Detained Boko Haram militants were poisoned in Chad
The country of Chad captured 58 Boko Haram militants in “a recent major army operation against the Islamist group around Lake Chad.” 44 of them were found dead of poison last Thursday morning. Djimet Arabi, the justice minister of Chad, said. "Was it collective suicide or something else? We're still looking for answers."[1]
Taliban kill 39 Afghan soldiers and 7 policemen in separate attacked on Sunday and Monday
A Taliban attack on Kunduz province killed 23 soldiers today; a second attack on Afghan soldiers in two days. 16 soldiers were killed at the Afghan army base in Takhar province last night. A police checkpoint was also attacked yesterday near Tarin Kot, the capital of Uruzgan province, killing 5 policemen.
Taliban has not reduced violence as they seek the release of their prisoners, which is part of the peace deal. The government and the Taliban struggle to negotiate. “The violence has mostly been limited to rural areas and small towns. Under the framework of the US-Taliban deal, the insurgents have agreed not to attack cities.”[2]
Fire at Refugee Camp in Athens
“A group of camp residents ‘attacked the food warehouses, set fire to the info point, took the food refrigerators into the camp and set them on fire.’” A violent attack that burned down two large tents left as many as forty families homeless. The report said that the attack was provoked by the death of an ill Afghani woman.[3]
Canada’s Deadliest Mass Shooting happened yesterday
A neighborhood in the small town of Portapique was targeted by a man dressed as a policeman. The suspect is a 51 year old man named Gabriel Wortman. He shot and killed 16 people on Sunday, and he died of an unknown cause as well after he was arrested by the police.[4]
April 21, 2020
World Health Organization targeted in Myanmar
A United Nations vehicle, “carrying Covid-19 test samples in conflict-ridden Rakhine state,” was ambushed by the Arakan Army, killing the driver. A health worker of Myanmar’s government was also injured in the attack today. The targeting was a result of a hostile civil war condition of the northwestern state.[5]
Raid in Spain arrests a Britain’s most wanted
Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary was a rapper in United Kingdom; then, he was radicalized by Muslim group that is inspired by an extremist preacher named Anjem Choudary. Abdel-Majed even posted on social media images of himself, holding a decapitated head from jihadist violence in 2014 at Raqqa, Syria. He has mostly been on the run ever-since, residing mainly in Spain. Two other suspected militants were arrested with him Tuesday morning in the Almeria, Spain.[6]
US Navy report “bullying behavior” by China in Indo-Pacific waters against Malaysia
After Vietnam objected China’s establishment of administrative districts on Parcel and Spratly islands on Sunday, the US Navy reported a standoff today between a Chinese research boat and a Malaysian ship deployed to drill for oil in the Indo-Pacific waters. China denies the aggression, stating their research activity was normal as Malaysia did not respond to inquires.[7]
Nigeria addresses bandit issue
Operation Gama Aiki’s Air Component targeted bandits in Maguga, Rafi of the state of Niger in Nigeria. Several were killed as “some armed bandits, clad in black attire, had been sighted along with a large herd of rustled cattle in the area.” This description indicates to me that they may be herdsman, who refuse to respect property rights, taking their entitlement of resources to strife.[8]
April 22, 2020
Nigerian military responds to terrorist attack
The government area of Geidam in Yobe state was attacked by Boko Haram and a terrorist group called ISWAP. The Nigeria’s military responded, killing 13 of the terrorists and forcing them to retreat. There were no casualties militarily and the government area is normalized.[9]
Iran successfully launches their first military satellite
Iran launched their first military satellite today. They have named it Nour. “Iran maintains it has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, and says its aerospace activities are peaceful and comply with a UN Security Council resolution.” A previous military satellite launch failed on February 9th.[10]
Fragile Yemen is hit with a flood in the northern regions
Flash floods in northern Yemen kill 21 people according to reports as more than 100 homes’ damage range from severe to irreparable. “At least 35 families were stuck in their homes Wednesday, their houses submerged in water and mud, residents in Aden told AFP.” Deputy Prime Minister Salem al-Khanbashi said “that sanitation infrastructure had been severely damaged and called for urgent aid to combat the spread of diseases, ‘especially cholera and other deadly viral infections’.”[11]
International COVID 19 mortality rate of countries comparison is tricky
France’s COVID 19 death count includes care home deaths as England only reports deaths from hospitals; however, the population of the United States is about 330 million people, which is ten million more than the combined population of “the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.” The total deaths of these Western Europe nations as of April 20 is more than double the United States with 85,000 as the United States death count surpassed 40,000 on Monday.[12]
Tornadoes destroy lives in the southern United States
Many homes in Onalaska, a town in east Texas, could not endure a tornado, resulting in the death of at least three people. 30 others injured. Two other people died in Madill of Marshall County in Oklahoma as one more person remains in critical condition in a hospital due to another tornado.[13]
Guatemalan wrongly deported in the United States
Guatemalan consulates were notified by Noticias Telemundo that a Guatemalan was mistakenly deported from the United States to Tijuana, Mexico. The man’s name is Gilmer Barrios. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested him, deporting him, on March 23rd without a immigration judicial ruling and deportation order. He was reunited with his family in Chula Vista, California this week.[14]
US Union reports COVID 19 woes
The largest meat packing union in United States reported that more than five thousand of their members have been infected by COVID 19, and 13 died. “As far as social distancing, it’s almost impossible,” said Margarita Heredia, who works in a JBS pork plant in Marshalltown, Iowa. “There’s no room.” The Union’s agents are working hard to protect their member as they fulfill an essential role to provide food for the nations.[15]
A most important trial international human rights law begins Thursday
Germany is conducting the trial of a “former intelligence directorate” of Syria, starting today. Anwar Raslan fulfilled the role “between 29 April 2011 and 7 September 2012”. “At least 58 prisoners died under his watch“, where more than four thousand human rights activists and protesters were tortured, raped, and killed.[16]
April 24, 2020
Saudi-led coalition extends it's participation in the global ceasefire unilaterally in Yemen
The Saudi-led coalition includes the following countries: The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Morocco, United States, and Turkey. Although United States has not committed any ground troops or fighter jets, the country is supporting with logistics and intelligence as the remainder of the countries are committed to participate with the ground troops and fighter jets. Egypt is also providing support from the sea with their Navy.[17] Houthi rebels in Yemen has not joined in the bilateral ceasefire; therefore, it remains unilateral. The initial ceasefire ended Thursday, and the Saudi-led extended it for one month.[18]
Taliban rejects ceasefire too during Ramadan
The Taliban's aggression continues to increase against Afghanistan's military forces as the government invites them to join in a ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, starting shortly. The Taliban rejected their offer, and they have for years. Their perspective always astounds me, for they said that the ceasefire is irrational on Thursday.[19]
World Famous National Park attacked by Rebels in DR Congo
The Virunga National Park, which is world renowned for their mountain gorillas, was targeted at Rumangabo village. No one claimed the attack yet; however, the rangers believe that "Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) ambushed a convoy of civilians that was being protected by the rangers." The attack may have had as many as sixty fighters. Sixteen civilians were killed with twelve rangers numbered among them.
Phil Clark, a professor of School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said the following concerning the rebel group:
"FDLR is a Hutu-dominated rebel group. The reason it is fighting the Congolese army at the moment is because the Congolese government is in the process of renewing relations with the Rwandan government…a Tutsi-dominated government…Rwanda wants Congo to deal with the FDLR, which they see as a Hutu threat across the border - killing Tutsi civilians inside Congo.[20]US sanctions in Venezuela cause a US oil company to shut down operations in the country.
Halliburton Co. is complying to sanctions of the United States, limiting them to "perform certain transactions and activities necessary for safety or the preservation of assets in Venezuela, along with other federal filing." They have to conclude this work before the end of November. The sanctions seek to force reforms by the Venezuelan government. The US Treasury Department gave notices to Chevron Corp., Schlumberger Ltd., Baker Hughes Co., and Weatherford International Plc. to cease all operations in the oil industry in Venezuela earlier this week. [21]
[2] “Dozens dead in fresh wave of Taliban violence in Afghanistan.” Times of India, AFP, 20 Apr. 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/dozens-dead-in-fresh-wave-of-taliban-violence-in-afghanistan/articleshow/75249247.cms.
[3] "Death sparks unrest at major migrant camp in Greece." Dawn, AFP, 20 April 2020, https://www.dawn.com/news/1550641/
[4] "16 killed in shooting rampage, deadliest in Canadian history." Khaleej Times, AP, 20 April 2020, https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/americas/16-killed-in-shooting-rampage-deadliest-in-canadian-history
[5] "Driver killed in attack on WHO vehicle in Myanmar’s Rakhine state: UN." The Straits Times, AFP, 21 Apr. 2020, http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/driver-killed-in-attack-on-who-vehicle-in-myanmars-rakhine-state-un.
[6] Badcock, James, et al. "One of Britain's most wanted jihadists is arrested in Spanish police raid." The Telegraph, 21 April 2020, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/21/one-britains-wanted-jihadists-arrested-spanish-police-raid/.
[7] Ananthalakshmi, A., and Rozanna Latiff. "Two U.S. warships in South China Sea amid China-Malaysia standoff." msn news, Reuters, 20 Apr. 2020, https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/two-us-warships-in-south-china-sea-amid-china-malaysia-standoff/ar-BB12XlWy.
[8] Dapam, Tobias. "Troops kill several bandits in Niger state" Peoples Daily, 21 Apr. 2020, https://peoplesdailyng.com/troops-kill-several-bandits-in-niger-state/.
[9] Dapam, Tobias. "Troops kill 13 Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists in Yobe." Peoples Daily, 22 Apr. 2020, https://peoplesdailyng.com/troops-kill-13-boko-haram-iswap-terrorists-in-yobe-2/.
[10] "Iran's Guards launch its first military satellite." The Straits Times, AFP, 22 Apr. 2020, https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/irans-guards-launch-its-first-military-satellite.
[11] "'Fourteen dead' in Yemen's flood-hit Aden." Khaleej Times, AFP, 22 April 2020, https://www.khaleejtimes.com/region/mena/fourteen-dead-in-yemens-flood-hit-aden.
[12] Morris, Chris, and Anthony Reuben. "Coronavirus: Why are international comparisons difficult?." BBC News, 21 Apr. 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/52311014.
[13] "Tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma kill at least five." NBC News, 23 Apr. 2020, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/least-one-dead-severe-weather-rages-across-oklahoma-texas-n1190126.
[14] Bonmatí, Damià. "Guatemalan wrongly deported amid coronavirus crisis is reunited with family in U.S." NBC News, Noticias Telemundo, 23 Apr.2020, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/guatemalan-wrongly-deported-amid-coronavirus-crisis-reunited-family-u-s-n1190696.
[15] Polansek, Tom. "More than 5,000 U.S. meat, food-processing workers infected with or exposed to coronavirus: union" The Globe and Mail, Reuters, 23 Apr. 2020, https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-more-than-5000-us-meat-food-processing-workers-infected-with-or/.
[16] Daragahi, Borzou. "Syrian regime torturer put on trial for war crimes in world first." Independent, 23 Apr. 2020, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/syria-regime-war-crime-germany-koblenz-trial-a9479716.html.
[17] "Which Countries Are Part Of Saudi Arabia’s Coalition Against Yemen’s Houthis?" Huffington Post, Reuters, 26 May 2015, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/saudi-coalition-yemen_n_6946092.
[18] "Saudi-led coalition announces one-month extension of Yemen ceasefire." Times of India, Reuters, 24 Apr. 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/saudi-led-coalition-announces-one-month-extension-of-yemen-ceasefire/articleshow/75351144.cms.
[19] "Taliban rejects call for Ramadan ceasefire in Afghanistan." Al Arabiya, AFP, 24 Apr. 2020, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2020/04/24/Taliban-rejects-call-for-Ramadan-ceasefire-in-Afghanistan-.html.
[20] "DRC: Rangers, civilians killed in attack in Virunga National Park." Al Jazeera, 24 Apr. 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/drc-rangers-civilians-killed-attack-virunga-national-park-200424161459752.html.
[21] Wethe, David. "Halliburton Shuts Venezuela Work as Trump Steps Up Pressure." Bloomberg, 24 Apr. 2020, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-24/halliburton-will-shut-down-its-primary-operations-in-venezuela
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