Daesh Defectors Disillusioned With Killing Muslims
New Age Islam News Bureau
13
Oct 2015
This handout image released on Oct. 4 by the Spanish Interior Ministry shows a person suspected of belonging to a "network of recruitment, indoctrination," for "sending foreign fighters to fight for Daesh in the regions of Syria and Iraq", being led away after arrest by Spanish authorities at an unspecified location. — AFP
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Mideast
• Daesh Defectors Disillusioned With Killing Muslims
• Iran: IRGC Will Chase US Troops Even to Gulf of Mexico In Case of Attack
• Three More Stabbings in Jerusalem Spread Fear among Israelis
• IS prime suspect in Turkey bombing as protests erupt
• Iran parliament green-lights nuclear deal
• Footage shows badly wounded Palestinian being verbally abused
• Car, knife attack kills one central Jerusalem
• Houthis bomb home of Yemen national anthem composer
• Yemeni party urges probe into Saleh’s ‘crimes’
• RGC Commander: Great Victories Expected in Syria
• Iran, EU officials to discuss Syria crisis in Brussels
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Arab World
• Nusra Front Calls On Extremists in Caucasus to Attack Russia
• Syrian Army Wins Back Large Parts of Aleppo, ISIL Sustains Heavy Losses
• Iraqi Warplanes Kill, Injure 35 Terrorists
• Syrian Army Wins Back Strategic Town of Selma in Lattakia
• Tens of ISIL Militants Killed in Syrian Army Counter-Attack in Deir Ezzur
• Military Source: Saudi Forces Fail to Advance in Ma'rib Province
• Syrian Jets Destroy Militants' Positions in Damascus countryside
• Russian Fighter Jets Strike 53 ISIL Targets in Last 24 Hours
• Militant Centers across Syria's Idlib Bombed by Russian Warplanes
• Syrian Army Advancing in Hama Governorate with Russian Air Support
• Iraq investigating reports IS chief wounded in raid
• Court orders release of Mubarak’s sons
• Two rockets hit Russian embassy in Syria, no casualties reported
• Saudi king: Muslim unity will not be undermined
• Syrian Kurdish forces accused of war crimes
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South Asia
• Bangladesh Gives Murdered Japanese a Muslim Burial
• Defence Witnesses from Pakistan Seek to Testify in Bangla War Crimes Case
• Taliban Threaten Second Afghan Provincial Capital
• Karzai: “global consensus” must in fight against terrorism
• UN urges Afghan government to bring Ulfat’s killers to justice
• Policeman martyred in Kandahar suicide attack
• Same group killed foreigners, bloggers; sent tweets from Bangladesh: Expert, detectives say
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India
• Centre Plans Sufi Conferences to Foster Inter-Religious Peace
• Israel Blocks India’s Gifts to Palestine
• Dadri Lynching Serious Violation of Human Rights, May Take Action: NHRC
• Sikhs and Hindus Help Muslims Repair Mosque In Indian Punjab
• High Muslim turnout may tilt balance in Bihar
• 38 Indians missing in Iraq are alive: Mahmoud Abbas
• Home Minister Rajnath Singh clears the release of Sikh terrorist, what about innocent Muslims?
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Africa
• Two Tunisian Soldiers Killed In Clash with Militants
• Libya Rival Factions Reject National Unity Government Deal
• Nigeria’s Hajj Tragedy Death Toll Rises to 145
• Tunisia’s Nobel Prize in the making for four years
• 70 Sudanese have joined ISIS in total: minister
• Burundi urges Belgium to replace envoy
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Pakistan
• Afghanistan Should Avoid Speaking Language of Pakistan's Enemies: Nisar
• Pakistan Stands By Turkey in Fight against Terrorism: COAS
• PM to take up issue of stalled Indo-Pak dialogue with Obama: Sartaj Aziz
• Austrian company finds gas reserves in Sindh
• Barring Imran from poll campaigning not legal, PTI tells SC
• Militant groups in Bara asked to surrender
• Senators condemn Musharraf coup
• 1,000 fugitives ‘sign of terrors for police’
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Southeast Asia
• Malaysian Islamic Bonds Sales Expected To Pick Up
• Court begins trials of 7 Indonesian men on charges alleging Islamic State links
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/daesh-defectors-disillusioned-with-killing/d/104899
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Mideast
Daesh Defectors Disillusioned With Killing Muslims
Oct 13, 2015
ANKARA — A growing number of “disillusioned” Daesh fighters are defecting from the militant group and could be used by governments to deter potential recruits, according to a report.
At least 58 people have left the group and publicly spoken about their defection since January 2014, according to the report by the International Center for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence (ISCR) at King’s College London.
The study said that 17 fighters were reported to have defected in June, July and August alone, adding that they represent only a “small fraction” of former fighters, with many too scared to come forward.
The ISCR called on governments to make it easier for defectors to speak out, without the threat of prosecution, as a deterrent to others.
Those who told their stories overwhelmingly said they were disaffected by the killing of fellow Muslims, including innocent civilians, and the group’s failure to confront the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad.
“The defectors’ voices are strong and clear: ‘IS (Daesh) is not protecting Muslims. It is killing them,’” the report said.
One defector, identified as Ebrahim B., from Germany, claimed to speak for two dozen of his comrades who traveled to Syria to fight Assad only to be disappointed by the reality on the ground.
“Muslims are fighting Muslims. Assad’s forgotten about. The whole ‘jihad’ was turned upside down,” the report cited him as saying.
The Daesh leaders consider the Free Syrian Army, Ahrar Al-Sham, and Al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat Al-Nusra as enemies and have engaged in “vicious battles” with all of them, according to the report.
But many defectors argued that fighting other Muslim groups was “wrong, counterproductive and religiously illegitimate,” it said, adding that this “was not the kind of jihad they had come to Syria and Iraq to fight.”
The defectors mentioned in the report were permanent residents of 17 countries, including nine from Western Europe and Australia.
Dozens of defectors have fled to Turkey while others have reportedly been executed as “spies” or “traitors” by Daesh, which considers defection as apostasy.
Leaving the group is “complex and dangerous,” the report said, with many forced to go into hiding, fearing prosecution?
“Many are still trapped inside Syria or Iraq — unable to escape an organization that they no longer feel any allegiance for,” the report added.
The ISCR is calling on governments to “recognize the value and credibility of defector narratives” and to ensure the safety of those who speak out, as well as remove the “legal disincentives.”
While acknowledging that some defectors are “likely to have committed crimes,” it believes their testimonies could deter others from joining Daesh.
The report also shed light on reasons why people join the group, the most common being the atrocities committed by Assad’s government in Syria.
Some were lured by promises of food, luxury goods, cars and having their debts paid off — promises which rarely came to fruition. — AP
http://saudigazette.com.sa/world/daesh-defectors-disillusioned-with-killing-muslims/
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Iran: IRGC Will Chase US Troops Even to Gulf of Mexico In Case of Attack
Oct 12, 2015
"I declare now that if the enemy wants to spark a war against Iran, we will chase them even to the Gulf of Mexico and we will (certainly) do it," Tangsiri told FNA on Monday.
He downplayed enemies' war rhetoric against Iran, and said, "They have tested us once and if necessary, there are people who will blow up themselves with ammunitions to destroy the US warships."
Tangsiri referred to the IRGC's detention of four US military men and two Kuwaitis in the Persian Gulf almost 13 years ago sailing on two boats equipped with different state-of-the-art weapons who intended to cross Arvand river in Southern Iran, and said, "The footage and their equipment (seized by Iran) still exist but we didn’t publicize it for security reasons."
He said when the American forces found out that the IRGC forces were approaching them, they surrendered without any resistance, adding that they were under detention for four days.
Tangsiri also referred to the IRGC's hi-tech weapons and equipment, and said they include vessels, missiles, rocket-launchers and some more new weapons.
He underlined the necessity for arming the entire Iranian coasts with the state-of-the-art weapons, and said, "We have dug tunnels all the along the Southern parts of the country and there are so many of these tunnels that the enemy cannot imagine."
Tangsiri pointed to the home-made torpedo vessel, 'Zolfaqar', unveiled in an exhibition in Tehran on October 3, and said that Zolfaqar is a submersible vessel.
There is also a semi-submersible vessel which is equipped with torpedos and radar systems.
He also underscored Iran's missile power, and said the IRGC vessels are equipped with the home-made high-precision air-based cruise missiles, Nasr and Zafar, that can be fired from small vessels.
"The missiles that we have now can hit the targets with a higher precision than their foreign counterparts, including even the Israeli missiles and the (anti-ship cruise) Penguin missiles," Tangsiri said.
In relevant remarks earlier this month, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said all US military bases in the Middle-East are within the range of the IRGC's missiles, but the country still sees no restriction for boosting its missile capabilities.
"Some of the threats by the US are aimed at appeasing the Zionists, while others are for the purpose of domestic consumption (in the US), but what is important is that they are aware of and acknowledge our capabilities and deterrence power; we do not feel any need to increase the range of our missiles and (our perceived enemy) targets are fully within the range of our missiles," Brigadier General Hajizadeh said, addressing a group of professors of Iran's Science and Technology University in Tehran.
He pointed to the allegations made about imposing restrictions on Iran's missile technology, and said, "We do not see any restriction for our missiles and the IRGC's preparedness and missile drills are conducted without a halt and according to our annual time-table, but only some of them are publicized through the media."
Brigadier General Hajizadeh pointed to Iran's self-sufficiency in the missile technology, and said, "Today, all surface-to-surface missiles are fully built in Iran (from idea to finished product), different communications and wireless systems are (also) made inside the country and we do not need to buy radar systems from abroad."
In relevant remarks in late September, IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi stressed that the US is aware of its imminent loss and casualties in case it sparks a new war in the Persian Gulf and it, thus, obeys Iran's orders in the regional waters.
"The US knows that the damages of any war and firing bullets in the Persian Gulf cannot be compared with its benefits at all," Fadavi told reporters on the sidelines of the annual nationwide parades at the mausoleum of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the Late Imam Khomeini, South of Tehran.
"The US is obedient and passive in the Persian Gulf and we impose our sovereignty right in the Persian Gulf very powerfully," he added.
Also in May, Fadavi announced that the US forces and warships in the Persian Gulf complied with the orders of the Iranian naval forces deployed in the region.
"We observe confrontations and, as a matter of fact, debates between Iran and the foreign vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz on a daily basis and they always comply," Fadavi told reporters in Tehran.
Noting that the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's territorial waters were at present the most secure geographical waters in the world, he said, "At present different types of foreign military vessels and 40 US warships and logistic ships are present in these regions but certainly, security is established there due to the measures adopted by our forces."
His comments came after a senior Islamic Revolution Guards Corps commander also announced in May that the IRGC Navy drones and boats were constantly recording movements of the US warships deployed in the Persian Gulf.
"The presence of the US aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf is meant to intimidate such fake regimes as the al-Saud since our forces don’t feel any fear at all and are constantly taking footage of the warships when they are on their 15-meter boats and by means of drones," Commander of IRGC Navy's Salman 26 Missile Brigade General Abdolreza Vajdian said.
He said that different massive drills that the Iranian Armed Forces stage are monitored by the Americans and they are aware of the Islamic Republic of Iran's power.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720000933
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Three more stabbings in Jerusalem spread fear among Israelis
October 13, 2015
JERUSALEM: Three new stabbings in Jerusalem and a car attack spread more fear among Israelis on Monday as Palestinian unrest showed little sign of slowing after nearly two weeks of violence.
Frustrated Palestinian youths have defied president Mahmud Abbas as well as an Israeli security crackdown by rioting in annexed east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, while 18 stabbings having targeted Jews since Oct 3.
There have been warnings of the risk of a full-scale Palestinian uprising, or third intifada.
Stabbing attacks have killed two Israelis and wounded around 20.
In Monday’s first stabbing, an 18-year-old Palestinian identified as Mustafa al-Khatib attacked a policeman with a knife at an entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City and was shot dead by security forces.
The police officer’s protective vest stopped the knife and he was unharmed.
The attacker, from east Jerusalem, was shot dead by other officers.
Later in the day, a female attacker stabbed an Israeli policeman near the force’s headquarters in Jerusalem and was shot and wounded by the victim, police said.
In the third attack, two Israelis were stabbed in the east Jerusalem settlement of Pisgat Zeev, with one attacker — reported to be 16 years old — killed and the other shot and seriously wounded.
The victims were both Jews, with a 16-year-old gravely wounded and a 20-year-old seriously wounded, police said.
On Sunday night, four Jews were attacked near a kibbutz in northern Israel by an Arab Israeli who rammed them with his car and then lunged at them with a knife.The Israeli army said that two soldiers were hit by the car, with one of them seriously injured, and two civilians were stabbed.
The violence began on Oct 1, when an alleged Hamas cell shot dead a Jewish settler couple in the West Bank in front of their children.
It followed repeated clashes at Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in September between Israeli security forces and Palestinian youths.
The unrest has spread to the Gaza Strip, hit by three wars with Israel since 2008. Clashes along the border left nine Palestinians dead from Israeli fire on Friday and Saturday.
On Sunday, an Israeli air strike in retaliation for two rockets fired at Israel demolished a house in northern Gaza, killing a woman and her two-year-old daughter.
Israel said the air strike targeted two arms workshops of Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian frustration has mounted with efforts towards statehood at a standstill and Israel’s occupation continuing, and a recent opinion poll found a majority favour a return to armed uprising in the absence of peace talks.
Funerals of Palestinians killed during riots or while allegedly carrying out attacks — as well as videos of the shootings — have fed anger.
On Monday, children with plastic guns mixed among hundreds of others who carried the body of Ahmed Sharake, a 13-year-old, during his funeral procession at the turbulent Jalazone refugee camp.
He was killed on Sunday during clashes in Ramallah.
“He left without telling me,” his mother Huda said. I saw on television that someone was killed and it was only afterward that somebody told me that it was Ahmed.
Around 25 Palestinians have been killed amid the unrest, including alleged attackers.
Rioting has seen Palestinians throwing stones and firebombs at Israeli forces, who have responded with live fire, rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades.
The Red Crescent said on Sunday that 1,021 Palestinians have been wounded by live fire and rubber bullets since Oct 3.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the emergency call-up of 16 reserve border police units to reinforce officers in east Jerusalem and throughout Israel.
But while Netanyahu and Abbas have sought to avoid an escalation, frustrated Palestinian youths have defied efforts to restore calm.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1212679/three-more-stabbings-in-jerusalem-spread-fear-among-israelis
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IS prime suspect in Turkey bombing as protests erupt
October 13, 2015
ISTANBUL - Turkey's government said on Monday Islamic State was the prime suspect in suicide bombings that killed at least 97 people in Ankara, but opponents vented anger at President Tayyip Erdogan at funerals, universities and courthouses.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Saturday's bombing, the worst of its kind on Turkish soil, was intended to influence the outcome of November polls Erdogan hopes will restore the AK party he founded to an overall parliamentary majority. There is no question of postponing the vote, officials have said.
"It was definitely a suicide bombing," Davutoglu said in an interview broadcast live on Turkey's NTV. "DNA tests are being conducted. It was determined how the suicide bombers got there. We're close to a name, which points to one group."
Opponents of Erdogan, who has led the country over 13 years, blame him for the attack on a rally organised by pro-Kurdish activists and civic groups, accusing the state at best of intelligence failings and at worst of complicity by stirring up up nationalist, anti-Kurdish sentiment.
The government, facing a growing Kurdish conflict at home and the spillover of war in Syria, vehemently denies such accusations. The sheer range of possible perpetrators - from Islamic State and Marxist radicals to militant nationalists and Kurdish armed factions - highlights fissures running through Turkish society. At stake is the stability of NATO country seen by the West as a bulwark against Middle Eastern turmoil.
Hundreds chanting anti-government slogans marched on a mosque in an Istanbul suburb for the funeral of several of the victims, attended by Selahattin Demirtas, leader of the pro-Kurdish parliamentary opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which says it was the target of the bombings.
Riot police with water cannon and armoured vehicles stood by as the crowd, some chanting "Thief, Murderer Erdogan" and waving HDP flags, moved towards the mosque in the working class Umraniye neighbourhood of Istanbul.
Several labour unions also called protests. Hundreds of people, many wearing doctors' uniforms and carrying Turkish Medical Association banners, gathered by the main train station in Ankara where the explosions happened to lay red carnations but were blocked by riot police, a Reuters witness said.
Lawyers at an Istanbul courthouse chanted "Murderer Erdogan will give account" as colleagues applauded, footage circulated on social media showed.
The HDP has put the death toll from the bombings at 128 and said it had identified all but eight of the bodies. Davutoglu's office has said 97 people were killed.
The bombs struck seconds apart as hundreds gathered for a march organised by pro-Kurdish activists and civic groups to protest over a growing conflict between Turkish security forces and Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in the southeast. The HDP accused Ankara of escalating violence to try to weaken the HDP at Nov. 1 polls, regain an AK majority and pave the way for the more powerful presidential system Erdogan seeks. "Our electorates feel under constant threat in every social space and political activity they attend," it said.
It also accused the AKP of relying on radical groups including Islamic State as proxies to fight Kurds in northern Syria, a charge the government strongly denies.
The Haberturk newspaper reported police sources as saying the type of explosive and the choice of target pointed to a group within Islamic State known as the 'Adiyaman ones', referring to Adiyaman province in southeast Turkey.
Turkey is vulnerable to infiltration by Islamic State, which holds swathes of Syrian land abutting Turkey where some two million refugees live. But the group, not normally reticent about its attacks, made no claim to a similar bombing in the town of Suruc in July attributed to it; nor has it made any reference to the Ankara attack in internet postings.
Tensions have further unnerved investors, many of whom have reduced their Turkey exposure in recent months because of the election uncertainty. The lira weakened to 2.95 to the dollar early on Monday, making it the worst performing currency among major emerging markets.
HDP spokesman Ayhan Bilgen told Reuters his party, which expanded beyond its Kurdish voter base and drew in mainly left-wing opponents of Erdogan at the June vote, was considering cancelling all of its rallies due to the security concerns.
Saturday's march had been called to protest over the deaths of hundreds since the collapse in July of a ceasefire between security forces and the PKK, which is deemed a terrorist group by the United States and the EU as well as Turkey. Some 40,000 have been killed in the predominantly Kurdish southeast since the PKK's insurgency began in 1984.
A top PKK commander was reported by news website close to the group on Monday as saying its militants would stick to a ceasefire pledge announced at the weekend in memory of those who died in Ankara.
Firat news agency reported Murat Karayilan as saying in a radio broadcast to PKK fighters that they were not to stage attacks in Turkey unless they came under attack from the security forces.
The government has already dismissed the ceasefire declaration as an election gambit meant to bolster the pro-Kurdish HDP, saying the militants must disarm and leave Turkey. It continued air strikes on PKK camps over the weekend.
http://nation.com.pk/international/13-Oct-2015/is-prime-suspect-in-turkey-bombing-as-protests-erupt
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Iran parliament green-lights nuclear deal
13 October 2015
Iran's parliament approved a historic nuclear deal with world powers on Tuesday, effectively ending debate among lawmakers over the agreement and paving the way for its formal implementation.
The motion to approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was passed with 161 votes in favor, 59 against and with 13 abstentions, the official IRNA news agency and other media said.
An early tally of the vote said 250 of Iran's 290 MPs were present, with the numbers suggesting 17 members who attended did not vote at all.
The nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers was struck on July 14 after almost two years of diplomacy but lawmakers in the United States and Tehran insisted on voting on it.
The deal, which will lift nuclear-related sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its atomic activities -- the Islamic republic denies seeking a bomb -- has received a rocky ride in the US and Iran.
Members of the U.S. Congress failed in September to torpedo the deal.
And in Tehran ultraconservative lawmakers repeatedly warned of holes in the text of the agreement and criticized President Hassan Rowhani for suggesting MPs were deliberately delaying the deal.
In selling the agreement to sceptics, Rowhani's government said its negotiators protected the future of Iran's nuclear program while ensuring sanctions, that have ravaged its economy, would end.
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/Iranian-parliament-green-lights-nuclear-deal.html
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Footage shows badly wounded Palestinian being verbally abused
13 October 2015
Graphic warning: This article contains images that some readers may find disturbing
A video puporting to show a Palestinian boy suffering from gunshot wounds surrounded by Jewish settlers and Israeli police while receiving a barrage of verbal abuse has gone viral overnight, after weeks of violence gripped the occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank.
It has been reported that he was shot by Israeli gunfire, according to Al Arabiya News Channel. He is believed to be one of two Palestinian boys who were shot on Monday.
According to Israeli media, one of the boys had allegedly stabbed and critically injured a 13-year-old Israeli riding his bike in northern Jerusalem.
In the video, the visibly injured boy is seen laying on the ground, with voices - believed to be those of Israeli settlers at the scene - hurling insults at him and telling him to “die” in the presence of Israeli police.
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/Video-of-injured-Palestinian-being-sworn-at-goes-viral.html
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Car, knife attack kills one central Jerusalem
13 October 2015
One person was killed and four wounded after a driver rammed into a central Jerusalem bus stop Tuesday before attacking people at the scene with a knife, police told Agence France-Presse.
A wave of knife attacks have targeted Israelis since early October. Four Israelis and 26 Palestinians, including eight alleged attackers and eight children, have died in 12 days of bloodshed, the worst spell of street violence for years, stirred in part by Muslim anger over increasing Jewish visits to the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem.
Also on Tuesday, a Palestinian allegedly stabbed and wounded a passerby north of Tel Aviv before being detained by civilians in the area, police said.
The victim was "moderately" wounded in the stabbing near a bus station in Raanana, police said.
They described the attacker as a 22-year-old Palestinian from east Jerusalem and said he was taken to hospital with serious injuries after being beaten by residents.
It was the 21st stabbing attack in Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank since October 3. One revenge attack occurred last week, when a Jewish man stabbed and wounded two Arab Israelis and two Palestinians in the southern Israeli city of Dimona.
The attacks along with violent protests in annexed east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank have led to warnings that a full-scale Palestinian uprising, or third intifada, could erupt.
Unrest has also spread to the Gaza Strip, with clashes along the border in recent days leaving nine Palestinians dead from Israeli fire.
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/Car-knife-attack-kills-one-central-Jerusalem-.html
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Houthis bomb home of Yemen national anthem composer
13 October 2015
Houthi militias in Yemen have bombed the home of Yemen’s national anthem composer in the city of Taez in what observers say is the biggest symbolic attack on Yemen’s unity by the militias.
In statements to the press, Ayoob Tarish confirmed that he is currently in his native village of Al-Aboos on the outskirts of Taiz, pointing out that the rebels targeted his home with several shells causing damage in the house. He pointed out that his eldest son Shadi was present with his family at home, “but fortunately no one was hurt.”
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/Houthis-bomb-home-of-national-anthem-composer.html
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Yemeni party urges probe into Saleh’s ‘crimes’
13 October 2015
Yemen’s General People's Congress Party has called for ousted former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his supporters to be “held accountable for crimes against the people of Yemen.”
The calls came during a consultative meeting held in the Saudi city of Riyadh where party reiterated its support for the legitimacy of President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi and denouncing the takeover of Houthi militias, the said in a statement.
The GPC party also reiterated in their statement that they support the principles laid out in the U.N. resolution 2216 and urge all parties to abide by them to restore security and legitimacy back to the government.
The party’s comments’ come as it’s their leader Saleh told Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen television in an interview broadcast on Monday that he was ready to quit his position as head of the country's largest party to facilitate an end to fighting that had killed more than 5,000 people,.
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/Yemenis-call-for-probe-into-ex-president-s-crimes-.html
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RGC Commander: Great Victories Expected in Syria
Oct 12, 2015
"We will witness great victories in Syria in the next few days," Jafari said, addressing a ceremony in the Western city of Hamadan held to commemorate the martyred IRGC Commander, Brigadier General Hossein Hamadani who was killed in Northern Syria on Thursday.
Noting that the security of Western Asia, including Iran, is dependent on Syria and the resistance front, he said, "We should support this front with all our power."
Jafari also warned that the "arrogant powers in the region are after overthrowing the ruling system in Syria to extend their influence in the Muslim states".
The IRGC in a statement on Friday announced that its war veteran commander had been killed in Northern Syria, while providing military counseling services to the Syrian forces in their fight against the Takfiri terrorists.
General Hamadani was martyred during an attack by the ISIL Takfiri terrorists in the outskirts of the city of Aleppo while fulfilling his duty as military advisor and defending the holy Shiite shrines in the country, said the statement.
Full Report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720000673
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Iran, EU officials to discuss Syria crisis in Brussels
Oct 13, 2015
Senior Iranian and European Union (EU) officials are set to meet in Brussels to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, especially the crisis in Syria.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian left Tehran on Tuesday for the Belgian capital, Brussels, which hosts the EU headquarters, for the discussions.
Senior Iranian and EU officials are scheduled to exchange views later in the day over the crises in some Middle Eastern states, particularly Syria, which has been grappling with foreign-sponsored militancy since 2011.
Iran’s peace plan
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has proposed a four-point peace plan on the Syrian crisis. The initiative calls for a national unity government, a ceasefire, fighting terrorism and constitutional reforms in the violence-torn Arab nation, according to Zarif himself.
More than 250,000 people have lost their lives in the violence fueled by foreign-backed Takfiri groups. The Syrian army has been engaged in heavy battles against the extremist militants on many fronts across the country over the past four years.
Iran has on numerous occasions insisted that the Syrian crisis can only have a peaceful solution.
Failure without Iran
Two conferences were previously held in an attempt to resolve the Syrian crisis in the Swiss city of Geneva, one in 2012 and the other in 2014. Iran was not invited to the first one, and while the Islamic Republic did primarily receive an invitation to take part in the second Geneva conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon later rescinded the invitation under pressure from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the foreign-backed Syrian opposition.
Both conferences ended in failure.
T he UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura (L) talks to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Iranian capital, Tehran, July 21, 2015. (Photo by Tasnim)
In July 2015, the UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura visited the Iranian capital, Tehran, as part of a series of trips aimed at holding consultations with regional countries on ways to stop the violence in the Arab country.
De Mistura had also traveled to Iran in late 2014.
On the ground in Syria
The Syrian army’s counter-terror fight has recently taken a new turn as Russia in late September responded positively to a request by Damascus and began providing air support to government troops by conducting air raids on terrorist positions.
Backed by Moscow’s anti-terror air raids, the Syrian army has in recent days made numerous gains on the battlefield against the Takfiri terror groups. However, that the Russian air raids have drawn criticism from Western governments and their regional allies, which have long been supporting the militants operating in the region.
Full Report at:
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/10/13/433189/Iran-European-Union-AmirAbdollahian-Syria
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Arab World
Nusra Front calls on extremists in Caucasus to attack Russia
13 October 2015
The head of Al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front has called on extremists in the Caucasus to attack Russian civilians and soldiers in retaliation for Moscow's air strikes in Syria.
"If the Russian army kills the people of Syria, then kill their people. And if they kill our soldiers, then kill their soldiers. An eye for an eye," Abu Mohamed al-Golani, the head of Nusra Front, said in an audio recording released late Monday.
The latest comments come after Golani also urged to escalate attacks on the strongholds of President Bashar al Assad’s minority Alawite sect in retaliation for what he said was the indiscriminate killing of Muslims by the Russians.
Golani, posted on YouTube, said Russia’s military intervention since last week was aimed at saving Assad’s rule from collapse but was "doomed to fail, as had previous Iranian and Hezbollah military support."
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/Nusra-Front-urges-attacks-on-Syria-s-Alawites-to-avenge-Russian-bombings.html
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Syrian Army Wins Back Large Parts of Aleppo, ISIL Sustains Heavy Losses
Oct 12, 2015
"After causing massive losses to the ISIL, our troops took control of large areas," General Ali Mayhoub said.
A large number of terrorists are moving from Syria to the Turkish border amid the Syrian army's offensive.
"The success achieved by our armed forces since the beginning of the operation mainly through strikes from the air, as well as artillery strikes on the terrorists' control and command points is lowering their morale," he continued.
"Many of them are moving to the Turkish border," General Mayhoub added.
On Thursday, Syrian Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Ali Abdullah Ayyoub said that the country's armed forces had launched a large-scale operation to retake occupied areas from the terrorists.
Full Report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720001498
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Iraqi Warplanes Kill, Injure 35 Terrorists
Oct 12, 2015
The Iraqi air raids hit the terrorists' positions in Khalidiyah city in Anbar province, and killed and injured more than 35 militants.
Several sources in Baghdad said on Sunday that ISIL Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed in the Iraqi army's airstrike on his convoy in Western Anbar province.
Although a statement issued by Iraq's Armed Froces said the fate of al-Baghdadi is still unknown, several Arabic-langugae media of the country, including Al-Soraya and Al-Anba, quoted informed military sources as saying that Al-Baghdadi has been killed as no one in the convoy survived the attack.
Arabic-language media outlets said a special unit of Iraq's air force known as the Falcons who have so far managed to kill several ISIL leaders in various operations, including an efficient attack on a number of top terrorist commanders on June 1, has done the airstrike.
Several ISIL commanders were killed in the June airstrike, including Abu Hareth Al-Shami, Abu Aeshe al-Ansari - an explosives expert - Moroccan national Abu Yousef Al-Jezrawi, Abu Hussein Al-Salmani who was in charge of ISIL's Zakah (an Islamic tax system) issues, and Wa'd al-Latif Jom'eh al-Mohammadi who was in charge of ISIL's suicide operation agents.
The military statement, though, said "The Iraqi air force has bombed the convoy of the terrorist Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi while he was heading to Al-Karable to attend a meeting with ISIL commanders."
Full Report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720000613
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Syrian Army Wins Back Strategic Town of Selma in Lattakia
Oct 12, 2015
The sources said that the Syrian army troops alongside the Hezbollah fighters purged the surrounding al-Khazan hilltops of the terrorists on Sunday night and entered the town of Selma earlier today.
The sources added that the militant left behind dozens of killed or wounded members and retreated from the battlefront.
On Saturday, Syrian government troops, backed up by Russian warplanes, stormed the positions of al-Nusra Front in Kafr al-Dalbeh and recaptured the area after seven hours of heavy fighting.
Full Report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720000496
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Tens of ISIL Militants Killed in Syrian Army Counter-Attack in Deir Ezzur
Oct 12, 2015
The sources rejected the ISIL claims of advancing in Jufrah and al-Mereih, and said the Syrian army troops confronted the group strongly and killed scores of them in the battlefronts.
On Sunday, the Syrian Army repelled repeated ISIL assaults on its positions in Deir Ezzur Airbase, said local sources, adding that the militant group left behind over 120 casualties in the battle and retreated.
Full Report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720000704
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Military Source: Saudi Forces Fail to Advance in Ma'rib Province
Oct 12, 2015
"Heavy clashes broke out between the Yemeni forces and pro-Saudi militants in Ma'rib province," Yemeni Army Commander Khaled al-Nouri told FNA on Monday, adding that "the Yemeni troops pushed the Saudi-led forces back and killed tens of them while the Saudi jets struck the Yemeni positions over 100 times".
The army commander reiterated that the Yemeni forces have pushed back the Saudi army, pro-Hadi militias and Al-Qaeda terrorists from several parts of Ma'rib province.
A military source said on October 8 that the Yemeni forces have inflicted heavy losses on the Saudi-led military contingent in the Sirwah district in Ma'rib, which lies about 120 kilometers (75 miles) East of the capital, Sana’a.
The source added that the Saudi-led forces were killed when Yemeni army troopers and their allies engaged them near the Kofel military camp.
The source also told Yemen's Saba news agency that Saudi warplanes have conducted a number of sorties over Kofel district, Sirwah market as well as Jebel Hilan, and purportedly dropped a number of phosphorus bombs across Sirwah.
The source said Yemeni army and Popular Committees are making further headway in the fight against the Saudi forces, praising tribesmen from Ma'rib for their support for the Yemeni forces.
Full Report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720000653
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Syrian Jets Destroy Militants' Positions in Damascus countryside
Oct 12, 2015
Reports said the Syrian airstrikes destroyed the terrorist's hideouts in Qalamoun in Damascus countryside.
On Sunday, Syrian army troops seized and destroyed a tunnel used by the foreign-backed militants in Damascus countryside.
The Syrian government forces destroyed a tunnel dug by the ISIL in Jobar neighborhood in Damascus province.
Hundreds of militias are said to have used the tunnel to cross into the city and wreak havoc on the Arab country.
Meanwhile, the Russian fighter jets stormed two key centers of the militants in Beir Qasab and Tal Dekoh in Damascus governorate.
Full Report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720000909
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Russian Fighter Jets Strike 53 ISIL Targets in Last 24 Hours
Oct 12, 2015
Igor Konashenkov told RT that Sukhoi Su-24M and Su-34 bombers, together with Su-25SM ground support aircraft, bombed the ISIL positions in the provinces of Idlib, Lattakia, Homs and Hama.
The airstrikes destroyed seven command points, six training camps, six arms depots and a stronghold near the village of Salma in Lattakia province.
The Russian aircraft have also attacked 24 of the terrorists’ fortified strongpoints, along with weapons and vehicles stored there.
“Over the last day, the Russian warplanes have also targeted a convoy of terrorist vehicles, a mobile mortar gunnery team and three underground bunker systems," Konashenkov added.
A group of Sukhoi Su-24M bombers has hit a large transfer point of ISIL terrorists in Lattakia province, striking the target with high-explosive air bombs, which caused a fire at the installation equipped with underground facilities. The fire caused munitions stored at the facility to detonate.
Full Report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720001044
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Militant Centers across Syria's Idlib Bombed by Russian Warplanes
Oct 12, 2015
The sources said that the Russian fighter jets continued bombing of the positions of the Jeish al-Fateh, including Ahrar al-Sham, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and al-Nusra Front in the Idlib province, leaving scores of the militants killed or wounded.
On Sunday, the Russian warplanes pounded ISIL's strongholds in al-Tamanna in Idlib.
The sources said that the ISIL terrorist group sustained heavy losses in the Russian airstrikes in Idlib, particularly in al-Tamanna area.
Full Report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720000403
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Syrian Army Advancing in Hama Governorate with Russian Air Support
Oct 12, 2015
The sources said that the headquarters of al-Nusra Front were targeted by the Russian fighter jets in Kafr Nabudah, Latmeen and Lataminah.
Meantime, a main weapon and ammunitions depot of the Nusra militants was exploded in the Russian air attack in Kafr Zita.
The sources said that the Syrian army, with the aerial backup of the Russian warplanes, raided the militant centers in all the abovementioned locations and killed tens of them.
On Sunday, the Syrian Army, with the Russian warplanes' backup, pushed back the militant groups from Fawru town at Hama border with Idlib.
Full Report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940720000654
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Iraq investigating reports IS chief wounded in raid
October 13, 2015
BAGHDAD - Iraq’s security services were attempting Monday to confirm reports that Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was wounded in an Iraqi strike on his convoy.
“We are still collecting and cross-checking information to reach an accurate assessment,” interior ministry spokesman Saad Maan told AFP.
Iraq’s security forces said in a statement Sunday that Iraqi warplanes had struck Baghdadi’s convoy as it was heading to an IS leadership meeting in Karabla, near the border with Syria. The statement said the building hosting the meeting was also struck.
Security sources in Baghdad have in the past made similar claims that were never verified and pro-IS accounts on social media mocked Baghdad’s latest announcement. Officials in Anbar, the vast Sunni province where Karabla is located, said however their information suggested the elusive militant supremo was wounded in the strike. Rafa al-Fahdawi, the leader of an organisation grouping Anbar tribes opposed to IS, said the meeting in Karabla took place in a house that belonged to a local politician and had been occupied by IS. “According to former members of the security forces living there, Baghdadi was seriously wounded and several Daesh leaders were killed,” he told AFP, using an Arabic acronym for IS.
A senior security officer in Anbar also said he had received reports indicating Baghdadi was at least wounded in the strike on his convoy. “According to Karabla residents, Baghdadi and some other leaders were taken to a hospital in Albu Kamal,” a town directly across the Syrian border, some 15 kilometres (10 miles) away.
Full Report at:
http://nation.com.pk/international/13-Oct-2015/iraq-investigating-reports-is-chief-wounded-in-raid
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Court orders release of Mubarak’s sons
October 13, 2015
CAIRO: An Egyptian court on Monday ordered the release of ousted president Hosni Mubarak’s two sons who were sentenced to three years in jail for corruption, a judicial official and their lawyer said.
The court ordered Alaa and Gamal Mubarak to be released after having taken into account time served since their arrest in 2011, the judicial official and defence lawyer Farid al-Deeb said. “Yes, the court has ordered their release,” Deeb said.
He insisted that Alaa and Gamal — seen as symbols of corruption under their father’s three-decade rule — have served their time in prison and should be allowed to go free.
A security official said the brothers could be freed as early as “today (Monday) or tomorrow”, depending on how quickly their release is processed.
Full Report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1212675/court-orders-release-of-mubaraks-sons
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Two rockets hit Russian embassy in Syria, no casualties reported
13 October 2015
Two shells were fired at Russia's embassy in Damascus on Tuesday during a demonstration in support of Moscow, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to the building.
The incident came nearly two weeks after Russia, a major ally of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, launched air strikes against Syrian rebels and ISIS extremists.
One witness said both shells appeared to land in a park close to the embassy compound. A second witness said one of them landed inside the compound but did not hit the building itself.
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/Two-rockets-hit-Russian-embassy-in-Syria.html
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Saudi king: Muslim unity will not be undermined
13 October 2015
Saud Arabia’s King Salman has emphasized that his country will “always keen on maintaining the Arab and Islamic unity” and will not allow anyone to take political advantage of the Hajj stampede tragedy.
King Salman’s comments came as he chaired the weekly session of the Council of Ministers at Al-Yamama Palace on Monday, where he said the “irresponsible statements aimed at political exploitation of the Mina stampede and causing dissension and division in the Muslim world will not affect the Kingdom’s role and its duty to serve pilgrims.”
“The Kingdom, which is honored by Allah to serve the two holy mosques and pilgrims visiting them, is exerting all efforts and capabilities to ensure the safety of pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals in ease and comfort,” he added.
Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Adel Al-Turaifi, minister of culture and information, said the King thanked the leaders of brotherly and friendly countries as well as all others who offered condolences to the Kingdom on the death of pilgrims in the stampede.
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/King-Salman-We-won-t-allow-anyone-to-undermine-Muslim-unity-.html
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Syrian Kurdish forces accused of war crimes
13 October 2015
Waves of forced displacement and home demolitions carried out by Kurdish forces operating in Syria's north and northeast amount to "war crimes," a rights group said on Tuesday.
Amnesty International said a fact-finding mission to 14 towns and villages in northern and northeast Syria "has uncovered a wave of forced displacement and home demolitions amounting to war crimes carried out by the autonomous administration" led by Syrian Kurds.
"By deliberately demolishing civilian homes, in some cases razing and burning entire villages, displacing their inhabitants with no justifiable military grounds, the Autonomous Administration is abusing its authority and brazenly flouting international humanitarian law," said Lama Fakih, Amnesty's senior crisis adviser.
After Syrian government troops withdrew from majority-Kurdish areas in 2012, a Kurdish-led autonomous administration stepped in to fill the void.
Its security forces, including the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and Asayish police, have fought ISIS militants in these areas.
But residents of Raqa province in the north and Hasakeh in the northeast interviewed by Amnesty say Kurdish forces have used the pretext of fighting ISIS to conduct mass demolitions.
Amnesty said the destruction it examined had not occurred as a result of fighting, but was part of "a deliberate, coordinated campaign of collective punishment of civilians in villages previously captured by ISIS, or where a small minority were suspected of supporting the group".
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/Syrian-Kurdish-forces-accused-of-war-crimes-.html
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South Asia
Bangladesh Gives Murdered Japanese a Muslim Burial
October 13, 2015
DHAKA: A Japanese farmer shot dead by suspected extremists in Bangladesh was buried in a Muslim graveyard on Tuesday after a cleric testified that he had converted to Islam, officials said.
Hoshi Kunio was shot dead by three men on a motorbike who stopped his rickshaw on a dirt road last week, an attack later claimed by the Islamic State group.
The 66-year-old had settled in Bangladesh, where he had leased land to farm, and was living in the northern city of Rangpur.
His murder came just five days after an Italian aid worker, Cesare Tavella, was shot dead in similar fashion in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, an attack also claimed by the extremist group IS.
“He was buried in the city’s Munshipara graveyard early Tuesday morning,” Rangpur city police chief Abdur Razzaq told AFP.
Priyasindhu Talukdar, a government official in Rangpur, said Kunio was buried in a Muslim graveyard, adding, “we got confirmation that he had converted to Islam before his death.”
“We held his funeral prayer and then buried him in the graveyard in accordance with Muslim rites. The Japanese embassy in Bangladesh approved the burial and two Japanese officials were present,” Talukdar told AFP.
Japanese embassy spokesman Takeshi Matsunaga confirmed Kunio had been buried in Bangladesh.
Full Report at:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/972130/bangladesh-gives-murdered-japanese-a-muslim-burial/
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Defence Witnesses from Pakistan Seek to Testify in Bangla War Crimes Case
BY DAVID BERGMAN
13/10/2015
Dhaka: A former caretaker prime minister and the chairperson of a leading media group are amongst a group of four witnesses from Pakistan urging the Bangladesh courts to allow them to testify on behalf of an opposition leader who is facing the death sentence for crimes against humanity and genocide, The Wire can reveal.
The witnesses claim that Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, a leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was present with them in Karachi – and later in Lahore – when the offences he is alleged to have committed during the 1971 Independence War of Bangladesh, took place.
The four witnesses say that they had intended to testify on behalf of Chowdhury during the trial, but the International Crimes Tribunal, a domestic court based in Dhaka, had restricted to five the number of witnesses that his defence lawyers could summon. It was finally limited to four.
Prosecution lawyers had earlier summonsed 41 witnesses, and there had been no limitation imposed upon them.
The defence witnesses subsequently provided sworn affidavits that were submitted to the court. However in its judgment the Tribunal ruled the statements to be inadmissible, as did the appellate division which, at the end of last month, upheld the death penalty decision.
In its judgment, the appellate division did not question the Tribunal’s restriction of the number of defence witnesses.
“When an accused person is here [in Karachi], and I am receiving him at the airport, I am meeting him on most days, and knowing that he is here when it is claimed he committed offences elsewhere, and it is written in our affidavits, it is very strange that no one called us to give evidence,’ said Muneeb Arjmand Khan, who insists he collected Salahuddin from Karachi airport on 29 March 1971.
‘I would be willing to come now,’ he said.
Another of the witnesses, Ishaq Khan Khakwani, a former national assembly and cabinet minister who states that Chowdhury stayed in his house in Lahore between mid-April and October 1971 also said that he thought that his evidence was too important to ignore.
“We should have been given an opportunity to say what we had to say in a court of law and be cross examined and be bombarded with any kind of question that the prosecution wanted,’ said Khakwani.
‘And if I could testify now in Bangladesh I would come. There is no issue,’ he added.
Amber Haroon Saigol, who is chairperson of Dawn media group, whose uncle is said to have met Bangladesh’s independence leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the airport in London after he was released from a Pakistan jail at the end of war, also said that she would come to Bangladesh.
Full Report at:
http://thewire.in/2015/10/13/war-crimes-defence-witnesses-from-pakistan-seek-to-testify-in-bdesh-death-sentence-case-13077/
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Taliban threaten second Afghan provincial capital
October 13, 2015
KABUL - Fighting intensified around the Afghan city of Ghazni on Monday, as Taliban threatened to seize a second provincial capital after briefly occupying Kunduz in the north last month.
The clashes around Ghazni, some 130 km (80 miles) southwest of Kabul, underlined the worsening security situation across Afghanistan, where national soldiers and police are struggling to cope now the bulk of foreign forces have withdrawn.
Monday’s violence followed days of sporadic fighting near Ghazni, and prompted most shops, schools and universities there to close.
Many residents attempted to flee to the capital Kabul or nearby districts, adding to a growing number of internally displaced people within Afghanistan.
Government officials said they still had the upper hand.
“Hundreds of Taliban attacked from two directions and the fighting is still on some 7 km away from the provincial capital,” Ghazni’s Deputy Governor Mohammad Ali Ahmadi told Reuters.
“The Taliban planned to attack and seize the capital but we were on the alert and repelled them,” he said.
The hardline Islamist militant movement, seeking to topple the Western-backed government in Kabul and restore its regime 14 years after being toppled, also said it had blocked the highway from Kabul to the southern city of Kandahar.
The Taliban warned motorists to avoid the key transport corridor linking the capital to the south, which was rebuilt with the help of Western aid.
There was no independent confirmation of their claim to have blocked the route.
Earlier on Monday, a local UN staffer was shot and killed by two gunmen on a motorbike as she was on her way to work in Kandahar.
“She was fatally wounded and later died in hospital,” said Mujib ur Rahman, a UN press officer in Kandahar.
On Sunday, a suicide bomber attacked a convoy of foreign troops during Sunday morning rush hour in Kabul, wounding at least three civilians.
Since the withdrawal of international troops from most combat operations at the end of last year, the brunt of fighting has been borne by Afghan forces.
Any hopes of a negotiated settlement with the Taliban were dealt a blow earlier this year, when a power struggle broke out following confirmation that the movement’s founder, Mullah Omar, had died two years earlier.
Full Report at:
http://nation.com.pk/national/13-Oct-2015/taliban-threaten-second-afghan-provincial-capital
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Karzai: “global consensus” must in fight against terrorism
Oct 13 2015
Afghanistan’s former president Hamid Karzai has said that the world must build a “global consensus” on an inclusive security paradigm to address international security challenges, confront acts of terrorism and “eradicate its roots in sanctuaries.”
“The challenge for all of us today is to move beyond zero sum games,” Karzai added during his speech the war on terror, terrorism and the impact on Muslim countries at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research on Monday.
“The world must recognise that extremists and terrorists have carried out immense atrocities against Muslims around the world,” he said. “They are instruments of distorting a peaceful religion and tainting the image of Islam and Muslims around the world.” Karzai also warned that terrorism is moving beyond the Muslim world and that larger international sincerity is required against the phenomenon.
“What we need is a multi-lateral world order where big powers together with significant countries in the Muslim world can together play a role, as we see terrorism is starting to move beyond the Muslim world. I hope there will be a larger international sincerity about this.”
As per a report published on Monday by UAE’s The National, Karzai said with a changing geopolitical landscape in today’s world, countries were continuing to apply the same set of old rules.
Full Report at:
http://www.khaama.com/karzai-global-consensus-must-in-fight-against-terrorism-3986
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UN urges Afghan government to bring Ulfat’s killers to justice
Oct 13 2015
United Nations has urged Afghan government to investigate the killing of its staffer in southern Kandahar province and bring to justice the perpetrators.
UN’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that he is deeply troubled and saddened over the killing of a staff member in Kandahar.
Toorpikai Ulfat was shot dead by unknown gunmen during daylight in Kandahar city on Monday.
Ban Ki-moon has extended his deepest condolences to the family of Ulfat, “a much valued colleague, staunch human rights defender and friend to many in the United Nations and across Afghanistan.”
Full Report at:
http://www.khaama.com/un-urges-afghan-government-to-bring-ulfats-killers-to-justice-3985
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Policeman martyred in Kandahar suicide attack
Oct 13 2015
A policeman embraced martyrdom in a suicide attack in southern Kandahar province on Tuesday.
The suicide bomber who was wearing an explosive vest tried to enter to a police check post in Sur Badal area of Maiwand District.
When policemen at the check post suspected and told him to stop, the suicide bomber blasted his vest.
Zia Durani, spokesman for the police HQ in Kandahar said that one policeman embraced martyrdom in the explosion and another sustained injuries.
Full Report at:
http://www.khaama.com/breaking-news-heavy-explosion-rocks-maiwand-district-of-kandahar-3985
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Same group killed foreigners, bloggers; sent tweets from Bangladesh: Expert, detectives say
2015-10-12
A group, which is believed to be behind the killing of secular blog activists in Bangladesh in recent times, is also suspected to be involved in the murders of foreign nationals, a leading cyber security expert and detectives say.
They claim tweets in the name of Islamic State or al-Qaeda claiming credits for the killings were also sent from Bangladesh.
Tanvir Hasan Zoha, who oversees the ICT Division’s cyber security project, says they have uncovered ‘electronic evidence’ of communication between the killers.
“The tweet claiming responsibility for the Italian man’s killing was sent from Gulshan using a corporate internet connection of a readymade garment business house,” he said. “We’ve collected the ISP’s address.”
Zoha, who is assisting detectives in their investigations, said the Twitter Inc authorities have been informed.
Italian aid worker Cesare Tavella was gunned down at Dhaka’s diplomatic heart on Sept 28 while Japanese Kunio Hoshi was killed in similar fashion five days later in Rangpur.
Militant threat observer portal ‘SITE Intelligence Group’ reported IS claimed credit for the murders, triggering fresh discussion on the possibility of militant operations in Bangladesh.
The government has rejected the reports and blamed the BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami for the incidents.
Indian intelligence officials say they suspect the Jamaat for the killings aimed at destabilising Bangladesh when several of its top leaders are on death row for war crimes.
Zoha said those who tweeted in the name of IS are ‘self-proclaimed’ members of the militant group.
“They collect fund from various Saudi businesses and keep in touch with Syria,” he said.
However, investigators are yet to identify the persons who sent the tweet.
Between February and August this year, four blog activists – Avijit Roy, Oyasiqur Rahman Babu, Ananta Bijoy Das and Niladri Chatterjee – were hacked to death.
Police arrested several suspected members of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team last August and said they believed the same group was behind all four incidents.
Investigators are yet to make headway into the killing of foreigners that drew much condemnation. Several countries have asked their nationals to limit their movement despite the government’s assurance of adequate security for foreigners.
When asked, Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Mahfuzul Islam said, “We are investigating who issued the statements over the killing and their motive.
“We’re also probing whether the Jamaat or [Islami Chhatra] Shibir (Jamaat’s studnt wing) are involved.”
Full Report at:
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/10/12/same-group-killed-foreigners-bloggers-sent-tweets-from-bangladesh-expert-detectives-say
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India
Centre Plans Sufi Conferences to Foster Inter-Religious Peace
Zia Haq
Oct 13, 2015
The Modi government is planning to invoke Sufism to battle hate crimes against Muslims, especially over meat consumption, as the country reels under a tough cultural climate and sectarian intolerance.
Minority affairs minister Najma Heptullah told HT her ministry was drawing up plans to hold a national-level Sufi conference, followed by smaller ones, to “promote peace”. She said help from institutions like the Indian Council for Cultural Relations would be sought.
“Whatever programmes, means and tools are needed I will explore them to create an understanding between people,” Heptullah said. “Our party’s manifesto promises to promote peace and tranquility. Such conferences are tools for this. Everywhere you can’t use police and judiciary to change people’s mind. How do you use force (all the time)?” she said.
Critics, however, say this is only a feeble response to what is a growing tide of cultural coercion by Hindu hardliners and that in a secular state, religion could not inform the ‘state’ in this way.
“If ‘secular’ means a non-religious state, then, the government should keep out of religious functions and conferences. At this moment, when we face threats to secularism, freedom and minority rights, it’s important for the ministry of minority affairs to redouble its efforts for the protection of these fundamental values rather than leave it to Sufi conferences to achieve this,” said noted political scientist Zoya Hasan.
Full Report at:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/centre-plans-sufi-conferences-to-foster-inter-religious-peace/story-RxeXQtnCwAKCDe0PpVfCCM.html
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Israel blocks India’s gifts to Palestine
By Shubhajit Roy
New Delhi
Oct 13, 2015
Israeli authorities have denied clearance to four communication systems meant as a gift from India to a Palestinian university’s Information Technology (IT) department. The matter assumed significance as President Pranab Mukherjee, who is due to inaugurate a state-of-the-art IT Centre at Al-Quds University on Tuesday, planned to gift these devices as part of the Indian government’s plan. The four communication systems were meant to be crucial components of the new IT centre. While Israeli customs on Monday cleared the passage of 30 computers, which were stuck at the Ashdod port, to be moved to the university, the communication systems remained at the Ben Gurion airport and were unlikely to be allowed to reach the IT Centre.
Full Report at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/israel-blocks-indias-gifts-to-palestine/
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Dadri lynching serious violation of human rights, may take action: NHRC
Oct 13, 2015
Calling the lynching of a man at Dadri “a very serious violation of human rights”, the National Human Rights Commission Monday said it “did not rule out” the possibility of taking action over it. However, it said the law restricts it from acting since the matter has been taken up by the National Commission for Minorities. “Dadri incident is a very serious violation of human rights and some complaints have come to us. But, under the statute, we have no jurisdiction to take cognizance of violation of human rights if another commission has already taken note of it. But we are exploring the possibility of doing something on it,” Justice Cyriac Joseph, acting chairperson of the NHRC, told mediapersons.
Full Report at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/dadri-lynching-serious-violation-of-human-rights-may-take-action-nhrc/
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Sikhs and Hindus help Muslims repair mosque in Indian Punjab
October 12, 2015
LUDHIANA (Web Desk) – The sharp lines drawn between Hindus and Muslims since the lynching of Mohammed Akhlaq in Dadri get blurred in a village near Ludhiana.
Everyone in Nathowal village knows that temperatures have reached boiling point over beef eating across the country. But that has not stopped Sikh and Hindu community members from helping Muslims repair an old mosque and even have a second storey constructed. In fact, the non-Muslims are bearing more than 65% of the expenses, the Times of India reported on Monday.
Read more: Muslims gather money to rebuild burnt Black churches
Nathowal has a population of around 7, 000 of which around 500 are Muslims. Around 50 members are those of Hindus.
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Mansa Khan, a contractor and president of Jamia Masjid at Nathowal says, “All three communities lived in peace here even before Partition. During Partition, 10 to 12 families migrated to Pakistan but 50 families stayed back as our Sikh brothers didn’t allow them to leave. Today, our relations are only stronger.”
Read more: Hindus join Muslims in Kerala for beef party to protest Dadri lynching
Repair on the mosque started six months ago. Of the Rs2.5 million invested in the project, around Rs1.5 million have been contributed by Sikhs and Hindus.
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They also ferry bricks, cement and sand for the construction. Muslim and Hindu community members also contribute to gurdwara work.
The majority Sikh community takes pride in the village’s communal peace. “Our village is more of a family. If a villager wants to donate money to a religious place he contributes equally to the gurdwara and the mosque. We will continue to uphold this spirit in the future.
Read more: Hindu mob kills Muslim man for allegedly eating beef in India
“When we started work on the mosque, every villager pledged to help irrespective of his religion,” says Pyara Singh, block committee member and president of Gurudwara Dharamshalla in the village.
Full Report at:
http://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/world/sikhs-and-hindus-help-muslims-repair-mosque-in-indian-punjab/
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High Muslim turnout may tilt balance in Bihar
Oct 12, 2015
Bhagalpur/Munger/Begusarai/Nawada/Patna: Muslim voters, one of the most sought-after community by every political party, came out in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the 10 districts which went to polls on Monday. Political observers feel this could spell trouble for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
In Bhagalpur, slow but steady voting was witnessed in areas dominated by the minority community. "We want a peaceful, stable and secular government," said Zeejah Hussain of Parbatti area. Similar views were echoed by Professor Ejaz Hussain, who added, "We want a government that will work for development."
Many Muslim voters in Bhagalpur reached polling booths early morning even without having their breakfast. While some said they wanted to avoid long queues as in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, other wanted to escape the hot weather during the day. Voting in Muslim areas was also generally peaceful in Bhagalpur.
Of the 583 candidates in the fray from the 49 constituencies which went to polls on Monday, about 35-odd candidates are Muslims.
In Munger, Mohammad Golden, Sohrab and Shahzad were happy with the improved power situation and better health services available in the district. The trio said they voted for the candidate who will work for Bihar's development. Women voters of the minority community were seen in large numbers at Town hall and Basudevpur High School polling stations and even at booths in Munger's countryside.
Full Report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/High-Muslim-turnout-may-tilt-balance/articleshow/49328826.cms
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38 Indians missing in Iraq are alive: Mahmoud Abbas
Oct 12, 2015
RAMALLAH: 38 Indians missing in Iraq for several months are alive, according to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who, however, provided no evidence to back up the claim.
Abbas told President Pranab Mukherjee that the missing Indians are safe, according to an Indian spokesman who said that no supporting evidence was provided in support of that.
There has been speculation that the Indians are being held in captivity by ISIS in the Mosul region of Iraq.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/38-Indians-missing-in-Iraq-are-alive-Mahmoud-Abbas/articleshow/49328704.cms
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Home Minister Rajnath Singh clears the release of Sikh terrorist, What about innocent Muslims?
October 13, 2015
Home Minister Rajnath Singh clears the release of 70-year-old Sikh terrorist serving a life term in an Uttar Pradesh jail, is likely to be freed soon. Waryam Singh, who has spent 25 years in jail, is likely to be freed on grounds of good conduct.
His release was recommended by the Uttar Pradesh government, which also said in its appeal that he was over 70. Sources say the home ministry took note of the fact that in 25 years, he had never taken parole and had a spotless record.
Reacting on Govt decision many organization, demanded the release of many innocent Muslims who have been in jails from years doing nothing.
Full Report at:
http://www.siasat.com/news/home-minister-rajnath-singh-clears-release-sikh-terrorist-what-about-innocent-muslims-851518/
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Africa
Two Tunisian soldiers killed in clash with militants
12 October 2015
Two Tunisian soldiers were killed and four wounded in a clash with jihadists Monday in a western region near the Algerian border, the defence ministry said.
“During a search operation, jihadists hiding out on Mount Sammama opened fire on our soldiers. Two soldiers fell as martyrs and four were wounded,” ministry spokesman Belhassan Ouselati told AFP.
He said the army operation was launched after a shepherd was kidnapped on Sunday near Mount Sammama in the Kasserine region, located next to the main jihadist hideout of Mount Chaambi.
Tunisia has since its 2011 revolution faced an upsurge in jihadist violence that has cost the lives of several dozen soldiers and police, with most attacks claimed by Al-Qaeda’s North African branch.
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/africa/2015/10/12/Two-Tunisian-soldiers-killed-four-others-wounded-in-clashes-with-militants-.html
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Libya rival factions reject national unity government deal
Oct 12, 2015
Rival factions in Libya have rejected a recent UN-brokered agreement on the formation of a national unity government.
Reacting to the deal, Mahmud Abdel Aziz, a lawmaker from the Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC), said on Monday that it would deepen rifts in the North African nation.
"This government is rejected... it will deepen differences between the Libyan people," media outlets quoted Abdel Aziz as saying.
The Tripoli-based government has been demanding amendments to the UN-proposed peace agreement for Libya.
Meanwhile, Ali Tekbali, a lawmaker from the internationally recognized parliament, which is based in the northeastern city of in Tobruk, also dismissed the UN plan, saying the government it has proposed is one of "divisions, not unity."
Tekbali also noted that UN special envoy for Libya, Bernardino Leon, "wants to impose a fait accompli on us."
The Tobruk-based parliament members are expected to meet on Monday to discuss the UN-proposed unity government.
Full Report at:
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/10/12/433118/Libya-UN-GNC-Tripoli-Leo-Tobruk-Muammar-Gaddafi-
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Nigeria’s Hajj tragedy death toll rises to 145
Oct 12, 2015
A Nigerian Hajj authority says the number of the country's pilgrims killed in the deadly crush during Hajj rituals in Mina, Saudi Arabia, has reached 145.
Saleh Oknewa from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria said on Sunday that 165 of Nigerians are still unaccounted for after the deadly human crush.
He also told reporters in Mecca that seven of 42 injured pilgrims remain in different hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
The tragic incident took place on September 24 after two large masses of pilgrims converged at a crossroads in Mina, a few kilometers east of the holy city of Mecca, during the symbolic ceremony of the stoning of Satan in Jamarat.
Full Report at:
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/10/12/433124/Hajj-Mina-Saudi-Arabia
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Tunisia’s Nobel Prize in the making for four years
13 October 2015
A Tunisian quartet coalition of labor union leaders, businesspeople, lawyers and human rights activists won this week the Nobel Peace Prize, but it is not the first time that Tunisia is linked to the prestigious international award.
In 1928, Charles Jules Henry Nicolle, a French bacteriologist who was based in Tunisia received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his identification of lice as the transmitter of epidemic typhus.
Nicolle, who spent most of his life in Tunisia, died and was buried at the Pasteur institute in Tunis.
While many Tunisians were feeling honored by their country’s effort in Nicolle’s award, 87 years later, many others are proud of a purely Tunisian achievement.
On Friday, the Nobel committee said in its announcement that the quartet was awarded for “its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralist democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011.”
But that year, while Tunisia was shaking following the collapse of its constitutional structures, a group of Tunisians was desperatly trying to provide aid to hundreds of thousands of Arab and African immigrants who had fled Libya in the wake of the uprising against Libyan Dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Whatever possible
Among the group, Asma Cherifi, who decided with some of her colleagues to dedicate themselves to “do whatever possible” to make their country win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Speaking to Al Arabiya News, Cherifi said: “It was the least that Tunisia deserves. Our country did not only succeed in showing the dignity road for others, but, despite it is a tiny one and amid a lot of troubles it managed to welcome, almost without any help from the world, hundreds of thousands of refugees. Not only that, Tunisia took the road for freedom with confidence.”
The Arab Spring originated in Tunisia in 2010 and 2011, but it quickly spread to other countries in North Africa and the Middle East,” Kaci Kullmann Five, the chairwoman of the committee, who announced the prize in Oslo, said.
“In many of these countries, the struggle for democracy and human rights has come to a standstill or suffered setbacks," she said.
"Tunisia, however, has seen a democratic transition based on a vibrant civil society, with demands for respect for basic human rights," she added.
From 2011 to 2015
The quest for Nobel started in 2011, according to Cherifi who, with her friends, created an initiative “Tunisia4nobelprize” and launched a global campaign.
In 2011, it was late, according to Cherifi to achieve that goal, however “we started meeting the potential candidates starting from 2012 in order to coordinate efforts and to gain more focus.”
She added: “we were optimistic on 2012 to be awarded, however, when we have seen, that Tunisian individual candidatures were in vain, we decided to think about something more solid.”
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/Tunisia-s-Nobel-Peace-Prize-in-the-making-for-four-years.html
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70 Sudanese have joined ISIS in total: minister
13 October 2015
Sudan’s Interior Minister Ismat Abdul Rahman said Monday that 70 young Sudanese have joined ISIS since the jihadist organization’s emergence, travelling to Syria and Libya.
Several groups of students from Sudan -- some holding western passports -- are thought to have travelled to Syria via Turkey to join ISIS, but this is the first time Khartoum has given a figure.
“The total of those who have left the country to join the Daesh organisation has reached 70 young men and women,” Abdul Rahman said at a news conference, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS.
The minister played down the significance of the figure, saying it was smaller than the number of recruits from other countries.
Abdul Rahman said that Khartoum, in coordination with the Turkish government, had been able to prevent several “cases from joining Daesh.”
Sudan’s security apparatus and education services were also running awareness campaigns to prevent young Sudanese from joining ISIS, he said.
Full Report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/africa/2015/10/13/70-Sudanese-have-joined-ISIS-in-total-minister-.html
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Burundi urges Belgium to replace envoy
Oct 13, 2015
Burundi has demanded the replacement of Belgian ambassador to the African country, citing the loss of confidence by the Burundian government in the European diplomat.
“Through a verbal note, the government of Burundi asked its counterpart for the replacement of the Belgian ambassador to Burundi since it has no more confidence in him,” said Permanent Secretary in Burundi’s Ministry of External Relations and International Cooperation Salvator Ntacobamaze on Monday.
The official, however, did not provide further explanation on the decision.
A Belgian Foreign Ministry spokesman slammed Burundi’s move as “unfriendly,” saying Brussels has not yet decided on any course of action. He added, however, that his country intends to keep communication channels open with the Bujumbura government.
Brussels had on Friday summoned Burundi’s ambassador to the European country to clarify earlier reports on Bujumbura’s withdrawal of the accreditation of Belgian Ambassador to Burundi Marc Gedopt.
Full Report at:
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/10/13/433191/Burundi-Belgium-Marc-Gedopt-President-Pierre-Nkurunziza-Protests-
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Pakistan
Afghanistan should avoid speaking language of Pakistan's enemies: Nisar
Oct 13, 2015
QUETTA: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday said the Afghan leadership should not speak in the language of Pakistan’s enemies since “the two brotherly countries had cordial relations.”
Addressing a press conference in Quetta, the interior minister said terrorist acts inside Pakistan were being planned and executed from Afghanistan, of which Pakistan had proof.
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr. Malik Baloch and other high level officials were also present on the occasion.
“If international forces based in Afghanistan could not end terrorism, what can Pakistan do? Pakistan is not Afghanistan’s watchman.”
The interior minister said heinous terrorist attacks, including the Army Public School massacre, were planned in Afghanistan and that Pakistan had solid evidence to back this claim.
When asked about the prevailing tension between the two countries, Nisar said:
“The tension is unilateral. We are a responsible government, and soon after the army school attack, the army chief visited Kabul and shared information with the Afghan leadership.”
Responding to a question, the interior minister said there was solid proof of foreign intervention in Balochistan.
“For the first time, evidence of foreign intervention from Afghanistan, in Balochistan, Fata, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was shared with the United Nations.
“Our permanent member Dr. Maleeha Lodhi shared information of intervention with the UN,” he said, adding that more sensitive information would be share with “other countries as well.”
In response to a question about Iranian violation of Pakistani territory, Nisar said the two countries had cordial relations and that Iran had been “repeatedly asked not to violate border protocol.”
“Iran must share information with us and avoid violating our territory,” he said.
On dialogue with disgruntled Baloch leaders, the interior minister said all out efforts were being made to find a political solution of issues relating to the province.
“We are in contact with Baloch leaders and we have started a process of reconciliation in the province.”
Earlier in the day, addressing the passing-out ceremony of the 57th batch of Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan in Loralai, the interior minister vowed to secure every part of Balochistan and develop the province, saying that the security of the country was linked to the state of peace and stability in Balochistan.
“Nobody should have any misconceptions...the state will secure every inch of Balochistan and develop the province."
The future of Pakistan and Balochistan lies together, the minister asserted, adding that the security of the country was connected with peace and stability in Balochistan.
"The province will be developed and all ulterior motives of the enemy will be thwarted," vowed Nisar.
Full Report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1212172/afghanistan-should-avoid-speaking-language-of-pakistans-enemies-nisar
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Pakistan stands by Turkey in fight against terrorism: COAS
October 13, 2015
Islamabad: Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif Monday assured Turkey of ‘unflinching’ support against terrorism. General Raheel, who is on a three-day visit to Turkey, told Turkish Army Chief Hulusi Akar that Pakistan stood by the brotherly country. “Pakistan and Turkey are facing daunting challenges. I am sure we will surmount them with a common and coherent approach... We assure you our unflinching support,” the army chief was quoted as saying by ISPR.
Full Report at:
http://nation.com.pk/national/13-Oct-2015/pakistan-stands-by-turkey-in-fight-against-terrorism-coas
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PM to take up issue of stalled Indo-Pak dialogue with Obama: Sartaj Aziz
Oct 13, 2015
ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz on Monday said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would discuss the stalled dialogue between Pakistan and India with United States President Barack Obama during their upcoming meeting on October 22 at the White House.
"A number of other issues would also be discussed between the US President and PM Nawaz Sharif," Sartaj Aziz said while speaking to media.
The adviser said that Indian state institutions, including the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), are involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan.
Sartaj added that there would be no compromise on Pakistan's foreign policy, adding that rising tensions between Pakistan and India are "hazardous to world peace."
He went on to say that the dossier alleging Indian involvement in subversive activities in Pakistan, which was given to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon last month, would also be shared with other friendly countries.
The adviser, however, rejected Indian allegations about Pakistan's support to non-state actors operating in India.
Full Report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1212623/pm-to-take-up-issue-of-stalled-indo-pak-dialogue-with-obama-sartaj-aziz
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Austrian company finds gas reserves in Sindh
Oct 13, 2015
VIENNA: Austrian oil and gas company OMV has found gas at the Latif exploration block in Sindh, according to a press release issued by the company on Monday.
The Latif South-1 well had a gas throughput of 2,500 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) a day during testing, the company said in a statement.
"We are very pleased with this exploration success," Johann Pleininger, an OMV board member in charge of exploration and production, said in a statement. "The appraisal and development of this discovery will potentially enable us to enhance the production in Pakistan."
OMV's global production was 309,000 boe a day last year, the company said.
OMV Pakistan, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OMV Exploration & Production GmbH, started exploration activities in Sindh in 1991 and is amongst the largest international natural gas producers in Pakistan in terms of operated volumes conducting operations of the Sawan, Miano, Latif, Tajjal, and Mehar gas fields, .
OMV has a 33.4 per cent stake in the Latif exploration licence. Its partners are Pakistan Petroleum Ltd and Italian energy group Eni, which hold 33.3pc each. OMV also holds a 10 per cent stake in Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO), a joint venture between Pakistan and Abu Dhabi.
Full Report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1212814/austrian-company-finds-gas-reserves-in-sindh
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Barring Imran from poll campaigning not legal, PTI tells SC
NASIR IQBAL
Oct 13, 2015
ISLAMABAD: A day after the PTI lost a close by-election in NA-122 (Lahore), the party told the Supreme Court that restraining its chief from campaigning for his candidates was a violation of the freedom of association guaranteed by the Constitution.
Preventing the party leader from campaigning and addressing public meetings in the area where by-elections were being held would violate not only the right of parties to conduct political activities, but also Article 19 which ensures freedom of speech and expression, said a PTI rejoinder filed before the Supreme Court by senior counsel and PTI vice president Hamid Khan.
The reply was moved before the apex court, which is already seized with an Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) appeal against a Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict of May 25, 2015. Through a notification on May 7, the ECP had barred holders of public office from “influencing in any way the results of by-polls”.
Also read: We were not prepared for PML-N rigging tactics again: Imran
The notification included members of national and provincial assemblies in the list of public office holders barred from visiting constituencies after the announcement of the election schedule, a modification that the PTI alleges targeted its chief Imran Khan.
The LHC had struck down the bar imposed by the ECP on a petition filed by PTI leader Mansoor Sarwar Khan. But on Aug 10, a three-judge Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, restored the ECP code of conduct on an appeal.
The appeal asked that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, members of their cabinet as well as MNAs and MPAs be restrained from campaigning for their candidates in the high-profile by-elections for two National Assembly seats, one in Lahore and the other in Lodhran (NA-154). The case will be taken up again on Tuesday.
Though the by-election in NA-122 was held on Sunday, by-polls in NA-154 stand suspended on the orders of the Supreme Court.
Surprisingly, the ECP filed another petition on Saturday (Oct 10), pleading that a different bench of the high court had on Sept 23, struck down the same bar – which it had announced through a notification on April 16 and was an exact copy of the May 7 notification – on a petition filed by PTI’s Shoaib Siddiqui, in derogation of the apex court’s Aug 10 order.
The PTI rejoinder urged the apex court to uphold the high court judgment by the ECP notification to be illegal and unconstitutional. The petition claimed that the ECP notification was based on mala fide intent, because Imran Khan had demanded that the commission’s four provincial members resign over their failure to hold free and fair elections in 2013.
Thus, it alleged that, ECP members were targeting Imran Khan and trying to hurt him by keeping him out of the election campaign during the by-election.
Keeping those in power out of election campaigns was understandable and appropriate, because they were likely to influence the election by using or abusing their power, the application explained.
Full Report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1212651/barring-imran-from-poll-campaigning-not-legal-pti-tells-sc
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Militant groups in Bara asked to surrender
Oct 13, 2015
LANDI KOTAL: Security officials in Bara have warned all militant groups belonging to the Qambar Khel tribe to either surrender their weapons till October 22 or face action.
Addressing a jirga of the tribe’s elders on Monday, Commandant Mehsud Scouts Ayub Sakhera cautioned the militants groups and their affiliates that their houses would be razed and their family members would be arrested if they failed to comply with the official orders.
The tribal elders were told to convey the official message to the leaders of militant groups and also persuade them to furnish guarantees of their good conduct in future through their elders.
Full Report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1212755/militant-groups-in-bara-asked-to-surrender
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Senators condemn Musharraf coup
October 13, 2015
ISLAMABAD - The lawmakers from treasury and opposition benches in the Senate yesterday condemned the October 12, 1999 military coup by the then Chief of Army Staff General (r) Pervez Musharraf and called upon all the institutions to work in their respective domains.
Taking part in the discussion on the existing political situation in the country, the senators observed that the actions taken by Musharraf on October 12 and afterwards caused a number of problems, including widening of differences among the federating units.
Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani at the end of the discussion said, “It is a matter of concern that the person (Musharraf) was staying in Defence (Housing Authority) while the ministers of that time were confirming that a behind the curtain joint settlement on Kashmir (with India) had been finalised.
”
He said, had the deal been undertaken by some civilian, he would have been in Kot Lakhpat jail, expressing his regret that General (r) Pervez Musharraf was living in comfort in the posh area of Karachi.
Nehal Hasmi said, had Musharraf not taken on October 12, Baloch leader Akbar Bugti might have been alive and the provinces were close with one another.
Former federal minister and PML-N leader Mushahid Ullah Khan claimed that whenever army overstepped its mandate and overthrew the civilian set-up, it caused wrongdoings and the same would also happen in future.
He said the present army leadership had earned respect as it was performing its functions.
He said the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri were amongst those who supported the dictatorial regime that time.
He also condemned those judges who took oath from Musharraf.
He recalled that lawyers were set ablaze and twice elected Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated during the days of Pervez Musharraf in power but no one was held accountable.
He alleged that external powers and the then government were involved in Benazir Bhutto’s murder.
Full Report at:
http://nation.com.pk/national/13-Oct-2015/senators-condemn-musharraf-coup
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1,000 fugitives ‘sign of terrors for police’
October 13, 2015
SIALKOT
A total of 1,000 dangerous proclaimed offenders (POs) from the precincts of 10 police stations here have been fugitives from justice for many years “due to their political influence”, as per official statistics.
The official statistics showed that 216 POs are fugitive in separate cases registered at Civil Lines police station, 250 in Hajipura police station, 107 in Sialkot Cantt police station, 13 in Kotli Said Mir police station, 100 in Rangpura police station, 107 in Badiana police station, 60 in Pasrur city police station, 36 in Kotli Loharaan police station and 25 A category POs are fugitive in Head Marala police station area.
Full Report at:
http://nation.com.pk/national/13-Oct-2015/1-000-fugitives-sign-of-terrors-for-police
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Southeast Asia
Malaysian Islamic bonds sales expected to pick up
October 13, 2015
Malaysia’s two biggest banks are predicting a pick-up in the country’s Islamic bond (sukuk) sales as companies try to refinance debts before the Federal Reserve (Fed) raises interest rates.
Forecasts that the Fed will keep interest rates lower for longer have given local businesses a bigger window to refinance, according to Malayan Banking Bhd and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.
MMC Corp, a Kuala Lumpur-based infrastructure firm, started marketing RM1.5 billion (US$361 million) worth of syariah-compliant bonds to refinance non-Islamic loans this month, its managing director Che Khalib Mohamad Noh (photo) said.
A successful sale by MMC will push local-currency issuance this quarter to RM3 billion, nearly half the RM7.2 billion total during the previous three months.
An index of Malaysian corporate sukuk yields rated AA- has declined this month after rising the most since the last quarter of 2008, while the ringgit posted its biggest surge in 17 years last week amid a rally in emerging-market assets.
“Now is a good time for corporates to tap the market,” said Nik Mukharriz Muhammad, a Kuala Lumpur-based fixed-income analyst at the investment-banking unit of CIMB, Malaysia’s second-biggest lender by assets.
“Issuers will be able to get better pricing” before the Fed raises borrowing costs, Nik Mukharriz said.
Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, kicked off third-quarter sukuk sales with a RM1.5 billion offer last week that’s set to be issued on Oct 19, according to people familiar with the matter who didn’t want to be named as the information isn’t public yet.
The notes, due in 2022, were sold to yield 4.57 percent. Jimah Power East Sdn Bhd, a unit of state-owned utility Tenaga Nasional Bhd, is planning an RM10 billion Islamic bond sale this month, people familiar with the offer said.
MMC, which has power, ports and construction divisions, hired RHB Investment Bank Bhd as the lead arranger and manager. The offer has been rated AA-, the fourth-highest investment grade, by Malaysian Rating Corp.
The company, controlled by Malaysian billionaire Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, has a market capitalisation of RM7 billion and is forecast to post a net income of RM450.5 million in 2016, up from an estimated RM384.8 million in 2015, according to the average estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Its share price has rebounded to RM2.31 since closing at a six-year low of RM1.57 on Aug 24 and 25.
Full Report at:
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/315542
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Court begins trials of 7 Indonesian men on charges alleging Islamic State links
October 12, 2015
JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesia began trials Monday of seven men on charges of conspiring with terrorists and recruiting for militant groups in the Mideast, including the Islamic State, which has an estimated hundreds of Indonesians as members.
The government has outlawed the Islamic State group and spoken forcefully against it, as have mainstream religious groups in the world's largest Muslim nation. One fear is that militants who travel abroad will return home and conduct terrorist acts in Indonesia.
The West Jakarta District Court began separate trials for Ahmad Junaedi, Ridwan Sungkar, Helmi Muhammad Alamudi and Abdul Hakim, as well as two others who helped them go to Syria to join Islamic State jihadists.
The seventh, Tuah Febriwansyah -- also known as Fachry -- is accused of actively spreading IS propaganda through his own radical website and posting violent videos of terrorism activities on the Internet, including a video showing militants in Syria giving military-style training to Indonesian children.
The seven men being tried, aged 32 to 51, were arrested in police raids in late March and early April in the capital, Jakarta, and East Java's Malang town.
State prosecutor Anita Dewayani told the court that Junaedi, Sungkar, Alamudi and Hakim attended jihadist training organized by IS in Syria, pledged allegiance to the group's leader Abu Bakar Al Baghdadi, and fought with the group for up to seven months.
"Islamic State in Syria and Iraq has been declared as a terrorist group by the United States and Indonesia," Dewayani said, "The defendants deliberately conspired with the group in Syria, spread hatred and even join in wars with them to revenge the deaths of Islamic fighters."
If found guilty, the seven defendants would face up to 20 years in prison under Indonesia's anti-terror law.
Indonesian authorities estimate over 600 Indonesians have joined the ISIS Daesh in Syria or Iraq.
Full Report at:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/court-begins-trials-of-7-indonesian-men-on-charges-alleging-islamic-state-links-1.2605986
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/daesh-defectors-disillusioned-with-killing/d/104899