Informal talks begin between Taliban, government
Sixteen policemen and a civilian were killed by Taliban militants in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan on Monday, even as informal talks between the outfit and the country’s government began in Qatar. A separate suicide attack in Kabul on Monday morning killed one person and wounded 13 others. Taking responsibility for both the attacks, the group said it would welcome “the efforts of anyone in bringing peace to Afghanistan”. The country’s President, Ashraf Ghani, had made peace talks a priority for his government, which assumed power in September. However, the Taliban has so far ignored Ghani’s calls for the group to join the government.
Three killed in Burundi protests
At least three people were killed and 45 wounded as protests against Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza entered their second week on Monday. The protests broke out after Nkurunziza was nominated for a third term in office, a move which opposition groups said went against the country’s constitution. The protesters have called for Nkurunziza to withdraw his candidacy. The latest deaths took the total toll to 11 people, including soldiers and police. Some protesters have also reached the centre of Bujumbura, the country’s capital. The Burundian government accused the protesters of inciting violence, adding that opposition groups were providing cover for a “terrorist enterprise”.
Texas attacker was suspect in terror case
One of the two gunmen who were shot dead by police at a "Muhammad Art Exhibit" in Garland, Texas, on Sunday had been a terror suspect in a previous case, court documents have revealed. Elton Simpson had been under surveillance since 2006 and was convicted in 2010 for lying about his intentions to go to Somalia. Police also searched Simpson’s flat, which he shared with Nadir Soofi, the second gunman involved in the attack. The exhibit, organised by the American Freedom Defence Initiative, had offered a $10,000 prize for the best depiction of the Prophet Muhammad. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that the attack was a “heinous crime”.
Israel accused of indiscriminate fire during Gaza war
A report issued by an Israeli group on Monday accused the country of having changed its military policy during the Gaza war last year that killed 2,200 Palestinians, including hundreds of civilians. The report, issued by Breaking The Silence, was based on the testimonies of soldiers who took part in offensive on the Gaza strip. “A troubling picture arises of a policy of indiscriminate fire that led to the deaths of innocent civilians,” said Yuli Novak, the group’s director. The group stated that its report was meant to show the Israeli public the reality faced by soldiers serving in Palestinian areas. However, the country’s military rejected the report, saying that its claims lacked proof and could not be investigated.
Senegal will send troops to Yemen
Senegal’s Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye on Monday said that the country would send 2,100 soldiers to support the Saudi Arabia-led coalition campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The coalition was “aiming to protect and secure the holy sites of Islam, Medina and Mecca”, Ndiaye told the Senegalese parliament, adding that Saudi Arabia had requested troop support. Opposition groups criticised the move, saying that there was no danger to Islam’s holy sites and no reason to justify sending troops. The Saudi-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes against the rebels, who control large parts of Yemen, including its capital, Sana'a.
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Sixteen policemen and a civilian were killed by Taliban militants in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan on Monday, even as informal talks between the outfit and the country’s government began in Qatar. A separate suicide attack in Kabul on Monday morning killed one person and wounded 13 others. Taking responsibility for both the attacks, the group said it would welcome “the efforts of anyone in bringing peace to Afghanistan”. The country’s President, Ashraf Ghani, had made peace talks a priority for his government, which assumed power in September. However, the Taliban has so far ignored Ghani’s calls for the group to join the government.
Three killed in Burundi protests
At least three people were killed and 45 wounded as protests against Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza entered their second week on Monday. The protests broke out after Nkurunziza was nominated for a third term in office, a move which opposition groups said went against the country’s constitution. The protesters have called for Nkurunziza to withdraw his candidacy. The latest deaths took the total toll to 11 people, including soldiers and police. Some protesters have also reached the centre of Bujumbura, the country’s capital. The Burundian government accused the protesters of inciting violence, adding that opposition groups were providing cover for a “terrorist enterprise”.
Texas attacker was suspect in terror case
One of the two gunmen who were shot dead by police at a "Muhammad Art Exhibit" in Garland, Texas, on Sunday had been a terror suspect in a previous case, court documents have revealed. Elton Simpson had been under surveillance since 2006 and was convicted in 2010 for lying about his intentions to go to Somalia. Police also searched Simpson’s flat, which he shared with Nadir Soofi, the second gunman involved in the attack. The exhibit, organised by the American Freedom Defence Initiative, had offered a $10,000 prize for the best depiction of the Prophet Muhammad. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that the attack was a “heinous crime”.
Israel accused of indiscriminate fire during Gaza war
A report issued by an Israeli group on Monday accused the country of having changed its military policy during the Gaza war last year that killed 2,200 Palestinians, including hundreds of civilians. The report, issued by Breaking The Silence, was based on the testimonies of soldiers who took part in offensive on the Gaza strip. “A troubling picture arises of a policy of indiscriminate fire that led to the deaths of innocent civilians,” said Yuli Novak, the group’s director. The group stated that its report was meant to show the Israeli public the reality faced by soldiers serving in Palestinian areas. However, the country’s military rejected the report, saying that its claims lacked proof and could not be investigated.
Senegal will send troops to Yemen
Senegal’s Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye on Monday said that the country would send 2,100 soldiers to support the Saudi Arabia-led coalition campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The coalition was “aiming to protect and secure the holy sites of Islam, Medina and Mecca”, Ndiaye told the Senegalese parliament, adding that Saudi Arabia had requested troop support. Opposition groups criticised the move, saying that there was no danger to Islam’s holy sites and no reason to justify sending troops. The Saudi-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes against the rebels, who control large parts of Yemen, including its capital, Sana'a.
