reforms that the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is instituting. The Nobel Prize winner has freed political prisoners, welcomed opposition, promised democratic elections this year and ended two decades of animosity with neighboring Eritrea. Source:  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-03/ethiopia-

Counter terrorism expert: Soleimani’s death could influence Fort Drum’s future

AUSTIN, TX (WWNY) - The United States takes out a top Iranian military commander in an airstrike in Iraq and Iran vows harsh revenge. With conflict in the Middle East comes uncertainty about what could be next for the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. We've learned more about Qassem Soleimani and how he likely played a role in Fort Drum's past and how his death could influence its future. It's safe to say not many in the north country know the name Qasem Soleimani, until now. We spoke with a counter terrorism expert who knows this military commander's reputation well and he feels U.S. soldiers, including those deployed out of Fort Drum, are safer now that he's dead. "We've kind of cut off the head of the snake from an Iranian military strategy perspective. So this could disrupt Iranian operations for quite some time which would be a positive thing to save lives, but then again the Iranians I don't think are just going to let this pass,"

Terrorism threatening peace across globe, world needs a Mahatma Gandhi: Indian HRD Minister

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Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' on Saturday said at a time when terrorism is threatening peace across the globe, the world needs a Mahatma Gandhi. Union Minister of Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank speaks in Rajya Sabha during the winter session of Parliament. NEW DELHI: Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' on Saturday said at a time when terrorism is threatening peace across the globe, the world needs a Mahatma Gandhi . Addressing a gathering at the launch of 'World Book Fair 2020' at Pragati Maidan here, he said, "Asia's largest book fair is celebrating Gandhi. At a time when incidents of terrorism are occurring across the globe...personal interests have threatened brotherhood and peace, we need Gandhi the most." Under such circumstances, the world needs Mahatma Gandhi's principles of truth, love and nonviolence, the minister said. People also need India's vedas, puranas and upanishad

7 more witnesses testify against Hafiz Saeed in terror financing case

The anti-terrorism court (ATC) Lahore indicted Saeed and his close aides - Hafiz Abdul Salam, Muhammad Ashraf and Zafar Iqbal - on terror financing charges on December 11 Seven more prosecution witnesses testified against the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack, Hafiz Saeed, for his alleged involvement in terror financing case in a four-hour hearing at a Pakistani court here on Friday. The anti-terrorism court (ATC) Lahore indicted Saeed and his close aides - Hafiz Abdul Salam, Muhammad Ashraf and Zafar Iqbal - on terror financing charges on December 11. On Thursday, five witnesses testified against Saeed and his close aide Iqbal. "Another seven prosecution witnesses testified against Saeed and his close aide Zafar Iqbal for their involvement in terror financing in a marathon hearing of four hours," a court official told PTI after Friday's hearing. The witnesses were cross examined by Saeed's counsel, he said. The ATC-I Lahore Judge