Draped In Iraqi Flags - With A Mass Funeral, Yazidi Survivors Honour Victims Of ISIS
New
Age Islam News Bureau
08 February 2021
For relatives of those killed by ISIS in Kojo,
Iraq, in 2014, an opportunity to mourn at a proper burial was years in coming.
-----
•
Indonesian Regions Banned From Forcing Students to Wear Headscarves
•
Standoff With Iran On Returning To 2015 Nuclear Deal Set To Continue As US
President Biden Rules Out First Move
•
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi Pitches for Unity between Muslims and Tribals
Ahead of Gujarat Polls
•
Grievance Cell St Up in Pakistan to Resolve Legitimate Complaints of
Non-Muslims
•
‘Turkish President’s Visit to Bangladesh Will Boost Ties’
•
Hamas Welcomes ICC Decision on Jurisdiction Over Palestinian Territories
•
Tunisians Defy Lockdown, Crowd Streets against Police Abuse
Arab
World
•
Draped In Iraqi Flags - With A Mass Funeral, Yazidi Survivors Honour Victims Of
ISIS
•
Egypt Heads Emergency Arab League Meeting On Palestine With Arab Fms
•
Arab Coalition intercepts four Houthi drones in 24 hours targeting Saudi Arabia
•
Gulf countries, Egypt have ‘strategic’ and ‘historical’ relationship: Al-Hajraf
•
Damascus slam Turkey's 'dangerous' plan to open schools in Syria
•
Terrorists launched nearly 2 dozen attacks within 24 hours in de-escalation
zone in Syria's Idlib: Russia
--------
Southeast
Asia
•
Indonesian Regions Banned From Forcing Students to Wear Headscarves
•
Over 30 Rohingya caught arriving in Malaysia by boat in January, says police
•
Putrajaya says opposing US president Biden’s global pro-LGBT initiative
--------
North
America
•
Standoff With Iran On Returning To 2015 Nuclear Deal Set To Continue As US President
Biden Rules Out First Move
•
US reaffirms commitment in call with Afghan leader
•
UN vindicates Pakistan stand on threats from Afghanistan: FO
•
GOP lawmaker presses Biden not to return US embassy in Israel to Tel Aviv
•
Biden to end support for Saudi offensive in Yemen
--------
India
•
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi Pitches for Unity between Muslims and Tribals
Ahead of Gujarat Polls
•
Kerala: BJP promises ‘love jihad’ law, axing of devaswom boards
•
Allahabad HC Junks Plea Alleging Ownership Of Land For Ayodhya Mosque
•
Pakistani intruder killed by BSF along International Border in Jammu
•
Bengal election sets off rush for Muslim votes. Should BJP be happy?
•
Terrorists plan to set up hideouts in Jammu to receive arms from Pakistan: DGP
•
J&K police book father of slain ‘terrorist’ for holding protest
•
J-K police arrest wanted terrorist, seize arms and ammunition in Jammu
--------
Pakistan
•
Grievance Cell St Up in Pakistan to Resolve Legitimate Complaints of
Non-Muslims
•
Most of the revered Hindu sites in Pakistan in state of decay: Report
•
Pakistan asks Afghanistan to 'neutralise threat' emanating from war-torn nation
•
1 killed, 5 arrested in CTD operation against suspected militants in Karachi
•
Murad shrugs off opposition’s threat of no-trust move against him
--------
South
Asia
•
‘Turkish President’s Visit to Bangladesh Will Boost Ties’
•
Taliban Intelligence Chief Nabbed in Balkh
•
4 killed as Taliban tried to snatch a flock of sheep in Balkh
•
Taliban not committed to peace, abandoned talks: Afghan NSA
--------
Mideast
•
Hamas Welcomes ICC Decision on Jurisdiction Over Palestinian Territories
•
Iran Calls for End of Yemeni War, Siege by Hawkish Governments
•
Iran: Israel’s Possible Adventurism to Expedite Own Annihilation
•
Israel’s Netanyahu Pleads Not Guilty to Corruption Charges as Trial Resumes
•
Palestinians to launch own postcodes to assert sovereign rights
•
Israeli forces shoot, wound four Palestinians in Jenin, West Bank
•
MEP: Israel is apartheid state, illegally occupying Palestine, Syria's Golan
•
Fatah, Hamas set to discuss elections at Cairo reconciliation talks
--------
Africa
•
Tunisians Defy Lockdown, Crowd Streets against Police Abuse
•
Bomb blast kills at least 12 in central Somalia
•
ICC officials in Sudan seek cooperation for Darfur justice
•
Sudan’s PM Hamdok dissolves cabinet: State TV
•
Somali opposition leaders say they no longer recognize President Farmajo
--------
Europe
•
EU Keeps PKK On Terrorism List
•
European envoy in Sudan to ease tension with Ethiopia
•
German police beat up Turkish father, daughter
•
European delegation in Yemen to advance peace efforts
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/draped-iraqi-flags-with-mass/d/124253
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Draped
In Iraqi Flags - With A Mass Funeral, Yazidi Survivors Honour Victims Of ISIS
For relatives of those killed by ISIS in Kojo,
Iraq, in 2014, an opportunity to mourn at a proper burial was years in coming.
-----
February
8, 2021
They
had waited years to bury the remains of their husbands, sons and brothers.
Cradling fresh earth draped in Iraqi flags, the Yazidi women called out as if
their loved ones could still hear them.
On
Saturday, the remains of 103 victims, members of the Yazidi ethnic minority
group, were returned to the village where, seven years earlier, ISIS rounded up
and shot them, dumping their bodies into mass graves. The massacre became
synonymous with the group’s campaign of genocide against the small religious
minority.
Iraqi
and international investigators exhumed the remains — including one more body
returned elsewhere in the Sinjar district of northern Iraq — two years ago and
identified them through DNA tests.
The
grueling, daylong ceremony to bury the 103 victims in Kojo was a stark reminder
of the damage inflicted on the Yazidis by the Islamic State group, a tragedy
dating to 2014 that has been compounded by years of government neglect.
The
Islamic State killed up to 10,000 Yazidis and captured more than 6,000, most of
them women and children, in what the United Nations and Congress have called a
genocidal campaign on the ancient group and other religious minorities in Iraq.
After
the plain wooden coffins were buried in Kojo on Saturday, relatives threw
themselves on the grave sites, with women tearing at their hair, screaming in
anguish and calling to their loved ones in a crescendo of mingled grief that
could be heard far beyond the edge of the now-abandoned village. Volunteers
stood by with stretchers to take those who had fainted to a mobile clinic.
The
mourning was amplified by the collective grief over the loss of an entire
community, where almost all the men and older boys were killed. Saturday’s ceremony
is expected to be repeated as the U.N. and other organizations comb through
dozens of mass graves yet to be exhumed.
“Oh
my little brother, my little heart!” cried one woman. Another, doubled over
with grief, recalled the new clothes her husband had bought just days before he
was taken away and murdered.
“My
brother is a handsome, tall guy, this grave is too short for him,” sobbed
another woman.
Other
graves remained unattended, with the victims’ entire families killed or still
missing.
The
massacre happened three months after the Islamic State seized the northern
Iraqi city of Mosul in 2014 and declared it the capital of its self-declared
caliphate. The Islamic State fighters surrounded Kojo, a farming village a few
miles from Sinjar Mountain. Some of the fighters were from neighboring Arab
Muslim villages the Yazidis had been friendly with for years.
On
that sweltering day in August, the fighters ordered everyone in the village to
gather in the local school — herding the women and children on the second floor
and the men on the first. Many of the women and children heard the gunshots
that killed their family members.
The
fighters separated women they deemed to be too old to be desirable and shot
them in an adjoining town, forcing the rest of the women and many of the girls
into sexual slavery.
It
took almost three years for United States-backed Iraqi forces to drive the
Islamic State from Iraq and two more years for forces led by the U.S. and
Syrian Kurds to take back the last Islamic State territory in Syria. More than
2,000 Yazidis are still missing.
Most
of the Yazidis from Sinjar, the group’s traditional homeland, now live in camps
for displaced people in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, waiting in abject poverty
for their homes and villages to be rebuilt. A recent wave of suicides among
young Yazidis speaks to the despair faced by a community shattered by the ISIS
massacre and subsequent government neglect.
Aid
agencies say the area where the Yazidis live is still littered with Islamic
State-era explosives, controlled by armed groups and torn by divisions among
the Yazidis themselves.
The
remains that were returned Saturday included two brothers of Nobel Peace Prize
laureate Nadia Murad, who survived enslavement by the Islamic State.
As
relatives lined up to carry the long line of coffins into Kojo, Murad took her
place on the muddy road next to the coffin of one of her brothers. Another
brother, Huzny, helped carry the coffin with one arm, encircling Murad with the
other.
“We
try to trick ourselves into thinking that this didn’t really happen to be able
to go on with life,” Murad said.
But
this was a day for remembering. Relatives of the victims, their shoes sticking
in the cold mud and their faces contorted with grief, carried the coffins on
the long walk into town and handed them over to an Iraqi honor guard.
“Today
is a message to the whole world that the Iraqi government is not able to
protect its minorities,” said Sheikh Naif Jasso, who was waiting to receive the
coffins of his brother, the former village head, and the rest of the victims
being transported from a nearby military base.
Jasso
said the same applied to the Kurdistan regional government, which had been
responsible for security in Sinjar until Iraqi government forces retook control
in 2017.
Though
the regional government has given refuge to Yazidis who were displaced from
their homes, most Yazidis nonetheless feel betrayed by the Kurdish pesh merga
forces, saying they had urged villagers to stay by pledging to protect them
from ISIS.
Instead,
when they were faced with the looming Islamic State onslaught, the Kurdish
forces withdrew without warning in what their commanders called a “tactical
retreat,” leaving the Yazidis to be massacred.
Murad
and others fear that neglect of the Yazidi homeland is just finishing off what
the Islamic State started.
“There
are some clear signs that this community might disappear from their homeland
and from Iraq,” she said.
“More
than 100,000 Yazidis have emigrated since 2014,” she added. “There are entire
communities, villages in Sinjar that are destroyed or abandoned.”
Most
Yazidis have been resettled in Germany, Canada and Australia. While the United
States has helped with funding for Yazidis in Iraq — through aid for camps,
construction projects and investigations of Islamic State crimes, for example —
the Trump administration took in very few Yazidis.
Saturday’s
burial ceremony had been delayed for a year because of the pandemic.
Hours
before the coffins arrived on Iraqi army vehicles, hundreds of village residents
lined the road behind razor wire set up as a security barrier. Security forces
patted down male visitors, and Yazidi women checked female visitors’ bags and
even their hair for explosives or other weapons.
On
the steps of a concrete house outside the village, a group of women burned
incense while temple musicians stood by to play ancient songs of mourning.
One
of the religion’s tenets is that when Yazidis die, they are reincarnated. But
that has not lessened the pain for the survivors of the massacre.
Standing
on the road with former neighbors, Elias Salih Qassim, a medical assistant,
spoke of what had become of his family of six brothers.
“I
am the only one who survived,” he said. Along with his brothers, the Islamic
State killed his wife and three sons, the youngest aged 14, one of his sisters
and three nephews. Qassim had been standing next to two of his brothers when
they were shot.
He
crawled out from under their bodies with bullet wounds to his legs.
Traumatized, like thousands of other Yazidis, he spent the next four months
recovering in the Kurdistan region, with only the concrete roof of a
construction site for shelter.
Qassim
says that a Baghdad morgue contains more than 200 other bodies also removed
from mass graves and awaiting DNA testing.
“We
want them to be handed over to us quickly, at once, rather than occasionally
reopening our wounds,” he said.
In
the abandoned village where the burial was held, Islamic State fighters had
spray-painted “Islamic clinic” on the health care facility that Qassim ran. On
another brick wall, the faintest outline of a painted black-and-white Islamic
State flag remained. The school where villagers were rounded up has been turned
into a memorial, with the names and photographs of those who were killed. It is
likely no one will ever live in Kojo again.
The
Kurdistan regional government had, until two years ago, provided funding to
help rescue Yazidi women and children still being held captive. But that money
ran out as world attention to their plight waned.
Abdullah
Shrim, a Yazidi beekeeper credited with arranging the rescue of almost 400
Yazidis from the Islamic State through a network of smugglers in Syria, said
money for such rescue efforts had dried up.
He
says he is in contact with 11 women and children still held by families
affiliated with the Islamic State.
“If
there was support, there would be so much more that could be done,” he said.
“But because there is a lack of support, we cannot work.”
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/mass-funeral-yazidi-survivors-honor-victims-of-isis-7179331/
--------
Indonesian
Regions Banned From Forcing Students to Wear Headscarves
Many regional governments across Indonesia have
issued local regulations requiring female students to wear Islamic dress. Photo
by Regina Safri for Antara.
------
By
Lies Marcoes
FEBRUARY
7, 2021
After
years of inaction, the Indonesian government is finally acting to prevent state
schools from forcing students or staff to wear headscarves or other religious
clothing. On 3 February, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of
Home Affairs and the Ministry of Religion issued a joint ministerial decision
on uniforms for students, teachers and staff in primary and middle schools.
The
decision states that any local regulations enforcing (or banning) religious
clothing in schools must be revoked within 30 days, or schools and local
leaders will face sanctions, such as cuts in funding.
It
is no coincidence that this decision came just days after widespread media
coverage of a state technical school in Padang, West Sumatra that had been
forcing all female students, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, to wear the
headscarves. The issue came to national attention after a mother of a
non-Muslim student posted a Facebook video complaining about the policy, which
quickly went viral.
But
the school was, in fact, simply following a regional bylaw, implemented since
2005, requiring all female students to wear headscarves.
It
is not clear why the policy went viral now, more than 15 years into its
implementation, when this is an issue that women’s rights and religious freedom
activists have been highlighting for more than a decade. But the bizarre
defence of the policy by the former mayor of Padang who issued the bylaw surely
did not help. He said the policy was necessary to protect female students from
being bitten by mosquitoes.
The
joint ministerial decision is important because headscarves have become a
contested topic in Indonesia in recent years. Religious clothing is often used
as the basis for discrimination and a way to control women’s bodies. Critics
say the choice to wear a headscarf should be a personal religious choice, not
something that is forced or compulsory.
In
fact, Indonesian women have chosen to wear headscarves for hundreds of years.
They were known by different names among different ethnic and cultural groups,
such as kudung (Javanese and Sasak), tiung (Sunda), tengkuluk (Minang), rimpu
(Bima) and ija sawak (Acehnese) and considered part of Indonesian (Nusantara)
identity. The country’s inaugural first lady, Fatmawati, wore a loose headscarf
as a representation of national identity for the newly independent Indonesia.
She regularly wore the scarf with a kebaya blouse and batik sarong at formal
events.
However,
headscarves began being worn more often as a marker of political identity
following the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Over time, efforts were made to
strengthen the theological basis for the wearing of head coverings, and there
was a surge in religious texts supporting a requirement for female Muslims to
wear head scarves. These developments occurred alongside the growth of
political Islamist movements in Muslim majority countries.
In
Indonesia, debate about the wearing of headscarves in public began during
Soeharto’s New Order period. Under the New Order, political Islam was
suppressed, and the headscarf was seen as linked to it, and so viewed with a
degree of suspicion. At formal state events, the kebaya was worn without a head
scarf. During this time, even women from the two largest Muslim social
organisations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, did not often wear head
scarves, unless they were elderly or practiced a more orthodox version of Islam
(santri).
In
the early 1980s, several high school students caused controversy by wearing
headscarves at a time when the government outlawed wearing them in state
schools, viewing them as political symbols. In fact, under the New Order,
female students who wore headscarves faced considerable discrimination. They
were expected to take off their scarves or move to a private school.
During
this time, human rights activists defended students’ choice to wear headscarves
based on their right to freedom of religion. But over recent years, the
situation has reversed. As Indonesian Islam has moved in a more orthodox
direction, headscarves have become viewed as a binding or even compulsory
religious rule. Those who do not to wear a headscarf are pressured or forced to
wear the veil, sometimes even if they are non-Muslim.
Regional
autonomy and direct elections for regional heads have also encouraged the
development of local policies based on religious sentiment. Aceh, for example,
began implementing shari’a after being granted special autonomy in 2001, and
compulsory headscarves for women was one of the first rules to be implemented.
Many
other regions have implemented shari’a-inspired regional regulations designed
to appeal to majority Muslim populations. These include not only requirements
for females to wear headscarves, but also bans on gambling, alcohol,
restrictions on mobility during evenings, and other associated ‘public order’
and morality issues. Many of these policies, such as requirements for
headscarves in schools, appear designed to control the behaviour of women and
girls.
But
as headscarves have become regulated, they are no longer simply an expression
of cultural or religious identity. When made compulsory through regulation,
headscarves actually lose some of their religious meaning. The implementation
of these regulations is not solely about faith or belief, rather the rules are
applied to all. As such, the religious significance of headscarves becomes
lost.
Worse,
policies on headscarves are not always clear. Sometimes there is no formal
regulation, in other cases, it may come in the form of a decision from a
district head, as in Padang. Sometimes the regulation is only applied to
Muslims, in other cases, to all female students.
But
even without a formal policy, it is not surprising that some non-Muslim
students sometimes wear headscarves ‘by choice’, to avoid being viewed
differently by their peers or teachers. Standing out in an environment where
differences are used to divide is not a pleasant experience.
Before
the joint ministerial decree was passed, schools had a choice. Were headscarves
under the domain of religion or the school? If headscarves were viewed as a
religious rule, then there was no need to make them compulsory; wearing a
headscarf was a matter of personal religious interpretation. When headscarves
are made compulsory by the school, however, they are little different to a
uniform.
Rather
than a step toward banning wearing of headscarves, as occurred under the New
Order, this new joint ministerial decree is an attempt to return the headscarf
to the religious domain. Islamic scholars differ in their views on whether
headscarves are obligatory. As such, the joint ministerial decision’s emphasis
on choice is much more appropriate than a ban.
What
is not covered by the decision is the problem of coercion. In a society that is
growing more conservative, and a political culture that emphasises identity
politics, headscarves are generally viewed as mandatory.
In
this environment, it is important that education providers do not use their
power to persuade or coerce girls to wear headscarves, even in the absence of a
formal regulation making them compulsory. Likewise, Islam’s proponents should
be honest and acknowledge that headscarves are not an obligation.
We
are fortunate to have a minister of religion who understands the difference
between provisions in the Qur’an and the provisions of the Constitution. He
understands what are matters of religion and what are matters of state. The
interests of the nation should come before the interests of one religious
group, even if it is the majority.
An
earlier version of this article was published as “Merebut Tafsir:
De-syariatisasi Jilbab?” on 25 January on the Rumah Kitab blog.
https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/a-personal-religious-choice-regions-banned-from-forcing-students-to-wear-headscarves/
--------
Standoff
With Iran On Returning To 2015 Nuclear Deal Set To Continue As US President
Biden Rules Out First Move
US President Joe Biden
------
ilara
Hamit
07.02.2021
US
President Joe Biden on Sunday ruled out prospects of lifting sanctions on Iran
until the country stops enriching uranium.
In
his first network news interview since taking office last month, Biden said his
administration would not ease sanctions to get Tehran back to the negotiating
table after his predecessor Donald Trump pulled out of a landmark 2015 nuclear
accord with the country and reintroduced sanctions related to the country's
nuclear program.
Biden's
comments on CBS Evening News indicate that the current standoff would continue
with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who demanded Washington lift
sanctions before his country returns to its obligations under the deal that saw
it curtail uranium enrichment.
The
Trump administration reinstated the economic sanctions against Iran while
pulling the US out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also
known as the Iran nuclear deal, which the five permanent members of the UN
Security Council and Germany struck with Iran.
The
deal saw Tehran accept unprecedented curbs and inspections on its nuclear
program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-no-sanctions-easing-until-iran-halts-uranium-enrichment/2136931
--------
AIMIM
Chief Asaduddin Owaisi Pitches for Unity between Muslims and Tribals Ahead of
Gujarat Polls
FEB
07, 2021
AIMIM
chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday marked the maiden foray of his party on the
political scene in Gujarat by making a strong pitch for the unity among
Tribals, Muslims and Dalits ahead of the upcoming polls to local bodies, and
also sought to project his party as the sole alternative to the BJP and the
Congress.
Owaisi-led
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen is contesting maiden elections in
Gujarat--in Ahmedabad and Bharuch cities--in alliance with the Bhartiya Tribal
Party (BTP).
Campaigning
in Bharuch, Owaisi accused the BJP government of maintaining double standards
on the issues concerning Tribals, Muslims and OBCs.
"On
the one hand, the BJP government refused to implement the Fifth Schedule of the
Constitution (dealing with administration and control of scheduled areas and
STs) for tribals, but on the other hand the government imposed the Disturbed
Areas Act that prevents Muslims to either sell or purchase land and houses
without the permission of the district collector.
"The
Disturbed Areas Act is against the Constitution and rights to life and
equality," he said.
Citing
a study by IIT-Roorkee, Owaisi said tribals are the "most displaced
community in the country, but despite that, the government is not providing
them protection under the fifth schedule of the Constitution".
"You
(BJP government) constructed the Statue of Unity (in tribal-dominated Narmada
district of Gujarat), but will you turn the unity of tribals into disunity?
What kind of unity is this to snatch their land, deprive them of water and
destroy their culture?" he asked.
Owaisi
said the BJP and the Congress are sort of "internally connected",
which cannot be separated.
"People
of Gujarat want an alternative. We want to fill a political vacuum," he
said.
"The
Congress took your (Muslim) votes, but their MLAs joined the BJP. They (the
Congress) remained a mute spectator during the 2002 communal riots (in
Gujarat). Where was secularism of those who talk about it when the BJP won all
the (26) Lok Sabha seats (in Gujarat in 2019 polls)?" he asked.
He
said the alliance of the AIMIM and the BTP could offer a strong
"alternative political platform" to the people who are "fed up
with the BJP and the Congress" in Gujarat.
Owaisi
indicated that the BTP and the AIMIM will join hands in Rajasthan as well.
"If
you want liberty, freedom, equality, justice etc, then you will have to decide
your own fate, which you can do by becoming a political power, and you can
become a politicalforce by choosing your leaders, who will be your own people
who will go to the Assembly without fearing PM Narendra Modi or the
Congress," he said.
He
also invoked B R Ambedkar in his speech.
BTP
MLA Chhotu Vasava alleged the Central government was working for select
corporates and not for the people.
"The
land is being soldoff in the country. Whatever promises made by the prime
minister were a lie. What Modi Saheb is doing in the country is known to all.
Lies are not going to work," he said.
The
local body elections are scheduled to be held in two phases on February 21 and
28.
Elections
to six municipal corporations will be held on February 21 and that for
municipalities, district panchayats and taluka panchayats on February 28.
Results
will be declared on February 23 for the first phase and on March 2 for the
second phase.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/owaisi-pitches-for-unity-between-muslims-and-tribals-ahead-of-gujarat-polls-101612709236891.html
--------
Grievance
Cell St Up in Pakistan to Resolve Legitimate Complaints of Non-Muslims
08
Feb 2021
ISLAMABAD:
A grievance cell has been set up in the office of Special Aide to Prime
Minister on Religious Harmony and Middle East, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood
Ashrafi to resolve legitimate complaints of non-Muslims.
Addressing
a ceremony in a Church in Islamabad here on Sunday, Ashrafi, who is also
Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), urged non Muslims to lodge their
complaints against any threats being faced by them in freely practicing their
religion. “Every Pakistani being threatened on religious grounds can lodge
complaint in the cell,” he said.
Ashrafi
stated that Interfaith Harmony Councils’ Conveners have been appointed all over
the country, which was constituted earlier to promote religious tolerance among
the people of different religions and religious sects. Ashrafi stated that
minorities living in Pakistan were not second class citizens. They have all the
rights and privileges as enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan. Islam is a
religion of peace, security and compassion, which guarantees protection of
minorities’ rights in a Muslim state.
He
stated that Muslims as well as non-Muslims played very effective and imperative
role in Pakistan movement. A meeting of all religious schools of thought from
across Pakistan would be held in the first week of March 2021 to suggest
positive recommendations regarding betterment of minorities in Pakistan.
Misuse
of blasphemy laws was being restrained in Pakistan and If anyone has any
evidence in this regard, they should brought these incidents into the notice of
Government. He said Coordination Center has also been set up in the country to
contain misuse of blasphemy laws as some conspiring elements were spearheading
baseless propaganda campaign to malign Pakistan on Religious grounds.
Responding
to a question, he said the complaints regarding Interreligious Peace Committees
were being reviewed and any illegal act will not be tolerated.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40061156/non-muslims-complaints-grievance-cell-established-ashrafi
--------
‘Turkish
president’s visit to Bangladesh will boost ties’
Sorvar
Alam
04.02.2021
A
top-level visit from Turkey to Bangladesh in the coming months is expected to
unravel a wide range of opportunities in bilateral relations, boosting, trade,
investment, and understanding.
In
an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Bangladesh Ambassador in Ankara
Mosud Mannan said he has been working to materialize the visit soon.
He
reminded that top diplomats of both countries have already announced that
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may travel to Dhaka in March if the
COVID-19 situation remains under control.
Explaining
preparations for the high-level visit as well as its significance for Ankara
and Dhaka, the envoy expressed optimism to double the current bilateral trade
volume worth $1 billion within the next two-three years.
He
said the strong desire from top politicians and businesspeople of both countries
will help to achieve this goal.
The
envoy also highlighted further areas of cooperation in the defense,
construction, tourism, and education sectors, while urging for more Turkish
investment in Bangladesh.
Appreciating
Turkey’s support to the Rohingya issue, he also sought backing to convince
Myanmar to take the displaced people back and rehabilitate them within its own
borders.
Admitting
that language is a barrier between two countries to develop more understanding
at people and small business level, Mannan opined about the importance of
introducing Bangla language in few Turkish universities.
Anadolu
Agency: Over the past few years bilateral relations between Bangladesh and
Turkey have shown a lot of progress. What is now new in the menu, as we begin
the new year?
Mosud
Mannan: Yes, the relation between these two very friendly countries, Bangladesh
and Turkey, has improved a lot. It has become deep. As a result of the prudent
decision of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder
President of Bangladesh to take part in the OIC [Organization of Islamic
Cooperation] Summit of 1974, Turkey and many Muslim countries of the world
recognized Bangladesh. Over the years, we have developed more business and
investment between our two countries, plus political understanding. You can
easily see from the way President Erdogan stood behind the displaced Rohingyas,
who came to Bangladesh from Myanmar in big numbers in August 2017.
Then,
Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan also visited Bangladesh with the foreign
minister. So, this immediate response to the call of the day shows how close
Turkey is with Bangladesh at present. If you consider the present total volume
of trade between our two friendly countries, you will also see it has gone up.
And we already have a desire to have more trade in the coming years, of course,
after the substantial decrease of the pandemic. So, these are the things to
take into consideration. Also, there are many issues in different international
fora where Bangladesh and Turkey support each other.
Enormous
significance of Erdogan's visit
Q:
There was talk of a high-level visit. What are the plans being made and what
could we expect as the major takeaway from such a visit? I am referring to
reports of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's official visit to
Bangladesh in March. How significant will be this visit to both Bangladesh and
Turkey?
Mannan:
Of course, the significance of the visit will be enormous. It will open up many
more opportunities to tap potentials yet untapped in the coming years and build
political understanding and business. But first of all, let me tell you, our
new embassy complex was inaugurated on Sept. 14, 2020, even despite pandemics
in the presence of the foreign ministers of both countries -- Turkey and
Bangladesh. Our foreign minister, Dr. AK Abdul Momen, despite coronavirus, flew
to Ankara.
And
on the other side, you can see that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
took great interest to be present online to inaugurate this new complex showing
due respect to the history and the people of Turkey.
So,
on that day, and after that day, the discussion had already started for the
visit of President Erdogan to Bangladesh. From last year we have been observing
the birth centenary of our founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which
will continue up to the end of December 2021. Moreover, this year -- 2021-- is
also the golden jubilee of our independence. So, we are expecting high-level
dignitaries from different countries to visit Bangladesh during the
celebrations in 2021.
Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already conveyed an invitation to the
president of Turkey to come and be part of the celebrations in Dhaka city in
coming March. And President Erdogan already told our foreign minister last
September that if the pandemic situation improves, he surely will be in
Bangladesh. And when I presented my credentials on Dec. 15, 2020, President
Erdogan reiterated his intention to visit Bangladesh to me and my delegation at
the presidential palace.
More
recently, when the Foreign Minister of Turkey went to Bangladesh to inaugurate
Turkey’s new chancery building in Dhaka, he also expressed confidence that
inshallah the visit will take place, as discussed before, in the coming March.
So, we are very hopeful that this very important visit -- which will open up
more understanding, business, cultural exchange and many other opportunities
still untapped between our two friendly countries which are historically very
close for more than a thousand years -- will take place.
And
I am very much looking forward to having the visit soon. And in preparation, I
have started visiting not only ministries but also other relevant agencies,
universities, organizations including the Anadolu Agency. All in preparation
with the expectation of materializing the visit in March this year.
Doubling
bilateral trade
Q:
The bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Turkey was less than $1 billion as
per figures issued last year. But there was a consensus to increase it to $3
billion. How realistic is this figure and when it will be achieved and which
sectors will take lead to achieve this goal?
Mannan:
First of all, let me make the correction. Because when I met President Erdogan
on Dec. 15 last year, he mentioned the target as two billion not three. And two
billion is not an impossible figure to reach, since even during corona
[COVID-19] time if we can have almost one billion dollar worth of trade, with
more effort we can inshAllah have two billion in the near future. We are
expecting more investment to come to Bangladesh from Turkey as it had already
started with the Koc group a few years back.
Defense
cooperation between the two countries has been growing. Very recently there was
another agreement. So, we expect it to grow further and add to the volume. And
we will, as I just mentioned at the beginning of the interview, we will tap
into unexplored potentials. We will think out of the box. And we will consider
new commodities to be exported or imported between the two countries resulting
in an increase in the trade volume. So, it is not impossible. Maybe it will
take not one year because still pandemic is going on. But beginning from 2021
within two or three years, I am absolutely sure, a $2 billion target can be
attained. If the officials as well as the business people, and politicians, the
leaders of the two countries are determined, it is certainly possible for our
two countries to achieve the goal.
Turkey
already has a good position in world business. And Bangladesh is at present one
of the first five fastest-growing economies. So, for us, if Allah Subhanahu
Wataala allows and the pandemic decreases substantially to a tolerable level I
am sure within the next two to three years, we will be able to attain this
target.
Q:
But there are complaints from some business people. Sometimes they complain
about some type of difficulties while trying to do business and investment in
Bangladesh. What are the obstacles to developing trade, investment, and other
relations rapidly? What else can be done? Is there any progress in signing a
preferential trade agreement with Turkey? And what this will mean for business
and investments?
Mannan:
As far I know, there are not many big obstacles because already even big
Bangladesh companies like Walton, are doing business with Turkey. They are from
the private sector of Bangladesh. There are many more organizations or business
houses in Bangladesh, who are also interested and have already contacted the
embassy, showing similar interest. On Feb. 3, 2021, between Turkey’s DEIK
[Foreign Economic Relations Board], and Bangladesh’s FBCCI [Federation of
Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries] a new agreement has been signed
for further cooperation.
FBCCI
is the largest body representing all the chambers of commerce and industries in
Bangladesh. So, when we are getting them formally involved in Turkey-Bangladesh
business cooperation, I do not think there will be any big obstacles in the
coming days. Recently we also had a webinar on this issue between DEIK and FBCCI
at the initiative of the Bangladesh Investment Development Agency (BIDA) where
all the related agencies in Bangladesh, important agencies related to
investment and business cooperation were present at the highest level. I was
also there with the ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh. I do not think we have
big challenges. Small challenges depending on the need of a specific business
company might be there which through discussion and negotiation we will
overcome.
Talking
about FTA [Free Trade Agreement] or PTA [Preferential Trade Agreement]. I think
for the time being we will go for PTA and then when the situation will be more
favorable between the two countries inshallah FTA will be there. To attain this
target we have also started meeting. In 2019, there was a Joint Economic
Commission meeting here in Turkey. And inshallah in 2021, in Dhaka, if the
situation improves, we will again have a meeting in the middle of the year. We
are currently discussing and finalizing the date.
Introducing
Bangla language in Turkish universities
To
promote business and economic cooperation, we are trying to introduce Bangla
[language courses] in one or two universities [in Turkey]. So, businesses who
are interested to have their executives -- junior and mid-level -- may consider
knowing Bangla, which will indeed be helpful when they go to Dhaka to negotiate
business and to do business. And finally, to translate our business documents
and also have our marketing in each other's language.
When
Turkey will try to sell something in Bangladesh in big numbers, they should
also try to promote it in the languages that we understand. And we will also
try to do the same when we want to sell something here in Turkey. Through
advertisements in each other's languages, we can easily reach the people of the
two countries. We have to also understand their psyche very well. Business is a
competitive thing. It is not so easy, similar things are produced by different
countries. But the way you present it, and the language you use, surely makes
the difference.
Q:
Around 600 Bangladeshi citizens are currently studying in Turkey? This is a
very small number for a country of 165 million population. What kind of
initiative should be taken to increase this?
Mannan:
You have touched my favorite area. Students and the younger generation. Yes, I
have already visited several universities and in the coming days, I will visit
more. This week I went to the Bilkent University and Gazi University in Ankara
and next I am planning to visit Hacettepe University which is famous for its
medical school. It will be fantastic to have a greater number of [Bangladeshi]
students in medical science because Turkey is very famous for providing quality
health services.
So,
I will like to have more students. Our Foreign Minister is also very much
interested in this regard. He has already expressed his interest that more
students should come from Bangladesh to study in Turkey, not only go to the
West. When I discussed this matter with the foreign minister of Turkey after
the presentation of my credential, he also told me: ‘Not only that we will have
more students from your country, we are eager to send some students [to
Bangladesh] too.
Turkey
and Bangladesh should have an exchange program in education, both for teachers
and students. And my idea is also to have joint research projects. It will be a
good initiative because in some fields Turkey has its expertise and, in some
fields, we have our expertise. Since at the highest level both countries are
interested, now through universities and relevant agencies we can have more
scholarships. And at the same time encourage young people who can afford it, to
study in different universities of Turkey and Bangladesh.
So,
if we can have more scholarships, a greater number of scholarships with the
agencies that you [Turks] have in this country, you have several agencies, not
only one, who provide scholarships, then we can place more students in good
universities all over Turkey, it will be great. From 600 students, maybe in two
years, it will become a thousand.
So,
I am very hopeful [in this regard] with the support of the media. The media of
Bangladesh and Turkey should cooperate with the embassy to promote the idea of
more Bangladesh students coming and studying in Turkey. And also, in response,
some from Turkey should also feel attracted with the help of Anadolu Agency and
other media to go and see the potentials of the universities in Bangladesh and
learn the Bangla language.
We
should not forget Bangla is the seventh most spoken language in the world.
Bengali
is spoken by more than 270 million people. And our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
has proposed Bangla to become the seventh official language of the UN. We also
should not forget that Bengali people laid down their lives on 21 February in
1952 [during the language movement]. Several people from Dhaka University and
Dhaka city died.
And
in 1999 UNESCO recognized our historic day of Feb. 21 as the International
Mother Language Day. This is a very special day in the history of Bangladesh for
promoting the Bangla language throughout the world while also showing due
respect towards every country's mother language.
Scope
in defense sector
Q:
What is the scope in the relations in the defense sector as Turkey's defense
industries are booming faster and producing quality equipment? What kind of
cooperation we can expect in this regard?
Mannan:
Bangladesh appreciates Turkey's development in the field of defense. Over the
years, we have been importing different items from Turkey. You [Turkey] are doing
very well when you talk about the manufacturing of drones, the quality of the
drone manufactured by Turkey is world-class. So, we can consider in future of
having modern equipment as per need of our defense forces.
Training
is very important for the armed forces. Our Army, Navy, and Air Force members
also benefit from the quality training programs of Turkey. In return, we also
receive officers of their [Turkish] forces, for training and seminars held in
Bangladesh.
Understanding
in the field of defense through the exchange of visits at the highest level by
the chiefs of the three armed forces of Bangladesh and Turkey are taking place
regularly.
When
we talk about defense cooperation we should also consider the help you receive
at the hour of need. Recently when there was a big blast in Lebanon, one of our
naval ships was damaged and we got immediate help from the Turkish government
to repair it and then sent it back to Bangladesh. It was indeed a great
assistance extended by Turkey to Bangladesh
Moreover,
Turkey and Bangladesh can collaborate in the field of capacity building.
From
the Bangladesh side, we can share our rich experience as the number one country
in providing UN peacekeepers all over the world. And Turkey among others may
assist us in providing relevant members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces with
training in medical services for which they have a great reputation.
Cooperation
in aerospace
Q:
Bangladesh has recently launched an aerospace university. And Turkey already
has significantly developed the aerospace industry. Is there any possibility to
have cooperation and joint mechanism in this particular sector?
Mannan:
When I mentioned at the beginning of this interview on the VVIP visit, I hinted
that there will be many untapped potentials, which will be explored as a result
of the visit. This is one of the things which can also be discussed during
President Erdogan’s visit. Inshallah, when the visit will take place, this
thing will also be on the table.
When
I visited one of the universities in Turkey, they told me: ‘Mr. ambassador,
specialized courses on aviation science and naval science will be very useful
for the students in your country.’ So, we may also discuss all these subjects
related to aviation, naval or marine science along with molecular biology,
space science, at the appropriate time at the highest level.
Q:
The Turkish construction industry is very strong worldwide just after China as
said by the Turkish foreign minister during his recent tour to Dhaka. He also
said that this industry is interested to invest in Bangladesh. How do you
consider Turkish interest in investing in the construction sector in
Bangladesh?
Mannan:
This is another very pertinent question. Yes, there is ample opportunity [in
Bangladesh]. And Turkey is already taking part in different tenders to join the
construction industry in Bangladesh. Construction, especially building roads,
highways, bridges is booming in Bangladesh, thanks to its fast-growing economy.
Besides China, other countries are most welcome to engage in the building
industry of Bangladesh. When I presented my credential only one and a half
months ago, even from that time business people have started coming to the
embassy with different business proposals, including construction. They are
showing interest [in this sector]. Some of them have already participated in
some tenders, and they want to participate in more. And I am not talking about
one company. At the same time, they need also some collaboration with companies
in Bangladesh to help each other. There are companies in Bangladesh that are
interested to help their Turkish counterparts. So, I see a very good
opportunity for Turkey to come and work in this particular sector, in the very
near future side by side with other countries.
Collaboration
in the tourism sector
Q:
Bangladesh has the world's longest sea beach and the world's largest mangrove
forest. So, the prospect of Bangladesh in the tourism sector is very high.
Turkey has already turned into a hub of international tourists. Does Bangladesh
have any plan to work in a joint venture with Turkey in the tourism sector?
Mannan:
Unfortunately, the tourism sector, as well as a hotel business -- two sectors
which are related to each other --, are suffering the most as a result of the
coronavirus pandemic. But we can train up each other's travel agents and tour
operators and during this pandemic time using online opportunities, like
organizing webinars to be able to face the new normal situation after the
decrease of the pandemic.
The
way Turkey operates to promote their tourism business, maybe we can learn from
their promotional activities how to get more tourists to visit Bangladesh. As I
told you, even we can prepare brochures in different languages.
I
think the main thing is good marketing. To know about what is in the offer,
hotel facilities, nice places to visit, interesting food to taste very friendly
people to meet in both the countries.
Rohingya
issue
Q:
Ankara has been supporting Dhaka on the Rohingya refugee issue from the very
beginning of the crisis since August 2017. What are Bangladesh's expectations
from Turkey on this issue? What is the future plan for Rohingya?
Mannan:
Actually, their real number will be almost 1.4 million. Because Rohingya
started coming to Bangladesh at the end of the 1970s. And then it continued.
But at that time the number was not one million. All of a sudden from Aug. 25,
2017, the numbers of displaced Rohingyas from several hundred thousands jumped
up drastically. Out of this million-plus Rohingya, we are in the process of
sending 100,000 to one island called Bhasan Char. And we have already prepared
very good shelters with the required facilities.
So,
the first thing that we want from all friendly countries is regular financial
assistance for these displaced Rohingyas as well as other relief materials, and
of course, more political support, like Turkey has been providing from the
beginning. I am talking about August 2017, Turkey was there to convince the
Myanmar authority that it will be best to keep them in their own country, from
where they came.
The
repatriation negotiations should be done in a more forceful manner. Turkey
always helped us by supporting our stand. They have been fulfilling their
commitment towards raising the issue not only in OIC but at the UN and other
agencies as well. Gambia at the International Court of Justice has started a
case. Turkey and other friendly countries are also sometimes giving assistance
to carry out the legal process.
Role
of NGOs
Now
in the world, besides governments of different countries, there are NGOs that
can also play a significant role, positive role. In the case of Turkey, we
know, some of the NGOs are also active in Bangladesh. Some relief materials
have gone through your NGOs to Bangladesh. These things should also continue.
Because remember 1.4 million [displaced Rohingyas], like the 4 million [Syrian]
refugees here are also a big number. So, you [Turks] already have your own
experience, you can already feel for human sufferings. So, this kind of
activity should continue. Otherwise, it is difficult to make the Myanmar
authority and the people understand how serious the issue is for the displaced
Rohingya people, as well as for a country like Bangladesh, which already has
its own big population, to carry the burden.
Q:
There are reportedly several thousands of undocumented Bangladeshis in Turkey
and Ankara has been working to reach out a solution with Dhaka to send them
back to Bangladesh. Even the Turkish interior minister had planned a visit to
Bangladesh earlier last year. Is there any progress on it?
Mannan:
For these Bangladeshis embassy does whatever is prescribed as per government
rules. If they want to go back, we provide them with travel documents. If
needed, we involve IOM [International Organization for Migration]. For them, we
do what is prescribed because as you said they are undocumented. At the same
time, if they need some help with daily necessities we request IOM and other
agencies who are involved in this kind of issue. Moreover, we encourage them to
obey the law of the country [Turkey].
To
ensure more favorable support from the Government of Turkey for these
undocumented people, I have already sought an appointment with the honorable
Interior Minister. Inshallah, I will meet him in February. Without having a
first-hand discussion, I can't answer you more elaborately.
Focus
to promote people-to-people relations
Q:
What is your message to Turkish people, particularly business people?
Mannan:
In addition to furthering the good political understanding and increasing
business, I will also emphasize having regular education and cultural exchanges
with Turkey. We will encourage more people to people contact at all possible
levels from various professional backgrounds.
But
first and foremost, our goal will be to make the business at least double if
not more, in the coming years. If possible, within two to three years we wish
to reach the trade volume target of $2 billion. For that, I will need the
support of the people of Turkey especially the businesspeople, big business
establishments, as well as the government. And also, at the same time, we will
need the support of the Bangladesh side from both private and public sectors
under the dynamic leadership and guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina.
I
wish the friendly People of Turkey good health and continued success in the new
year of 2021. May Almighty Allah bless us all. May Turkey Bangladesh friendship
live forever.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/-turkish-president-s-visit-to-bangladesh-will-boost-ties-/2133757
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Hamas
welcomes ICC decision on jurisdiction over Palestinian territories
06
February 2021
The
Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has hailed the International Criminal
Court (ICC) for a decision to extend jurisdiction to the territories occupied
by Israel since the 1967 Arab–Israeli War.
“Any
international decision that leads to supporting the rights of Palestinians,
defends their freedom, provides them with justice and prosecutes war criminals
is in conformity with human values and international human rights,” said Raafat
Marra, the head of the Hamas media department, in a press release on Friday,
the Palestinian Information Center reported on Saturday.
The
Hague-based intergovernmental organization, the ICC, has announced that
Pre-Trial Chamber I of ICC decided, by the majority, that the court’s
territorial jurisdiction in the Situation in Palestine, a State party to the
ICC Rome Statute, extends to the territories occupied by Israel since the said
war.
The
statement means that the ICC can now open a war crimes investigation into
Israeli military actions in the occupied territories.
The
court will have a hard time prosecuting Israelis for the crimes they committed
against Palestinians, but it can issue arrest warrants that will make it
difficult for Israeli officials to travel abroad.
“We
are confident that any court that enjoys integrity, justice and professionalism
will stand by the Palestinian people and their rights”, Marra said, calling for
the use of all means to stop terrorism and Zionist crimes against the
Palestinians.
“The
Zionist entity (Israel) and its leaders practiced organized terror against the
Palestinians, robbed them of their rights and the international silence encourage
them to continue their criminal practices against the Palestinians.”
Palestinians
joined the court in 2015, a year after they asked it to open a probe into
Israeli crimes during its 2014 bloody war against the blockaded Gaza Strip, as
well as the regime’s construction of settlements in the occupied West Bank and
East Jerusalem al-Quds.
Israel
is not a member of the ICC. It says the court has no jurisdiction over the
issue because Palestinians do not have statehood.
The
ICC has so far affirmed the statehood of Palestine several times.
Arab
League lauds ICC decision
Separately
on Saturday, the Arab League welcomed the ICC ruling as a “crowning
achievement.”
“This
decision is the crowning achievement of the diplomatic efforts exerted by the
State of Palestine's various official and legal institutions with full Arab
support and solidarity by friendly international institutions in their serious
and relentless pursuit for achieving prompt justice,” said Arab League
Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and the Occupied Arab Territories
Affairs Saeed Abu Ali said in a press statement.
He
also expressed hope that the ruling would contribute to the full restoration of
the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Israel
occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip –
territories the Palestinians want for their future state – during the six-day
war in 1967.
About
700,000 Israelis now live in over 230 illegal settlements built in the West
Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds ever since. The international community views
the settlements as illegal under international law but has done little – if any
– so far to stop Israel.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/06/644689/Hamas-ICC
--------
Tunisians
defy lockdown, crowd streets against police abuse
06
February 2021
Tunisians
have taken to the streets of the capital, in defiance of a police lockdown, to
protest against abuse and brutality exercised by the law enforcement officers.
Demonstrates
gathered in central Tunis on Saturday in the biggest crowd in years.
“I
lived 10 years in freedom... I am not ready to lose it.”
That
was one of the slogans the crowd chanted in reference to an uprising that led
to the ouster of long-time ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.
“No
fear. The street belongs to the people.”
The
demonstration on Saturday was backed by the country’s most powerful political
organization: the UGTT union.
Samir
Cheffi, a senior official with the union, said, “Today is a cry of alarm to
defend the revolution, to protect freedoms under threat.”
Riot
police deployed cordons around the city center, stopping cars and people from
entering the streets around the site of the protest.
Mohammed
Ammar, a member of parliament for the Attayar party, said he had protested the
closure of the streets in a phone call to Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi.
Tunisia
has been the site of street protests since last month, when demonstrations to
mark the tenth anniversary of the revolution led to clashes between people and
police.
The
working-class make up the main group of protesters who have been nursing a
grievance against soaring unemployment and the government’s failure in
delivering its promises a decade into the revolution.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/06/644693/Tunisia-lockdown-police-abuse
--------
Arab
World
Egypt
heads emergency Arab League meeting on Palestine with Arab FMs
Tamara
Abueish
08
February ,2021
Egypt
on Monday will head an emergency Arab League meeting with Arab foreign
ministers to discuss regional unity and protecting the rights of Palestinians.
The
meeting will focus on reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and
discussing the United States’ policies on Palestine.
For
all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The
relationship between the US and Palestine strained under the Donald Trump
administration after Washington approved Israel’s plans to annex large parts of
occupied West Bank territories.
UN
experts had stated then that the move is a “21st-century apartheid” vision. The
annexation would be a “serious violation” of the United Nations charter and the
Geneva Conventions, and would only intensify human rights violations in the
West Bank, the experts said.
The
emergency meeting is being held at Egypt and Jordan’s request, the Assistant
Secretary-General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki said, adding that it will
focus on the “fundamentals related to the Palestinian cause” and Arab unity.
Arab
foreign ministers are also expected to discuss the positive results of the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit held in Saudi Arabia’s al-Ula in December and
its implications for the Middle East peace process.
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/02/08/Palestinian-Israeli-conflict-Egypt-heads-emergency-Arab-League-meeting-on-Palestine-with-Arab-FMs-
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Arab
Coalition intercepts four Houthi drones in 24 hours targeting Saudi Arabia
07
February ,2021
Ismaeel
Naar
The
Arab Coalition said on Sunday that it has intercepted four explosive Houthi
drones launched towards Saudi Arabia.
“The
Houthi militias continue to violate international humanitarian law by trying to
target civilians,” the Arab Coalition said in a statement.
For
all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“We
are taking measures to deal with the sources of the threat in accordance with
international humanitarian law,” they added.
The
drone incident is the second in less than 24 hours after the coalition
intercepted and destroyed another explosives-laden drone attack late on Saturday
night.
On
Friday, the United States said it will reverse a last-minute decision by the
Trump administration to designate Yemen's Houthis as a terrorist organization,
according to US officials. The designation was first made by former Secretary
of State Mike Pompeo shortly before he left office, despite his efforts to push
through the designation months before.
The
United States will end its support for military operations in Yemen, but it
will continue to help Saudi Arabia defend its sovereignty and land, US
President Joe Biden said on Thursday.
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2021/02/07/Terrorism-Arab-Coalition-intercepts-Houthi-drone-targeting-Saudi-Arabia
--------
Gulf
countries, Egypt have ‘strategic’ and ‘historical’ relationship: Al-Hajraf
07
February ,2021
Tamara
Abueish
The
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Egypt have a “strategic” and
“historical” relationship, the council’s Secretary-General Nayef bin Falah
al-Hajraf said on Sunday during a joint press conference with Egyptian Minister
of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry.
Countries
in the region must respect the sovereignty of their neighboring Arab countries,
al-Hajraf added.
The
GCC supports Egypt in the conflict with Ethiopia about the Renaissance Dam, he
said.
The
secretary-general reiterated that the council supports the establishment of a
Palestinian state and the return of Palestinian refugees to their home country.
He
also added that Iran’s intervention in Yemen through the Houthi militia must be
stopped.
Yemen’s
stability plays a big role in the region’s stability, he said.
For
his part, Shoukry reiterated that Egypt and the Gulf countries have the same
strategic path in the region, and said that his country rejects any
interference in the affairs of Arab countries.
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2021/02/07/Gulf-countries-Egypt-have-strategic-and-historical-relationship-Al-Hajraf-
--------
Damascus
slam Turkey's 'dangerous' plan to open schools in Syria
08
February 2021
Damascus
has strongly objected to Turkey’s decision to open schools in northern Syria,
calling the decision a “dangerous act” and a “flagrant violation of
international law.”
In
a statement on Sunday, an official source at the Syrian Foreign Ministry said
the plan indicates Ankara's intention to continue igniting and prolonging the
crisis in the war-torn country, Syria’s official news agency SANA reported.
Turkey,
it said, aims to support terrorist groups such as Daesh and Jabhat al-Nusra to
serve Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's personal agendas and to “achieve
his ambitions and Ottoman illusions.”
The
protest came after Ankara announced that it will open a healthcare vocational
school and a medical faculty in Syria’s al-Rai town, located near the Turkish
border.
Ankara
said the medical school will be established under the auspices of Turkey’s
Health Sciences University in Aleppo province’s northern town of al-Rai, which
is under the control of Turkish-backed militants.
“Syria
rejects the Turkish regime’s decision to open a faculty and higher institute
affiliated to Istanbul University in al-Rai town, north of Aleppo,” the Syrian
statement said.
It
said the Turkish government’s decision is a dangerous act that aims to expand
Turkey's dominance on Syrian territories in a flagrant violation of
international law and the UN Charter.
Ankara’s
move is nothing but the continuation of Turkish authorities’ policies toward
Syria, it aded.
“Syria
affirms that the attacks of the Turkish regime on its sovereignty, including
the building of the so-called (separation wall) and adopting the policy of
Turkification at the schools, in addition to dealing in the Turkish Lira, and
opening an authority for the Turkish Post have been pretexts behind which this
regime hides to justify its terrorist practices,” the source said.
The
source renewed Syria’s demand that the UN Security Council shoulder its
responsibilities in preserving international peace and security and ending the
“crimes and attacks launched by the Turkish regime” against the Syrian people
and the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Turkey
has been involved militarily in the Syrian conflict since early 2011. It has
provided the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) with military assistance
throughout the conflict.
In
2018 and 2019, Turkey launched cross-border military operations in northern
Syria with the declared aim of eliminating Syrian Kurdish militants of the
People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara regards as a terrorist
organization tied to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Turkey
has since taken control of several areas in northern Syria in addition to other
Kurdish-controlled areas.
The
Turkish military presence is viewed by the Syrian government as an attack
against the Arab country’s sovereignty.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/08/644799/Damascus-slams-Turkey-move-to-open-schools-in-Syria
--------
Terrorists
launched nearly 2 dozen attacks within 24 hours in de-escalation zone in
Syria's Idlib: Russia
07
February 2021
Russian
Defense Ministry says terrorist groups based in the de-escalation zone of
Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib and its environs have carried out nearly
two dozen terror attacks in the past 24 hours against other areas in the
province and neighboring provinces of Hama, Aleppo, and Latakia.
In
a statement on Sunday, Rear Admiral Vyacheslav Sytnik, chief of the Russian
military’s Reconciliation Center in Hmeimim Air Base in Syria's Latakia, said
that the center had monitored 23 terrorist attacks launched from the areas held
by terrorists of the Jabhat al-Nusra Takfiri terrorist group, formerly known as
al-Nusra Front.
He
added that 13 of these attacks were in Idlib, five in Aleppo, three in Hama,
and two in Latakia, Syria’s official SANA news agency reported.
According
to the report, Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists, who have been particularly spread in
Idlib, continue their attacks with rocket shells on the safe neighboring areas,
claiming the lives of many civilians and wounding others.
Such
attacks also inflict material damage to both private and public properties.
Last month, Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists targeted the strategic city of Saraqib
in Idlib with rocket shells, causing material damage to houses and buildings.
Russia
has been helping Syrian forces in the ongoing battles across the
conflict-plagued Arab country.
The
Russian military assistance, which began in September 2015 at the official
request of the Syrian government, has proved effective as Syrians continue to
recapture key areas from remnants of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group and
other foreign-backed terrorist factions across the country.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/07/644747/Syria-Idlib-Jabhat-al-Nusra-terrorists-Russia-Hmeimim
--------
Southeast
Asia
Over
30 Rohingya caught arriving in Malaysia by boat in January, says police
FEB
07, 2021
More
than 30 Rohingya people, believed to have fled a refugee camp in Indonesia,
were caught arriving in Malaysia by boat last month, the Malaysian police said
on Sunday.
The
Rohingyas, mostly women, boarded a boat from Tanjung Balai in Indonesia and
landed in Selangor, on the west coast of Malaysia on Jan. 6, police said.
Seeking
refuge, Muslim Rohingya have for years boarded boats fleeing persecution in
Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh, some taking the dangerous option of
travelling with people-smugglers to Southeast Asia.
Malaysia
does not recognise refugee status, but the Muslim-majority country is a
favoured destination for Rohingyas seeking a better life.
Seventeen
Rohingya women, seven men and seven children, as well as five Indonesian women,
were on board, police said of the arrivals, which were reported by AFP on
Friday.
The
Royal Malaysia Police internal security director, Abdul Rahim Jaafar, said 21
of the migrants have been charged with entering the country without valid
documents, and two others charged under anti-trafficking laws.
More
than a dozen of them have been handed over to the Malaysian Immigration
Department, Abdul Rahim said.
Indonesian
President Joko Widodo said on Friday during Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin's visit that both countries discussed Rohingya issues.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/over-30-rohingya-caught-arriving-in-malaysia-by-boat-in-january-says-police-101612691601459.html
--------
Putrajaya
says opposing US president Biden’s global pro-LGBT initiative
08
Feb 2021
BY
YISWAREE PALANSAMY
KUALA
LUMPUR, Feb 8 — Putrajaya yesterday said it is opposing a call by newly-minted
US President Joe Biden’s for the superpower’s agencies to protect the rights of
sexual and gender minorities globally.
Malay
daily Berita Harian reported religious affairs minister Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad
as saying that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is
“violating the norms” of human behaviour.
“This
is because it is against Islamic law and we do not support any campaign that is
labelled as LGBTIQ in this country,” he was quoted saying referring to the
federal government, using the initials that also included intersex and queer
persons.
“This
matter has been accepted and acknowledged by all the cultures of Malaysian
communities, overall in Malaysia.”
Zulkifli
however said that he is reserving his opposition for intersex persons, which he
said is recognised by the Muslim faith, and therefore should not be lumped
together in the LGBTIQ category.
Despite
Zulkifli’s remark, not all communities in Malaysia are opposed to the minority
community and agree to the restrictions set by the Muslim-dominated federal
government.
Last
week, Biden had issued a presidential memorandum committing the United States
to protect the safety and rights of LGBTIQ persons worldwide.
NBC
News reported that the Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Around the World
directed American agencies operating overseas “to ensure that United States
diplomacy and foreign assistance to promote and protect the human rights of
LGBTIQ+ persons”.
The
memorandum also calls for agencies to combat criminalisation of LGBTIQ identity
or conduct, protect LGBTIQ refugees and asylum-seekers, address human rights
abuses affecting LGBTIQ persons, and work with like-minded nations and
international organisations to combat discrimination.
Malaysia
has had a poor track record in treating the marginalised LGBT community,
regardless of the political coalition that holds power — from Barisan Nasional,
Pakatan Harapan to the now Perikatan Nasional.
Most
recently, Putrajaya was slammed by human rights defenders after Zulkifli’s
deputy Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary from Islamist party PAS proposed harsher
punishments against the LGBT community under the Shariah Courts (Criminal
Jurisdiction) Act 1965, also known as Act 355.
LGBT
Muslims already face a number of Shariah offences directed at them under
Shariah law, and remain among marginalised groups which are now even more
affected by the pandemic due to public stigma.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/02/08/putrajaya-says-opposing-us-president-bidens-global-pro-lgbt-initiative/1947918
--------
North
America
US
reaffirms commitment in call with Afghan leader
Michael
Hernandez
05.02.2021
WASHINGTON
Defense
Chief Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the US's commitment to an "enduring"
partnership with the Afghan government during a call Friday with President
Ashraf Ghani.
Austin
and Ghani "discussed the shared sacrifices of U.S. and Afghanistan forces
and collective gains made over the last 19 years," the Pentagon said in a
statement.
"President
Ghani and Secretary Austin discussed the Afghan peace process and the
imperative for a negotiated settlement to end the war. Both sides emphasized
the importance of seizing this opportunity for peace," it added.
The
call comes as Afghanistan faces rising attacks from the Taliban and other
militant groups that have included a devastating string of targeted
assassinations of government officials, and religious, political and civil
society figures.
The
US has roughly 2,500 troops in Afghanistan working to support and defend Afghan
forces from the Taliban, down from about 14,000 in 2020.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-reaffirms-commitment-in-call-with-afghan-leader/2135509
--------
UN
vindicates Pakistan stand on threats from Afghanistan: FO
Anwar
Iqbal
February
8, 2021
WASHINGTON:
Pakistan pointed out on Sunday that a United Nations monitoring report
highlighting the presence of various terrorist groups in Afghanistan had
vindicated Islamabad’s longstanding position that such outfits posed a direct
threat not only to Pakistan but to the entire region.
The
27th Report of the UN Analytical and Monitoring Team shows that the
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is now based in Afghanistan, has
carried out more than 100 cross-border attacks during the last three months.
The
report to the UN Security Council acknowledges Pakistan’s efforts to uproot
terrorist groups involved in subversive activities in the Pak-Afghan region.
Two
official US reports — sent to Congress last week — also underline the presence
of TTP and other Pakistan-specific groups in Afghanistan and acknowledge that
continued support from Islamabad allowed US and Afghan forces to weaken the
ISKP, the regional branch of the militant Islamic State group.
Two
US reports underline presence of TTP, other Pakistan-specific groups in
war-ravaged country
On
Sunday, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said the
reports “vindicate our longstanding position on threats posed to Pakistan and
the region by groups like TTP, Jamaatul Ahrar (JuA), Hizbul Ahrar (HuA) and
their affiliates, based in Afghanistan”.
Pakistan
has often drawn attention of the international community to the support
provided to the TTP and its affiliates by the hostile intelligence agencies.
Mr
Chaudhri said that such support led to the merger of JuA, HuA and other
splinter groups of LeJ (Lashkar-e-Jhangvi) with the TTP in Afghanistan last
year.
Pakistan
has also kept the international community informed of the cross-border attacks
carried out by the TTP on Pakistani security forces deployed on the border.
“Pakistan
acknowledges monitoring team’s efforts in exposing the hostile agencies’
sponsored collusion of anti-Pakistan elements in Afghanistan,” the FO spokesman
said in a statement, adding that Islamabad now expected Kabul to “launch a
dedicated effort to neutralise this threat” emanating from Afghanistan.
“Pakistan
stands firm in its resolve to partner with international community against the
menace of terrorism,” he said.
The
UN report, dated Feb 3, notes that Pakistan has not only arrested “individuals
engaging in terrorism financing” but also has seized the assets of those
“individuals and entities” who have been designated as terrorist by related US
and UN agencies.
The
report underlines TTP activities in Afghanistan and expresses concern over the
“reunification of (TTP’s) splinter groups” inside Afghanistan. “Five entities
pledged allegiance to TTP in July and August (2020), including the Shehryar
Mehsud group, Jamaatul Ahrar (JuA), Hizbul Ahrar, the Amjad Farooqi group and
the Usman Saifullah group (formerly known as Lashkar-e- Jhangvi),” the report
adds.
Another
report prepared by the bipartisan Afghan Study Group for the US Congress notes:
“Beyond al-Qaeda and ISKP, two groups are of particular interest in South Asia
today, among the several dozen said to be operating in the theater:
Tehreek-i-Taliban and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Both have demonstrated the capacity to
act as major threats to the region.”
The
report warns that both groups can disturb regional peace and can cause a war
between the area’s two nuclear states, India and Pakistan.
“Afghanistan
remains symbolically and geographically an attractive space for jihadi groups
that aspire to attack the United States, its allies, its interests, and the
international order it has done so much to create,” the report warns.
The
bipartisan US report also notes that the membership of the ISKP in Afghanistan
largely consisted of dissident Afghan Taliban commanders, former members of the
TTP and adherents of Central Asian extremist groups who had formerly been
allied with al-Qaeda.
“ISKP
has attracted thousands of adherents, surged, and then declined under
relentless pressure from US and Afghan security forces, and occasionally the
Taliban, as well as Pakistani security forces,” the report adds.
Another
report by the Pentagon’s Inspector General for Afghanistan, known by its
acronym SIGAR, cites Afghan officials’ judgements that “other terrorist groups
including Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Jaish-i-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Taiba are
operating in eastern Afghanistan”.
The
UN report goes a step ahead and cautions that the reunification of TTP splinter
groups has “enhanced the threat of terrorism” not only to Pakistan but to the
entire region since it has “increased the strength of TTP and resulted in a
sharp increase in attacks”.
“TTP
was responsible for more than 100 cross-border attacks between July and October
2020,” the report states and estimates the TTP’s fighting strength to range
from 2,500 to 6,000 members.
‘India’s
hand’
Last
year, Pakistan handed over a dossier to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
on the Indian sponsorship of two UN- designated terror groups – the TTP and
JuA.
“We
knew of India’s hand in such attacks,” Pakistan’s envoy to the UN Munir Akram
had said at a press conference after handing over the dossier to the UN
secretary-general. “We now have gathered irrefutable evidence that India is
engaged in a systematic campaign to destabilise Pakistan through terrorist
attacks, promotion of secession and subversion in what is called Hybrid/5th
generation war.”
India,
he said, was also seeking to utilise UNSC mechanisms to defame Pakistan by
portraying itself as a victim of terrorism. “It is abusing the Financial Action
Task Force (FATF) to damage Pakistan’s economy.”
Since
2014, Pakistan has lost 83,000 civilians and soldiers in the fight against
terrorism, which has also caused a massive setback to the country’s economic
and social development — to the tune of $126 billion.
While
Pakistan has successfully eradicated terrorist outfits from its soil, over the
past few months cross-border terrorist attacks from ungoverned spaces in
Afghanistan have escalated.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1606133/un-vindicates-pakistan-stand-on-threats-from-afghanistan-fo
--------
GOP
lawmaker presses Biden not to return US embassy in Israel to Tel Aviv
07
February 2021
A
top GOP lawmaker is pressing US President Joe Biden to let the US embassy
remain in Jerusalem al-Quds after it was moved there from Israeli capital Tel
Aviv.
Tennessee
Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty on Saturday wrote a letter to Biden, urging him to
publicly confirm that he is not planning to return the embassy to Tel
Aviv.
The
letter was sent a day after White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki Refused to say
whether the Biden administration agrees with the move, vowing to follow up on
the matter.
"This
is not a difficult question and should not require any deliberation,"
Hagerty claimed. "In order to correct the discrepancy that unfortunately now
exists between our two branches of government and send an unequivocal message
to our allies in Israel, I urge you to confirm—immediately and publicly—that
your Administration will continue to implement U.S. law and maintain the
American Embassy’s location in Jerusalem."
Other
Biden administration officials have previously been pressed to take a stance on
the issue.
Trump
in May 2018 moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the Holy city, which
Palestinians consider as the capital of their future state.
The
former president sparked controversy by officially recognizing Jerusalem
al-Quds as the Israeli ‘capital’ in December 2017.
Israel
lays claim to the entire Jerusalem al-Quds, but the international community
views the city’s eastern sector as occupied territory and Palestinians consider
it the capital of their future state.
United
Nations Security Council Resolution 478, adopted on August 20, 1980, prohibits
countries from establishing diplomatic missions in Jerusalem al-Quds.
Palestinians,
who seek an independent state in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, with East
Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital, have condemned the US pro-Israel agenda.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/07/644712/Biden-pressed-to-keep-US-embassy-in-Jerusalem-al-Quds
--------
Biden
to end support for Saudi offensive in Yemen
Michael
Hernandez
04.02.2021
WASHINGTON
US
President Joe Biden will announce an end to American support for the Saudi-led
coalition's offensive against Houthi rebels in Yemen, National Security Advisor
Jake Sullivan said Thursday.
Biden
is expected to formally roll out the policy change during remarks at the State
Department later Thursday.
Saudi
Arabia's campaign against the Houthis has prompted a widespread humanitarian
outcry amid repeated atrocities, including the 2016 targeting of a funeral in
Sana'a, the rebel-controlled capital, that killed more than 100 victims.
The
Iran-backed rebel group overran much of Yemen beginning in 2014, deposing the
government and sending it into exile before it returned to the port city of
Aden in 2016. Political turmoil has been the rule rather than the exception
since with a third separatist movement known as the Southern Transitional
Council being declared in May 2017.
Political
infighting has taken place amid what is widely-considered to be the world's
worst humanitarian catastrophe with Yemen, the Arab world's poorest nation even
before the conflict, facing widespread famine.
The
Saudi coalition's actions aimed at rolling back Houthi gains have been widely
criticized by rights groups for worsening the situation and the world’s worst
man-made humanitarian crisis with nearly 80%, or about 30 million, Yemenis
needing humanitarian assistance.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/biden-to-end-support-for-saudi-offensive-in-yemen/2134287
--------
India
Kerala:
BJP promises ‘love jihad’ law, axing of devaswom boards
Feb
8, 2021
KOZHIKODE:
If voted to power NDA will enact a law against ‘love jihad’ — along the lines
of the one passed in Uttar Pradesh — and disband all devaswom boards in the
state, BJP state president K Surendran said, on Sunday, unveiling the issues
that figure prominently in his party’s manifesto for the upcoming assembly
election.
“These
are also concerns of the majority community, not just Sabarimala.” The
situation in Kerala is such that no one can ignore the issues raised by the
Sangh Parivar, he said.
Surendran
said UDF’s promise of legislation on Sabarimala is mere eyewash. “We all know
what Rahul Gandhi said after the Supreme Court verdict. There is no case
against a single UDF worker for participating in the Sabarimala agitation,” he
said.
The
BJP leader said Oommen Chandy’s attitude to the agitation was cruel. “He didn’t
utter a single word when BJP workers were being hunted down by the LDF
government. He maintained that it was an issue concerning only Hindus,” he
said.
Surendran
said if LDF has really changed its stand on Sabarimala, the government should
withdraw cases against all those who participated in the agitation. He said
only by disbanding devaswom boards can temples be freed from the clutches of
politicians.
Leaving
temples to believers will end all issues, including protection of the faith in
Sabarimala. “The first thing we do if voted to power will be the dissolution of
devaswom boards,” he said. He added that ‘love jihad’ is another serious issue.
“Christian churches have raised the issue with the Prime Minister. If NDA comes
to power, we will enact a law similar to the one passed in Uttar Pradesh to
check ‘love jihad,” he said.
He
also alleged discrimination in the distribution of welfare measures to
minorities.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/kerala-bjp-promises-love-jihad-law-axing-of-devaswom-boards/articleshow/80742734.cms
--------
Allahabad
HC junks plea alleging ownership of land for Ayodhya mosque
February
08, 2021
Last
week, two Delhi-based sisters moved the Allahabad High Court, claiming
ownership of five acres of land in Ayodhya that were allotted for construction
of a mosque in accordance with the Supreme Court verdict in the Ram
Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case in 2019.
The
petition had been filed before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court by
two Delhi-based sisters, Rani Kapoor Punjabi and Rama Rani Punjabi. The duo had
claimed ownership of the five-acre land, claiming that their father had bought
it, but his name had been expunged from the land records.
On
Monday, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court dismissed the petition
filed over the land dispute in Dhannipur village as the petitioners' lawyer
sought to withdraw it. The order to junk the petition came from Justices D.K.
Upadhyay and Manish Kumar. The sisters had filed the petition through senior
advocate H.G.P. Parihar. For the state government, additional advocate general
Ramesh Kumar Singh had opposed the plea, saying that the plot numbers allotted
for the mosque were different from the plots the petition referred to.
Then
expressing concern with Parihar for filing the petition in a cursory manner
without ascertaining correct facts, the bench dismissed it.
The
sisters had claimed that their parents came from Punjab in Pakistan to Faizabad
(now Ayodhya). Their father, Gyan Chandra Punjabi, became employed with the
Nazul department. He had gained a land deed for 28 acres of land for Rs 1,560
in Dhannipur village (Sohawal tehsil). Though his name was part of the records,
the land continued to be used by those who had held it earlier. Later, their father’s
name was also expunged from the local land records, following which a dispute
was filed before the local land consolidation officer.
On
Friday, the local land consolidation officer in Dhannipur, Rajesh Pandey, said
the disputed property was land in Shekpur Jafar, a village neighbouring
Dhannipur.
https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/02/08/allahabad-hc-junks-plea-alleging-ownership-of-land-for-ayodhya-mosque.html
--------
Pakistani
intruder killed by BSF along International Border in Jammu
Feb
8, 2021
JAMMU/NEW
DELHI: A Pakistani intruder was shot dead by the Border Security Force (BSF)
along the India-Pakistan international border in Jammu on Monday, officials
said.
The
incident took place near the Chak Faquira border post (border pillar no 64) in
the Samba sector around 9:45 am, they said.
"Despite
repeated warnings, the intruder kept moving towards the border fence and was
fired upon by BSF troops. The dead body of one Pakistani intruder has been
recovered," a BSF spokesperson said.
The
spot where the body was found is around 40 metres from the International Border
on the Indian side, the officials said.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pakistani-intruder-killed-by-bsf-along-international-border-in-jammu/articleshow/80745676.cms
--------
Bengal
election sets off rush for Muslim votes. Should BJP be happy?
Prabhash
K Dutta
February
7, 2021
Muslims
comprise around 30 per cent of voters in West Bengal, where assembly election
is expected in April-May. Muslim voters are considered to be the deciding
factor in a Bengal election.
In
2011, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress stunned the CPM-led
Left Front in that year's Bengal election, which took place against the
backdrop of the Sachar Commission report that said Muslims were in a worse
condition in the state.
At
present, apart from the ruling Trinamool Congress, the Congress and also the
AIMIM of Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, another outfit the Indian Secular Front
(ISF) has entered the fray in Bengal.
While
the previous Bengal elections have seen a shift of Muslim votes from one party
or coalition to another, the upcoming election in Bengal is unique in the sense
that it seems prime for an unprecedented rush for Muslim votes. Congress
leaders in Bengal have repeatedly complained to the central leadership about
the loss of support from Muslim voters.
Congress
eyes piggybacking Abbas Siddiqui
The
Indian Secular Front is backed by Islamic cleric Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui, an
influential Muslim leader in Bengal. Siddiqui had previously supported Mamata
Banerjee in 2011 and 2016 when she won the Bengal elections.
The
Bengal Congress is eyeing an alliance with Siddiqui, who has appeared positive
to the Congress’s proposal. If a tie up happens, the Congress could be a
serious contender for Muslim votes in the West Bengal Assembly election.
Leader
of Opposition in Bengal Assembly Abdul Mannan recently wrote to Congress
president Sonia Gandhi, strongly advocating for an alliance with Siddiqui’s
ISF. Mannan wrote, “... the Congress party in West Bengal stood in the state
for the support of Minority votes for many years."
Mannan
said, "The president of the ISF is a Hindu but the person behind the front
is a Muslim religious leader named Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui, who belongs to the
eminent religious family of Furfura Sharif, Hooghly. He is not only popular for
his oratory skill among Muslims but among Dalits and Tribals also."
Mannan
explained to Sonia Gandhi the political logic behind his proposal: "Out of
30 per cent Muslim population in Bengal, the percentage of Bengali speaking
Muslim is 90 per cent, which had been the traditional vote bank of Congress
Party. We have failed to hold that support for various reasons. Introduction of
a new political entity in the name of Indian Secular Front (ISF) is a threat
for all secular parties."
The
Owaisi angle
After
success in the Bihar Assembly election, Asaduddin Owaisi has become a
significant factor in Bengal as well. Owaisi, according to reports, is in touch
with Siddiqui. They talked about forming an alliance in January.
Owaisi
has been working to create a pan-India party that speaks for Muslims, and then
expand the political base among Dalits. He speaks Urdu in his public meetings
and attempts to unite Muslim voters politically.
This
is a problem for Mamata Banerjee, who adopted the same Urdu strategy as she
weaned Muslim voters away from the CPM-led Left Front.
However,
the Congress-Siddiqui proposal puts Owaisi in a dilemma. Owaisi, in January,
had said his party would follow the decision that Siddiqui takes with regards
to an alliance for Bengal election.
But
the national political stance of Owaisi would make it difficult for him to
align with the Congress, which has already struck a deal with the Left.
If
Owaisi contests Bengal election alone, his AIMIM would be in direct clash with
Mamata Banerjee’s TMC. In this scenario, the BJP hopes for a
counter-polarisation.
A
test for Mamata Banerjee
There
is a little history to Mamata Banerjee’s pro-Muslim tilt in politics. Back when
Mamata Banerjee floated her separate outfit, the BJP-led NDA was rising to
power under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. She joined the NDA. But her association with
the BJP distanced her from Muslim vote bank in Bengal.
Mamata
Banerjee did a political course correction after 2004, when the Vajpayee
government was voted out. Mamata Banerjee began wooing Muslims in a way that
Bengal had not seen in recent years. Besides Nandigram and Singur, Mamata
Banerjee was helped by the findings of the Sachar Commission, set up by the
Manmohan Singh government to study the state of Muslims in the country.
The
Sachar Commission said Muslims were more backward, and in a worse condition in
the Left-ruled Bengal. The Muslims in Bengal had been traditional voters for
the Left. The Sachar Commission report worked against the Left Front in Bengal
election 2011.
Once
in power, Mamata Banerjee rolled out several Muslim-specific policies. The
Mamata government
gave
an allowance or stipend to imams and muezzins,
provided
free bicycles to girls studying in madrasas,
extended
scholarships to Muslim students of Class I to X,
offered
reservation to Muslim OBCs,
banned
the telecast of a drama series by controversial author Taslima Nasrin on the
demand of conservative Muslim clerics,
and
made Urdu the second official language in districts where the Urdu-speaking
population was more than 10 per cent.
The
Mamata government gave a grant of Rs 300 crore to the Aaliah University,
started during Left Front’s rule, and constructed special hostels for Muslim
girls in districts.
Additionally,
Mamata Banerjee increased the number of tickets given to Muslims in Bengal
Assembly elections, covered her head and attended prayers, mixed Arabic words
with Bangla in public meetings, roped in influential urbane Urdu-speaking
Muslims and also gave more weightage to Urdu-speaking Muslims in her cabinet
compared to the previous Left Front government.
Still,
Mamata Banerjee faces a tough challenge in keeping her Muslim vote bank intact
in the 2021 Bengal election as the Congress tries to revive its support base
among Muslims and Owaisi is looking to replicate his Bihar success in Bengal.
There is a section of Muslims that believes Mamata Banerjee has unwittingly
helped the rise of the BJP in Bengal.
Should
BJP be happy?
Despite
its outreach to Muslims, the BJP has negligible support base among Muslims
primarily due to its emphasis on Hindutva. The BJP usually benefits from a
division of Muslim votes in elections. A scramble for Muslim votes in Bengal,
backed by its performance in the last Lok Sabha election, augurs well for the
BJP in the upcoming assembly election.
To
top it up, the BJP leaders seem to be helping polarisation of voters in Bengal
both to consolidate Hindutva vote and tap counter-polarised vote due to
appeasement politics of the TMC, and the Congress, and religion-based appeal of
Owaisi’s politics.
“The
TMC is thinking they will manage this time with 30 per cent (Muslim vote
share). But I would like to tell them that we have 70 per cent (Hindu votes). I
would like to urge you today from this ‘manch’, stay united and give a
befitting reply to oust the ruling government,” Suvendu Adhikari recently said
at a public rally.
To
strengthen the TMC’s claim in South Bengal — several districts dominated by
Muslim voters — Mamata Banerjee has decided to shift to Nandigram constituency
in East Midnapore district from Bhabanipur in Kolkata and counter Suvendu
Adhikari’s switch from the TMC to the BJP.
Adhikari
said, “I take this responsibility today to ensure BJP’s win from Nandigram.
They [TMC] are relying on 62,000 votes but I have the support of 2.13 lakh
people, who chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’.”
Responding
to possible Congress-Left-Siddiqui-Owaisi alignment, BJP’s Amit Malviya said,
"The true nature of "secular" politics is nothing but Muslim
appeasement and here Abdul Mannan can't even hide his desperation to
consolidate their Muslim vote bank. Reading the letter it seems as if Hindus
don't matter."
In
sync, the BJP MLAs on Friday walked out of West Bengal Assembly chanting “Jai
Shri Ram” as they opposed the Mamata government’s decision not to invite Bengal
Governor Jagdeep Dhankar to the Assembly on the first day of the Budget
Session.
Muslims
in Bengal
Bengal
has 294 assembly constituencies out of which 46 have a Muslim concentration of
over 50 per cent. There are 16 seats where Muslims comprise 40-50 per cent of
population, 33 seats with 30-40 per cent Muslims and there are another 50 seats
where Muslims are 20-30 per cent as voters. This makes Muslims a key factor in
nearly half the constituencies in Bengal.
There
are over 100 constituencies in Bengal where Muslim voters have deciding
influence in elections. Districts of Malda, Murshidabad, North Dinajpur, South
24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Nadia and Birbhum are particularly in the focus
of political parties for Muslim votes and anticipated counter-polarised votes.
Three
districts in particular — Malda, Murshidabad and North Dinajpur — have higher
Muslim population than that of the Hindus. These Muslim-dominated districts are
likely to see intense electioneering by the TMC, the Congress and Owaisi’s
AIMIM. The BJP looks more for counter-polarisation.
In
2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP trailed the TMC by three per cent votes. Some
analysts said Mamata Banerjee’s TMC won more seats than the BJP in 2019 as it
could garner 65 per cent of Muslim votes. Any significant division of Muslim
votes due to jostling among the Congress-Left mahajot (grand alliance), the TMC
and Owaisi-Siddiqui appeal, could change the tide in Bengal.
https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/west-bengal-elections-rush-for-muslim-votes-should-bjp-be-happy-1766708-2021-02-07
--------
Terrorists
plan to set up hideouts in Jammu to receive arms from Pakistan: DGP
07th
February 2021
JAMMU:
Asserting that Jammu has always remained a target of Pakistan and its agencies,
Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Sunday said terrorists are planning
to set up their hideouts here to receive arms and ammunition from across the
border and smuggle it to Kashmir.
However,
the Jammu and Kashmir Police is alert to the challenge, he added.
Singh
said the arrest of Lashker-e-Mustafa chief from the Kunjwani area of Jammu on
Saturday reflects the determination of the force to scuttle the nefarious
designs of the neighbouring country sponsoring terrorism and drugs in the union
territory.
"Jammu
has always remained a target of Pakistan, its sponsored terrorist outfits, ISI
and the agencies running militancy in J-K. In the past, religious places were
repeatedly targeted and a grenade attack had taken place on a temple in Rajouri
in the recent past.
"Police
have got inputs and are taking action (to foil any attempt to disturb peace and
harm the communal harmony)," the police chief told reporters on the
sidelines of a function here.
Singh
said the recently floated Lashkar-e-Mustafa is an offshoot of the
Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit and majority of its members were arrested in Kashmir or
Jammu.
"The
questioning of its commander (who was arrested in Jammu city on Saturday) is
going on and his disclosure suggests that they wanted to spread militancy to
Jammu and set up hideouts so that they can dump the arms and ammunition
received from Pakistan before smuggling to Kashmir or any other place," he
said.
The
DGP said he was happy that the police arrested the terrorist on time and the
plan was thwarted.
"The
Jammu as well as Kashmir police are working in coordination and are ready to
face any challenge with determination. We have a cent percent success rate in
the cases where police seized arms and ammunition and drugs which were
airdropped by drones or smuggled by other means," he said.
Singh
said Pakistan is playing with the lives of the youth by luring them into
militancy, using drugs to ruin their lives and also smuggling contraband to use
the money for terrorism.
"All
these three things are happening together from Pakistan. The menace of drugs is
a major challenge as it is well organised with the support and sponsorship of
Pakistan," he said.
The
DGP said both Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab share borders with Pakistan and
remain the target for drug trafficking.
"We
have seen the recovery of a truck-load of 685 kgs of drugs at Attari border in
Punjab in recent times. BSF also seized the biggest haul of drugs when it
recovered 66 kgs of narcotic substance from the Arnia sector of J-K."
"We
have successfully foiled repeated drug smuggling attempts in Kupwara and
Baramulla in north Kashmir and Poonch, Rajouri and Samba in Jammu region.
Police have gone all out against the menace and have managed to seize the
contraband being smuggled out of J-K," he said.
However,
he said, there are various modes of transportation and chances are that a few
consignments might have reached their destinations after escaping the vigilant
forces.
"We
all have to come together to continue our fight against the menace with more
vigour," he said.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/feb/07/terrorists-plan-to-set-up-hideouts-in-jammu-to-receive-arms-from-pakistan-dgp-2260939.html
--------
J&K
police book father of slain ‘terrorist’ for holding protest
By
Ashiq Hussain
FEB
08, 2021
Jammu
and Kashmir Police has registered an FIR against the father of an alleged
terrorist killed in an encounter in the Parimpora area of the city on December
30 last year for holding a protest in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district earlier
this week.
Athar
Mushtaq was killed along with two other alleged militants Aijaz Maqbool Ganai
and Zubair Ahmad Lone in the encounter last year. The families of the three
deceased have been holding protests and demanding the return of their bodies.
Athar’s father Mushtaq Ahmad Wani and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti alleged that
the FIR, which the police claimed was on grounds of unlawful assembly, was
lodged because the former had held a protest demanding the body of his son who
was buried by the forces in Ganderbal, some 110 km away. “There is an FIR
against an unlawful assembly at Below (Pulwama) on February 05, 2021,” Pulwama
SP, Ashish Kumar, said in a text message.
As
per local reports, Wani and others have been booked under sections 147, 341,
153 of IPC and 13 of the UAPA for “organizing illegal processions under
criminal conspiracy”.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news
--------
J-K
police arrest wanted terrorist, seize arms and ammunition in Jammu
By
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
FEB
07, 2021
A
wanted terrorist and self-styled commander of Lashkar-e-Mustafa, believed to be
a frontal organisation of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, was arrested on
Saturday on the outskirts of Jammu city, the Jammu and Kashmir police said.
A
pistol and grenade were seized from the possession of Hidayatullah Malik alias
Hassain, an ‘A’ category terrorist hailing from Shopian district.
“We
have recovered some arms and ammunition from him. More searches and raids are
yet to be conducted,” said Jammu district police chief SSP Shridhar Patil.
Patil
said the terrorist was arrested from Kunjwani area of Jammu city. “Malik was
travelling in a vehicle with arms, ammunition and grenades when arrested by a
police team,” he said.
The
SSP said that the terrorist attacked the police party but was overpowered.
Preliminary
questioning has revealed that he was planning to conduct a terror attack in
Jammu, the officer said.
Police
are searching for another associate of Malik who allegedly travelled with him
from Kashmir to Jammu, officials said. It has been learnt that the terrorist
was travelling in a vehicle which had an Uttar Pradesh registration number.
Malik
is the latest in a chain of arrests. The first arrest in this chain was Ayaz
Bhat of Anantnag from whom one pistol was recovered on January 18, said a
police spokesman.
On
his disclosure, two more terror associates namely Rayees Mir of Pampore and
Shakir Itoo of Shopian were arrested from whose possession two grenades were
recovered, he added.
Four
more terror associates hailing from Anantnag were arrested and two pistols,
AK-47 rounds and hand grenades were recovered from their possession, he said.
During
interrogation, they revealed that Malk was staying in Bhatindi area of Jammu
and planning a major attack in Jammu city, he said.
A
special team of Anantnag Police was constituted and deputed to Jammu to launch
the operation. At about 3:30 pm on Saturday an operation was launched with the
assistance of Jammu police at Kunjwani.
During
the joint operation, Malik attacked the joint party and tried to escape from
the spot but the team apprehended in Kunjwani area of Jammu which is a very
crowded place.
Incriminating
materials, arms and ammunition including two pistols and grenades have been
recovered from his possession, said the spokesman.
Malik
is one of ten accused in a case in Pulwama in May last year in the case of a
car bomb which was later on destroyed by security on the spot.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jk-police-arrest-wanted-terrorist-seize-arms-and-ammunition-in-jammu-101612673823961.html
--------
Pakistan
Most
of the revered Hindu sites in Pakistan in state of decay: Report
Feb
8, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Most of the revered sites of the minority Hindu community in Pakistan are in a
poor condition and the authority responsible for their upkeep has failed to
maintain them, leaving the ancient worship places in a state of decay, a recent
report has said.
The
report, prepared by a one-man commission, was submitted to the Supreme Court on
February 5 and presents a dismal picture of the community's most revered sites
in the country, the Dawn reported.
The
report also highlights that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB),
responsible for their upkeep, has failed to maintain most of the ancient and
holy sites of the minority community.
Dr
Shoaib Suddle's one-man commission has been established by the Supreme Court
but it has three supporting members, Dr Ramesh Vankwani, Saqib Jillani and the
attorney general for Pakistan, who has nominated the deputy attorney general to
participate in fact-finding activities of the commission, the newspaper report
said.
The
commission members visited the Katas Raj Mandir in Chakwal on January 6 and
Prahlad Mandir in Multan on January 7.
The
findings in the report presents a general picture of decay and obliteration of
two of the four most revered evacuee sites in Pakistan.
The
report said that collaborative efforts should be taken to renovate Terri Mandir
(Karak), Katas Raj Temples (Chakwal), Prahlad Mandir (Multan) and Hinglaj
Mandir (Lasbela).
It
also suggested an amendment to the ETPB Act to establish a working group for
rehabilitation of the holy sites belonging to Hindus and Sikhs.
The
report has requested the Supreme Court to direct the ETPB to get involved in
the reconstruction of the desecrated Terri mandir/samaadhi and cooperate with
the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for efficient implementation of the
directives given by the apex court from time to time.
In
December, a temple in Terri village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Karak district was
torched by members of radical Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party (Fazal ur Rehman
group). The attack on the temple drew strong condemnation from human rights
activists and the minority Hindu community leaders, prompting the Supreme Court
to order its reconstruction.
The
Supreme Court had in its order of January 5 directed the ETPB “to submit a
detailed report of all temples, Gurdawaras and other religious sites all over
Pakistan which come under the purview of ETPB”.
According
to the ETPB letter, out of 365 temples, only 13 were being managed by them,
leaving responsibility of 65 with the Hindu community, and practically
abandoning the rest of 287 to the land mafias, the report said.
“It
is indeed strange that even in this age of technology, the ETPB has yet to get
the evacuee properties geo-tagged,” it said.
The
commission said that the ETPB, with its staff spread across the country and
boasting huge paraphernalia, was managing 31 places of worship out of a total
of 470.
The
commission also raised objections over the ETPB's response that non-functional
temples/gurdwaras existed due to lack of population of Hindus/Sikhs.
“However,
there are several examples of active mandirs, where no Hindu population
resides, such as Hinglaj Mata Mandir in Balochistan and Shri Param Hans Ji
Mahaaraj mandir/samaadhi at Terri in Karak district of KPK,” the report said.
The
commission also highlighted that the ETPB is yet to Reimburse Rs 38 million for
the renovation of Terri temple.
Alleging
that the ETPB was only interested in occupying valuable properties of migrated
minorities, the commission said that hundreds of charitable, worship and other
joint properties of these communities have been taken over by it, the newspaper
reported.
Hindus
form the biggest minority community in Pakistan.
According
to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan. However, according to
the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country.
The
majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they
share culture, traditions and language with Muslim residents. They often
complain of harassment by the extremists.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/most-of-the-revered-hindu-sites-in-pakistan-in-state-of-decay-report/articleshow/80746102.cms
--------
Pakistan
asks Afghanistan to 'neutralise threat' emanating from war-torn nation
Feb
7, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan said on Sunday that the United Nations has acknowledged the presence
of terror groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and its affiliates in
Afghanistan as it asked the Afghan forces to "neutralise this threat”
emanating from the war-torn nation.
According
to the 27th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team last
week, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan was reported to have "overseen a
reunification of splinter groups that took place in Afghanistan and was
moderated by Al-Qaeda."
The
report noted that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan was responsible for over 100
"cross-border" attacks within three months last year.
Commenting
on the report, the Foreign Office said that Pakistan "expects that a
dedicated effort will be launched by Afghan National Defence and Security
Forces (ANDSF) and Resolute Support Mission (RSM) to neutralise this threat
emanating from Afghanistan."
"Pakistan,
in the past, has drawn attention of the international community to the support
provided to TTP and its affiliates by the hostile intelligence agencies. One of
the results of that support was the merger of Jamaatul Ahrar (JuA), Hizbul
Ahrar (HuA) and other splinter groups of LeJ with TTP in Afghanistan last
year,” according to the statement.
The
FO said that Pakistan stands firm in its resolve to partner with international
community against the menace of terrorism
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-asks-afghanistan-to-neutralise-threat-emanating-from-war-torn-nation/articleshow/80738272.cms
--------
1
killed, 5 arrested in CTD operation against suspected militants in Karachi
Imtiaz
Ali
February
8, 2021
Officials
of the Counter-Terrorism Department of the Sindh Police on Monday killed one
and arrested five suspected militants in an intelligence-based operation in
Karachi and foiled a potential terror plot, according to officials.
A
shootout took place between the suspects and law enforcement agencies at Shah
Latif Town, said CTD Deputy Inspector General Omar Shahid Hamid, adding that a
stun grenade was used in the operation as well.
The
National Counter Terrorism Authority had previously issued an alert expressing
fears of a major terrorist attack in the city, Hamid said.
DIG
Hamid said foreigners were present among the arrested suspects and a rickshaw
fitted with explosives — for purported use in a suicide attack — was found at
their hideout which was defused by members of the bomb disposal squad.
Weapons,
explosives and suicide jackets were recovered in the operation as well, he
said.
A
press conference on the events will be held at 3pm today at the CTD DIG office,
police said. Sindh Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Sindh
Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Mahar will also attend the press talk.
Last
month, the CTD had arrested a student of Karachi's NED University of
Engineering and Technology over charges of "international terror
financing".
“He
was involved in sending money to families of militants linked with the global
[militant] Islamic State group in Syria,” said DIG Hamid. According to the CTD,
Khalid used to provide cash to an associate, named Zia, in Hyderabad, who
converted it into dollars before sending it to Syria.
Speaking
about the investigation, Hamid had said the CTD had received information that
some people collected funds from Pakistan, which were sent to IS militants in
Syria through various means. Acting on a tip-off, police detained the said
suspect and seized two mobile phones from his possession on December 17, 2020.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1606190/1-killed-5-arrested-in-ctd-operation-against-suspected-militants-in-karachi
--------
Murad
shrugs off opposition’s threat of no-trust move against him
February
8, 2021
DADU:
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has dismissed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf
leader Haleem Adil Shaikh’s reaction to the recent dismantling of his farmhouse
and said he had obtained lease of land for agricultural purposes but was making
its commercial use.
If
someone wanted to play politics on encroachments he was free to do so but the
Sindh government was only complying with orders of Supreme Court, Shah told
journalists in Bhan Syedabad town on Sunday.
He
said that encroachment drive had been launched across the province and it was
being executed purely according to the letter and spirit of the apex court
order.
He
said that the government had granted 30-year lease for agricultural purposes
but the lessees built farmhouses on the land. The lease tenure would not be
extended under clearly directives of SC, he said.
He
said that he enjoyed complete trust of Pakistan Peoples Party leadership and
would remain chief minister. Under the leadership of PPP chairman Bilawal
Bhutto-Zardari, Sindh government had provided best services to the people of
the province in spite of difficulties caused by Covid pandemic, he claimed.
He
said that if opposition parties wanted to bring a no-trust motion against him
they could do so but he believed the move to unseat him would fail. All PPP
MPAs were united and they did not care of pressure or fears of victimisation,
he said.
A
day before, the chief minister said at a press conference in Sehwan that he
made an offer to PTI, saying if the party was incapable of running federal
government it should hand over its reins to PPP, which would manage affairs of
the centre as ably as it was governing Sindh.
He
said that PTI lacked majority in National Assembly to amend the Constitution.
It was clear the party had no trust in the loyalty of its members hence it was
insisting on “show of hands” for Senate election, he said.
About
National Finance Commission award, he said that he would highlight the issue of
Sindh’s share in the award in upcoming meeting of Council of Common (CCI) Interests.
PTI should bring an amendment to the Constitution to change mode of Senate
election, he said.
He
said that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had introduced 18th Amendment after
having sought consent of all political parties and this one instance showed the
PPP’s capability to garner support of different parties for a common cause and
proved how successful PPP’s tenure was in centre.
He
condemned PTI members’ attitude towards PPP MNA Naveed Qamar in National
Assembly and said that the ruling party members were acting foolishly as they
did not know law nor Constitution.
He
said the federal government had completely failed on Kashmir issue. The
provincial government took some harsh decisions to face Covid outbreak and shut
all shrines for all but the devotees who followed SOPs for coronavirus, he
said.
Shah
said that local bodies’ election would be held under the Constitution, which
required the election be held according to census and Sindh government had
serious objections over census 2017.
He
said that a decision on the census would be taken in upcoming CCI meeting. He
had learnt the census would be held again before 2023, he said.
He
said that he had raised the issue of gas shortages and reiterated PPP would
always stand by people of Sindh on its right over gas.
After
the press conference, PTI district president Sardar Hakim Nohani announced
joining PPP.
Earlier,
the chief minister offered condolence to party supporters over death of their
relatives in Lutuf Ali Bhand village and Bhan Syedabad town.
He
was accompanied by PPP MNA Sikandar Rahpoto, Syed Asif Ali Shah, local PPP
leader Amanullah Shahani, Jamshoro deputy commissioner Fareeduddin Mustafa,
Jamshoro SSP Mohammad Anwar Khetran, Dadu DC Samiullah Nisar Shaikh and Dadu
SSP Aijaz Ahmed Shaikh.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1606110/murad-shrugs-off-oppositions-threat-of-no-trust-move-against-him
--------
South
Asia
Taliban
Intelligence Chief Nabbed in Balkh
08
Feb 2021
Security
sources in Balkh province say that the Taliban intelligence chief responsible
for two districts has been arrested by the provincial police.
The
209th Shaheen Corps on Monday stated, that in an operation conducted by
reconnaissance and intelligence members.
Rozi
Khan, the Taliban’s intelligence chief for the Chahar Bolak district of Balkh
and Faizabad districts of Jawzjan province, was arrested on the outskirts of
Mazar-e-Sharif and was brought to justice for prosecution.
This
comes as eight members of Afghan security forces were killed in Badghis and
Ghor provinces.
At
least ten members of the Afghan security forces were killed and two more
wounded in clashes with Taliban militants in Badghis and Ghor provinces,
sources told media on said Monday.
six
policemen were killed in the AabKamari district of Badghis province when the
Taliban attacked security outposts, and four others are reported missing.
In
a similar incident, 4 security force members were killed in Taliban clashes in
Firuzkoh of Ghor province.
Local
officials told the media, that five other security force members were wounded
during the skirmish.
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-intelligence-chief-nabbed-in-balkh-334433/
--------
4
killed as Taliban tried to snatch a flock of sheep in Balkh
08
Feb 2021
The
209th Shaheen Corps said the Taliban fighters killed four civilians in an
attempt to snatch locals’ sheep.
Mohammad
Hanif Rezaee, a spokesman for the 209th Shaheen Corps, told Khaama press
Monday, that at around 5 a.m. in the morning, Taliban affiliated members killed
four civilians in an attempt to loot a flock of sheep in the Chaharkant
district of Balkh province.
He
added that the Taliban group tried to steal a flock of 400 to 450 sheep when
clashes between the locals and group occurred.
According
to him, during the resistance four civilians were killed and five others were
injured in the clash, and two other civilians hit Taliban land mines instantly
killing them.
Taliban
fighters were unable to steal the sheep because locals prevented them from
doing so, Rezaee added.
Rezaei
noted the Taliban members fled the area following the skirmish with the locals.
The
northern province of Balkh is one of the relatively safest provinces in the
country, but for the past two years, the Taliban have been active in parts of
the region.
https://www.khaama.com/4-killed-as-taliban-tried-to-snatch-a-flock-of-sheep-in-balkh-455444/
--------
Taliban
not committed to peace, abandoned talks: Afghan NSA
07
February 2021
Afghan
National Security Advisor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib claimed that the Taliban has no
intention towards being committed to the country's peace process, adding that
the militant group has totally abandoned the negotiations in Doha, the media
reported on Sunday.
"Taliban's
intention is clear. Taliban do not want peace, their bosses won't allow them to
make peace. It is a fact that they want permanent instability in
Afghanistan," Khaama Press quoted Mohib as saying a press conference on
Saturday.
According
to Mohib, the Taliban are not prepared to reduce level of the violence in the
war-torn country.
"The
Taliban want to destroy Afghanistan, they just want complete power and nothing
else.
"If
the Taliban do not want peace, we must defend our people. President (Ashraf)
Ghani is committed to peace. But the Taliban are the main obstacle to the peace
process.
"We
will not allow them to collapse the system and carry out their nefarious goals
here," the NSA added.
Also
addressing the press conference, Interior Minister Massoud Andarabi claimed
that the Taliban leadership is in Doha and were not aware of the war situation
in Afghanistan.
"They
are killing Afghans illegitimately," he added.
Deputy
Defence Mnister Shah Mahmood Miakhel added at the briefing that "if the
Taliban want war we are ready", Khaama Press reported.
The
peace negotiations between the Afghan Republic and the Taliban have stalled
over the last 20 days and violence has also remained high in the country, TOLO
News said in a report.
The
Ministry of Defence on Friday reported fighting between the government forces
and the Taliban in at least 20 provinces in 24 hours.
Sources
said over 20 security force members were killed in Taliban attacks in Kunduz
and Faryab provinces on Thursday night.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/trending-news/taliban-not-committed-to-peace--abandoned-talks--afghan-nsa.html
--------
Mideast
Iran
Calls for End of Yemeni War, Siege by Hawkish Governments
021-February-7
“Ending
the support for the Saudi coalition and stopping the arms sale to them could be
a step for correcting the past mistakes,” Khatibzadeh said, adding, “The air,
sea, and land siege, which has caused food and medicine poverty and claimed the
lives of thousands of Yemenis, should come to an end.”
He
said that certain countries which are aiding and abetting the Saudis against
the Yemeni people should put an end to their soft and hard support for Riyadh.
The
spokesman added that Iran welcomes any efforts to support Yemen and to stop
supports for the aggressors.
In
relevant remarks on Friday, Iran’s Ambassador to Yemen Hassan Irlou said he is
not optimistic about the US new policy on the war-torn country.
"The
US is a great Satan & we are not optimistic about what they say,"
Irlou wrote in a post to his Twitter account.
He
said the new American administration may have a different approach toward
Yemen, but Tehran will not trust in it.
The
envoy expressed hope that, with the divine help, the people of Yemen will
continue their victories against the Saudi-led aggression.
Irlou
made the remarks in reaction to the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
who said Joe Biden is going to put an end to the US support for offensive
operations in Yemen.
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/13991119000243/Iran-Calls-fr-End-f-Yemeni-War-Siege-by-Hawkish-Gvernmens
--------
Iran:
Israel’s Possible Adventurism to Expedite Own Annihilation
2021-February-7
“Iran
will give a crushing response to any threat by the occupying regime,” Iran’s
Ambassador and permanent representative to the UN Majid Takht Ravanchi wrote in
a letter to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in reaction to the recent
comments of an Israeli official, adding that any measure by the Zionist regime
will speed up its eventual destruction.
“Recently,
the Israeli regime has not only intensified its provocative and hawkish remarks
against the Islamic Republic of Iran but is also actively planning to carry out
its hostile threats against Iran,” Takht Ravanchi wrote.
Referring
to a top Israeli military official’s mendacious claims on Iran’s peaceful
nuclear program, he continued, “In addition to their current plans against
Iran, the Israeli military forces are also preparing operational plans to
develop them for the next year, as such plans must be ‘on the table’.”
“Such
threats are a blatant violation of Article 2 of the UN Charter”, Takht Ravanchi
added.
He
stressed that given the very dark and shameful record of the regime in
attacking regional countries, the world countries should give an appropriate
response to the usurper regime.
“We
reserve our natural right to defense, and will give a decisive response to any
threat or incorrect move by the Israeli regime,” the envoy went on to say.
“It
is perfectly clear that the Israeli regime must shoulder full responsibility
for its unbridled and incorrect moves,” he warned, calling on the Security
Council to confront Israel’s destabilizing policies and hawkish actions.
In
late January, Israeli Army Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi warned the
administration of US President Joe Biden against rejoining the 2015 Iran
nuclear deal, adding that he had ordered his forces to step up preparations for
possible offensive against Iran.
In
relevant remarks late January, Military advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader
and former Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan played
down the Israeli officials' recent threats against Iran, saying that they do
not dare to fire even a single bullet at the country.
The
Israelis “do not even dare to fire a bullet at dear Iran”, General Dehqan wrote
on his twitter page on Wednesday January 27.
He
warned the regime, however, that Iran’s “doctrine is defensive but based on
severe punishment for the aggressors. Do not rush for annihilation.”
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/13991119000160/Iran-Israel%E2%80%99s-Pssible-Advenrism-Expedie-Own-Annihilain
--------
Israel’s
Netanyahu pleads not guilty to corruption charges as trial resumes
08
February ,2021
Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleaded not guilty on Monday to corruption charges
at the resumption of his trial some six weeks before Israeli voters again pass
judgment on his leadership.
“I
confirm the written answer submitted in my name,” Netanyahu said, standing
before a three-judge panel in a heavily-guarded Jerusalem District Court.
He
was referring to a document his lawyers gave the court last month in which they
argued he was not guilty of charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud.
Netanyahu
was indicted in 2019 in long-running cases involving gifts from millionaire
friends and for allegedly seeking regulatory favors for media tycoons in return
for favorable coverage. He has denied any wrongdoing.
He
last came to court in May at the start of a trial subsequently delayed by
coronavirus lockdowns. At that session, he delivered a speech in the corridor,
flanked by cabinet ministers from his right-wing Likud party, denouncing his
prosecution as a political witch hunt.
Before
Monday’s session, at which Netanyahu will be asked to respond formally to the
charges against him, the Israeli leader issued a public appeal to supporters
not to come to the court building, citing health precautions in the coronavirus
pandemic.
But
dozens of protesters demanding his resignation held a demonstration near the
court house against the first serving Israeli prime minister to be charged with
a crime.
A
politically-divided Israel will hold its fourth parliamentary election in two
years on March 23, with Netanyahu’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis and his
alleged corruption main issues stoking weekly protests against him.
Opinion
polls show the race too close to call, as right-wing rivals and centre-left
opponents muster against Israel’s longest-serving leader. Netanyahu, 71, has
been prime minister continuously since 2009 after a first term from 1996 to
1999.
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/02/08/Netanyahu-appears-in-court-for-resumption-of-corruption-trial
--------
Palestinians
to launch own postcodes to assert sovereign rights
07
February 2021
The
Palestinian Authority (PA) says it has decided to start using its own postal
codes in an attempt to ease the delivery of mail and parcels to and from the
occupied West Bank.
The
Palestinian leadership made the announcement on Sunday, saying it has asked the
Universal Postal Union (UPU) to notify its member states of the decision.
Palestinian
Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology Ishaq Sider said at a
press conference in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah that "From
April, postal items that do not bear a Palestinian postal code will not be
processed”.
"It
is a question of asserting Palestinian rights", he added.
Sider
further said Palestinian postal codes would also help put an end to the seizure
of shipments from abroad.
He
also noted that six tonnes of packages had been held up in Jordan since 2018,
accusing Israel of obstructing deliveries.
Imad
al-Tumayzi, head of international relations at the Palestinian Post, also said
using postcodes "will prevent Israel from seizing postal items that come
to Palestine, and will help make the services more efficient".
"In
2020, we recorded more than 7,000 violations of postal equipment on the Israeli
side, whether by opening packages, seizing them or summoning their owners for
investigation," he said.
International
mail sent to or from the occupied West Bank currently has to pass through
Jordan or Israel.
Palestinians
have complained that they are forced to use costly private courier services to
send or receive parcels.
But
it was not clear if the application of postal codes would cut mailing costs.
The
official Palestinian Wafa news agency also said nearly half a million buildings
in the occupied West Bank had already been given postcodes, adding that the
rollout would soon be extended to the besieged Gaza Strip.
However,
a Palestinian postal worker who asked not to be named, described the new
postcodes as "more symbolic than practical."
The
latest development comes amid Israel’s plan to annex parts of the occupied
Palestinian territories.
After
former |US president Donald Trump took office in December 2016, Israel stepped
up its settlement construction activities in defiance of United Nations
Security Council Resolution 2334, which pronounced settlements in the West Bank
and East Jerusalem al-Quds “a flagrant violation under international law.”
Palestinians
want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state, with East
Jerusalem, al-Quds, as its capital. But Israel's aggressive settlement
expansion and annexation plans have dealt a serious blow to any prospects of
peace.
More
than 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli
occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem,
al-Quds.
All
Israeli settlements are illegal under international law as they are built on
occupied land.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/07/644772/Palestine-postal-codes-West-Bank-PA
--------
Israeli
forces shoot, wound four Palestinians in Jenin, West Bank
07
February 2021
Israeli
troopers have shot and wounded at least four Palestinians in northern city of
Jenin in the occupied West Bank as tensions continue to simmer in the occupied
territories.
The
Palestinian Information Center, quoting local sources, reported that Khaled
Nasser Fraihat, a worker from Yamoun town, west of Jenin, was shot in his leg
by Israeli forces while he was going to his workplace on Sunday.
The
shooting occurred near the “Apartheid Wall” in the vicinity of Barta’a town,
southwest of Jenin, the report said, adding that the Palestinian worker was
then taken to a nearby hospital for due treatment.
Israel
began building the barrier of walls and fences inside the occupied West Bank
back in 2002. Tel Aviv argues that the project is aimed at preventing
"infiltration" into the occupied territories, but Palestinians say
the move is yet another violation of their rights and allows for further
annexation of their land.
The
barrier wall violates the basic rights of nearly a million Palestinians,
forcing thousands of them to obtain special permits from Israeli forces to
allow them to move between their homes and their lands.
According
to the report, Palestinian workers are always chased by Israeli forces while
trying to access their workplaces in the occupied lands.
Separately
on Sunday morning, clashes occurred between Israeli soldiers, who had stormed
Jenin, and young Palestinians. Local sources told the Palestinian Information
Center that Israeli forces fired live bullets and tear gas canisters.
At
least three young Palestinians sustained injuries – namely Hassan Turkman, a
child who was shot in his leg, Diaa Yusuf, a young man who was also shot in the
leg, and Thamer al-Mahr, a boy who was wounded with a rubber bullet.
According
to the report, the three wounded Palestinians were taken to hospitals in Jenin
for due treatment.
Locals
also said that a number of other protesting Palestinians suffered breathing
problems.
Additionally,
Ibrahim Al-Saadi, another young Palestinian, was injured in his leg and back
after an Israeli patrol intentionally ran over him, the report added.
Tensions
are rising in the occupied Palestinian territories as Israel presses ahead with
expansionism, illegal settlement construction and violence against the
Palestinians.
More
than 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967
Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East
Jerusalem al-Quds.
The
UN Security Council has condemned Israel’s settlement activities in the
occupied territories in several resolutions.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/07/644767/Palestine-Jenin-Israel-West-Bank-shooting
--------
MEP:
Israel is apartheid state, illegally occupying Palestine, Syria's Golan
07
February 2021
In
response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has billed Israel as
“a democratic state,” a member of the European Parliament has called the regime
an “apartheid state,” which has illegally occupied Palestinian and Syrian lands
and is engaged in genocide against Palestinians.
“When
the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates Israel for fake war crimes,
this is pure anti-Semitism,” Netanyahu said on Saturday, a day after the ICC
ruled that it has jurisdiction to open a war crimes investigation against
Israel.
In
a tweet later in the day, Mick Wallace, independent Irish member of the
European Parliament (EP), said Israel is “an apartheid state” rather than a
democratic one.
Wallace,
an outspoken member of the EP, also slammed Israel as a “lawless state”, which
is illegally occupying Palestine and Golan Heights, and totally ignores
international law as it bombs Syria “whenever it feels like it.”
In
a statement released on Friday, the ICC said it has jurisdiction in Palestine,
a move that cleared its chief prosecutor to investigate alleged atrocities
despite strong objections by the Israeli regime.
ICC
judges made it clear that the court was not taking a stance on any border
disputes, but added the court’s territorial jurisdiction extended “to the
territories occupied by Israel since 1967, namely Gaza and the West Bank,
including East Jerusalem.”
The
Palestinian government welcomed the new ruling, praising it as a victory for
justice, humanity and freedom, and voicing readiness to cooperate with the
ICC’s prosecutor if an investigation is launched.
The
Palestinian resistance movement Hamas also hailed it as a move in support of
the rights of Palestinians, saying the Israeli regime has continually practiced
“organized terror” against Palestinians whereas the international community
remained silent.
Israel
occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip – the
territories the Palestinians want for their future state – in 1967. Currently,
about 700,000 Israelis live in over 230 illegal settlements built in the West
Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds.
Citing
the UN General Assembly Resolution 67/19, the ICC said that the resolution
reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to
independence in their State of Palestine on the Palestinian territory occupied
since 1967.
Israel
is not a member of the ICC, but Palestine was allowed to join in 2015 and has
since called for an investigation into Israeli crimes. The regime in Tel Aviv
has argued that as Palestine is not a fully-fledged state, it should not be
allowed to petition the court.
In
the Friday statement, the ICC rejected Israel’s argument, stating that
Palestine had “the right to be treated as any other state party” to its statute.
Netanyahu
and former US President Donald Trump have been among the fiercest critics of
the ICC in recent years. Emboldened by Trump’s hostility toward the ICC, the
Israeli prime minister called for sanctions against the court in 2020.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/07/644760/MEP-calls-Israel-apartheid-state
--------
Fatah,
Hamas set to discuss elections at Cairo reconciliation talks
07
February 2021
After
15 years of rivalry between Fatah party and the Palestinian resistance movement
Hamas, the key Palestinian factions plan to meet in the Egyptian capital Cairo
this week to tackle issues that could threaten long-awaited elections.
Leaders
of several Palestinian political factions, including Hamas and Fatah, were
scheduled to start a comprehensive national dialog in the Egyptian capital
Cairo on Monday, aiming to reach an agreement on the mechanism of holding the
general elections in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The
Fatah delegation led by Jibril Rajoub and Hamas's team headed by Saleh al-Arouri
would examine ways to boost the inter-Palestinian reconciliation.
Technical,
legal and security issues would also be discussed to ensure the first
Palestinian votes in 15 years.
Khalil
Shikaki, director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in
Ramallah said a string of nuts-and-bolts issues must be addressed among the
political factions before any vote.
Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas announced in a decree last month that the 2021 general
elections will include legislative elections being held on May 22, presidential
elections on July 31 and the Palestinian National Council elections on August
31.
Hamas
welcomed the decree and expressed its “strong eagerness to make this obligation
successful.”
The
movement also called for dialogue ahead of the votes.
Earlier
last month, Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas political bureau, wrote a letter to
the Palestinian president, calling for ending division, building partnership,
and accomplishing national unity, according to a statement issued by the
Palestinian Authority, which is the governing body in the West Bank led by
Abbas.
Major
challenges still loom over the vote. Top of the list is east Jerusalem al-Quds,
the majority Palestinian part of which annexed by Israel following the 1967 Six
Day War in a move not recognized by most of the international community.
Abbas
has previously said he would not agree to elections unless Palestinians in east
Jerusalem al-Quds can vote. But such a guarantee is unlikely from Israeli
regime, which has labelled the entire city its "undivided
capital".
The
Palestinian Authority (PA) has asked the European Union to send an election
observer mission to oversee the vote in east Jerusalem al-Quds.
The
Palestinian leadership has been divided between Fatah and Hamas since 2006 when
the latter scored a landslide victory in parliamentary elections in the
besieged Gaza Strip. Hamas has ever since been running the densely-populated
coastal enclave, while Fatah has been based in the autonomous parts of the
Israeli-occupied West Bank.
However,
the new decree remained far from clear whether the voting would actually be
held. Previous reconciliation attempts by the two sides to form a power-sharing
unity government in Gaza and the West Bank have failed. The pair agreed on a
unity government in April 2014, but it fell apart months later.
The
relation between the Palestinian Authority and the United States soured after
the administration of former president Donald Trump recognized the whole
Jerusalem al-Quds as the so-called “capital” of the Israeli regime and moved
the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the city, cut aid to Palestinians in the West
Bank and proposed a much-condemned plan – known as the Deal of the Century –
that allowed Israel to seize large parts of the West Bank and the Jordan
Valley.
Abbas
hopes that US President-elect Joe Biden reverses what Trump had done against
Palestinians. But such elections, with the participation of Hamas, could also
complicate Biden's alleged plans to restore aid to the Palestinians since
Washington has since 1997 designated Hamas as a “terrorist” group.
This
is while Hamas has for years defended the besieged Gaza Strip from frequent
Israeli incursions, notably during three wars the regime imposed on the
impoverished enclave.
Israel
captured the West Bank, Gaza, and the East Jerusalem al-Quds in the 1967 war,
territories the Palestinians want for their future state.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/07/644751/Palestine-Hamas-Fatah-Egypt-Mahmoud-Abbas-US--
--------
Africa
Bomb
blast kills at least 12 in central Somalia
Mohammed
Dhaysane
07.02.2021
MOGADISHU,
Somalia
A
bomb blast in central Somalia killed at least a dozen people on Sunday,
including a local intelligence chief, according to officials.
The
attack, which wounded several others, targeted the vehicle of Abdirashid Abdi
Qooje as it passed through the village of Eldhere 30 kilometers (18 miles) west
of Dhusamareb, the administrative capital of Galmudug State. Qooje was the head
of the National Intelligence and Security Agency in Dhusamareb.
Speaking
to Anadolu Agency, security officials in the region confirmed the attack and
number of casualties on condition of anonymity.
"A
military vehicle carrying Dhusamareb intelligence chief Abdirashid Abdi Qooje,
was attacked while traveling between Eldhere and Guriel town, killing him and
11 of his bodyguards," one security official said.
Several
others, including three soldiers, were also wounded and were transported to
hospitals in Dhusamareb for treatment.
Local
media have placed casualties at 14 people.
Al-Shabaab,
an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group based in the Horn of Africa country, claimed
responsibility for the attack.
This
was the third bombing in Somalia over the last 24 hours. One civilian was
killed and three others wounded in a bomb blast Saturday evening in the capital
Mogadishu.
On
Sunday, three soldiers guarding the Mogadishu-Afgoye highway construction site
were wounded in another bomb blast outside Mogadishu.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/bomb-blast-kills-at-least-12-in-central-somalia/2136833
--------
ICC
officials in Sudan seek cooperation for Darfur justice
08
February ,2021
Sudan’s
justice minister has met with officials from the International Criminal Court
in the capital of Khartoum to discuss cooperation with the tribunal in the
trials related to the Darfur conflict, his office said.
Justice
Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari said after Saturday’s meeting that Sudanese
authorities are conducting “internal deliberations” over “the best ways of
cooperation” with the ICC. He did not elaborate.
The
12-member ICC delegation, headed by Deputy Prosecutor James Kirkpatrick
Stewart, arrived in Khartoum early Saturday. The visit is coming around two
months after the court’s Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda criticized Sudan’s
transitional authorities over the lack of progress in cooperation with the
African country to bring justice to victims of Darfur conflict.
The
conflict in the western Darfur region broke out when rebels from the
territory’s ethnic central and sub-Saharan African community launched an
insurgency in 2003, complaining of oppression by the Arab-dominated government
in the capital Khartoum.
Then-President
Omar Al-Bashir’s government responded with a scorched-earth campaign of aerial
bombings and unleashed militias known as Janjaweed, who are accused of mass
killings and rapes. As many as 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million
people were driven from their homes.
The
ICC charged al-Bashir with war crimes and genocide for allegedly masterminding
the campaign of attacks in Darfur. He has been under arrest since the Sudanese
military, under pressure from protesters, ousted him in April 2019.
Two
other senior figures of al-Bashir’s rule accused by the ICC of war crimes and
crimes against humanity also are under arrest in Khartoum. They are Abdel-Rahim
Muhammad Hussein, interior and defense minister during much of the conflict,
and Ahmed Haroun, a senior security chief at the time and later the leader of
al-Bashir’s ruling party.
The
ICC is also seeking rebel leader Abdulla Banda, whose whereabouts are not
known.
Janjaweed
leader Ali Kushayb has been tried before the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands over
multiple counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur in 2003 and
2004. The court’s pre-trial chamber has postponed the hearing on confirmation
of the charges against Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb until Feb. 22.
In
a briefing to the UN Security Council in December, Bensouda called on the
Sudanese government to allow unimpeded access for the tribunal’s investigators
to witnesses, crime scenes and other evidence in Darfur.
She
also urged the government to swiftly respond to the draft memorandum of
understanding on cooperation with the ICC that was sent after she made the
first visit to Khartoum by a prosecutor since the Darfur conflict in October.
Abdulbari,
the justice minister, said he discussed with the visiting delegation the
signing of that memorandum, but he did not give further details.
Also
on Saturday, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok fired his Cabinet, in an expected
move ahead of the a reshuffle as part of a peace deal with a rebel alliance
signed last year, his office said.
Hamdok
planned to announce the new Cabinet on Monday, which would include ministers
from Sudan Revolutionary Front, an alliance of armed groups, according to the
state-run SUNA news agency.
Sudan
is on a fragile path to democracy after the ouster of al-Bashir. The county is
now ruled by a joint military and civilian government that seeks better ties
with Washington and the West.
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/02/08/ICC-officials-in-Sudan-seek-cooperation-for-Darfur-justice
--------
Sudan’s
PM Hamdok dissolves cabinet: State TV
8
February ,2021
Sudan's
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok dissolved his cabinet on Sunday, the prime
minister's office said in a statement.
The
new cabinet will be announced on Monday, Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty
Council's media office said in a separate statement.
Sudan
on Friday appointed three representatives of armed rebel groups to top posts in
the country's interim government as part of a peace deal signed last year, the
state news agency reported on Thursday.
Sudan
is transitioning to democratic rule after a mass uprising forced the military
to remove longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019 and trying to quell years of
conflict in its rebellious regions.
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/02/08/Sudan-s-PM-Hamdok-dissolves-cabinet-State-TV
--------
Somali
opposition leaders say they no longer recognize President Farmajo
08
February ,2021
Somalia’s
opposition leaders have announced that they no longer recognise President
Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, after his term expired without a political agreement
on a path toward elections to replace him.
“Starting
from 8th February 2021, the council of opposition candidates does not recognise
Farmajo as president. The council will not accept any form of mandate extension
through pressure,” the opposition leaders said in a statement issued late
Sunday that referred to the president by his common nickname.
The
declaration comes after Farmajo’s government in Mogadishu and the leaders of
Somalia’s five federal states failed to break a deadlock over how to proceed
with elections.
Somalia
was supposed to hold indirect parliamentary and presidential elections before
February 8 but the deadline was missed as Farmajo and the regional leaders
squabbled over how to conduct the vote.
The
United Nations had warned that Somalia, a country already battling a violent
extremist insurgency and serious food shortages, risked entering uncharted
territory should the government’s mandate expire without a consensus on the
election process.
Farmajo,
who is running for a second term, blamed his regional rivals for reneging on an
earlier agreement struck in September that laid out a timeline for a vote.
Jubaland,
one of the semi-autonomous regions at odds with Farmajo, accused the president
of refusing their offers to compromise.
The
coalition of opposition presidential candidates called for the establishment of
a transitional national council to steer the nation through this period, and
urged Farmajo to respect the constitution.
The
group is allied against Farmajo, but comprises candidates running individually
for the presidency including two of Somalia’s former presidents.
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2021/02/08/Somali-opposition-leaders-say-they-no-longer-recognize-President-Farmaajo
--------
Europe
EU
keeps PKK on terrorism list
Agnes
Szucs
05.02.2021
BRUSSELS
The
European Union on Friday renewed its terrorist list for a further six months.
The
sanctions list features 14 persons and 21 entities or groups, including the PKK
and Dalokay Sanli, a senior figure of the terrorist group.
Terrorist
organizations DHKP/C, IBDA-C, and TAK -- a PKK offshoot -- are also on the
list.
In
its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – also listed as
a terrorist organization by Turkey and the US – has been responsible for the
deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.
In
order to combat terrorism, the bloc freezes the funds and financial assets in
the EU of the enlisted persons and groups and also bans EU operators to make
economic resources available for them.
The
bloc applies a separate sanction mechanism for terror groups Al-Qaida and
Daesh/ISIS.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/eu-keeps-pkk-on-terrorism-list/2135467
--------
European
envoy in Sudan to ease tension with Ethiopia
Buhram
Abdel-Mon'em
07.02.2021
A
European special envoy is set to arrive in Sudan on Sunday for talks aimed at
easing tension with Ethiopia over their border dispute.
“The
High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy in the European Union,
Josep Borrell, assigned the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pekka
Haavisto, to visit Sudan and Ethiopia as a special envoy of the European
Union,” the EU Mission in Sudan said in a statement.
The
visit aims "to help ease tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia, and to find
out how the international community can provide support in finding peaceful
solutions to the current crises facing the region", the statement added.
Haavisto
is expected to stay in Khartoum for two days where he will meet Sudan's top
officials, including Abdelfattah al-Burhan, chairman of the Sudanese
Sovereignty Council, Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok and Foreign Minister Omar
Qamar al-Din.
Relations
between Khartoum and Addis Ababa witnessed tensions over Sudanese accusations
to Ethiopia of supporting gangs that targeted Sudanese territories along with
stuck talks over border demarcation.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/european-envoy-in-sudan-to-ease-tension-with-ethiopia/2136627
--------
German
police beat up Turkish father, daughter
Mesut
Zeyrek
06.02.2021
A
Turkish father and his 17-year-old daughter were beaten by German police in the
town of Ennepetal in the North Rhine-Westphalia state.
Cemil
Basongen told Anadolu Agency that the police had used disproportionate force
against him and his daughter, Yasemin, due to a simple incident on Feb. 3.
Basongen,
who had come to Germany from Turkey in 2001 as a factory worker, said the
incident occurred after his daughter had an argument with her friends, who then
called the police.
"While
I was waiting for her outside, the police came within five minutes. The police
had told my daughter to step away and so she went downstairs [...] Because my
daughter went downstairs, a female police officer angrily went after her and
knocked down my 17-year-old daughter with another officer that had entered from
outside [the house]," Basongen recounted.
He
said he was also attacked by another male officer when he tried to separate the
police from his daughter in a bid to protect her.
"That
burly cop got on top of me. He punched me twice and I lost consciousness and he
handcuffed me behind the back. At that time, they took my daughter in a police
car. I was already unconscious and didn't see this," he said.
Once
at the police station, Basongen said he saw his daughter's face and hair were
covered in bloodstains.
"When
they opened the handcuffs and let me see my daughter, her face and hair were
covered in blood. Before getting out of the vehicle in front of the police
station, they had severely beaten her up. Her cheekbone was broken. Her nose
was bleeding. There was no need for this beating. They called an ambulance and
took her to the hospital," Basongen said.
He
added that his daughter said the police had threatened to kill her.
"I'll
file a criminal complaint against the police and seek my rights through legal
means to the end," Basongen said.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/german-police-beat-up-turkish-father-daughter/2136222
--------
European
delegation in Yemen to advance peace efforts
Shukri
Hussein
06.02.2021
A
European Union mission arrived in Yemen’s interim capital, Aden, on Saturday to
discuss opportunities for peace with the newly formed government.
The
visit is the first by a European delegation since the return of the Yemeni
government to Aden on Dec. 30 from Saudi Arabia.
The
mission includes the ambassadors of France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway,
Germany, Finland, Sweden and Ireland, according to a government source.
The
delegation arrived aboard a private plane “to hold talks with the government on
a number of issues related to peace opportunities in Yemen,” said the source,
who preferred to remain unnamed because he was not authorized to speak to the
media.
He
said the European delegates were scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Moein
Abdel-Malik and Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak as part of their visit.
On
Dec. 18, a power-sharing government based on the Riyadh Agreement was announced
in war-torn Yemen containing 24 ministers, including representatives of the
separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), which is backed by the United
Arab Emirates (UAE).
Yemen
has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Houthi rebels
captured much of the country, including Sanaa.
A
Saudi-led coalition aimed at reinstating the Yemeni government has worsened the
situation, causing one of the world’s worst man-made humanitarian crises with
233,000 people killed, nearly 80% or about 30 million needing humanitarian
assistance and protection, and more than 13 million in danger of starving to
death, according to UN estimates.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/european-delegation-in-yemen-to-advance-peace-efforts/2136031
--------
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